The Mavericks are “determined” to find space on their roster for Theo Pinson next season, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack article. Pinson appeared in just 19 regular season games in 2021/22 and wasn’t eligible to play in the postseason, but the Mavs view the 26-year-old wing as an important part of the team dynamic in Dallas, Stein explains, noting that center Boban Marjanovic falls into this category too.
Marjanovic has a $3.5MM contract for next season, so the Mavericks will have no problem keeping him around if they want to, but Pinson’s two-way deal is set to expire, making him an unrestricted free agent. Since he’ll have four years of NBA service under his belt, Pinson will no longer be eligible to sign a two-way contract in 2022/23 — he’d have to get a standard contract and be part of the 15-man roster if the Mavs want to retain him.
Pinson was viewed as the unofficial ring leader of the Mavs’ bench mob that earned the team $175K in fines during the playoffs due to its “bench decorum” violations.
Here’s more from Stein:
- With Darvin Ham off the board, it’s unclear which head coaching candidate is the frontrunner for the Hornets‘ job. However, Stein says there was some “fresh buzz” over the weekend that if Mike D’Antoni is hired by Charlotte, he could bring former Bulls head coach Jim Boylen along with him as an assistant. Stein reported a couple weeks ago that D’Antoni was in a strong position to land the job, but later cast some doubt on that report.
- Sources with knowledge of the situation tell Stein that the “equity” aspect of Tim Connelly‘s deal with the Timberwolves has been overstated. Stein’s understanding is that Connelly’s contract includes a bonus based on the value of the franchise increasing during his five-year contract, but he doesn’t actually own a stake in the team.
- It remains to be seen whether veteran assistant Phil Handy will return to the Lakers under Ham, according to Stein, who believes the Nets could be a fit for Handy if he doesn’t stay in L.A. Handy worked well with Kyrie Irving during their Cleveland days, and the Nets have a need on the player development side following Adam Harrington‘s exit, Stein observes.
Can’t imagine the Mavs committing a standard 15 man spot to Pinson with an already full roster.
As far as the roster construction goes, the Mavs have one opening at the moment with Brunson being a free agent. They are committed to bringing him back, but if they can’t, they will attempt a sign-and-trade or bring in a free agent that can step in the rotation. PLUS – they’ve got their 1st round draft pick coming up this summer. You’re now at 16 spots for 15 slots.
I assume Trey Burke picks up his player option. He has value as the Mavs’ 3rd PG … steps in when needed and provides a lot of offense.
Perhaps Dallas eats the last year of Sterling Brown’s contract, who did not work out. He was this year’s version of Wes Iwundu. Lots of hype going into the season as a 3&D and the results and playing time were not there. But that still puts you back at a full 15.
I doubt another team will give Pinson a standard contract – just not enough upside – so I believe he ends up with this choice: (A) Wait until the 10 day contract period opens up in January to latch on with a new team … or (B) take a player development coaching position with the Mavs who love him. He essentially becomes a part of the bench mob as an assistant. (C) Go overseas and get your money like Shane Larkin.
Also have a 10M trade exception to be used.
Yep. I expect Dallas will try to use that to upgrade the center spot, and if they can’t work one out, it will expire.
How much do you guys expect Cuban to spend – A 20 spot on Brunson puts um at 175 mill.
That be a top 5 spending team EVER…and we are adding too? Im not as sold
Dallas will probably trade bertans and their 26th overall pick to the pick-whore thunders for a 2024 top 55 protected pick. And then probably trade Powell and maybe Tim hardaway to pacers (carlie favorites) for expring myles turner. That leaves one spot left and dallas will have two TE worth (11m- bertans and the other 10m exception) and they will be taxpayers and will have a 6.8Mle exception they can use on a free agent. Maybe mo bamba
@David, why would the Mavs trade the 26th pick for a pick that the Thunder are almost guaranteed to keep, it’s not worth it to get rid of Bertrans, he’s still sort of valuable to the Mavs and they could get a very good player like Kendall Brown or Terquavion Smith at 26, and trade it all away for nothing?
Bertan’s success, like Zinger’s, likely depends on Doncic’s favor. His playoff minutes, though short, likely shows he has a good chance of it. Obvsly his performance will matter too.
In his previous stop, he did not have the favor of Westbrook or maybe Beal or both. (Something made Beal keep complaining about defense in Bertan’s big year. Then Wizrds got Westy who envied his shots.)
Hornets have solid young pieces. And two good picks in 1st rd this yr. They can make a big upgrade next yr. Even just by being a yr older. They will be a playoff team next yr for sure imo. So getting the right coach is huge for them.
Stein is good for some things. Finally a spot for Handy, and there was never equity for a poached POBO.
Not sure why I was worried there was, since who cares what ownership does… They all turn into the same mistake-makers once in charge. Humans.
Poached? Don’t you mean an individual moves to another position to improve their careers. We are not slaves.
Good points you two on the Connelly part(ing).
About the Phil Handy part, probably even Lebron hopes he doesn’t get demoted. He might be done on the Lakers.
Connelly’s interest was overstated? That’s the only way an employee would want to tap into to the team’s market value increase (the upside, with a personal cash out, at no cost). NBA teams are essentially vanity assets, with one positive economic attribute (appreciation). I’m sure if Connelly wanted to be paid (in whole or in part) in actual ownership shares, the new owners would have preferred it. His wife wouldn’t though.
I think it is a very bad precedent, to the extent I care as a fan. Is that really what a team wants its FO chief focused on? The market value of the team? He’s not a CEO of a publicly traded company. Modern FO guys (not just Connelly) have enough trouble making basketball decisions, or at least actually consummating trades.
I’m not seeing the Mav’s crunch. Sterling, N’kina & Burke & all have PER s between 8and11 and the first two have never been higher. Burke I thought was something but should take it to Europe for the sake of his needy confidence. S.Brown must be retained a year, a signing mistake, but Cuban likes rebels it seems.
Pinson does not get minutes. That’s three to go. 13 are left, including FA Brunson, room for a first and an UPGRADE. Did no exec see the semis? They need more.
Dallas kept five PGs maybe because their star isn’t really a PG, but that is a luxury. If Brunson is S&T’d, maybe keep N’kina, since Kidd gave him playoff minutes.
And next year’s pick can replace Sterling, who can be sent home to park however he wants, since he makes money parking wherever he wants to.
I would advise, use Brunson to get Valencunas or some center to help the 5-out flow from the elbow and provide some physicality, and dump Brown at the same time for his slot earlier.