ESPN insiders Bobby Marks, Kevin Pelton, Zach Kram and Jeremy Woo take a look at some important decisions the Mavericks will face in the coming months, including whether they should trade Anthony Davis — and what they might be able to get for him.
“While you can point to Davis as a top-20 player in Los Angeles, it is a $175 million gamble and perhaps more, if you trade for him,” a Western Conference executive told Marks. “I would want to see a long stretch of games of Davis healthy before there could ever be a discussion.
“The extension and paying a player in their mid-30s an average of $69 million and the last nine months in Dallas is what scares me. In this current CBA, you cannot afford to have a player earning 35% of the salary cap on the sidelines more than on the court.”
As Marks writes, while rival teams would undoubtedly take on risk if they pursued Davis, given his contract situation (he’s in the first season of a three-year, $175MM deal and will be eligible for a massive new extension in the offseason) and lengthy injury history (he’s currently sidelined with a calf strain), the star big man would still receive interest if he’s put on the market.
Here’s more on the Mavs:
- Appearing on NBA Today on Monday (Twitter video link), Marc J. Spears of Andscape and ESPN provided an injury update on star guard Kyrie Irving. “Kyrie’s looking good, he’s ahead of schedule. He’s working out with the purpose of playing this season,” Spears said. “… I think, optimistic-wise, probably around late January, All-Star break (for a potential return). Someone close to (Irving) told me if it was the playoffs he could play right now. … But the problem is, who’s running the show? What’s their record going to be? Will Anthony Davis be back? I think by the time he’s able to potentially come back in late January, there’s going to be a collective decision — from him, from the team, from everybody that’s close to him — on whether it’s worth it for (Irving) to come back. But I hear he wants to be back.”
- Top pick Cooper Flagg was held to just two points in the first half on Sunday against Portland and was “visibly irritated” by the way the game was going for him, according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. The 18-year-old rookie credited Daniel Gafford for changing his mindset — Flagg scored 19 points in the second half and helped lead the Mavs to their fourth victory. “He was frustrated at halftime,” Gafford said. “I told him to slow down — it’ll come to him. The game finds you.”
- With six players (Twitter link via Afseth) — including big men Davis, Gafford (right ankle injury management) and Dereck Lively II (right knee injury management) out on Monday for the second game of a back-to-back, center Moussa Cisse received his first career start, tweets Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. The 6’10” rookie, who is on a two-way contract, has been a bright spot for Dallas amid a disappointing start to the season, averaging 4.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 10.8 minutes per game through 10 appearances.
- In a pair of stories for DallasHoopsJournal.com, Afseth takes a look at how Brandon Williams‘ speed has created advantages for the Mavericks’ offense and how the attention Klay Thompson attracted on Sunday (he tied a season-high with 19 points) led to easy scoring opportunities for teammates. “Brandon Williams has been incredible,” Flagg said. “High energy, so quick, uses his speed to get downhill and find guys. Our chemistry in the two-man game late in games has been really good.”
So… basically they’ll have traded Luka for maybe three firsts if they can only get a couple for AD. Worst trade in NBA history?
They would be lucky to get that much for AD at this point
Christie is turning into quite a player. The Clippers-Thunder trade years back is the worse imo. Luka is up there tho
You’re totally right, SGA was the worst trade ever. Completely forgot about it. That made the Thunder.
Difference is that with the Clippers-Thunder trade at the time it made sense, and the Clippers fans were excited about the trade.
The Luka trade made sense to no one (except Nico) and the Mavs fans hated it from the start.
From one of the Clippers picks OKC got Jalen Williams too.
The Clippers literally gave Jalen Williams and SGA for a washed up cap killer who did absolutely nothing for them. Just handed them over for nothing. Worst trade ever.
Perhaps, the worst is yet to come from that trade. Kawhi put George coming over as a condition for him to join the Clippers. That trade keeps on giving!
Semi comparable to handing over a Jordan and Pippen in exchange for the right to pay an obviously declining second tier star who ends up ruining your cap flexibility for years. It’s as bad as a fantasy 2k trade.
Not saying either of them are as good as Jordan and Pippen, just in case someone wants to point that out… I know. It’s semi comparable
Umm, SGA and Williams are good, but it’s going wayyyy too far comparing SGA to Jordan or Williams to Pippen.
But I so get where you coming from.
Semi comparable. Obviously Jordan and Pippen are the greatest duo ever.
I doubt they get more than a single 1st for AD. Anyone who trades for him will be under so much scrutiny the first time he has an injury (deserved or not).
I wish these retirees stealing checks from actually players like AD would be forced from the league, he’s gonna play 50 games over the next 3 years any franchise who trades for him will regret it as quickly as day 1
AD wants to play, the owner won’t let him.
That was part of the article, the team doc says no, AD’s doctor says yes he can play.