Mavericks Exploring More Deals To Upgrade Roster
The Mavericks have reached an agreement to trade for disgruntled Nets star Kyrie Irving but they’re not through wheeling and dealing, Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News reports.
According to a source familiar with the front office’s thinking, the Mavericks are exploring more trade possibilities to upgrade the roster around superstar Luka Doncic.
Dallas wants to shed Tim Hardaway Jr.‘s contract, feeling that his inconsistent contributions are not worth the long-term investment, Caplan writes. Hardaway is in the second year of a four-year, $75MM deal, though the contract is front-loaded.
The Mavericks would also like to move the contracts of Davis Bertans’and JaVale McGee, both of whom are signed through the 2024/25 season. They have some expiring contracts (Christian Wood, Dwight Powell), though Wood is also the team’s second-leading scorer.
They also have some young talent in third-year swingman Josh Green and rookie Jaden Hardy.
Community Shootaround: Kyrie Irving Trade
Well that was quick.
Just a couple of days after Kyrie Irving requested a trade, the Nets found a taker in the Mavericks. Brooklyn didn’t get any stars in return but considering Irving’s reputation and a short window to make a deal, the front office is probably happy to excise Irving from the locker room.
Dallas was desperate to find another ball-handler and star talent to pair with Luka Doncic, who has the highest usage rate among all NBA guards.
Irving has played well when he hasn’t stirred controversy this season. That backcourt dynamic will be fascinating to watch.
Coach Jason Kidd and GM Nico Harrison have past relationships with Irving and believe they can keep him happy, which may be a foolish assumption. Irving has been called the worst teammate in any sport by some media members.
If he can work out an extension agreement with the front office, perhaps he’ll be satisfied and motivated for at least the remainder of this season.
The Nets received two rotation players – Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith – in return, as well as some draft capital.
The loss of Finney-Smith could impact the Mavs’ defense and they still have the Christian Wood situation (extend him, trade him or allow him become a free agent after the season?) to deal with before the trade deadline.
As for Brooklyn, it’s quite familiar with Dinwiddie, who figures to absorb a good portion of Irving’s minutes. The Nets now have three players – Finney-Smith, Royce O’Neale and Ben Simmons – who don’t provide significant scoring. They may have to make another move this week to address that issue.
That brings us to today’s topic: What do you think of the Mavs-Nets deal? Does Dallas become a serious championship contender with the addition of Kyrie Irving? Has the Nets’ window closed or will they be better off without Irving and all the drama he creates?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Hoops Rumors Chat Transcript: 2/2/2023
The transcript of our weekly Thursday chat can be found here.
Please join Luke Adams for our next live chat on Tuesday at noon CT.
And-Ones: Napier, All-Star Bonuses, Trade Proposals, Biggest Needs
Former NBA guard Shabazz Napier has signed with Olimpia Milano for the remainder of the season, according to a team press release. Coach Ettore Messina said Napier will be thrown into the fray immediately against Baskonia, Allesandro Maggi of Sportando relays.
“Shabazz Napier had just one team practice, but we will use him, hoping for some minutes in a position where we need them badly,” he said.
Napier last appeared in the NBA during the 2019/20 season, when he played a combined 56 games for Minnesota and Washington.
We have more from the basketball world:
- Several NBA players could cash in if they’re selected as All-Star reserves, Bobby Marks of ESPN notes. Among that group, the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown will earn a $1.5MM bonus if he’s chosen and also appears in 65 regular season games (he has missed six games so far). The Bucks’ Jrue Holiday will collect $324K if he’s chosen, while the Kings’ Domantas Sabonis will receive $1.3MM if he’s selected. The Knicks’ Julius Randle will get an additional $1.2MM if he gets the nod.
- What are some of the bold moves that playoff contenders could make to improve their chances of success? The Ringer’s Michael Pina explores potential trades that could make the Suns, Clippers, Thunder, Lakers and Pelicans better.
- The Bulls and Hawks need 3-point shooting. The Nuggets need defensive help and the Warriors require a stretch wing. The Athletic’s staff runs down the biggest need for every team as the trade deadline approaches.
Southwest Notes: Finney-Smith, Poeltl, Porter Jr., Pelicans
Dorian Finney-Smith signed a four-year extension last season, which ensured financial security. That commitment from the Mavericks doesn’t mean he’ll still be wearing the team’s uniform after this year’s trade deadline. He told The Dallas Morning News’ Callie Caplan that the fact other teams might want him means they recognize his contributions.
“It’s one of those things that I created value in this league,” the Mavericks forward said. “That’s a good thing, but other teams, the organization, got to do what’s best for them. They’re not always going to make the best decisions in your favor.”
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Jakob Poeltl is one of the hot names on the trade market, but the Spurs don’t necessarily need to trade the impending free agent, Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News notes. Poeltl has said multiple times in recent months he would love to stay in San Antonio and the Spurs have plenty of cap flexibility this summer. They’ll also be on the upswing with the addition of high lottery pick and Poeltl’s skills blend well with any star-level talent.
- Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr., who will miss his 10th consecutive game on Wednesday, isn’t close to returning, according to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. Porter has not begun any basketball activities and doesn’t have a timetable. While the injury has been described as a left foot contusion, his left big toe is the issue. “It’s just irritated. It’s something to do with my joint, but it’ll be fine,” Porter said. “We’ve just been taking it a day at a time, really.”
- The Pelicans shouldn’t feel pressured to make a move before the trade deadline, Will Guillory of The Athletic opines. Their top players have not seen much court action together due to injuries and they still have a long way to go to develop the chemistry and cohesion they’ll need in the playoffs. With the salary commitments they already have, they should continue building internally with their assets, Guillory adds.
Ben McLemore To Sign With Chinese Team
Ben McLemore has agreed to a one-year contract with the Shandong Heroes of the Chinese Basketball Association, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.
McLemore spent the past nine seasons in the NBA but there’s been little news regarding the veteran shooting guard since he became a free agent in the offseason. He participated in a free agent workout with the Warriors in September but obviously didn’t get signed by them or any other NBA squad.
McLemore spent most of last season in the Trail Blazers’ rotation, averaging 10.2 points in 20.1 minutes while appearing in 62 games.
The seventh overall pick of the 2013 draft, McLemore has 556 NBA games on his resume, with stops in Sacramento, Memphis, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers as well as Portland. He’s averaged 9.0 points in 22.5 minutes during his career while making 36.3% of his 3-point attempts.
Western Notes: Lee, Fox, McNair, Ayton, Hyland
Suns point guard Saben Lee is “grateful” for the opportunity the organization gave him, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic writes. Lee’s second 10-day contract with Phoenix expired on Monday, so the team must now offer him a rest-of-the-season contract if it wants to keep him.
Lee has appeared in 10 games with the Suns, averaging 7.0 points and 3.3 assists in 17.3 minutes. “It’s been really good,” Lee said. “Being able to make strides on and off the court. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here the past 20 days. Able to get a good amount of playing time as well.”
We have more from the Western Conference:
- Guard De’Aaron Fox is pleased the Kings reached a three-year contract extension with GM Monte McNair, he told Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee. “It’s great. Just to have consistency throughout the organization, you want that to be the last thing you’re worried about is no extension,” Fox said. “Just from top to bottom, I feel like everybody wants to know that they have a little bit of security. I feel like you do your job better when you’re secure.”
- Suns center Deandre Ayton could be a long-term trade target for the Mavericks, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on the Lowe Post podcast (hat tip to Hoops Hype). “He’s a name that I’ve heard around the Mavericks,” MacMahon said, explaining that Ayton seems unlikely to be on the move in the next 10 days. “… I think that would have to be a ‘later’ than ‘right now’ type of situation.”
- Nuggets backup guard Bones Hyland has been mentioned in trade rumors recently. He told TheDNVR.com’s Harrison Wind that he’s oblivious to the chatter. “I don’t care. It doesn’t bother me at all,” Hyland said. “I don’t pay no mind to it. Whatever happens, happens.”
Atlantic Notes: Simmons, Warren, Mazzulla, Celtics’ Targets, Barnes
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said Ben Simmons is “showing signs of progress” regarding his left knee soreness, according to Mark Sanchez of the New York Post. However, Simmons will miss his third consecutive game when the team faces Boston on Wednesday, ESPN’s Nick Friedell tweets. Forward T.J. Warren (left shin contusion) will also miss his third straight contest.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- The Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla, a little-known assistant when training camp approached, will now coach in the All-Star Game, the league’s PR department tweets. Boston’s interim head coach and his staff will coach Team Giannis, thanks to Boston’s Eastern Conference-leading record.
- Could the Celtics target Mason Plumlee, P.J. Washington or even bring back Kelly Olynyk for a second stint? The Athletic’s Jay King examines some of the frontcourt trade options the franchise might explore.
- While the Raptors may be sellers or buyers at the trade deadline, their star second-year forward Scottie Barnes — who isn’t going anywhere — continues to shine, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star notes. Warriors coach Steve Kerr compare Barnes to Draymond Green. “Guys like that have a feel for the game. They have a sense of what’s happening on the floor seemingly before the other nine people out there,” Kerr said. “That’s why I enjoy watching Barnes play. For a young guy, he has a great feel for the game.”
Injury Updates: Anunoby, Simmons, Warren, James, Doncic, Young, Butler
OG Anunoby is one of the bigger names churning through the trade rumor mill, so the latest injury news regarding the Raptors forward could complicate those discussions.
The team has ruled out Anunoby for the remainder of its road trip, a seven-game journey which concludes with stops in Utah, Houston and Memphis this week, Michael Grange of Sportnet.ca tweets. He sprained his left wrist against Golden State on Friday.
We have more notable injury updates:
- The Nets’ Ben Simmons (left knee soreness) and T.J. Warren (left shin contusion) sat out Monday’s win over the Lakers, Brian Lewis of the New York Post tweets. Coach Jacque Vaughn is hopeful both will be “ready to go” for Wednesday’s matchup against Boston, Adam Zagoria tweets.
- LeBron James sat out that game with what Lakers coach Darvin Ham describes as “some really significant soreness” in his left foot, Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register tweets. The Lakers play against the Knicks on Tuesday.
- Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic returned to action after a one-game absence due to an ankle sprain and continued his scoring rampage. He notched 53 points against Detroit, his league-best fourth 50-point game this season, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press notes (Twitter link).
- Hawks guard Trae Young sat out Monday’s game against Portland due to right ankle soreness, Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal Constitution tweets. He had 31 points in 36 minutes against the Clippers on Saturday.
- Heat forward Jimmy Butler (right quad contusion) is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game against Cleveland, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald tweets. Butler scored 28 points against Charlotte on Sunday.
Eastern Notes: Antetokounmpo, Banchero, Yurtseven, Caruso
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has full faith in general manager Jon Horst’s decision-making as the trade deadline approaches, he told Eric Nehm of The Athletic in a wide-ranging interview.
“I feel really good about this team,” Antetokounmpo said. “I feel this team has a chance to win a championship and that’s all you can ask for. Now, what Jon’s going to do, that’s in his hands. He’s really good at his job. GM of the Year in 2019. He’s made incredible trades, some of those trades helped us win a championship. We’ve just got to trust him. We’ve got to trust his judgment and what he sees and what he feels.”
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Top pick Paolo Banchero says he’s appreciates the tough love approach of his Magic coaches and veteran players, he told Alex Kennedy of Basketball News. “Everyone is here to help me — all of the coaches and a lot of the guys on the team, they all hold me accountable,” Banchero said. “They don’t just let me [do what I want]. If I’m out there making mistakes or not playing up to my abilities, they’re going to let me know about it. They’re going to challenge me, and that’s why I love them. They don’t hand anything to me.”
- Heat center Omer Yurtseven‘s surgically repaired ankle has fully healed, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweets. Yurtseven is preparing for his season debut, which is expected to come shortly after the All-Star break. He’s been cleared for high impact work and is rehabbing in Miami while the team is on a road trip this week.
- The Bulls have put such a high price tag on Alex Caruso that he’s virtually untouchable. His value goes far beyond the stat sheet, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. “He’s one of those classic guys that if you’re watching the game and you really understand the game, then you look at the stat sheet, you’re like, ‘You know what, don’t tell me about the stat sheet. That guy impacts the game, he impacts winning,’” coach Billy Donovan said. “To me, the stat sheet never really tells the story about the guys that are really impacting the outcome of the game with different things they do.’’