Mavericks
The expectation around the league is that the Mavericks will ride this one out with Anthony Davis.
Several NBA executives told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto that Davis’ trade value is severely limited as he recovers from a hand injury, making a deal unlikely unless Dallas is willing to treat it as a straight salary dump. That is not believed to be the Mavericks’ preference.
The Hawks, the team most frequently linked to Davis, are not operating with urgency now that he is injured again, Scotto reported. For now, that has effectively cooled a market that was already narrow.
Warriors
The Warriors continue to survey the landscape for Jonathan Kuminga, but the list of realistic suitors is not growing.
According to Scotto, the Heat were once viewed as a possibility, though their interest has faded. The Wizards are also not expected to seriously pursue Kuminga.
One team that still makes some sense is the Trail Blazers, who are believed to have interest, echoing earlier reporting from Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor.
Raptors
The Raptors are not limiting their trade-market temperature checks to just Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.
Scotto reports that Toronto has also been gauging the value of Jakob Poeltl, though expectations are modest. Poeltl has dealt with back issues this season and is owed $103.5 million over the next four years after this one, factors that are likely to limit his appeal on the open market.
Around the league, that contract is viewed as more of a complication than a draw.
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Two things can be true at same time.
Nico’s trade for AD has not been proven to be a bad one on the court… and the Mavs might know it’s a better chance at success to gamble on Nico’s vision AD being a great fit in Dallas. On the court, it could still be a good idea. If Davis can get back on the court. And Kyrie, and we’ll see who’s left by then. Better chance perhaps than the gamble on trading AD for pennies on the in dollar for somebody not named AD, just to make memory of the “traumatic” trade go away, and potentially be left with much less on court success in the when it’s over The early season headlines may have just been to appease fans, and still give AD some time to win them over. Which he has done to an extent in my opinion, running with Cooper and bringing some W’s in.
I don’t think Nico was fired for trading for AD.
It’s the human being stuff that got Nico fired. Nico was fired for trading Luka away. A proven hero, and a favorite of most basketball (especially Mavericks) fans. He hurt them.
So was Nico right or wrong with what he did? Mavs organization knows he was wrong at least, but it feels like they’re also hoping he was right.