Ok, right off the top, let me state this is a hypothetical. I'm aware both Cuban and Dirk are loyal to each other, that Dirk has a no-trade clause and that it will probably never happen. Having said that, I'm having an ongoing conversation with one of my best friends who is a Dallas fan (yes, I know...but he's been my buddy for 40 years now). He seems to think there is absolutely no trade scenario where both Dirk and the Mavs would be happy with the result. So...I throw it to you Clutchfans. Assuming both Dirk and Cuban were willing to do a trade, what REALISTIC trade scenario can you come up with?* *realistic meaning meets cap restrictions, Dirk is traded to a decent team with a more realistic playoff possibilities, Dallas gets fair value in return.
They need to decide when to blow things up and rebuild... does Dirk want to be around for this is the big question?
If they decided to, Denver should pick up the phone. Or Indiana, although I don't know what they could give up.
They don't do it unless you throw in Parsons, Asik, and Lin. To match $20 million and make them happy, we have to give the entire starting lineup. Free agency ftw
They should. I'm sure free agents like the idea of working for someone that likes to spend on team goodies, but part of the appeal was playing with a star. He needs to trade him and hope for a high pick.
Won't happen. Should it? Probably but that's easier said than done. Dirk's 20 million salary doesn't help much either. Lastly, you're limited to contenders/playoff teams, some who lack young players and/or picks. Bulls: Noah, Hamilton, Hinrich, Teague for Dirk(Bulls probably don't do it.) Celtics: Rondo, Sullinger, Melo, and/or pick for Dirk(Not sure if either side does it.) Clippers: Jordan, Bledsoe, Butler for Dirk(Intriguing. Not sure if either side does it.) Lakers: Dirk for Gasol(Too late for a Howard/Dirk swap, although LA says no there. Dallas says no to this.) Nets: Humphris, Teletovic, Brooks, Taylor, pick(s) for Dirk(Dallas says no.) Nets: Lopez, Teletovic, Brooks, Taylor and/or pick for Dirk(Nets probably say no.) Nuggets: McGee, Chandler, Fournier for Dirk(I think the Nuggets like what they got and say no.)
Blowing things up is what they just did (and are set to do again already). They have only two players from their championship team still around (Roddy B. never played). So, not only have they decided...they've already done it. What they have now is what happens AFTER you blow things up.
That's the problem the Mavs have in trading him...salary. If the Heat were interested, they'd have to trade LeBron AND some other players. Bad teams might have the cap...but what have they got to trade? Rockets would probably be about the best potential fit, but as others have already said...that ain't happening. The trade of Asik, Lin, and Parson sounds like one that could help both teams. Dirk paired with Harden!? Don't see many teams wanting to face that. One thing that should be considered is that Dirk's salary is only through next year. After that, he'll probably sign for something more like $12M...which is one reason the Mavs haven't really considered trading him.
Dirk for Gasol. He'd fit better w/ Howard. And Mavs could either flip Gasol later or just let him expire. Lakers would still have a tax problem. Maybe Dirk to Boston? Or Denver?
Except Atlanta isn't a contender and Dirk has a no trade clause. He would likely only accept a trade to a contender. I'll give it a go. Dirk goes to Oklahoma City. Dallas receives Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones (any additional cap filler needed) and the Toronto #1 (and maybe an additional second rounder or two).
Mavs had worked a three way with Boston, with Boston getting Smith, and Mavs only giving up some bench players...but Boston wouldn't give up a their first round pick. I think that indicates that teams think Smith is overvalued...otherwise you do that trade all day long. However, he is the free agent often mentioned as ending up in Dallas.
Here's the trade I mentioned above: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--a...eltics-make-another-spring-run-203043279.html Here is what is interesting about this trade. This could have just been a two way trade...Dallas swapping the spare parts ATL had already agreed to, throwing in their first round pick which would likely be better than Boston's, and getting Smith AND keeping Dirk. Why wasn't this on the table? Because Dallas didn't want it is the only explanation. So, Dallas isn't willing to pick up Smith for spare parts and a pick---so they sure as heck wouldn't trade Dirk for him, even with the Houston pick. They wanted Pierce more...but apparently still not enough to throw in their first round pick in the deal. Why? Probably because Pierce is an expiring contract. Cuban should have that phrase tatoo'ed on his forehead (with 'Keep the Powder Dry' Tatoo'ed on his neck). Note to Cuban. Here's the thing about keeping the powder dry---it does no good if you never fire the gun.
Ahh, so based on nothing. Got it. Age and mileage would show up in other stats if true (which might be, but you didn't bother citing a thing), and lack of drive is just ridiculous if you've watched any Mavs games lately. Dirk is on a record pace for technicals, (he never really got any before), which is a symptom of his drive---if he didn't care, he wouldn't be barking like that at the refs for missed fouls, especially since that isn't in his M.O. I wouldn't say he has the same ferocious drive he had during the championship run, but it's a long way to go from that to 'lack of drive'. Plus, I wouldn't be surprised to see that same drive reappear if Mavs had team around him that could compete at that level. As for age, I don't think that is a factor so much as injury (which is related to age/mileage, yes). His knee seems to finally be fine again...he is starting to do more drives to the basket like he used to. So I would say jury is out on this, but for the next couple of years at least, I think it would be premature to call him washed up. His game was never based on athleticism to begin with...which is a good thing, because he never really had any. I might have a bigger vertical than Dirk, and I could be the poster child for White Men Can't Jump.
