Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

Maybe, but it's just hard to see him choosing the Mavericks over the Lakers. He goes there and it's still Dirk's team. There's not the upside that there would be with the Lakers.

Everything we've seen or Whiteside has told us getting a max deal is his number one priority and two is being a man on the team. Dallas can't offer both of those things. That gives us the advantage.

I'm sure the Lakers will include some business ideas with Whiteside in the meeting. I don't see them trying to overcompensate. They're some guys who care about that stuff and some don't and it's pretty clear Whiteside is interested in that aspect and it's L.A. after all.

 

If Whiteside is leaning towards LA and Jim is nowhere near the meeting, I think we have the edge over Dallas. But all things being equal, I bet Cuban is far better at persuading people than the Mitch/Jim duo.

 

In all honesty, although it'd be nice to take the league by storm with this team, we're going to have expect losing.

But, hopefully, in a constructive direction that really pushes our players to work even harder.

Last year was focused so much on Kobe, the team dynamic and overall player development suffered while we were losing. It wasn't constructive at all.

This year, I hope that we can start building a team from the ground up, and really create an identity for ourselves post Kobe.

Expect the losses, but roll with the punches and progress.

 

Cuban's powers of persuasion is as overrated as Chris Paul's ability to lead when it matters. Cuban hasn't brought in a top notch free agent ever. Meetings may be virtual. It's 2016. You do not need to be anywhere anymore, really. OR, I think Whiteside's people have already made a decision. Which is what I think and meeting with the teams is just to see if something they didn't expect comes out of nowhere.

 

That report about DeRozan sounds like DeRozan's agent saying, "Look Toronto, just because he's been opening his big mouth and talking about how much he loves it in Toronto and wants to stay, don't think you can get cute and try to lowball him. If you don't offer the full max at 12:01, we'll talk to other teams and then anything can happen."

 

Based on what? WHO has Cuban gotten? Nobody. There is no evidence he's any better at recruiting free agents than Mitch or even Jim.

 

They (almost) got DeAndre over us last year. Just sayin'

 

(Healthy) Parsons and (temporarily) Deandre Jordan are better hauls than Wes Mathews, Nick Young, etc...

EDIT: Wes Johnson lol. Forgot that the Mavs actually picked up Wes Mathews when he was a sought after free agent last year.

 

You guys might need this



and then this....

 

Mark Cuban has made a career out of persuading people and making deals. Jim Buss makes daiquiris.

 

Whiteside is ours.

 

Yeah like blowing up a championship team and putting the Mavericks in mediocrity.

 

Jordan didn't sign though so I don't see why he should count. Yes he got Parsons who is a good player, but they also had Dirk. I'm pretty sure if Kobe hadn't torn his Achilles we wouldn't been able to get someone like that or better.

 

Yeah and we almost got Chris Paul.

Almost doesn't count in this league.