Rumor: DJ and Chandler Could Trade Places

I've been saying this for a while now and offered my pro's about this S&T scenario before the Mavs FO thought it was a good idea. Everyone wins if this happens. Even if it's an even swap, we get cap flexibility being that Chandler will come a lot cheaper. We can either turn it into a lopsided trade to get relief, or we can bring in some type of filler. We can also get a trade exception and turn that into something else... Like get a bench. This isn't about trading DJ away, this is about balancing the roster more....

Swapping a center entering his prime for one that is older and on his way down sounds like a great idea.

^^ I agree, it's a great idea. it's not just about the center, it's about the team. We can go grab a SF and get a defensive minded center. And what people forget, now that is is out in the open, DJ has lost all leverage. Now we're in a position to offer less to DJ. If he doesn't like the deal, he can always go to Dallas...And we can get the old school version of DJ at a very affordable price. Gotta love it.

I imagine that DJ will be back next year, the front office wants to keep him and I don't see him leaving LA or his best friend BG, however if he does leave we gotta get something back. I'm not big on the article's suggestion that we also take back Dallas' garbage (Felton), but it shouldn't matter anyway cuz odds are he's staying.

I'd do it if they throw in Aminu and Nelson. We can steal them. DJ looks like the prize here. They have to earn it. They are desperate to rebuild. They barely have any assets and they don't have many free agents to choose from that would even want to play there and Dirk's career is coming to an end.

DJ for Chandler, Aminu, Nelson.

If we have to throw in something give their ass Hawes.

The Mavs are one of the few teams that have the ability to take DJ in a sign and trade without giving back close to equal amount of contract. So if Chandler was signing for something reasonable like $11 million, then despite being 33 years old when the season would start, it isn't the worst deal for LAC. It would ease the team from taxes and give more flexibiltiy, but wouldn't necessarily cause any drastic changes in the ability to sign better FA's this off-season.

With DJ --> DJ + MMLE + Minimum contracts

With Chandler --> Chandler + MLE + Minimum contracts

The other benefit though is staying out of tax and ability to acquire players in sign and trade due to being further from the apron. So Chandler instead could facilitate the ability to do something like sign and trade for some player in exchange for Crawford's non-guaranteed contract or Barnes. Now, those weren't necessarily impossible if DJ was retained though. Of course part of DJ's value is being an iron man. Chandler does not have that same tag to his name. With a sign and trade the contract must be at least 3 years long, though you can have years after the first year be non-guaranteed. Still, this means you're giving Chandler a contract for ages 33, 34 and 35 at the least and then hoping he stays healthy. I'm not sure how much you can convince them to make non-guaranteed in the second and third years.

Nelson is not on Dallas. Dallas is the one doing us a favor. Technically Dallas can sign DJ to a contract starting at $20.5 million/year without help from the Clippers. Dallas doing a sign and trade would just be to help out Chandler who they like by sending him to a contender that he wouldn't be able to go to via free agency unless he took a huge paycut, and as a means to get rid of Raymond Felton's $3.9 million contract. So the Clippers don't have an leverage if DJ actually straight up wants to leave and go to Dallas.

I'm confused as to why you think DJ has lost all leverage.

Last I checked he's one of the biggest free agent's this year and numerous teams have been linked to him. Doc has already said he's gonna offer him a max contract.

His options are sign with us for max $$ or sign with someone else for max $$. It seems he has about as much leverage as one might hope to ever get.

We now know that Dallas is willing to work with us in facilitating a S&T. So if we lose DJ to Dallas, we can get a viable center in return for a lot less. So now if the FO was scared about losing DJ for nothing, we now have an option to not only get another good center, but we can shed salary in the process. Now we can afford to offer slightly less than max and risk losing him knowing one of his best options is going to Dallas. That is, if he wants to play for a playoff team. So now we have 2 sources linking DJ to Dallas. The first was through DJ's sources. and now this one is from the Mavs' sources. Where there is smoke, there is fire. We were fracked before knowing we could lose DJ for nothing but not now. Now we have options so if a S&T looks more pleasing to the Clippers' FO, then we can low ball and wait till he says he's going to dallas. Or maybe, he agrees to less.

Yes, but Dallas also wants to get another max player too (Aldridge). Chandler and Rondo still have cap holds so they can also flip them to keep the salary high and compete.

I'm not sure DJ has lost leverage. Dallas' desire for a sign and trade is essentially to help out Chandler and to shed Felton's salary. Dallas actually has room under the cap to sign DJ to a max contract without the Clippers help. If the Clippers low ball DJ and he says he wants to go to Dallas, but then Chandler says he doesn't want to go to the Clippers, Dallas just lets go of Chandler's cap hold and signs DJ and the Clippers get nothing.

If I am understanding the news from Dallas, the choice is between DJ and Aldridge, not both.

Gotcha.

Sounds like an LA Dodger move,out with the young and in with the old

I like the theory, but it's just not realistic.

DJ won't take anything less than the max from us. It just will not happen. Doesn't matter if it's $1 more than anyone else can offer. He won't do it.

Players have egos, and players like DJ wants to be known as "max level players", he doesn't want to be known as "almost a max player"

If this theory was realistic, then why didn't Chris Paul or Blake Griffin do the same thing when their contracts were up?

DJ doesn't care about the few extra dollars he would be saving the Clippers. He wants the most money. Period.

And we will give him that money, hence, he has all the leverage.

Why would Chandler not want to come back and play in his hometown with his old buddy? Remember, one of the biggest reasons CP3 wanted out of N.O, was because they traded Chandler. That trade triggered West and CP3 to leave. CP3 was also very vocal about the trade. Ill put it this way:

I am willing to bet the farm that Chandler hopes this happens more than anyone. CP3 being second.

Exactly, we can't just assume Tyson will agree to the S&T because he played with CP before.

There are so many variables to this situation, all of which hinge on who DJ wants to sign with.

That's the definition of leverage.

Joe... I agree with you 100%.

CP3 and BG ARE max players and DJ doesn't come close to having those types of accolades to demand that type of money. The Clippers were not willing part with those players (Sterling said they will end their careers here) so that's why it was a no-brainer move. Now that we're financially strapped, it isn't just about DJ, it's about the filling in the holes and this is one great way to do.

This deal benefits Dallas mostly, I understand if DJ wants to play in Dallas. However, for Doc to do a sign and trade and lift our younger, athletic center for Chandler whose in his mid 30s injury proned along with Felton its obvious who wins here. The Clippers need youth and not more middle age players?, ,

No, but we are a playoff team that can give give him that along with a fair market value that will still be substantially less than DJ wants. I think it's safe to assume he wants to play here. It's not like he'll be playing for the Lakers.Plus, you don't think the mavs have already spoken to Chandler? I don't think they make this public if their side of this potential deal wasn't covered.

DJ is a max player whether you want to believe it or not. Is he on the same level as CP or BG? Absolutely f*cking not, but he's still a max player.

You don't just let max players go without some sort of struggle to keep him.

I actually like this trade a lot, if it was our last resort I wouldn't lose much sleep over it. The cap relief would be exciting to have and there's plenty of nice FA's in 2016.

But still, I would much rather have a top 3 Center RIGHT NOW, then hope to maybe get a top 5 player at their respective position in 2016.

I doubt this happens.DJ will re-sign with us. DJ luv LA. DJ & Blake are BFF.

It is obvious that DJ has greater potential than Chandler... DJ is on the up and up and Chandler is on the decline... but the main question in mind is VLAUE.

Is DJ's total performance worth the MAX contract and further inflexibility to pump up the bench?

Will Chandler be THAT much worse than DJ (perhaps, yes); however, there will also be a drastic decrease in contract price. Thus giving the Clippers MORE flexibility.

Both players are a Defensive "Center" piece... there's some give and take... but management has to decide which is advantageous.

** also a consideration... If DJ and CP3 are having issues (reportedly), and CP3 and Chandler like playing with each other... then that is another factor that tilts the scale. THIS TEAM GOES AS CP3 GOES. I don't care how much you love any ONE of our big 3.

Max player? Cause you say so? You're in the minority my friend. He's a high salary player now but not a $20 million dollar player. Those are reserved for superstars. And before you bring up what Doc said, that is the source of our troubles. he;s the only guy linked to him being a max player. Well, maybe some here too.

Also, I am not here saying that the move is probable or not. I am just expressing my feelings if the move were to happen. I do know we will offer MAX money to DJ (and I think he is deserving of it) and I do hope we do retain him...

... however if Chandler and DJ switched places, as Joe explained, there may be some advantages that some may be overlooking.

The only thing I do worry is injury, as DJ has proven to be a MACHINE, and as many of you have pointed out Chandler is not as robust or young.

And also... Joe, get ready to have a field day here... bring back Kaman as a 2nd string center (where's Ekker at?!)

I really don't mind the move if it comes down to it. I just wish this team had a front office more trustworthy of doing all the other things that could make this move reasonable. Things like targeting some low key guys like a Biyombo for example. If you can get him at low price due to what seems like a minimal market for him, then you can have him as a 23 year old rebound/defense C to backup Chandler and as insurance in case of injury. I'm not saying that is 100% possible, but it's something you would look at if let's say you got Chandler for $9 million. Then if you can sign and trade Jamal to Charlotte for Bismack and you're able to nab him for $5-6 million somehow, you take that and see what happens. Charlotte is a team that is starving for shooting, so he is a team that Jamal could make sense for. CJ Watson for the minimum, that's another one you should be looking at. if it makes sense. Explore the going rate for a guy like K.J. McDaniels with part of your MLE if you don't have a one sure fire solid player to use the MLE on. Will Barton is a guy to look at if he's cheap, though Denver wants him back, he's sort of like a Corey Brewer type, skinny long SF who likes to take three's but not make so many, but he's got some all-round skills. Lavoy Allen would be a nice backup PF to Blake, he's a good rebounder, good passer, low turnover and can block shots a little bit and can hit the mid-range jumper at an okay-ish rate. If you want to add some size and a guy like Biyombo didn't work out for obvious....

Old school daze! LOL!

Yea... I'm on the fence about DJ BEING a max level player, but I have no doubt we will offer it to him. Whether he IS or ISN'T a MAX level player, he will get that contract. If not from us, then from another team.

There are many players that are over paid in this league, DJ will be one of them, no doubt.

Having said that... offering a MAX to DJ is still better than the contract situation we have with Hawes.

This offseason, Doc has GOT TO DO something about that situation.

Sorry, double post.

$20mil for a 26 year old player who's never been injured, lead the league in rebounding and FG% two years in a row, 1st team All-defense, 3rd team All-NBA.

DJ is just now entering his prime.

When the cap jumps up to $100mil, DJ's $20mil contract is going to be a steal...again.

I'm not the only one who thinks so, obviously the Mavs think so. Blazers and Knicks are also rumored to want DJ.

I love DJ but the financial relief and flexibility we'd gain here is too much to pass up. We'd have a much more complete and balanced team and more options going forward. DO IT.

Precisely.

You don't pull a Donald Sterling type move and lowball a future max player who happens to be your own UNRESTRICTED free agent. That kind of thinking will certainly clear you a bit of cap space in a hurry LOL. Once DJ has been publicly humiliated by the Clippers, I'm sure he and Tyson Chandler both won't mind kindly facilitating a S&T for the Clippers benefit LOL. We'll have a line around the block of free agents excited to sign here after pulling a move like that.

No, the mavs have interest for sure but Blazers and Knicks are about writers posing the question to DJ (NY POST), or twitter rumor (Blazers). By the way, the Mavs haven't said they would pay max. Neither have any of the other teams whether they're rumors or not. I guess Doc is the only one...Doesn't surprise me one bit.

Really? How much flexibility would we gain that's "too much to pass up".

Lol have you read any of the posts on here regarding the cap.

Zach Lowe said the Knicks are interested in DJ during a podcast.

He's much more credible than whoever that dude at ESPN who I've never even heard of, that posted the Dallas article.

And are we really gonna pretend like the Mavs aren't gonna pay the max just because they technically haven't said it out loud yet? Let's not play that game. Any team interested in DJ knows the price they have to pay.

If we do something like this we need to be thinking about taking back more salary not less. Cap space is a not a word that we can even say for the next idk how many years. bringing back chandler at 8mil for instance does us no good. Should be thinking along the lines of Monta/Chandler/Aminu. DJ is a fuking prize for all his faults. You don't salary dump this dude.

I've got no problem with moving DJ but we better get something legit and Tyson Chandler alone is not enough.

You can't be serious. I don't think that even you believe what you're spewing. He's a max player in the eyes of many teams. Bigs like him are rare and valued.

Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com

I think he knows and has inside into the Dallas Mavericks. No, I'm not going to pretend anything but it seems you are. Why don't we take a chill pill and wait to see what the Mavericks offer before assuming anything.

I think you forgot to read the last part of his sentence.

"We'd have a much more complete and balanced team and more options going forward"

I am dead serious. He isn't even a all-star. And before I spew anything else, how many centers are making close to 20 million? I thought so. Before you get butthurt about my opinions, sit down and relax, we'll see how many teams are going to court the big who is rare and valued when the time comes. Then you can call what I write, 'spewing things i don't really believe". I got the idea of a possible S&T between Chandler and DJ weeks before anyone, right? Right? RIGHT?!?!?

This probably has a less then 25% of happening.

Fun stuff though for arm chair GM's.

This armchair GM was on it like white on rice..Well before the Mavs' GM was on it. Not saying, just say'n.

I would rather trade chris paul instead..

he is older that dj and has less upside..

ty lawson is not happy there...he is making 12.4 mil..and next year would make 13 mil..then free..

chris is making 21.4 this year..thats 9 mil more...or a small forward..

If dj can learn an offensive move...post up or hook shot..

he will be the best center in the league..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

chris paul has not produced as promised in the playoffs..

and is too expensive for a regular season guard...

IF and when it happens, you'll be the king of the arm chair GM's...for a day. Don't count on it though.

It doesn't have to happen to wear my crown. I came up with this idea weeks ago and the fact that a GM who gets paid to do it, just did, means I've been validated whether it happens or not. But it would be icing on the cake if it did. Hey, Chandler has already helped a team lacking defense and toughness get a ring. Maybe that experience helps us get over the hump. Ya never know...

It's amazing how rumors have more weight than others based on agenda. Get the popcorn ready.

Ok, you da man.

But with that said, I'll bet you $ that DJ signs with the Clips as I've been saying for a few months now.

You can still keep your "crown" though.

this guy is also saying we will have to eat the contract of a 3.9 from Raymond Felton so they can use that money to keep Aminu. So if this guy truly is the voice of the front office and not doing what is likely a spin on a rumor then man that is rough.

He's just a Mavs blogger...a blogger. Take it for what it's worth.

Could happen, but the odds are very low it actually does.