Dampier's time with the Mavs dwindling

[HMFFL]

This thread will be merged with the sticky later on or just kept open.

Overpaid or underappreciated? With Erick Dampier, it depends on whom you ask.

The big man has been a punching bag for Mavericks fans since soon after he signed a seven-year, $73 million contract to come to Dallas. The primary complaints about the stoic Dampier: not enough production and a perceived lack of passion.

But Dampier's bosses and teammates are quick to point out all the things he does that don't show up in the box score. Dirk Nowitzki, in particular, mentions how much easier Dampier makes his life by defending opponents' top interior scorers and serving as one of the NBA's best screen-setters.

"If you take him off this team, we're not going anywhere," Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson said. "I know in the locker room and in 29 other front offices he's appreciated. He's a true big man who can rebound and block shots. Those guys who have the experience that he's got are hard to find."

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/column ... id=4628201

[dirkforpres]

And the winner for LOL quote of the day goes to--- DONNIE NELSON! Take a bow!

[BLKMN22]

Dampier >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> DUST chip.

[HMFFL]

Dampier >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> DUST chip.

Basically how I feel. If we had a stronger foundation at the 5 I would feel more comfortable moving him.

[cmavswin]

The only way Damp should leave is if a center of equal or better comes back. People may not like him but the way he has played these last 5 games is what everyone wanted to see from him when he came here. Should that continue than the Mavs cant afford to trade him.

[Basketballmania]

The only way Damp should leave is if a center of equal or better comes back. People may not like him but the way he has played these last 5 games is what everyone wanted to see from him when he came here. Should that continue than the Mavs cant afford to trade him.

basically he will get his 0$ buyout from another team next off-season and will re-sign with the mavs for the vet min or BAE.

The ideal way would be to trade for kaman and then turn dampier and maybe howard into an allstar SG

[BLKMN22]

The only way Damp should leave is if a center of equal or better comes back. People may not like him but the way he has played these last 5 games is what everyone wanted to see from him when he came here. Should that continue than the Mavs cant afford to trade him.

So true. Even though I really like Gooden alot, the Mavs are in big trouble if Gooden is their main center. Kidd has made a point of getting Damp involved in the offense this year. Damp is a necessity to the Mavs sucess this year. There are very few centers in the league that I would trade Damp for.

[Teffer10]

I still think we should find a way to get Kaman through a Howard trade.

Just a trade thought:
Howard and Dallas 2nd rounder to GSW
Barea, GSW 1st Rounder (Top 3 protected), and Gooden to Clips
Kaman and Jackson to the Mavs
(Posted this on the trade thread)

Then dangle the DUST chip and maybe Hump in the off-season for the best available player.

[dirkules_41]

Well I love what Damp is doing currently but you'd just have to consider this deal. But I'm not sure either one of the other teams do this...

[BLKMN22]

I still think we should find a way to get Kaman through a Howard trade

,
Might be a good idea if the Mavs are going to deal Damp no matter what. I just hate not to see the lineup of Damp,Dirk,Matrix,JHo,Kidd for at least a twenty game stretch before doing so. I know Kaman did great in the game against the Mavs, but I have just never been a big fan of Kaman. If its written in stone Damp is going, we need one real starting quality center to go with the assorted PF/C of Dirk,Humph, and Gooden.

[Teffer10]

I agree BLKMN22 but here is my reasoning with going after Kaman with Howard.

If we basically trade Howard for Kaman we have a hole filled at center if we find a way to upgrade using the DUST chip in the off season. Unless we are pretty sure that we can get a superstar like Wade or JJ with a Howard/Damp deal we should consider a JHo for Kaman deal. I don't see a either of those two guys coming to Dallas in a Howard/Damp deal though.
If we could somehow get a decent SG like SJax back in a Howard for Kaman deal without giving up core players, that would solidify our starting 5 and we could trade Damp for any position player to upgrade. The best part of this is that Damp could actually be traded to upgrade (say a Mike Miller caliber player) and then resign for say the MLE or BAE.

So after all is said and done it would be pretty cool to have something similar to this as a team next season:

Kidd/Terry/Roddy
SJax/Mike Miller
Marion/TT/Ross
Dirk/Hump/Singleton
Kaman/Damp

Also, if we traded Howard now, we have a very capable SG option in Terry if needed. I don't have a problem with Terry starting at all as long as he is starting with Kidd and Marion.
SJax isn't exactly popular on this board but I think he has some credentials this team team could use going into the playoffs. I also think Dallas might be a good fit for him because there is enough veteran leadership to keep him from going too far off the tracks.

But I do agree that it makes sense to see how Howard performs as a SG with the group you mention before making any major personnel moves.

[SuperSant]

What about if you were to do a deal with New Orleans?
Damp and Williams for Okafor and Posey and Thornton?

Dallas does it to get 2 solid defensive players as well as a young player with marcus thronton
NO does it to get rid of their longer contracts and they allow damp to expire

[BLKMN22]

What about if you were to do a deal with New Orleans?
Damp and Williams for Okafor and Posey and Thornton?

Dallas does it to get 2 solid defensive players as well as a young player with marcus thronton
NO does it to get rid of their longer contracts and they allow damp to expire

Is NO already giving up on Okafor? I wouldn't be against this deal just because Okafor is younger than Damp. I really hate Posey however. That would be a definite maybe.