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MAVS FREE AGENT TARGETS

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: MAVS FREE AGENT TARGETS: There are 3 tiers of free agents in this upcoming class. The top tier is the Star-Caliber players. These are guys that would likely be either a defensive anchor or a third offensive weapon for this team. The top players in this tier have All-Star potential and would likely receive either starting minutes or be in the starting line-up. The second tier is the veteran players on the mid-level. These are guys that might be past their prime, but can mentor the young players and make occasional trips to the fountain of youth. Guys like this are critical in playoff situations. The final tier, and maybe even one of the more important tiers, are guys at or close to the league minimum. While most teams are top-heavy as far as contracts, these are guys that will likely be brought in to fill in the back-end of your roster. STAR PLAYERS: 1. KYRIE IRVING - This was the obvious choice and there does not need to be a significant write-up, but the front ...
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POST COMBINE MOCK DRAFT 3.0

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: POST-COMBINE MOCK DRAFT 3.0 In this latest update, I have looked at some of the more recent entries into the draft, followed trends, looked at combine information, and this draft will include realistic trades based on the anticipated team goals. 1. SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Previous: Victor Wembanyama - Victor Wembanyama - He remains firmly entrenched as the first overall pick in this draft. Barring a cataclysmic injury, I don't anticipate this changing anytime soon. I think that they will try to trade up in the draft to try to acquire another guard to build a core that has dynasty upside like the Duncan era... they need their Tony Parker. Continue reading through the draft and see who they might pick. 2. TRADE! CHARLOTTE RECEIVES: #6, #11, Jalen Suggs, Orlando 2024 1st [Lottery Protected] ORLANDO MAGIC - Scoot Henderson - This is the move this franchise needs to take. Charlotte does not really need Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller has been under fire due to his...
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POST-LOTTERY MOCK DRAFT 2.0

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: Post-Lottery Mock Draft: 1. SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Previous: Amen Thompson - Victor Wembanyama - Well this is quite a turn of events. In my previous draft, I have them going with a different type of 3-and-D player. The Spurs keep this pick, and they don't hesitate. You could see the jovial reaction of the Spurs organization as soon as Charlotte got the second pick. Wembanyama is a lock at #1 with his elite two-way ability, his speed, playmaking, and upside. He very well could be a cheat code from the moment he steps on the floor. He has the ability to immediately make the Spurs a playoff team, and with their trove of assets, very well could look to pair him with another star immediately. This Spurs team will be very different, as Coach Pop has cultivated his fair share of Hall of Fame players. 2. CHARLOTTE HORNETS - Previous: Scoot Henderson - Brandon Miller - In my previous mock, I had what many might consider the consensus #2 player at #4, but I think the Hor...
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DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: DRAFT DAY DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH: For the Mavericks, they lack depth. What was already evident became even more evident after the Kyrie Irving trade, when they essentially punted defense for elite offense. Players like Theo Pinson and McKinley Wright IV became household names in the rotation. For Mavs fans, they did see more playing time from lightning rod rookie, Jaden Hardy, but not the minutes they hoped for. Hardy, and long with guys like Jalen Brunson were Diamond in the Rough Players for this team... players that either due to age or question marks slid way past where they should have been drafted. We see a handful of guys like that every season, and this list is a collection of guys that have that potential. 1. TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS - He has been a guy I've been closely following for the Mavs. He has the Draymond Green skillset - elite defense, elite passing from the big man position, can rebound in bunches, and has the grit to be a vocal leader on this...
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WAY TOO EARLY MOCK DRAFT 1.0

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: Way Too Early NBA Mock Draft: 1. DETROIT PISTONS - Victor Wembanyama - There might be someone that goes super bold and says one of the other top prospects goes ahead of him, but they'd be mistaken. Detroit has a plethora of big men, but none are as versatile or have the ceiling of big Vic. The Pistons with Vic might be in a position to where they can consolidate some of their talent and bring in some veterans to take advantage of him during his rookie contract. He has All-Star upside his rookie year and is projected to be the best two-way big man prospect since Anthony Davis. Many are comparing to Kareem and Wilt Chamberlain and it's not difficult to see why. 2. SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Amen Thompson - I'm predicting Scoot to fall slightly. He is going to be an elite guard, but his lack of elite size, elite defense, spotty shooting, and inconsistent scoring make him a project. Amen Thompson can play and guard multiple positions and will give the Spurs mor...
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KYRIE ANALYSIS

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: COMPREHENSIVE TRADE GRADES FOR KYRIE IRVING TRADE: It's a pretty simple trade - essentially it's Dinwiddie, Finney-Smith, a 2029 Unprotected 1st Round Pick, and a couple of late 2nd round picks for Kyrie and Markieff Morris. There is a lot to unpack in this trade and a lot of context that needs to be understood. The first thing I want to talk about is why the Nets would want to do this trade. For one, Kyrie asked for it. This is not the first time he has asked for it. This will now have been the second franchise he sort of flamed out of without showing any return on investment. Some of it was his own off-court drama, some of it was taking a stance against mandates, but it was not too long ago many thought he was going to just retire. The Nets are looking at what happened with the Mavs with Brunson and don't want to lose a premier player in his prime for absolutely nothing. Now, what did they get in this trade? Spencer Dinwiddie already had a successf...
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MAVERICK'S PANIC BUTTON

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS: IS IT TIME FOR THE MAVERICKS TO HIT THE PANIC BUTTON? Yes, we knew this time would come. We are now 31 games into the season and there are plenty of reasons to continue and plenty of reason to tank. WHY WOULD WE TANK? The main reason is because the Mav's first round pick next year is only guaranteed to the Knicks if the pick falls outside of the top-10. For the Mavs to that, they'd need to absolutely torpedo. As of today, the Mavericks would be projected at #12, but only 1.5 games ahead of the 10-spot. Even getting in the 10-spot is no guarantee with the the crazy lottery odds, but it would give a substantial chance. WHY NOT TO TANK? Luka still wishes to compete. He would much rather get more help than to have a lost season. This year he is putting up fringe-MVP numbers, but would likely need to finish in the top 2-3 of the Western Conference to seriously be considered. Jokic, Embiid, and Tatum are having equally as impressive seasons, and you have Dark ...
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