Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney has agreed on a deal to become the associate head coach of the San Antonio Spurs under Mitch Johnson, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports tells ESPN. Sweeney has interviewed for coaching jobs in recent years and now departs Mavs for elevated role. pic.twitter.com/ohfgseOqCf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2025

This is big. Their defensive coordinator.

Nice!

I asked the Mavs thread about him a while back.
MC Swag:

I know the players seem to like him and he has a positive reputation around the league. Hard to measure the on court impact. I think they ported over a lot of the same defensive principles from Carlisle's regime. Due to Luka's limitations when he'd be switched on to a ball handler a lot, the whole idea of "building a wall" which is a backend zone defense whenever a team commits to one side of the court. Helps to protect Luka and limits attempts at the rim. That was my .02, but there could be more I'm not smart enough to realize.

Shack09:
One of the masterminds of the Mavs defense. When the Mavs lose him it will hurt.

https://dav1dchabot.substack.com/p/the-architect-behind-the-defense

Guitarsoup said:

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jteagle said:

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AggieEP said:

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Is that an inclusive list of all players above 68%, or selective to just show guys who turned into stars?

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Yeah, don't know for sure. If it is inclusive, it says alot.

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No way it is inclusive. There are absolutely some DeAndre Jordan-like guys that have really high rim FG% because they only dunk.

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The list only includes guards and wings supposedly or else you'd be right.

I tried to Google this a bit, but wasn't committed enough to find the answer when it didn't present immediately. At a bare minimum though, it's promising that Harper has a knack to finish when he penetrates. Bodes well for him being an efficient complement to Fox and Wemby and potentially a star later on.

AggieEP said:

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Guitarsoup said:

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jteagle said:

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AggieEP said:

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Is that an inclusive list of all players above 68%, or selective to just show guys who turned into stars?

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Yeah, don't know for sure. If it is inclusive, it says alot.

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No way it is inclusive. There are absolutely some DeAndre Jordan-like guys that have really high rim FG% because they only dunk.

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The list only includes guards and wings supposedly or else you'd be right.

I tried to Google this a bit, but wasn't committed enough to find the answer when it didn't present immediately. At a bare minimum though, it's promising that Harper has a knack to finish when he penetrates. Bodes well for him being an efficient complement to Fox and Wemby and potentially a star later on.

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Obi Toppin isn't a center, but he shot 65% FG for his career. He would certainly make this list, despite not being a center.

I just don't know how to look it up. But there is no way that it is inclusive.

Did some digging:

Cody Williams also qualifies for this. Don't give up on him, Jazz fans! He's got some really good indicators

Added Cody & added a couple other categories which are good indicators for driving/rim pressure/rim finishing ability

Jakucionis qualifies too

(8) pic.twitter.com/eRD0HVM8zn

— On Ball Creator (@onballcreator) February 12, 2025

Big bust from last year Cody Williams Qualified.


Not trying to take anything away from Harper, because I do believe he is elite here and has a huge bag. But it is very hand picked.

jteagle said:

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Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney has agreed on a deal to become the associate head coach of the San Antonio Spurs under Mitch Johnson, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports tells ESPN. Sweeney has interviewed for coaching jobs in recent years and now departs Mavs for elevated role. pic.twitter.com/ohfgseOqCf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2025

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Does this mean we will stop guarding the paint like it's 2004 now?

FTAG 2000 said:

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jteagle said:

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Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney has agreed on a deal to become the associate head coach of the San Antonio Spurs under Mitch Johnson, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports tells ESPN. Sweeney has interviewed for coaching jobs in recent years and now departs Mavs for elevated role. pic.twitter.com/ohfgseOqCf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2025

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Does this mean we will stop guarding the paint like it's 2004 now?

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I'm interested to see if Vassell can improve in the system. But honestly, it's everyone who needs to be able to move on a string.

That Atlanta pick swap just keeps getting worse.

Enzo The Baker said:

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That Atlanta pick swap just keeps getting worse.

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How about New Orleans trading Indiana's 2026 pick back to Indiana for this year's 23rd pick last week?

Nothing will ever go right for the Pelicans.

My gosh. I didn't even think about that.

New espn mock draft out. Has Beringer at 14.

Quote:

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Beringer has had a busy schedule since arriving in the U.S. following the conclusion of his season in Slovenia, conducting workouts with Chicago, Brooklyn, San Antonio, Atlanta, Memphis, Minnesota, and Houston, covering his bases in the Nos. 8-19 range.

The Spurs appear to be patiently building out their roster. They could look to add frontcourt depth at this stage of the draft, adding another rim protector alongside Victor Wembanyama to shore up their interior defense.

Beringer's official measurements, conducted last week, indicate he has grown an inch and a half in the past year, now standing over 7 feet in shoes. His measurements are similar to those of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Myles Turner at the same age, helping to understand why he ranks as the draft's best shot blocker.

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On coward:

Quote:

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Coward's also getting long looks from Phoenix, Chicago, San Antonio and Oklahoma City, with most teams in the 20s operating under the assumption that he'll be gone by that part of the draft.

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I think Coward is at the top of my 'realistic' list.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45559441/2025-nba-mock-draft-latest-first-second-round-predictions-all-59-picks

I think my Spurs list is:

1. Cedric Coward
2. Carter Bryant
3. Thomas Sorber
4. Rasheer Fleming
5. Noa Essengue
----------- Anyone below this line, trade down -------------
6. Liam McNeeley
7. Joan Beringer
8. Nique Clifford
9. Danny Wolf
10. Max Raynaud

Guitarsoup said:

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I think my Spurs list is:

1. Cedric Coward
2. Carter Bryant
3. Thomas Sorber
4. Rasheer Fleming
5. Noa Essengue
----------- Anyone below this line, trade down -------------
6. Liam McNeeley
7. Joan Beringer
8. Nique Clifford
9. Danny Wolf
10. Max Raynaud

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Vecenie said on Russillo that Wolf broke one team's 3 point shooting drill record. Seems like a really unique player. Haven't watched anything on him though.

Enzo The Baker said:

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Guitarsoup said:

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I think my Spurs list is:

1. Cedric Coward
2. Carter Bryant
3. Thomas Sorber
4. Rasheer Fleming
5. Noa Essengue
----------- Anyone below this line, trade down -------------
6. Liam McNeeley
7. Joan Beringer
8. Nique Clifford
9. Danny Wolf
10. Max Raynaud

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Vecenie said on Russillo that Wolf broke one team's 3 point shooting drill record. Seems like a really unique player. Haven't watched anything on him though.

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He still shot just like .336 for the year (and his 3y career) at Michigan. He passes well, he moves well... but do we really know he isn't Zach Collins? I don't trust him to be the backup rim protector.

If we moved like 14 and 38 to get 19 and 26 from Brooklyn, I wouldn't mind ending up with McNeeley and Wolf, but I would rather just have Coward or Sorber.

Guitarsoup said:

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Enzo The Baker said:

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That Atlanta pick swap just keeps getting worse.

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How about New Orleans trading Indiana's 2026 pick back to Indiana for this year's 23rd pick last week?

Nothing will ever go right for the Pelicans.

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Almost like Indiana knew Halliburton's Achilles was a ticking time bomb….

I think even without Halberton Indiana is better than Atlanta. Same for Boston without Tatum.

New Vecenie mock:

It's mock season.

With the 2025 NBA Draft two days away, how does @Sam_Vecenie predict the draft will shake out? pic.twitter.com/dykazxD0Sz

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 23, 2025

Quote:

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4. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)

Cedric Coward | 6-5 wing | 21 years old | Washington State

I've been saying that Coward would be the clear riser in this draft class since early April, and that seems to have borne itself out. Though he committed to Duke this spring after entering the transfer portal, it felt exceedingly unlikely he was going to pull out of the draft given his tools and shot-making ability. His balance and fluidity are special for a player who is nearly 6-6 with a 7-2 wingspan. Everything in the kinetic chain with Coward is perfect. Everything is in one motion and clean with the jumper, with easy, repeatable mechanics to pair with touch. He seems to have added some explosiveness, too.

The Spurs could use more wings to pair with their cache of guards and Wembanyama, particularly ones who can shoot it. League sources have noted that San Antonio could move this pick if its preferred targets aren't on the board. League sources have also recently connected both Beringer and Maluach with the Spurs, players they might have to move up for.

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https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6434991/2025/06/23/nba-draft-2025-cooper-flagg-ace-bailey-dylan-harper/

I'd move up for Coward but not maluach or Beringer. Fears at 5 as a small guard is wild to me.

Enzo The Baker said:

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I'd move up for Coward but not maluach or Beringer. Fears at 5 as a small guard is wild to me.

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I wouldn't move up for anyone after we pick Harper.

My favorites at 14:

Carter Bryant- probably gone by then, but like his 3 & D floor, plus a potentially higher ceiling.

Noa Essengue- he's definitely a project and probably not ready to contribute this year, but he's got big time upside and should at minimum be a solid defender that's a killer in transition.

Cedric Coward- love the measurements and numbers he put up, but I do worry about how well he translates to the NBA since he played so little at a major D1.

Rasheer Fleming- honestly, he's probably a trade down candidate if all of the other 3 are gone. Love his size, defense, and rebounding. I think his jumper is for real and he can be a solid pick and pop player. I worry about his decision making with the ball. Doesn't handle very well and seems to be a tick slow making reads.

Definitely trade down:

Thomas Sorber- love his physicality, he's built like a tank. Super long arms allows him to play bigger than he is. If he can stretch his shot out, he could end up being really good.

Danny Wolfe- very unique offensive skill set, I think he could develop more as a shooter, hate his defense. He's gonna have to be way more physical at the next level.

Maxine Reynaud- pretty much the same as Wolfe. Very gifted offensively, terrible on the other end.

Joan Berringer- he's a project, but he's long and super athletic and protects the rim. Right now he's only a lob threat offensively.

Some think Sorber will be gone by the time we draft. I can definitely see Atlanta, Phoenix or Chicago taking him.

If we're going to take a center, I'd rather just trade back to the late 20's and take Kalkbrenner. Maybe you can fleece a team out of a future FRP or something by doing so. Not in love with the idea of taking a guy like Sorber or Beringer at 14.

Spurs Rumors: Guerschon Yabusele, 2nd Pick, Cedric Coward, Thomas Sorber, Sean Sweeney https://t.co/gAQkkeBjp8 pic.twitter.com/3yIIwgUJvB

— Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) June 23, 2025

I wouldn't pay for a Garcia sub, but seems to be saying what we have been saying.

The problem with drafting Sorber instead of Coward would be that backup centers for MLE seem easier than D&3 forwards. Santi Aldama will get more than the MLE. So will Naz. Then you drop off after that to the LaRavia/ Yabusele level guys that probably won't compete for a starting role ever.

Just really need to land that Deni Advjia type forward for this team.

The Yabusele interest is obvious but the fit is a little weird. He's a solid depth guy though.

Santi would be great. As would Alexander-Walker. I like LaRavia as a cheaper option as well.

NAW makes no sense because he is another guard.

I think Yabusele as a backup PF that can shoot some makes a lot of sense. But he's a 2nd/3rd string guy at best. Not great defensively, but is big enough to body up some centers.

Haha okay man. Somes trades obviously have to happen. I would be surprised if there weren't before the season. Keldon and/or Vassell specifically.

Yabusele is definitely a bad defender and he can't play Center as the solo big on the court. That's why the fit is a little weird. I still said he would be a solid depth piece at forward and a good add. He is a high motor guy.

Guitarsoup said:

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Some think Sorber will be gone by the time we draft. I can definitely see Atlanta, Phoenix or Chicago taking him.

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I like Sorber a lot, but you addressed it in your next post, it's easier to find solid and affordable backup centers than it is to find impact 3&D wings.

I'm really not a fan of Yabusele. I'd rather go after a true center and a guy like Laravia that can play 3/4. If we make a trade and ship off Vassell and Keldon, NAW would make a lot of sense for us. If we're running it back, there's just not enough minutes to go around.

Mavs are resigning Gafford for 3/$60m. He seemed to be the odd man out and likely trade piece in a lot of rumored scenarios

HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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Mavs are resigning Gafford for 3/$60m. He seemed to be the odd man out and likely trade piece in a lot of rumored scenarios

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Solid deal and makes his contract not a poison pill, so will be easy to trade if they decide to do so later.

If I was in Dallas' situation, I would try to trade AD for whatever I could get for him while he still has value. God what an awful deal to bring him in. AD has 3y left at 35% max and is 32.

Lively, Gafford, PJ, Flagg, Naji, Christie is a solid young and big core. But I guess they have to give this one year to work at least.

They are going to see AD's value start to drop after this season.

Charlotte has the 4th pick. Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, and Tre Johnson all refused to work out for Charlotte. There have been rumors that at least one refused because he didn't want to play with Ball.

One draft lottery prospect reportedly refused to work out with the Hornets because he didn’t want to play with LaMelo Ball, per @mikelacett pic.twitter.com/g38BNB1QiN

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 19, 2025

That place is such a dumpster fire. They have to trade Ball, but who would even want him?

Portland makes an aggressive move to re-acquire Holiday, who the franchise originally received from Milwaukee in the Damian Lillard trade in 2023 and later moved to Boston for a deal that included two first-round picks to Blazers. Simons joins Boston on an expiring contract. https://t.co/2TMs5Cd8qn

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025

Here are the salaries going out

To Boston

Anfernee Simons: $25.9M, $27.7M (UFA, 2026)

* The Celtics get off the combined $72M owed to Holiday in 2026-27 and 2027-28

* Projected $40M in tax savings in 2025-26

* $18M below the 2nd apron

* Simons is extension eligible

To…

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 24, 2025

Guitarsoup said:

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Portland makes an aggressive move to re-acquire Holiday, who the franchise originally received from Milwaukee in the Damian Lillard trade in 2023 and later moved to Boston for a deal that included two first-round picks to Blazers. Simons joins Boston on an expiring contract. https://t.co/2TMs5Cd8qn

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025

Here are the salaries going out

To Boston

Anfernee Simons: $25.9M, $27.7M (UFA, 2026)

* The Celtics get off the combined $72M owed to Holiday in 2026-27 and 2027-28

* Projected $40M in tax savings in 2025-26

* $18M below the 2nd apron

* Simons is extension eligible

To…

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 24, 2025

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**correction: Celtics are still 18m ABOVE the 2nd apron. Still have moves to make to get under