MavsBoard

Dialllo or Lonzo or Josh Hart?
Good options but restricted free agents

My first rough draft for the new roster (as of tonight)....certainly with lots of mistakes:

Disappointed Mavs didn't get Holmes. Would it mattered if they offered 16M? I don't know.

As for the signings:
Moses holds a lot of promise. if anything, he'd be useful in the regular season. Gravy if he develops further.
Sterling Brown, I actually mentioned a few times in this board as a good cheap 3 and D option, so I like his signing.
I prefer Niang instead of Bullock because he is cheaper, but Bullock is a good option. One more body to throw at the likes of Kawhi and Lebron, instead of just DFS.
Boban is ok, a great locker room guy goes a long way.
I'm meh on THJ.

But even if the Mavs do get Dragic there aren't a lot of guys who can dribble. 
Aside from Luka, potentially Dragic, maybe Brunson if not traded, Burke, Terry, maybe Green -- there's not a lot of creators and ball handlers.
This team will still rely on Luka.

And as for the bigs, PF is thin. yes you can slot KP as a PF and even DFS, but KP is going to be the C and DFS is mainly at SF, Mavs need a PF. Can the Mavs go-all-in on shooting and sign Lauri?

(08-02-2021, 11:27 PM)Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo Wrote: [ -> ]Disappointed Mavs didn't get Holmes. Would it mattered if they offered 16M? I don't know.

As for the signings:
Moses holds a lot of promise. if anything, he'd be useful in the regular season. Gravy if he develops further.
Sterling Brown, I actually mentioned a few times in this board as a good cheap 3 and D option, so I like his signing.
I prefer Niang instead of Bullock because he is cheaper, but Bullock is a good option. One more body to throw at the likes of Kawhi and Lebron, instead of just DFS.
Boban is ok, a great locker room guy goes a long way.
I'm meh on THJ.

But even if the Mavs do get Dragic there aren't a lot of guys who can dribble. 
Aside from Luka, potentially Dragic, maybe Brunson if not traded, Burke, Terry, maybe Green -- there's not a lot of creators and ball handlers.
This team will still rely on Luka.

And as for the bigs, PF is thin. yes you can slot KP as a PF and even DFS, but KP is going to be the C and DFS is mainly at SF, Mavs need a PF. Can the Mavs go-all-in on shooting and sign Lauri?

I would be satisfied if Mavs can trade for a PG (Dragic?) and take PF (Nance, Bagley?) in the TPE

(08-03-2021, 02:22 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]I would be satisfied if Mavs can trade for a PG (Dragic?) and take PF (Nance, Bagley?) in the TPE

I'd love Bagley as a reclamation project, but he is a project and I'm not sure how useful he'd be.  I like Nance a lot.  I wonder what type of tips we'd receive for taken on either of those guys and using are TPE?  Dragic should free up a roster spot or two.  I wish we could get Patty Mills on this team somehow.

Bagley himself does not fit within the TE, but that is easy enough to overcome...
Say Dallas accepts Montrez Harrell in the Richardson TPE for a tip in helping Washington get Dinwiddie.
Then Dallas could flip Harrell for Bagley - This works with anyone making at least $7 and no more than $11 million as the piece from the TPE

I am holding out judgement on today for the MLE/TPE to finalize and then used before I go scorched earth in my disappointment...

2 years ago I predicted the Mavs staying over the cap and keeping the Barnes TPE as a viable option on the old board... I am going to be sick if history repeats itself. I do think Bagley would soften that reaction IF it was a subsequent move to getting Dragic.
Went in hoping for a minimum of Holmes Dragic THJ... Won't hang my head over THJ, Dragic, Bagley with the pieces we have added. IF nothing else happens this off-season I am going full on BRING BACK DONNIE!

Last years 3PT shooting percentages and attempts per game. The FO is determined to surround Luka with outside shooters. 

Luka  35% / 8.3 3PA

THJ  39% / 7.6 3PA
Bullock  41% / 6.1 3PA
KP  37% / 6 3PA
DFS  39% / 5 3PA
S. Brown  42% / 4.2 3PA
Kleber  41% / 4.2 3PA
Brunson 40% / 2.9 3PA


(Dragic  37% / 4.9 3PA)

(08-03-2021, 09:16 AM)Smitty Wrote: [ -> ]The FO is determined to surround Luka with outside shooters. 

As they should be. 

If guys around Luka make their open shots, his team will be hard pressed to lose. Many of us have said from the beginning of the Luka-era that he just needs solid role players around him that do their jobs and stay in their lanes. More talent would be nice, but a solid locker room with good chemistry and relationships as well as solid guys who know their roles is enough.

I'm still concerned about how KP disrupts that....but the front office apparently (at least for appearances) seems to think that the coaching was more of the issue there than KP. We'll find out soon enough.

(08-03-2021, 09:24 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]but the front office apparently (at least for appearances) seems to think that the coaching was more of the issue there than KP. We'll find out soon enough.

I don't know if I'd go so far as to suggest they believe coaching was a problem, as you have stated numerous times. 

However, unless something shocking is happening, I ABSOLUTELY agree that the plan seems to hinge on their bet that KP is about to bounce back in a major and noticeable way. I'm not sure they're right, but honestly, until that situation is resolved either way there won't be any "2nd star" added. So, we might as well all strap in and hope for the best.

(08-03-2021, 09:31 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]I don't know if I'd go so far as to suggest they believe coaching was a problem

I think there have been two narratives about KP from the new FO:

1) He is healthy for the first off-season in forever. (HEALTH)

2) He did what he was asked. We are now going to put him in a position to succeed. (COACHING)

I feel like the second one was implicitly and subtlely all over the place in the presser and other interviews. 


Again, I have no idea what they REALLY think, but this is the narrative they are pushing IMO.

(08-03-2021, 09:16 AM)Smitty Wrote: [ -> ]The FO is determined to surround Luka with outside shooters. 

Yeah, due to them being catch and shoot guys, I think there's a decent chance that BOTH Bullock and Brown give this team more than Richardson did last year. 

Trying not to overrate them out of unfamiliarity, but though Richardson "dabbled" in all areas of the game, he wasn't a good enough handler/creator to ever make me feel good about making Luka play off-ball, he was scared to shoot off the catch (and I'm talking about Luka-level open opportunities) far too often for me, and his defense wasn't remotely near a level that made it easier for me to digest either of those issues. He DID show a remarkable talent for dribbling into traffic and attempting difficult mid-range shots, I'll give him that. 

Bullock and Brown aren't the playmakers we think the team needs, but they (hopefully) will add depth, spacing and a little bit of real defense. I hope they're tough and physical.

(08-03-2021, 09:16 AM)Smitty Wrote: [ -> ]The FO is determined to surround Luka with outside shooters. 

I should add that I think they are missing the most important component to unlock Luka: an elite pick and roll partner.


I am crossing my fingers that with new coaching and a dose of humble pie that maybe KP will figure out that this is what he needs to be to have any future in DAL.

(08-03-2021, 09:16 AM)Smitty Wrote: [ -> ]Last years 3PT shooting percentages and attempts per game. The FO is determined to surround Luka with outside shooters. 

Luka  35% / 8.3 3PA

THJ  39% / 7.6 3PA
Bullock  41% / 6.1 3PA
KP  37% / 6 3PA
DFS  39% / 5 3PA
S. Brown  42% / 4.2 3PA
Kleber  41% / 4.2 3PA
Brunson 40% / 2.9 3PA


(Dragic  37% / 4.9 3PA)

We're making it easier for the opposing team's defense. Just double Luka and run guys off the 3-pt line, since they are spot up and can't driblle the bal. Dragic adds another dimension and would be very welcomed here. Hero ball can only take us so far.

(08-03-2021, 09:31 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]I don't know if I'd go so far as to suggest they believe coaching was a problem, as you have stated numerous times. 

However, unless something shocking is happening, I ABSOLUTELY agree that the plan seems to hinge on their bet that KP is about to bounce back in a major and noticeable way. I'm not sure they're right, but honestly, until that situation is resolved either way there won't be any "2nd star" added. So, we might as well all strap in and hope for the best.

They are married to him, for better or worse. It's what we will all try to tell ourselves, until the divorce.

(08-03-2021, 09:39 AM)HAguiar95 Wrote: [ -> ]We're making it easier for the opposing team's defense. Just double Luka and run guys off the 3-pt line, since they are spot up and can't driblle the bal. Dragic adds another dimension and would be very welcomed here. Hero ball can only take us so far.

I think Slovenia (as @"dirkfansince1998" has stated) has the blue print. You don't need other stars to be successful with Luka....AND it isn't "hero ball" at all.

(08-03-2021, 09:38 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]I should add that I think they are missing the most important component to unlock Luka: an elite pick and roll partner.


I am crossing my fingers that with new coaching and a dose of humble pie that maybe KP will figure out that this is what he needs to be to have any future in DAL.

It really starts with learning to actually pick the defender. Playing tag with the defender is not a pick. Until we see that, he will never see more.

KP, from what I can tell, has lots of adjustments he could make. Quit shooting so straight and put some arch on the ball. Stop rushing his shot. Get several go-to moves around the basket. Play like a 7 footer around the basket. Just off the top of my head. Dirk needs to work with him and help him get his head right. Be a little more chill.

(08-03-2021, 09:36 AM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]2) He did what he was asked. We are now going to put him in a position to succeed. (COACHING)

I feel like the second one was implicitly and subtlely all over the place in the presser and other interviews. 

Yeah, I totally agree that the message regarding KP has consistently been that Kidd will get KP back on track. No argument. 

I obviously get that by implication, there's no way to avoid making a connection to the last coach with that. 

But, Cuban was actually pretty complimentary of Carlisle in a few interviews since this all happened. 

My interpretation (might be splitting hairs) is that Harrison and Kidd aren't really even thinking about Carlisle. I think the presser was just a product of exuding excitement about "what we're doing now." After all, KP is still here, and I'm sure figuring that situation out was a big talking point at everyone's interview and every day since. I think it's fair to say that they flat-out don't care if Carlisle catches some stray criticism as a result of this approach, and I don't blame them - rehabbing KP, in reality or just image, IS the job, basically. 

Now, guys like you and me who have consumed the Mavericks for decades might juxtapose the two concepts and feel compelled to draw conclusions, but I honestly really think it's all just an attempt to get off on the right foot with KP - no more than that. 

All of that to say (and again, might be semantics) I don't believe they looked at it and thought "Carlisle was the reason KP sucked - he'll be fine." I think it's more like "we're screwed if KP isn't better - let's make sure that happens."

(08-03-2021, 09:39 AM)HAguiar95 Wrote: [ -> ]We're making it easier for the opposing team's defense. Just double Luka and run guys off the 3-pt line, since they are spot up and can't driblle the bal. Dragic adds another dimension and would be very welcomed here. Hero ball can only take us so far.

I completely agree, but I'm not sure I saw an alternative this time around. Dragic will help a lot, if that happens, as will another year of Brunson development (though both come will problems at the other end of the floor). But, there was no 2nd star available, at least not with KP's money being untradable and no picks to move. In lieu of that type of acquisition, I think improving the shooting/spacing is not a bad fallback, if that's really what they've done.

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(08-03-2021, 09:43 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]It really starts with learning to actually pick the defender. Playing tag with the defender is not a pick. Until we see that, he will never see more.

Yeah, maybe it's just imperfect tracking due to reliance on the eye test, but I feel like KP and WCS both slip every single pick when they're involved in actions. 

WCS could be a great roll guy, imo, if he had half of DP's acumen for it.