MavsBoard

BRIAN AND MARK EVALUATE THE OFFSEASON

Up until now, at least --

THJ.  Mavs HAD to re-sign him, unless they had a known replacement in place. They need his production and someone to fill his role as a high-volume, high-minute three-point shooter, while being serviceable defensively. They think the contract is very fair. The four years might be a little longer than expected, but that was probably negotiated in exchange for a slightly lower starting number. 

MOSES BROWN.  Might or might not make the roster. Don’t get excited yet. 

BOBAN AND WILLIE.  The podders were not expecting either of these guys to be re-signed, but it's a new day at the Mavs. Boban is a minimum contract, unlike his last deal. He is Luka’s buddy, and can play situationally here and there, so they have no problems with the signing. As far as Willie goes, someone has to play backup center.  Willie can take a few minutes there, and can also serve as ballast in a trade. 

BULLOCK. Replacement for Josh Richardson. Provides efficient three-point shooting, along with good defense. Shoots 45% on corner threes. Good reports on him from the Knicks. 

STERLING BROWN. Replacement for Trey Burke, probably. Depth shooting piece. 

Starting lineup. Not clear how that will shake out. 

DRAGIC. Masai refused to trade Lowry at the TDL, and got a fair amount of incoming over it. Now, he knows he can't get as much of a return, but he feels that he has to come out of the Lowry trade with something more than Precious. Specifically, he wants a first round pick for Goran. If not, he says he'll just keep Dragic. Mavs don’t want to give up a first round pick for Dragic. Possible that they will still negotiate something. For sure, the Mavs need to get Dragic or move on to a new target. 

The podders hoped for someone a little better than Dragic, but now he may be the best available. Goran is no longer the player we saw in the finals, but he can still help the team. Defensively, they will have to hold their noses, but he can still make plays and score some. Two years ago, when they could have gotten him, he would have been a great fit. Although he is no longer that guy, he can help. If the deal doesn’t get done as part of the MIA-TOR trade, there may be little incentive for TOR to buy him out. Remains to be seen whether Duffy can get it done. 

Other playmakers. Don’t really know who might be available under the radar, but as far as free agents go, Schroder is probably the biggest name left. However, the Mavs have no interest. There are guys like Millsap, Markkanen, DSJ, Ntlikina, Avery Bradley, Cousins, filler-level guys. Even if they end up getting someone of that level, they HAVE to get another playmaker — doesn't have to be a great one, but one who can spell Luka, so that he doesn’t get exhausted by the third quarter, and back him up. We have seen that just surrounding Luka with shooters isn’t good enough. 

Further moves? Kawhi is still on the board, probably due to his misreading the market. He wanted to have a LeBron James-type week, where teams came courting, but other teams, including the Mavs, moved on. Mark and Brian think the Mavs did the right thing. 

Dameris and Followill would like to see the Mavs give Mike Tobey a shot as a developmental project, but that’s just their own idea, not reporting. Luka will sign his extension, probably next week. Extension talks can occur with JB and DFS. Unknown at this point whether extensions will be offered. Might need to see how they perform in whatever Kidd’s system is before decisions are made. Every effort is being made to give KP a chance to work out this season. 

Overall grade. As things stand (no Dragic), the team gets a grade in the C to C+ range. Signing THJ was important, but the other moves consisted of a few singles. They do get credit for offloading JRich without having to attach an asset. So far, just “okay.” 

(08-06-2021, 02:09 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: [ -> ]Specifically, he wants a first round pick for Goran. If not, he says he'll just keep Dragic.

BARF.

As I've said, if Toronto insists on a future first, we're done here. Plan Z.

(08-06-2021, 02:09 PM)mavsluvr Wrote: [ -> ]BRIAN AND MARK EVALUATE THE OFFSEASON

Up until now, at least --

THJ.  Mavs HAD to re-sign him, unless they had a known replacement in place. They need his production and someone to fill his role as a high-volume, high-minute three-point shooter, while being serviceable defensively. They think the contract is very fair. The four years might be a little longer than expected, but that was probably negotiated in exchange for a slightly lower starting number. 

MOSES BROWN.  Might or might not make the roster. Don’t get excited yet. 

BOBAN AND WILLIE.  The podders were not expecting either of these guys to be re-signed, but it's a new day at the Mavs. Boban is a minimum contract, unlike his last deal. He is Luka’s buddy, and can play situationally here and there, so they have no problems with the signing. As far as Willie goes, someone has to play backup center.  Willie can take a few minutes there, and can also serve as ballast in a trade. 

BULLOCK. Replacement for Josh Richardson. Provides efficient three-point shooting, along with good defense. Shoots 45% on corner threes. Good reports on him from the Knicks. 

STERLING BROWN. Replacement for Trey Burke, probably. Depth shooting piece. 

Starting lineup. Not clear how that will shake out. 

DRAGIC. Masai refused to trade Lowry at the TDL, and got a fair amount of incoming over it. Now, he knows he can't get as much of a return, but he feels that he has to come out of the Lowry trade with something more than Precious. Specifically, he wants a first round pick for Goran. If not, he says he'll just keep Dragic. Mavs don’t want to give up a first round pick for Dragic. Possible that they will still negotiate something. For sure, the Mavs need to get Dragic or move on to a new target. 

The podders hoped for someone a little better than Dragic, but now he may be the best available. Goran is no longer the player we saw in the finals, but he can still help the team. Defensively, they will have to hold their noses, but he can still make plays and score some. Two years ago, when they could have gotten him, he would have been a great fit. Although he is no longer that guy, he can help. If the deal doesn’t get done as part of the MIA-TOR trade, there may be little incentive for TOR to buy him out. Remains to be seen whether Duffy can get it done. 

Other playmakers. Don’t really know who might be available under the radar, but as far as free agents go, Schroder is probably the biggest name left. However, the Mavs have no interest. There are guys like Millsap, Markkanen, DSJ, Ntlikina, Avery Bradley, Cousins, filler-level guys. Even if they end up getting someone of that level, they HAVE to get another playmaker — doesn't have to be a great one, but one who can spell Luka, so that he doesn’t get exhausted by the third quarter, and back him up. We have seen that just surrounding Luka with shooters isn’t good enough. 

Further moves? Kawhi is still on the board, probably due to his misreading the market. He wanted to have a LeBron James-type week, where teams came courting, but other teams, including the Mavs, moved on. Mark and Brian think the Mavs did the right thing. 

Dameris and Followill would like to see the Mavs give Mike Tobey a shot as a developmental project, but that’s just their own idea, not reporting. Luka will sign his extension, probably next week. Extension talks can occur with JB and DFS. Unknown at this point whether extensions will be offered. Might need to see how they perform in whatever Kidd’s system is before decisions are made. Every effort is being made to give KP a chance to work out this season. 

Overall grade. As things stand (no Dragic), the team gets a grade in the C to C+ range. Signing THJ was important, but the other moves consisted of a few singles. They do get credit for offloading JRich without having to attach an asset. So far, just “okay.” 

Thanks for the great recap as usual.

Thanks @"mavsluvr"!!!!

It is really simple:  Lakers get an A for signing THT.  Every other team gets an F for not signing THT.

I may have missed it here, but I was wondering when someone was gonna mention giving Mike Tobey a try. I was a little skeptical until I saw him hold his own against Gobert. I followed him at Virginia, and he always had a decent post game. I've been impressed, however, how he's improved his 3 point shot since leaving college. Can he make the NBA 3? That's another question. But heck, invite him to camp and see what he does. He's had an unquestionable chemistry with Luka these past couple weeks.

(08-06-2021, 02:59 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]It is really simple:  Lakers get an A for signing THT.  Every other team gets an F for not signing THT.

Mavs had him in a former life

(08-06-2021, 03:06 PM)OBX Maverick Wrote: [ -> ]I may have missed it here, but I was wondering when someone was gonna mention giving Mike Tobey a try. I was a little skeptical until I saw him hold his own against Gobert. I followed him at Virginia, and he always had a decent post game. I've been impressed, however, how he's improved his 3 point shot since leaving college. Can he make the NBA 3? That's another question. But heck, invite him to camp and see what he does. He's had an unquestionable chemistry with Luka these past couple weeks.

He is great offensively but really bad defensively. His PnR drop coverage defense is really bad and Slovenia was lucky France missed all those wide open mid range shots. 

I think Mavs have 2 players like him already - KP and Kleber. I just don't understand, why Mavs played zero PnR with them last season. Luka played some good PnR with both of them two seasons ago but this was reduced to exclusively pick and pop.

(08-06-2021, 02:59 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]It is really simple:  Lakers get an A for signing THT.  Every other team gets an F for not signing THT.

That seems like an accurate take to me.  THJ and Bullock are solid signings but unless they make another addition, offseason is a solid C.

(08-06-2021, 03:22 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]He is great offensively but really bad defensively. His PnR drop coverage defense is really bad and Slovenia was lucky France missed all those wide open mid range shots. 

I think Mavs have 2 players like him already - KP and Kleber. I just don't understand, why Mavs played zero PnR with them last season. Luka played some good PnR with both of them two seasons ago but this was reduced to exclusively pick and pop.

Maxi is the one who strikes me as the most similar comparison, but neither PnR.  I'm not sure that Maxi is that guy, but I think KP could be. Will be interesting to see what kind of situations Kidd puts KP in this year to succeed. The PnR should be a staple for KP.

I don’t see how, if we do nothing else, the offseason grade can be any better than a D. Great fitting players or not.

(08-06-2021, 05:55 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]I don’t see how, if we do nothing else, the offseason grade can be any better than a D. Great fitting players or not.

I think that's fair.  It also makes me want to drink as it is an improvement over the past two seasons.

(08-06-2021, 05:55 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]I don’t see how, if we do nothing else, the offseason grade can be any better than a D. Great fitting players or not.

Yeah, but that's just because you hate THJ. HATER.

(08-06-2021, 06:39 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, but that's just because you hate THJ. HATER.

I love THJ at an appropriate price! I think $16M is still a bit high as you pretty much have to start him at that #. I think his value as a starter is way lower than at $12M as a 6th man. Especially with Luka in the lineup.


Do you think THJ is a hot commodity/trade asset at that price? I think the amount of teams willing to pay a high price for him is low, maybe about a quarter of the teams in the league.

(08-06-2021, 08:28 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]Do you think THJ is a hot commodity/trade asset at that price? I think the amount of teams willing to pay a high price for him is low, maybe about a quarter of the teams in the league.

I'm not sure I'd say hot commodity, like DFS on that bargain contract, for example, but yeah, I think you can make an argument that $16M is right in the sweet spot for him, and maybe on the lower side of it. If he doesn't continue to play well then the last couple of years might sting, but that's true of any player signed to a multi-year deal. 

And I absolutely think he's a starter, especially with Luka.

Isolated this isn´t the worst offseason but for me it comes down to a different question. How would you grade the last three years? Since the Luka draft.

(08-06-2021, 08:37 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Isolated this isn´t the worst offseason but for me it comes down to a different question. How would you grade the last three years? Since the Luka draft.

Many didn’t want to grade the last 2 years cause they could see the vision of this year being make or break. I think every year should stand on their own and be graded based on what they had a good chance at getting. There is a lot of debate to be had in that statement though (“had a good chance at getting”).

For someone that hoped the new GM/Coach, Nico and Kidd would bring a different direction - I'm quite disappointed so far.  I'm hoping that this grade is an incomplete and there is more to come this offseason.  With that said, I cant even tell that the new MBT is any different then the old.  Bullock is JRich and Sterling seems like Iwundu.  But I do like Moses and hope he gets a shot at staying.

I thought the saying "we love our guys in blue" was Donnie's saying.  But it turns out it is all Cuban.  I for sure would not of brought back THJ, WCS and Boban on day one.  Probably would not of even brought WCS and Boban back at all.  Man, to think we could of had over 35+mil to use in free agency.  This feels just like the last few summers.

Again, hoping this grade is an Incomplete and there is more to come.