MAVS BLOW OUT COVID-STRICKEN HORNETS
The Mavericks returned home to the AAC on the back of a decisive victory over the Thunder Sunday evening. They hoped to build on that with a win over a decimated Hornets roster. They rollicked their way to a W, with the outcome never in doubt.
GAME NOTES
Willie, Sterling, and Luka remained out. For Charlotte, LaMelo Ball and Ish Smith were out due to COVID protocols. Plumlee and McDaniels were fresh out of the protocols and not with the team. Terry Rozier, who had been out, returned to the lineup.
Starting lineup Brunson-Bullock-DFS-KP-Powell
FIRST QUARTER
Both offenses looking discombobulated. KP with the first score on a transition bucket. Then he hits from the corner. Charlotte first gets on the board at 7:59. Yikes. Brunson and KP have all the points for the Mavs. 14-5 6:40
Oubre looks like he might be trying to develop a Dolly Parton hairdo. 14-10 5:33
KP flush from a Dorian dime gets the crowd involved. Trey Burke comes in and knocks down a three. 24-13 3:21
Bullock calls bank from beyond the arc. Burke over Oubre! Woot! Timmy with a rainbow! Burke with a steal, then another long one. Lighting it up all over the court! Trey beats the buzzer! It’s happening!!
37-20 after one
Mavs 6-8 from distance. Porzingis (14) and Burke (10) lead the scoring. This Hornets team is sucking eggs.
SECOND QUARTER
Burke off the window! Another Hardaway three brings on an early timeout. 42-22 10:43
Moses bucket brings on an ovation. Already a fan fave! Mo with a dramatic block, rendered moot by a prior KP foul. Still drew a lot of cheers. It’s raining threes! Josh Green soars into the air for an oop from a THJ inbounds! OMG! More threes! Charlotte’s fourth timeout. Fifty-five points in 18 minutes! 55-27 6:28
Luka on the sideline cheering his teammates on.
70-43 HT
This one is looking pretty done and dusted. Mavs 12-19 from three. KP looking fiery, with 22 and 12. Hardaway and Burke lighting it up off the bench, combine for 24. The Hornets are terrible.
THIRD QUARTER
After about five minutes, Mavs go small, with Maxi as the lone big. 74-57 6:39
Mavs have missed a bunch of threes, Burke goes to the basket. Dorian follows suit. Burke miss is put back with a Doe-Doe jam! 83-60 3:45
91-69 after three
This is a romp.
FOURTH QUARTER
Charlotte assessed a tech for six players on the floor. Cool, cool. The whole arena is chanting, “We want Boban.” Will JKidd give the people WHAT they want? He will! At 3:14, Bobi goes in to rousing cheers and a lengthy standing ovation! The deep bench checks in, right after he does.
Bobi scores and the arena erupts, lol. A second basket, and the roof comes off! Bo-bee! Bo-bee! Bobi misses a three — the crowd moans like it was a losing shot in the finals, haha.
120-96 FT
ANALYSIS
Mavs shoot 52% overall, 19-41 (46%) from three. Hornets are supposed to be the bottom-feeders of the league defensively, and I believe it. But I thought they were supposed to be pretty good offensively, and they most definitely were not.
PLAYER NOTES
KP (25 min) didn’t do much in the second half, (2 points and 1 board in 9 minutes), but who’s counting? He still led the team with 24 points, 13 boards and 5 blocks, and looked very good out there in the first. BURKE (23) was the backup point guard, and lit the place up with 22 points and 6 assists on 9-14 shooting off the bench. Riveting performance! HARDAWAY (27) looked like his old self, with 19 points, including five threes. DORIAN (33) was his usual steady presence, putting up 15 points on 6-11 shooting (3-5 from three). Thirteen of those points were in the third quarter, the highest-scoring quarter of his career. BRUNSON (25) was the fifth Mav in double figures, with 13 points and 8 assists as the starting PG.
GREEN had his offensive game going with 7 points in 21 minutes, and was even scolded (in a good way) by Burke for passing instead of shooting. BOBI and MOSES were the most popular Mavs on the court, both drawing swoons from the crowd. The arena going crazy for Bobi in the last few minutes was hysterical. What a beloved player!
HORNETS. A humiliating performance by the Hornets Horribilus. Maybe that’s what happens when COVID is taking your guys out. However that may be, if they don’t do any better than this, they may be a strong candidate for a lottery winner.
OBSERVATIONS
Kidd thought the communication on defense was good, and liked the way his squad attacked the paint. He commended KP for his performance on both ends of the court. Kidd also thought the bench (which scored 59 points) was excellent. Powell (8) and Moses (9) didn’t play a lot of minutes in this one, because the team went with small ball as a matchup matter.
No one would mistake this bare-bones Hornets team for a worthy opponent, but a fun time was had by all, and at least we know the Mavs can score without Luka against a team that offers no resistance.
NEXT. The Lakers are coming to town on Wednesday. I imagine Luka will badly want to play against LeBron and the boys, but we’ll see if his ankle is deemed up to it.
We’re over .500 again, baby!
14-13
Yesterday's NBA podcast dealt with 12/15 trade candidates. So far, I've gotten through the sections on the Knicks and Mav's.
They came to the conclusion that THJ could be outgoing in any deal of any size and Brunson probably should be cashed in if the role here isn't worth the $15-$17 million he will command. They talked themselves into a deal where both go to Indiana for Sabonis. I'm not sure I buy Brunson to a rebuilding Indy team. What I can buy is Brunson to NY for our 2023 pick back. That would free up our entire list of future firsts to trade for Sabonis. The deal I came up with is:
THJ/Moses/Knox and two firsts to Indiana. The outgoing is Sabonis and expiring Lamb into our TPE (to keep them under the LT).
NY gets Brunson for our 2023 and sends Knox to Indy. Indy fans can pretend they are getting a former lottery guy who just needs the right situation and a super-young center prospect, but this is about the picks.
We get Sabonis/Lamb for THJ/Moses/Brunson and picks.
It is pretty aggressive on our part, but it will take players and picks to get Sabonis. If you listen to the Lowe post with Bobby Marks, it is obvious we won't be the only ones in the bidding if Sabonis hits the market. We have to get our 2023 back and Brunson (who we could lose for nothing this summer anyway) to NY is the cost of admission. Everyone stays pretty close to where they are financially and no one crosses the tax line.
BTW, loving what I'm seeing from Green. I've said before he is our easiest path the a plus starter since he's already here. Kidd is doing a good job of bringing him along. His role would obviously expand in a deal where THJ is the outgoing.
BTW-II, there are some issues with the deal above. We don't have a Brunson replacement unless Toronto cuts Dragic. We don't know how the KP/Sabonis pairing will look on D (though it would be nice to have a 20+ point big on the floor at all times). I'd presume Bullock and DFS would be the other two starters (so, you are essentially replacing Powell with Sabonis in the starting lineup). Dragic, Green and Maxi would be the core of the bench with Frank, Lamb, Sterling and Powell also available for minutes.
(12-14-2021, 07:47 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: [ -> ]Yesterday's NBA podcast dealt with 12/15 trade candidates. So far, I've gotten through the sections on the Knicks and Mav's.
They came to the conclusion that THJ could be outgoing in any deal of any size and Brunson probably should be cashed in if the role here isn't worth the $15-$17 million he will command. They talked themselves into a deal where both go to Indiana for Sabonis. I'm not sure I buy Brunson to a rebuilding Indy team. What I can buy is Brunson to NY for our 2023 pick back. That would free up our entire list of future firsts to trade for Sabonis. The deal I came up with is:
THJ/Moses/Knox and two firsts to Indiana. The outgoing is Sabonis and expiring Lamb into our TPE (to keep them under the LT).
NY gets Brunson for our 2023 and sends Knox to Indy. Indy fans can pretend they are getting a former lottery guy who just needs the right situation and a super-young center prospect, but this is about the picks.
We get Sabonis/Lamb for THJ/Moses/Brunson and picks.
It is pretty aggressive on our part, but it will take players and picks to get Sabonis. If you listen to the Lowe post with Bobby Marks, it is obvious we won't be the only ones in the bidding if Sabonis hits the market. We have to get our 2023 back and Brunson (who we could lose for nothing this summer anyway) to NY is the cost of admission. Everyone stays pretty close to where they are financially and no one crosses the tax line.
BTW, loving what I'm seeing from Green. I've said before he is our easiest path the a plus starter since he's already here. Kidd is doing a good job of bringing him along. His role would obviously expand in a deal where THJ is the outgoing.
BTW-II, there are some issues with the deal above. We don't have a Brunson replacement unless Toronto cuts Dragic. We don't know how the KP/Sabonis pairing will look on D (though it would be nice to have a 20+ point big on the floor at all times). I'd presume Bullock and DFS would be the other two starters (so, you are essentially replacing Powell with Sabonis in the starting lineup). Dragic, Green and Maxi would be the core of the bench with Frank, Lamb, Sterling and Powell also available for minutes.
I don't think the Pacers are trading I_am_Doma, I thinkhe will be the keystone (
for now). If they were trading him then having him playing alongside KP would be a disaster on D for the Mavs with Doma trying to chase guards on the P'n'R.
I think all parties (well the MAvs and Pacers) would prefer a Turner trade, tho' obviously the Knicks would prefer Turner to Sabonis as well. Either way there will be stiff competition for either of the Pacers starting bigs.
Ideal trade: Turner for Brunson with filler (*cough* DP *cough*) and picks to make it legal and attractive for the Pacers.
(12-14-2021, 07:47 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: [ -> ]They talked themselves into a deal where both go to Indiana for Sabonis.
I honestly don't see the Sabonis fit, unless next move is to trade KP. But, if we have the assets to trade for Sabonis, couldn't we say this means we have assets for Grant? I guess his market value is around the same as Sabonis
I guess if Knicks would be in for Brunson and 2023, it really opens a lot of options. With all our picks available we have plenty of decent contracts to aim for those "good but not really all star players".
My 2 cents is that it would be really great to get that 2023 pick back and reset the clock on using picks for trades. Would turn a waiting game into a do-it-now effort.
I don’t think this team is going anywhere so we need to be in talent acquisition mode. If we can swing Sabonis for JB/Hardaway then I do that without even thinking twice. Allstar level player that you can absolutely run the offense through whether Luka is on the floor or not. Guys with his talent don’t come available very often and even less so realistically for us. If he and KP don’t fit we can always trade one of them later. Although let’s not forget that a significantly worse version of KP and Boban almost helped us pull off the upset against the clippers. So a twin tower duo of this version of KP and Sabonis might be pretty interesting. Not to mention that from what I’ve gathered turners asking price is higher and at least pacer fans seem to want to keep him more.
(12-14-2021, 02:08 PM)BasketballJones41 Wrote: [ -> ]I don’t think this team is going anywhere so we need to be in talent acquisition mode. If we can swing Sabonis for JB/Hardaway then I do that without even thinking twice. Allstar level player that you can absolutely run the offense through whether Luka is on the floor or not. Guys with his talent don’t come available very often and even less so realistically for us. If he and KP don’t fit we can always trade one of them later. Although let’s not forget that a significantly worse version of KP and Boban almost helped us pull off the upset against the clippers. So a twin tower duo of this version of KP and Sabonis might be pretty interesting. Not to mention that from what I’ve gathered turners asking price is higher and at least pacer fans seem to want to keep him more.
Luka, KP and Sabonis, would make us contend. I would seriously consider that.
It is much easier to replace THJ or even Brunson or DFS than the skills Sabonis adds.
EDIT: Is he really available, and why?
Sabonis was played off the floor in last years play in game and locked down by our very own "bad" defender Luka in the olympic qualifier. People that did not like KPs defense last season will be suprised that it can get even worse. Just as slow on the perimeter with even less rim protection.
(12-14-2021, 02:38 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Sabonis was played off the floor in last years play in game and locked down by our very own "bad" defender Luka in the olympic qualifier. People that did not like KPs defense last season will be suprised that it can get even worse. Just as slow on the perimeter with even less rim protection.
This. And honestly, I'd still consider trying to snag him, but definitely not to play WITH KP. That fit would be just as problematic as Sabonis/Turner, if not more, which is why one of those two might be available in the first place.
(12-14-2021, 02:32 PM)burekemde Wrote: [ -> ]Luka, KP and Sabonis, would make us contend. I would seriously consider that.
It is much easier to replace THJ or even Brunson or DFS than the skills Sabonis adds.
EDIT: Is he really available, and why?
It sounds like he’s available. And his asking price might actually be less than turners. Turner is more of a rick center anyway. Plus the rumor is that Indiana desperately wants a point guard. So if that’s true then enter Jalen Brunson. Who Rick already knows and likes. And the rumor is JB wants to be the point guard of his own team, at least I think I remember hearing that, so he might make some sense for Indiana.
(12-14-2021, 02:38 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Sabonis was played off the floor in last years play in game and locked down by our very own "bad" defender Luka in the olympic qualifier. People that did not like KPs defense last season will be suprised that it can get even worse. Just as slow on the perimeter with even less rim protection.
I didnt pay attention to his defense, that doesnt sound so good. But next to KP, that is maybe acceptable.
However, on offense side, he has the tools to transform our offense. He sets screens even better than Powell, which is crazy improtant. Then, he positions himself after pick and roll even better than Powell. Not rim rolling, but in position to get the ball and finish around the rim. Luka would exploit that sixth sense of positioning Sabonis can do. Next, he finishes around the rim at an elite level. its crazy to say this, but in the modern NBA not many can do that, and the entire league could do this until the modern day of 3 ball. It's such an important skill that is undervalued. Maxi, KP do not have that elite touch around the rim to finish and layup. Powell has some of it and Bobi as well, but not close to Sabonis. WCS is strictly horrible in this sense, I wouldnt even trust him to make an open layup, he could miss it.
Finally, a skill that Sabonis has, and that none of our other players have with Luka and JB as exceptions, is driving to the rim. If you pay attention, when he gets the ball in the high post, he is really great driving to the basket and finishing.
All of that make him a player that would add skills to our team, that we either dont have, or lack. I do see Luka fitting perfectly well with Sabons in pick and roll as well with KP, and I do see fit with KP as well.
If his defense is not top notch as you say, then it does put some extra pressure on KP to be at elite physical level, which is I guess a disadvatnage of going for a big that is not defensive minded. But he has a crazy fit on offense.
(12-14-2021, 02:47 PM)BasketballJones41 Wrote: [ -> ]It sounds like he’s available. And his asking price might actually be less than turners. Turner is more of a rick center anyway. Plus the rumor is that Indiana desperately wants a point guard. So if that’s true then enter Jalen Brunson. Who Rick already knows and likes. And the rumor is JB wants to be the point guard of his own team, at least I think I remember hearing that, so he might make some sense for Indiana.
I think this as you suggest, would make sense yes for both teams.
I know Luka is even better with smart bbIQ players around him, that understand his movements and positioning. I cant say that about many of our current players.
Sabonis is that type of player that would become better with Luka, as his great positioning skills, would come even more to light with Luka passing and finding the creases that Sabonis can create with his great screens and positioning. On other hand, this is a great fit for Luka as well, and also has the potential to make the offense flow.
Honestly, the offense stalls many times because our roll guy, which is Powell or Maxi or KP or WCS; as none of them can position themself after the screen to get the ball, and drive and make the pass, or drive further to the rim and then pass out.
if you watch Sabonis, he is great at that and a great passer. This is exactly what the offense needs, and would seriously increase the flow of the ball movement in a Luka led offense.
In our current offense, Luka drives, but the rolling players can only dunk. Not position themself in the paint or around and find creases, then to afterwards drive/pass/finish at the rim. We dont have this skills, and thats why the flow stalls. Sabonis would be a perfect fit here.
Concerns about the KP/Sabonis fit on defense are fair and valid. I’m not promising it would work. Although I would like to ask, if KP/Boban made enough of a difference defensively to almost steal the series against the Clippers last year why couldn’t we figure it out with this better version of KP along with Allstar Sabonis?
What I will guarantee is on often so I’m not sure how you stop Luka when he’s out there running around with KP and Sabonis. But if the pairing doesn’t work out it makes moving KP a lot more feasible.
If he’s really available and we have the chance to get him I don’t think we can afford to pass on talent like that.
And for what it’s worth I would prefer Sabonis as a running mate for Luka over KP. So I’d also be fine if we traded for him and moved KP.
(12-14-2021, 02:58 PM)BasketballJones41 Wrote: [ -> ]Concerns about the KP/Sabonis fit on defense are fair and valid. I’m not promising it would work. Although I would like to ask, if KP/Boban made enough of a difference defensively to almost steal the series against the Clippers last year why couldn’t we figure it out with this better version of KP along with Allstar Sabonis?
What I will guarantee is on often so I’m not sure how you stop Luka when he’s out there running around with KP and Sabonis. But if the pairing doesn’t work out it makes moving KP a lot more feasible.
If he’s really available and we have the chance to get him I don’t think we can afford to pass on talent like that.
And for what it’s worth I would prefer Sabonis as a running mate for Luka over KP. So I’d also be fine if we traded for him and moved KP.
Sometimes, the best defense is offense. That is seen in other sports as well, and can work well. At leat KP is a monster in the paint, and that is always something. If Luka, Sabonis, KP put up many points more than opponents can make, then the defenses need to adjust, and often, these adjustments bring less offense and more defense in their adjustments.
Sometimes I have impression that our players dont understand Lukas game and positioning. I do think JB, THJ do that to some extend. I thought Curry did that better. And I thought RC did adjust that for the team in general even for players without that natural positiining skills, with his scheme.
But I always wonder what would happen if Luka was surrounded with players that has that natural gift of great positioning that Sabonis seems to have. Especially the player that set screens for Luka, and also able to pass, shoot, drive, finish.
Thats where I start to think, this trade would be all worth it.
(12-14-2021, 02:58 PM)BasketballJones41 Wrote: [ -> ]Concerns about the KP/Sabonis fit on defense are fair and valid.
Offensively, too, tbh.
What did KP hate about the past couple of seasons? Being only a floor spacer.
What is Turner talking about being annoyed with now? Being only a floor spacer.
It's not a "Carlisle thing" in either case. For the Mavs, the point was to create space/lanes for Luka. Since this approach has stopped, everyone is suddenly disappointed in Luka's play, to some extent or another. It's possible there are other factors at play with that, but transitioning to a more KP-friendly system is unquestionably involved. For the Pacers, Sabonis is GREAT in the post. Turner has to space for him, obviously. I'm sure Turner would love to run some pick and roll (like pre-injury Powell) but there's Sabonis, in the paint.
KP wants the ball more, not less. Sabonis wants the ball more, not less. One of them would be asked to do something they absolutely hate, offensively (probably Porzingis). They both want to play the same, exact role within the offense.
Adding Sabonis (or Turner, for that matter) to KP would be adopting the same issues that have held the Pacers back for years, imo.
Now,
replacing KP with either of them is something that could be interesting to think about.
(12-14-2021, 02:50 PM)burekemde Wrote: [ -> ]I didnt pay attention to his defense, that doesnt sound so good. But next to KP, that is maybe acceptable.
However, on offense side, he has the tools to transform our offense. He sets screens even better than Powell, which is crazy improtant. Then, he positions himself after pick and roll even better than Powell. Not rim rolling, but in position to get the ball and finish around the rim. Luka would exploit that sixth sense of positioning Sabonis can do. Next, he finishes around the rim at an elite level. its crazy to say this, but in the modern NBA not many can do that, and the entire league could do this until the modern day of 3 ball. It's such an important skill that is undervalued. Maxi, KP do not have that elite touch around the rim to finish and layup. Powell has some of it and Bobi as well, but not close to Sabonis. WCS is strictly horrible in this sense, I wouldnt even trust him to make an open layup, he could miss it.
Finally, a skill that Sabonis has, and that none of our other players have with Luka and JB as exceptions, is driving to the rim. If you pay attention, when he gets the ball in the high post, he is really great driving to the basket and finishing.
All of that make him a player that would add skills to our team, that we either dont have, or lack. I do see Luka fitting perfectly well with Sabons in pick and roll as well with KP, and I do see fit with KP as well.
If his defense is not top notch as you say, then it does put some extra pressure on KP to be at elite physical level, which is I guess a disadvatnage of going for a big that is not defensive minded. But he has a crazy fit on offense.
Absolutely agree that Sabonis would be a big upgrade over WCS or Powell on offense but I imagine that they would run into the same problems that the RC Mavs faced. That the RC Pacers are facing. It is a lot easier to share the ball and touches between two perimeter players that can both put the ball on the floor. More difficult to do it with two bigs that are both at their best when they play at center. Very likely that one of them would be marginalized. And that´s simply not worth it because of the defensive short comings of a front court duo that cannot defend the perimeter. Even more because the Mavs also have to account for Luka´s defense. Who in my opinion is best suited for the big forward role on defense.
(12-14-2021, 03:06 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Offensively, too, tbh.
What did KP hate about the past couple of seasons? Being only a floor spacer.
What is Turner talking about being annoyed with now? Being only a floor spacer.
It's not a "Carlisle thing" in either case. For the Mavs, the point was to create space/lanes for Luka. Since this approach has stopped, everyone is suddenly disappointed in Luka's play, to some extent or another. It's possible there are other factors at play with that, but transitioning to a more KP-friendly system is unquestionably involved. For the Pacers, Sabonis is GREAT in the post. Turner has to space for him, obviously. I'm sure Turner would love to run some pick and roll (like pre-injury Powell) but there's Sabonis, in the paint.
KP wants the ball more, not less. Sabonis wants the ball more, not less. One of them would be asked to do something they absolutely hate, offensively (probably Porzingis). They both want to play the same, exact role within the offense.
Adding Sabonis (or Turner, for that matter) to KP would be adopting the same issues that have held the Pacers back for years, imo.
Now, replacing KP with either of them is something that could be interesting to think about.
Good thoughts KL.
I see Sabonis having a lot of more skills complementing Lukas game, than KP. I would do the deal in an instant. It would seriously increase the flow of the Luka offense, when the roll player, can do things that Sabonis can do. Instead of KP, where it always stalls after he gets it from Luka. With Sabonis, it would flow further. He has PG skills himself.
Instead, I would then go for the spacer, being a defensive minded player that can shoot. We have that guy, so why not keep him. He is called Maxi Kleber. He is fine with being spacer.
Sabonis on other hand compared to KP, sets a lot better screens (again increasing flow of the offense), a lot better in the post, driving, finishing, passing and perhaps most importantly positioning.
In this case, I would keep JB, as he is special, and use KP to trade for Sabonis.
JB
Luka
DFS
Sabonis
Maxi
I would go all in on bbIQ and positioning in a Luka led offense. There is no point in pairing your superstar with players that do not fit playing with him. I would go in on players that can drive and finish and pass and positioning, as that is incredible weapon to deal with. All 5 can shoot, and all 5 can space.
(12-14-2021, 03:06 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]Offensively, too, tbh.
What did KP hate about the past couple of seasons? Being only a floor spacer.
What is Turner talking about being annoyed with now? Being only a floor spacer.
It's not a "Carlisle thing" in either case. For the Mavs, the point was to create space/lanes for Luka. Since this approach has stopped, everyone is suddenly disappointed in Luka's play, to some extent or another. It's possible there are other factors at play with that, but transitioning to a more KP-friendly system is unquestionably involved. For the Pacers, Sabonis is GREAT in the post. Turner has to space for him, obviously. I'm sure Turner would love to run some pick and roll (like pre-injury Powell) but there's Sabonis, in the paint.
KP wants the ball more, not less. Sabonis wants the ball more, not less. One of them would be asked to do something they absolutely hate, offensively (probably Porzingis). They both want to play the same, exact role within the offense.
Adding Sabonis (or Turner, for that matter) to KP would be adopting the same issues that have held the Pacers back for years, imo.
Now, replacing KP with either of them is something that could be interesting to think about.
More fair points as usual. Here’s my counter.
Right now KP is starting next to a non-shooting big. And it’s not like Sabonis is a liability in that department. He may not be a knockdown shooter but he has an OK jumpshot that he seems to hit when he’s open.
I don’t see any reason that KP and Sabonis couldn’t each get a satisfactory amount of shots of playing next to Luka for 30 minutes a game. Likely either Hardaway or Brunson would be outgoing in the deal so that would open up a lot of shots anyway.
Sabonis would actually help KP do a lot of what he does best on offense. For whatever reason we just don’t commit to him and Luka running the pick and roll. So KP is at his best only doing that a few times a game. It seems to me what he prefers is to mix it up a little bit. A pick and roll here and there. Cutting off the ball and attacking the offensive glass. And getting a few post ups. All of those things would be strengthened with Sabonis here particularly with Dom being such a good passer. I think there would be enough opportunities around for everybody to eat.
And again the possibility remains that he and KP would not be a good pairing and I’m aware of that. My point is, and I think you’ve already agreed with this, is that when you have the chance to grab a 25 year old Allstar you do it. If it doesn’t work can you trade one of them later. Right now I think KP‘s trade value is climbing and no doubt Sabonis would put a big numbers playing with Luka. So I think in the off-season you could get a nice haul for either one of them.
One other thing that might help KP is Sabonis being such a good rebounder. That would take an enormous load off of Porzingis and further reduce wear and tear and injury possibilities.
I’m completely in favor if this move is a possibility.
I know the NBA has changed a little bit but let’s not forget that KP was his best self playing next to Kantor in New York.
(12-14-2021, 07:47 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: [ -> ]Yesterday's NBA podcast dealt with 12/15 trade candidates. So far, I've gotten through the sections on the Knicks and Mav's.
They came to the conclusion that THJ could be outgoing in any deal of any size and Brunson probably should be cashed in if the role here isn't worth the $15-$17 million he will command. They talked themselves into a deal where both go to Indiana for Sabonis. I'm not sure I buy Brunson to a rebuilding Indy team. What I can buy is Brunson to NY for our 2023 pick back. That would free up our entire list of future firsts to trade for Sabonis. The deal I came up with is:
THJ/Moses/Knox and two firsts to Indiana. The outgoing is Sabonis and expiring Lamb into our TPE (to keep them under the LT).
NY gets Brunson for our 2023 and sends Knox to Indy. Indy fans can pretend they are getting a former lottery guy who just needs the right situation and a super-young center prospect, but this is about the picks.
We get Sabonis/Lamb for THJ/Moses/Brunson and picks.
It is pretty aggressive on our part, but it will take players and picks to get Sabonis. If you listen to the Lowe post with Bobby Marks, it is obvious we won't be the only ones in the bidding if Sabonis hits the market. We have to get our 2023 back and Brunson (who we could lose for nothing this summer anyway) to NY is the cost of admission. Everyone stays pretty close to where they are financially and no one crosses the tax line.
Personally Sabonis would high on my list. Losing Brunson would hurt, but it would take a lot to get Sabonis. I totally understand those who say the defensive challenges would make it a no go. Maybe I am wrong, but the benefits he brings would outweigh any negatives for me..
First Sabonis scores buckets inside. Second, even though most would not think of him as a creator, for me he is a real good creator because he passes so well. He will score inside and get baskets for others. Plus, he shoots between 5 and 6 free throws a game.
Sure, having both KP and Sabonis on the court in closing time will cause some problems on defense, but I believe it will create more problems for other teams. As good as KP has been, this team needs to protect themselves. They need another guy who will score at high percentages inside. Right now, I am not sure any of our big man (outside of Boban) could score 30 in an empty gym.
Question...I was reading another board and they brought up the potential of Green being in the role of the short role. Green is not a threat to score and that must change, but couldn't you see him in that type of role as he grows his game? He needs to get much better finishing at the rim, but I wonder if eventually he could be that guy when teams double Luka.
All this "starter" business regarding center gets in the way of the conversation. The Mavs are intentionally using a placeholder center. You can't sign a real starting center to play placeholder center. Seems to me that the only way to improve with bigs is to improve upon KP or improve the placeholder. If they don't want to improve upon KP, then significant improvement to the roster probable has to be in the form of a wing that can play 4 when KP plays his best position (center), or a more well rounded 2 or 3 that can still make 3's and play D. In otherwords, upgrade the non Luka and KP spots but don't do it with a center.