MavsBoard

(01-03-2020, 07:48 PM)Dundalis Wrote: [ -> ]Powell's 3 point shooting isn't ideal, but it's enough to space the floor,

No it's not. Not in the regular season, and especially not in the playoffs. When teams start game planning for the Mavs, they will laugh all the way to a win as Powell tries to "space the floor" with 3 point shooting. How many hand in the face 3 pointers has Powell taken this year? I don't remember 1 because defenses don't need to close out on him to defend his shot. The only reason defenders might go out is if there is a switch on the pick. That is to defend the ball handler and not allow him the open 3, not for Powell.

(01-03-2020, 07:48 PM)Dundalis Wrote: [ -> ]and someone who could space the floor with a bigger 3 point threat would be better for the teams offense.

Someone who can play really good defense and has the body/strength to keep the post up guys honest is the biggest need. A guy who has at least a little offensive game and esp can set picks and roll to the basket is the only offense they really need to make up for DP's current contribution to the starters. That guy I just described who also has a 3 point shot is called an all star. We don't need an all star, and the offense doesn't need to play 5 out. How much better does the #1 offense in the history of the game need to be? 

Mike, Dan and even Tony is very proud of our offense. I hate dat guy (said in a Gru voice).

Take a look at this and then say Drummond would mess up Luka's spacing... https://youtu.be/TdfBO1o49EA

It's funny to see some people cling to stats they think suit their argument and forget how incredible some players are. Getting Drummond for scraps would be a coup.

If the Rockets offense is defined by threes and layups, it's made possible by Hardin and a rim rolling center who sets screens, finishes lobs, grabs offensive rebounds and has zero career three point attempts.  

I think people forget how critical this role is in the modern NBA. Good roll men don't clog the lane. In fact they have gravity of their own. They open up space for guys like Doncic and Hardin to score.

Five out is great and a lot of teams finish games that way; but most of the game is being played with a lob threat on the floor. Capela plays 33+ MIN per night. He's number 2 in both offensive and total rebounds.

This role is obviously critical in Dallas as well. Although Powell is a top-flight finisher, he is undersized and can get pushed around. And unfortunately, since moving to the starting lineup, we've seen bigger, more physical players limit his effectiveness; and both his usage and scoring efficiency is down over last season.

The recent Lakers game sealed the deal for me. Vogel said the key to their win was they simply stayed home on shooters and played 2 v 2 in the paint. i.e. they locked down shooters, sealed Doncic's drives and Powell couldn't finish over the Lakers length. On the other end Lakers bigs dominated as they shot 19 of 25 for 49 points.

If the Mavs are going to compete with the best teams in the West they need to add some size next to Porzingis. If teams want to play 2 v 2 in the lane, the Mavs need a big, physical roll man next to Doncic who can finish and force teams to tag or get punished with relentless dunks. This will lead to more open shooters in the playoffs.

That's brings us to Drummond. A confounding player who has never led a winning team. If he would only limit his game to screen & roll, rebounding and defense. i.e. if he would only play like Capela, it would be a no brainer to add him. 

Can Drummond play like Capela? Yes. In fact, I think he could be better than Capela at doing "Capela-things". And there are certain things Drummond does well that Capela doesn't do well at all. But will Drummond give consistent effort? Will he cut out the multi dribble post ups and ball stopping? Will he change his game to fit the Mavs system? Who knows. 

Maybe he ought to ask his buddy KP if winning is worth changing the way he plays.

(01-04-2020, 12:09 AM)Luka_Magic Wrote: [ -> ]Take a look at this and then say Drummond would mess up Luka's spacing... 

For what it's worth, looking at season highlights as a basis for why we should get a player is bad. ANY highlight vid only shows the good parts of a player, I mean that's kinda their point. What highlight video is going to show Drummond messing up rotations, or taking ill-advised hook shots? 

So while Drummond is of course an athletically gifted, rebounding monster that could theoretically be a good fit, there's more pieces to the Drummond pie which is what everyone is discussing. What highlight videos don't show is the inconsistency of Drummond's effort, his shot hunting (a point Piston fans love to point out as to why they want to get rid of him), and his overall attitude towards the game. He's not cut from the same competitive cloth that Luka and KP are cut from, which isn't a knock because it's rare to find that in a player.

But he doesn't seem to be a guy who'd be willing to sacrifice himself for the team, like a Powell for instance. As much as I like to rag on Powell, he's one of the best chemistry/stand-up guys the Mavs have ever had. And perhaps Drummond is a guy like that, but if he is, he hasn't shown it in Detroit. 

This is a tough debate, because I'm still not sure where I fall on the Drummond scale. His PO makes it difficult for a team to trade for him as he has all the leverage. What team is going to give up massive assets for a half season rental of Drummond? Furthermore, it is exactly because of that flexibility that makes a Drummond move so appealing. If he doesn't work out? No harm no foul, just cut ties in the summer and hopefully be happy that you didn't give anything too substantial to try the experiment. But if it does work out and Drummond decides to focus on PnR's and become unstoppable lob threat for Luka? YEESH what a team that'd be. It'd basically be the upgraded Clint Capela/James Harden duo with freaking Kristaps Porzingis waiting on the perimeter. And hear me out, if it does work out, maybe the Mavs can convince Drummond to take his PO and retain his bird rights for 2021 when Giannis becomes available. A guy can dream right? 

And yet, on the other side of the scale, the Mavs are sitting with an incredible net rating this season. Their bench is a hydra. Chemistry is firing on all cylinders. Everything is working and the Mavs are 22-12. There is literally no reason to try to make such a drastic move, because just how much better are they going to get really? The Mavs could easily be 26-8 had a couple of bounces/calls had gone their way, and you could bump it up to 28-6 if you really want to be generous. So why would the Mavs try to even open the possibility of messing it up? And any blockbuster trade like this will inevitably  draw comparisons to the Rondo trade when the Mavs were also firing on all cylinders. Thankfully Drummond isn't in the position to run the offense, but he could very well clash with Rick on his role. 

It's just hard to justify it. If the Pistons want Courtney Lee, Justin Jackson, Powell+ a couple of 2nds, then maybe. Mavs are basically swapping Powell with Drummond. It's hard to not like that. Anyways thats my rant on the whole Drummond topic.

(01-03-2020, 08:41 PM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]Important note I haven’t seen anyone mention. Since Drummond has an opt-out, it will likely be Drummond himself who picks his next team. Can’t imagine any team would give up significant assets for half a season, ESPECIALLY Atlanta who has nothing to gain without commitment from Drummond to sign long term. 

Much like Anthony Davis, the player has all the leverage.

100% agreed. Unless you want to dump your own bad contracts, I assume you´d want a guarantee that Drummond opts in. He certainly would only appeal to the Mavs that way. They´ll try to upgrade with a young player, but not jeopardize 2021.

I also wonder whether this would be a reaction to the Porzingis injury and trying to minimize his workload, while maintaining some size and qualities that Powell and Kleber just can´t provide. 

As opposed to what people expected there was no ease in period at all. Porzingis played all, but one game, averaging 31.2 MPG. It would be more minutes, if not for some foul trouble and 50 win blowout games. Once the Mavs smelled blood they immediately rode the big fella hard. 36.5 MPG in back-to-back games in December. Also if Porzingis and Drummond are buddies (as reported) it would be easier to sell Porzingis on less minutes and more breaks.

They need to protect their investment better, cause this contract hitting a Wall is the only major concern the Mavs should have.

Brunson, Jackson, Lee, Powell and the GS 2nd should be more than enough compensation.

I think it might be too much actually, unless you factor in the additional capspace gained by trading Powell, proactively trading a young PG that looks like he won´t be happy with a 3rd PG role for the next 3-4 years anyway and a player that has only one year left on his contract in Jackson.

I can´t see the Mavs extending Jackson at this point, now that his 2pt percentage has dropped to 2nd worst on the team, and his 3pt percentage to 3rd worst, despite getting good quality shots. Assuming you´d have to pick between THJ and Jackson, either probably mid-level money, that´s a pretty easy decision.

So while I don´t see Drummond as a typical Carlisle player, the points mentioned at least put us in the trade conversation.

Even if Drummond goes for scraps, teams like Atlanta or Boston can offer better scraps than the Mavs. The debate on fit seems moot because of that. I also wouldn't trust reporters with ties to high ranking officials. That could all just be front office smoke and mirror tactics. That said, I'd take him for peanuts (a package including Bruson, GSW pick and whatever else to make the salaries work).

Randomness and playing catch up on the trhead:

-A lot of talk about Powell around here of late. Not sure why he isn't pulling the trigger from three, but he needs to let it fly if teams are going to give him as much space on his top of the key screens. I can't imagine he gets traded. The Mavs love him. Combine his new contract and his regression in play and I can't imagine extracting positive value from him. Any competent team looking at a trade package from Dallas is going to ask for Maxi instead of Powell.
-Speaking of Maxi, he and DFS are quickly climbing list of players you refuse to trade unless they are getting back the 3rd banana to go alongside Luka and KP.
-Said it in the other trade thread, but we really need another big in the rotation. I don't hate the Alex Len idea floated in this thread.
-Saw the Bogdanovic mention, I just don't see enough bullets in the clip to land him.

(01-04-2020, 03:29 AM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]Even if Drummond goes for scraps, teams like Atlanta or Boston can offer better scraps than the Mavs.  The debate on fit seems moot because of that.  I also wouldn't trust reporters with ties to high ranking officials.  That could all just be front office smoke and mirror tactics.  That said, I'd take him for peanuts (a package including Bruson, GSW pick and whatever else to make the salaries work). 

Randomness and playing catch up on the trhead:

-A lot of talk about Powell around here of late.  Not sure why he isn't pulling the trigger from three, but he needs to let it fly if teams are going to give him as much space on his top of the key screens.  I can't imagine he gets traded.  The Mavs love him.  Combine his new contract and his regression in play and I can't imagine extracting positive value from him.  Any competent team looking at a trade package from Dallas is going to ask for Maxi instead of Powell.
-Speaking of Maxi, he and DFS are quickly climbing list of players you refuse to trade unless they are getting back the 3rd banana to go alongside Luka and KP.
-Said it in the other trade thread, but we really need another big in the rotation.  I don't hate the Alex Len idea floated in this thread.
-Saw the Bogdanovic mention, I just don't see enough bullets in the clip to land him.

 
A competent FO. Luckily we are dealing with Detroit here.

I agree completely on Maxi and DFS. They are almost unoutchable. We signed them as 3&D players, who couldn´t three. Currently they are shooting 40% and 39% from three on four attempts per game.

If we keep Powell, then finding another serviceable big should not be a problem. You can find them in the draft or free agency < $5M every year.

I assume we talking Bogdan here. Seems the Kings are secretly in self-destruction mode again. Besides the very public Dedmon trade request, it seems Hield is a bit of a diva, too. He´s the owner´s boy, then you got Bogdan, who is Vlade´s boy. Then you have Walton, Bagley and Fox in between all of this. Maybe he´s more available in the summer than we expect.

Also let´s not forget Harry Giles, soon to be 22, who was supposed to be the next KG, if healthy. He becomes an UFA this summer. I see him as a very nice reclamation project for the PF/C position.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]If the Rockets offense is defined by threes and layups, it's made possible by Hardin and a rim rolling center who sets screens, finishes lobs, grabs offensive rebounds and has zero career three point attempts.

And who was exposed in the playoffs, because he couldn't switch on perimeter, making Houston think if it is really worth throwing 17 per for a center, even if elite as Capella. Drummond is much worse in that aspect and costs almost twice the money.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]I think people forget how critical this role is in the modern NBA.

Really? Who played that role on GSW? Who was it on Toronto? Who is the roll man on Milwaukee, Lakers, Clippers, Denver, Philly? Houston is actually one of the very few contenders with such a player. Contenders have their money in 3-D players or unicorns like Giannis or Jokic, roll man is a role player.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]The recent Lakers game sealed the deal for me.

You stress this game so much, yet you forget we beat Lakers once and should win the first time. Not to mention Mavs were unrecognizable in the most recent game.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]If the Mavs are going to compete with the best teams in the West they need to add some size next to Porzingis.

I don't agree. We need secondary facilitator and more consistent shooters. At the moment, Barea is our best option as secondary facilitator, which is sad. Mavs shot 29 % threes against Clippers and  30 % against Lakers in that third game. Scored 99 and 95 points. Teams are focusing hard on Luka and others can't create - that is the problem.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]if he would only play like Capela

This is an IF that costs 30 million. Even if he would be cheap (Powell, Brunson, GSW 2nd for example), it can blow in our face badly, make us worse and end in 6 months. If it would work, would we really be that much better? I don't think so. Not to mention all the problems we will have on the defensive side, because we will have two guys that can't guard perimeter.

---

Getting another center can be real cheap, if Mavs thought this is the most critical position. You can get someone like Noah or Farried for minimum salary. Or you can trade for someone like Dieng or Henson. Minny would be happy to get rid of Dieng contract, Henson might cost a second rounder.

I personally think we are spending time on the wrong Piston.  Christian Wood is the much better fit for our system.  

Drummond is very likely to forego his player option and become a UFA this summer, so Detroit doesn't have great leverage here.  BUT, very few teams have cap room.  So, the agent's interest is to get Drummond to a place he wants to be that happens to also be able to either extend him or pay him using Bird rights.   

This kind of buy low and retain strategy sounds like a Mav's move (and the agent is an historically cooperative one), but I have serious doubts.  Priority #1 is to maximize Luka and this doesn't do it.  I don't think Carlisle could have been any more emphatic about style of play and Drummond is really good at what we don't want to do.  Drummond MIGHT make the team better, but it would substantially change the nature of the game we play on offense.  I also think we'd have huge problems with perimeter defense with Drummond and KP on the floor at the same time.  

Either Maxi or Powell would have to go in any deal and both are great fits here.  The idea should be to add to what we have and that can be done much cheaper than $30 million.  If you do Drummond now, you've limited what you can do this summer...especially if you have to take on any additional salary to balance out the trade.  I like fantasy trades, but I don't see this one.

(01-04-2020, 05:48 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]And who was exposed in the playoffs, because he couldn't switch on perimeter, making Houston think if it is really worth throwing 17 per for a center, even if elite as Capella. Drummond is much worse in that aspect and costs almost twice the money.

I understand what you're saying but keep in mind, Capela played in all 11 playoff games, averaged 30 MIN, 10 PTS, led the team in rebounding and blocks. He was fourth in BPM and WS (net positive). He went to the bench when the Rockets went small with Tucker at C ... but he wasn't bad. 

And of course, the very modern, analytics heavy Rockets DID pay Capela $90 million over 5 years. When you say "Drummond is much worse" I assume you're talking about his contract. My point is the Mavs are already paying Powell and Lee (who they get nothing from) so if those two players are used to match Drummond's money, what's the harm? Of course, any deal will be contingent on a reasonable extension in the 5 year / $100 million range.

Yeah, what cow and Dan said. I think the only way we're involved in a Drummond trade is as a 3rd team facilitator.

(01-04-2020, 05:48 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]Really? Who played that role on GSW? Who was it on Toronto? Who is the roll man on Milwaukee, Lakers, Clippers, Denver, Philly? Houston is actually one of the very few contenders with such a player. Contenders have their money in 3-D players or unicorns like Giannis or Jokic, roll man is a role player.

GSW ran a completely different offense. The Mavs and Rockets style is built around (4-1) pick & roll and a premier roll-man is critical. Not saying this is the only way to run an offense. But wouldn't you agree, big physical centers like Lopez, McGee, Howard, Zubac, Harrell, Jokic, Embiid all give the undersized Mavs fits?

---

(01-04-2020, 05:48 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]We need secondary facilitator and more consistent shooters. At the moment, Barea is our best option as secondary facilitator, which is sad. Mavs shot 29 % threes against Clippers and  30 % against Lakers in that third game. Scored 99 and 95 points. Teams are focusing hard on Luka and others can't create - that is the problem.

Agree 100%

---

(01-04-2020, 09:01 AM)DanSchwartzman Wrote: [ -> ]Christian Wood is the much better fit for our system.  

Duane Casey has made Wood his special project. I remember reading recently, Casey said if Wood gave consistent effort, he wouldn't be on his fifth team in five years. 

You can see the kid has talent, but player rehab seems like a risky distraction for a team that's trying to make the playoffs while already managing a bunch of young players, who are still trying to establish themselves. 

I think this is the biggest risk of a Drummond deal tbh. The coaching staff is already focused on re-programming Porzingis. Drummond's game would require the same sort of makeover. If Drummond is on board and motivated, the upside could be tremendous. But if Drummond decides he'd rather fill a boxscore with 20-20 it would be a disaster.

(01-04-2020, 05:48 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]If the Rockets offense is defined by threes and layups, it's made possible by Hardin and a rim rolling center who sets screens, finishes lobs, grabs offensive rebounds and has zero career three point attempts.

And who was exposed in the playoffs, because he couldn't switch on perimeter, making Houston think if it is really worth throwing 17 per for a center, even if elite as Capella. Drummond is much worse in that aspect and costs almost twice the money.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]I think people forget how critical this role is in the modern NBA.

Really? Who played that role on GSW? Who was it on Toronto? Who is the roll man on Milwaukee, Lakers, Clippers, Denver, Philly? Houston is actually one of the very few contenders with such a player. Contenders have their money in 3-D players or unicorns like Giannis or Jokic, roll man is a role player.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]The recent Lakers game sealed the deal for me.

You stress this game so much, yet you forget we beat Lakers once and should win the first time. Not to mention Mavs were unrecognizable in the most recent game.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]If the Mavs are going to compete with the best teams in the West they need to add some size next to Porzingis.

I don't agree. We need secondary facilitator and more consistent shooters. At the moment, Barea is our best option as secondary facilitator, which is sad. Mavs shot 29 % threes against Clippers and  30 % against Lakers in that third game. Scored 99 and 95 points. Teams are focusing hard on Luka and others can't create - that is the problem.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]if he would only play like Capela

This is an IF that costs 30 million. Even if he would be cheap (Powell, Brunson, GSW 2nd for example), it can blow in our face badly, make us worse and end in 6 months. If it would work, would we really be that much better? I don't think so. Not to mention all the problems we will have on the defensive side, because we will have two guys that can't guard perimeter.

---

Getting another center can be real cheap, if Mavs thought this is the most critical position. You can get someone like Noah or Farried for minimum salary. Or you can trade for someone like Dieng or Henson. Minny would be happy to get rid of Dieng contract, Henson might cost a second rounder.

While I agree with a lot here, the main question in all of these Drummond rumours remains Porzingis´ health. The last thing the Mavs can afford is Porzingis getting hurt (regularly/permanently). We are just two months into a 60 months $160M contract. They need to manage his workload carefully.

If we do trade Powell, Lee, Jackson, Brunson for Drummond and Snell it does not change our cap situation for 2021 that much. It actually improves. Besides...

Doncic/Wright
THJ/Curry
DFS/Snell
Porzingis/Kleber
Drummond/X

Get somebody like Faried or Udoh for 10-12 MPG and we are good.

What about Dieng/Covington to Dallas, the usual Mavs package to Detroit (maybe an additional 2nd from Minny) and Drummond to Minnesota.

(01-04-2020, 11:34 AM)Mavs2019 Wrote: [ -> ]If we do trade Powell, Lee, Jackson, Brunson for Drummond and Snell it does not change our cap situation for 2021 that much. It actually improves. Besides...

Doncic/Wright
THJ/Curry
DFS/Snell
Porzingis/Kleber
Drummond/X

You don't have to give away four current Mav's to make this happen.  In fact, it makes it harder.  It would be Lee (Powell or Maxi) and Brunson.  We would need to take 3 players back.  It probably won't be Snell as he plus Drummond minus our outgoing will destroy any flexibility we have this summer. 

Also, it does impact 2021.  The point of acquiring Drummond (and the point of him making waves now with Detroit) is he wants to be somewhere that will give him an extension this summer (like Barnes/Powell situations last summer...in fact same agent), or will use his Bird rights to sign him  to a new deal.

(01-04-2020, 11:34 AM)Mavs2019 Wrote: [ -> ]What about Dieng/Covington to Dallas, the usual Mavs package to Detroit (maybe an additional 2nd from Minny) and Drummond to Minnesota.

Minnesota has their center  . Towns and Drummond are not a good fit (as KP and Drummond) wouldn't be. 

I would welcome Dieng, if Minny adds a sweetener.

(01-03-2020, 10:17 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-03-2020, 07:48 PM)Dundalis Wrote: [ -> ]Powell's 3 point shooting isn't ideal, but it's enough to space the floor,

No it's not. Not in the regular season, and especially not in the playoffs. When teams start game planning for the Mavs, they will laugh all the way to a win as Powell tries to "space the floor" with 3 point shooting. How many hand in the face 3 pointers has Powell taken this year? I don't remember 1 because defenses don't need to close out on him to defend his shot. The only reason defenders might go out is if there is a switch on the pick. That is to defend the ball handler and not allow him the open 3, not for Powell.

(01-03-2020, 07:48 PM)Dundalis Wrote: [ -> ]and someone who could space the floor with a bigger 3 point threat would be better for the teams offense.

Someone who can play really good defense and has the body/strength to keep the post up guys honest is the biggest need. A guy who has at least a little offensive game and esp can set picks and roll to the basket is the only offense they really need to make up for DP's current contribution to the starters. That guy I just described who also has a 3 point shot is called an all star. We don't need an all star, and the offense doesn't need to play 5 out. How much better does the #1 offense in the history of the game need to be? 

Mike, Dan and even Tony is very proud of our offense. I hate dat guy (said in a Gru voice).

This year, particularly recently, you might be right. Defenders are sagging off him. And his rim rolling hasn't been as good as it's been in the past. But the guy is willing to sacrifice his game, and he WILL allow us to play 5 out by sitting on that 3 point line, even if the defender doesn't stick right with him, it's not like they are sagging so far off they are sitting in the paint. Which is why I specifically said he's not ideal for this offense right now, even if he is still able to allow us to maintain our offensive efficiency despite those issues. But he goes back to a low 30's 3 point shooter and he sits up above the 90th percentile in rim running like he has the last 2 seasons, he's much more effective, particularly with the inverted spacing. Even with what he's doing now, sacrificing his game, hitting 26% on 3's and sitting in the 66th percentile as a rim runner is much, much better than a guy (Drummond), who shoots no 3's, shot hunts outside the system, and sits in the 28th percentile as a rim runner. That is still night and day difference.

The question is not how much better does the 1# offense in the history of the game need to be. Wrong question. The question is how easily can that #1 offense fall apart. The answer is very, very easily. We've already done this before. Number 1 offense in the league, all it took was bringing in one player who was the wrong fit for that to fall on its ass. You might remember December 2014 when it happened. Different type of player, but the point is that it's much easier to break an already great offense, than make it much better. The goal should be to maintain it, while improving the defense. And playing 5 out is the key to it. It's certainly not talent. This team isn't in the same stratosphere in terms of offensive talent compared to the GSW the last 5 years. It's much more system based, and that absolutely requires the right mix of players, and those players willing to absolutely stick to their roles.

I agree about bringing in someone that can play good defense though. I'd much prefer someone that can guard the perimeter well, and or protect the rim, than someone who can keep post up players honest. I don't think that's remotely our biggest need. I don't care that much about defending the post up guys. I think people are just overrating how much that is hurting us. Not that Drummond is a guy that's a particularly great defender anyway. Priority defensively IMO is to get better at defending the 3 point line. We have good rim protection. The mid range, post up stuff I don't care about nearly as much. As Rick said. Low value shots. And we have Boban for the bully's that sit under the rim. None of this is worth potentially messing up the offensive efficiency that people seem to think we have pulled out of our ass and will be easily maintained regardless of how any player we bring in fits. We clearly wouldn't have learnt our lesson.

---

(01-04-2020, 11:34 AM)Mavs2019 Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-04-2020, 05:48 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]If the Rockets offense is defined by threes and layups, it's made possible by Hardin and a rim rolling center who sets screens, finishes lobs, grabs offensive rebounds and has zero career three point attempts.

And who was exposed in the playoffs, because he couldn't switch on perimeter, making Houston think if it is really worth throwing 17 per for a center, even if elite as Capella. Drummond is much worse in that aspect and costs almost twice the money.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]I think people forget how critical this role is in the modern NBA.

Really? Who played that role on GSW? Who was it on Toronto? Who is the roll man on Milwaukee, Lakers, Clippers, Denver, Philly? Houston is actually one of the very few contenders with such a player. Contenders have their money in 3-D players or unicorns like Giannis or Jokic, roll man is a role player.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]The recent Lakers game sealed the deal for me.

You stress this game so much, yet you forget we beat Lakers once and should win the first time. Not to mention Mavs were unrecognizable in the most recent game.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]If the Mavs are going to compete with the best teams in the West they need to add some size next to Porzingis.

I don't agree. We need secondary facilitator and more consistent shooters. At the moment, Barea is our best option as secondary facilitator, which is sad. Mavs shot 29 % threes against Clippers and  30 % against Lakers in that third game. Scored 99 and 95 points. Teams are focusing hard on Luka and others can't create - that is the problem.

(01-04-2020, 01:03 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]if he would only play like Capela

This is an IF that costs 30 million. Even if he would be cheap (Powell, Brunson, GSW 2nd for example), it can blow in our face badly, make us worse and end in 6 months. If it would work, would we really be that much better? I don't think so. Not to mention all the problems we will have on the defensive side, because we will have two guys that can't guard perimeter.

---

Getting another center can be real cheap, if Mavs thought this is the most critical position. You can get someone like Noah or Farried for minimum salary. Or you can trade for someone like Dieng or Henson. Minny would be happy to get rid of Dieng contract, Henson might cost a second rounder.

While I agree with a lot here, the main question in all of these Drummond rumours remains Porzingis´ health. The last thing the Mavs can afford is Porzingis getting hurt (regularly/permanently). We are just two months into a 60 months $160M contract. They need to manage his workload carefully.

If we do trade Powell, Lee, Jackson, Brunson for Drummond and Snell it does not change our cap situation for 2021 that much. It actually improves. Besides...

Doncic/Wright
THJ/Curry
DFS/Snell
Porzingis/Kleber
Drummond/X

Get somebody like Faried or Udoh for 10-12 MPG and we are good.

What about Dieng/Covington to Dallas, the usual Mavs package to Detroit (maybe an additional 2nd from Minny) and Drummond to Minnesota.

While it's not ideal, I think we can cover for KP perfectly fine. There are certain things we will give up, predominantly in terms of depth, but until he gets his shot back, I don't think we miss a massive amount right now. The reason someone like Kleber's rim protection has been down this year is because he's being asked to switch out onto the perimeter and defend the PnR far more often, while KP stays home as the primary rim protector. You have Kleber instead stay home to protect the rim, you see a dominant defensive performance like against the Nets with his 3 blocks. I'd like the right player to be brought in if possible, but anyone named Drummond/Adams/Thompson/Whiteside, or anyone of similar ilk is just not that player. Getting another DFS type into the starting lineup is exactly what we need.

The Sixers players, however, pointed to their disjointed offense. Philadelphia has averaged only 104 points per 100 possessions during the losing streak, a figure that would rank in the bottom five of the league for the season.

The Sixers' poor spacing is of particular concern, especially for Embiid. Sources say the Sixers will search the trade market for perimeter shooting threats with playmaking ability, a need that was apparent as Philadelphia went 6-of-27 from 3-point range Friday night.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2841...ng-toll-me

From The Athletic ... 

"...the Warriors are hard-capped, standing just $374,924 from that line. While the team has an open roster spot, there is near-zero flexibility to use it — barring other moves, Golden State can’t even sign a player for the rest of the season until March 7. That, in turn, matters because the Warriors have used nearly all the 2-way days of guards Damion Lee and Ky Bowman. Lee has seven service days left and Bowman has nine, so by mid-January they will be tapped out...

...They can get breathing room from the hard cap by trading one of their veterans on an expiring deal (Alec Burks and Willie Cauley-Stein are the names you’ll hear the most often), but this scenario likely requires them to wait well past Jan. 15 and leave one of their two-way spots unfilled."

The player to watch for the Mavs is Willie Cauley-Stein 

(01-04-2020, 12:36 PM)vfromlmf Wrote: [ -> ]From The Athletic ...

"...the Warriors are hard-capped, standing just $374,924 from that line. While the team has an open roster spot, there is near-zero flexibility to use it — barring other moves, Golden State can’t even sign a player for the rest of the season until March 7. That, in turn, matters because the Warriors have used nearly all the 2-way days of guards Damion Lee and Ky Bowman. Lee has seven service days left and Bowman has nine, so by mid-January they will be tapped out...

...They can get breathing room from the hard cap by trading one of their veterans on an expiring deal (Alec Burks and Willie Cauley-Stein are the names you’ll hear the most often), but this scenario likely requires them to wait well past Jan. 15 and leave one of their two-way spots unfilled."

The player to watch for the Mavs is Willie Cauley-Stein

Why? RC and knuckelheads are a bad mix.

Also from The Athletic 

"The one NBA player who is most likely to be traded within the next week is Justin Patton. With the Thunder a mere $750,250 into the tax and Patton’s deal non-guaranteed, the stars are not aligned in the young center’s favor."

Patton has been injury plagued but he was the 16th pick of the 2017 draft. He's a big with high motor, shot blocking potential and developing as a shooter. He's a project, but one with high upside. He'll be traded to one of the 9 teams with an exception, the Mavs being one.

He's 7’0″ with a wingspan of 7’3″ and 9’3″ reach. Defensive acumen was a strong calling card. With physical gifts of this nature, Patton was projected to become a rebounding rim protector with the ability to move and defend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3nlxEQGTXs&feature=youtu.be