(02-14-2025, 12:22 AM)F Gump Wrote: The hole at PG?

1. 2 weeks ago, as Exum was about to return, I wondered if he might prove to be the answer to fill the hole at PG that we have been trying to figure out. Both now, and going forward.

I certainly don't buy the idea that last season's playoffs ended him being useful, or ever being part of their plans, and as we get to see him again, he's even better than he was a year ago when everyone was in love with him.

The one question mark is "If he can stay healthy" - of course. But the other side of the coin is - he is literally EVERYTHING we want in a second PG. He defends, he scores, he's aggressive, he has size, he can handle the ball, he is efficient when he shoots, he pushes the pace, he can run the offense -- and his price tag is modest. He also does a good job as the 2nd guard alongside someone like Kyrie.

Right now I would think that he would be available to return in the $5-9M per range on a 2-3 year deal. His value will be easier to see once we get to June - does he stay healthy from now to then, and does he play well in the playoffs like in the regular season. But if yes to both, to me that's gotta be a guy to keep.

2. Dinwiddie? He's not really a PG answer except in an emergency. He also can give minutes as a combo G because he's 6-5. BUT --  SG may be getting crowded if PJW is playing SF, with Klay, Christie, and Martin all in the SG mix. SD's a useful emergency guy, but will he want to be a minimum salary guy again, and do I want him if the price goes up?

3. I also like what I see of B Williams. I think I'm seeing a contributor at PG, not just a 2-way guy filling spare minutes; he defends and makes plays, and I wonder if he's already a better PG answer when one is needed than SD. And I am a bit torn now on whether he might be more valuable - to give a promotion and the 15th playoff spot - over Edwards. That's something to watch as they both get minutes over the next 2 months imo. He makes a lot of sense financially, as a minimum salary guy, to be their 3rd stringer next season.

4. An external PG idea? I've looked at at Lonzo Ball for Hardy-Powell (where the money is a slight savings) or for Martin (close to same salary). His ball-handling and defense are pluses. But his reliability health-wise scares me, as does his bad shooting, and they probably push me away.

(02-14-2025, 08:52 AM)Deebo Wrote: They gotta find a center someplace or tank.  Kessler isn’t good. Doesn’t even box out.  I’m
I’m
For team tank

(02-14-2025, 01:02 PM)Smitty Wrote: Best case scenario this season IMO.

The Mavs are currently 8th in the West.
2 games back of 6th and 3 games clear of 11th. 1.5 ahead of 9 & 10.

If the Mavs can finish 7-8 and win that play-in matchup to secure the 7 seed, they’ll be on the opposite side of the Thunder in the playoff bracket.

Assuming a mid-March return for Davis and Lively. A late-March return for Gafford, the Mavs can head into the playoffs as the low seed that nobody wants to face.

This could be a realist draw for the Mavs:

1 OKC vs 8 LAC

4 DEN vs 5 LAL



3 HOU vs 6 MIN

2 MEM vs 7 DAL

(02-14-2025, 01:06 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: Also...

If the Mavs really are healthy and a championship-level team, we shouldn't fear facing anyone, including OKC.

So seeding won't matter.

(02-14-2025, 10:16 AM)david75090 Wrote: Kessler Edwards played 40 minutes last night, hit half his shots, 3 of 4 from three and had the best +/- on the team. 2-way contract? "Both teams played hard".

(02-14-2025, 07:04 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Still cannot believe the Mavs have arguably the best PF and C rotation in the league and all of them are injured for a significant time.

Just lol

(02-14-2025, 03:45 PM)cow Wrote: Not that hard to believe with AD and Lively's injury histories.

(02-14-2025, 04:44 PM)Winter Wrote: “When I was looking around, I was the vet,” Exum said. “It was like me and Spence (Spencer Dinwiddie). I think just showing that I was gonna push the pace, try and lead in that way. If I’m aggressive and try and get to the paint, see what happens, kind of be contagious.”

“Sometimes when you sit out for that long you get to see what you can be successful at,” Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said of Exum. “Since he’s been back, I think we’re playing faster, understanding that it is unselfishness, but also the ball touching the paint and for him to be able to finish… We’re happy to have him back. We need to keep him on the floor.”

To me, that sounds like a guy who no longer thinks it's a good idea to defer to others... especially in regards to driving to the hoop and shooting from the perimeter.

(02-14-2025, 10:25 AM)mvossman Wrote: Big fan of Lonzo.  Think he would be a really good fit next to Kyrie.  As to his shooting I think you are over focusing on the small sample of current season (high volume 34%) and ignoring his prior three seasons (high volume, high 30s).

(02-14-2025, 07:48 PM)Ghost of Podkolzin Wrote: There's something to be said for teammates just watching a superstar teammate as oppose to give it their all.  IMO Garnett in MIN was that way.