(04-04-2021, 09:31 AM)StepBackJay Wrote: Spencer Dinwiddie seems like a good target depending on the price-tag. I wouldn't overpay.

(04-04-2021, 08:54 AM)omahen Wrote: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2939222-every-nba-teams-biggest-flight-risk-this-offseason

(04-04-2021, 11:22 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Thanks for posting that.  I thought the write-up comparing JRich to THJ was fascinating..  It points out Richardson’s 3% is trending the right way (though the sample size is only 21 for 52).  What I’m more interested in is whether our Defensive Specialist is actually good at D.  Post All-Star break his D-Rating is down to 113 (from 116) and his O-Rating is up to 111 (from 108) and his +/- is +4.7 vs. -3.9 before the break.  If you are going to argue JRich is anything different than what we had with Delon Wright, then the argument has to start with on-court effectiveness.

I made a statement yesterday about JRich needing to be replaced among the starters this offseason, to which you replied “why not DFS”.  I spent a little time tooling around data at BBall Index and found some things that were interesting in their defensive data.  DFS is second in the entire league in the amount of time he spends guarding players classified as “Shot Creators”.  JRich is 21st in that category.  JRich is classified as a point of attack defender and among players who have played 600 minutes, he is 22nd in percentage of time guarding the “Primary Ball Handler”.  Others who rate highly here are Delon Wright, Patrick Beverly and Danny Green (anyone notice a pattern).  If you want to move on from JRich, probably the most important thing to look for is the ability to defend the point of attack (so that Luka doesn’t have to).  

The list of guards who defend the point of attack and are good at it is pretty limited.  But, Dallas asks even more of this spot (this year with JRich and last year with DWright).  If you also ask them to guard “Shot Creators” a high percentage of time, then Lonzo and Jrue Holiday are the best alternatives.  Conley is also a good choice as a defender of Primary Ball Handlers, but he isn’t asked to guard Shot Creators like JRich is (and Wright was).  So, the conclusion I’m coming to is if JRich goes, it is probably going to have to be someone like Conley or Lonzo to make it really be an upgrade for what Dallas is trying to accomplish with the position.

The other thing that was interesting about the article is how “Luka Dependent” Hardaway is.  How much would it cost to get someone who hits 40% of their 3’s without requiring Luka’s help?  Are those more easily attained than Lonzo or Conley would be.  AND, what player like this would be willing to come off the bench like THJ does or be a good enough defender to push DFS to a bench role as you suggested yesterday?  It is hard to find that one guy, but bear in mind that if you move on from THJ, you might be able to land two guys at something above the MLE.  The amount of pure cap space this summer isn’t what it used to be, so two guys in the $11mm - $13mm (one being the 3 point specialist and one filling another hole), might be a good way to go also.

(04-04-2021, 11:22 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: The other thing that was interesting about the article is how “Luka Dependent” Hardaway is.  How much would it cost to get someone who hits 40% of their 3’s without requiring Luka’s help?

(04-04-2021, 12:28 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: Could THJ possibly be had for less than the $20M being floated by some here?

(04-04-2021, 08:54 AM)omahen Wrote: Holmes

(04-04-2021, 10:55 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Hard to get excited for a backup guard that can't shoot and is coming of an ACL tear when he'll eat into Brunson's minutes. 

That is, unless you think Brunson's the starter, and Dinwiddie can come off the bench to lead the 2nd unit? That's more interesting, but I think Brunson's defense will let us down in the starting unit.

(04-04-2021, 12:38 PM)omahen Wrote: I know shooters get paid, but THJ is 29. I wonder how much will that factor in his value.

(04-04-2021, 01:24 PM)soog Wrote: Forgive me if this has already been mentioned somewhere in the last 240 pages, but what’s the deal with people thinking Lonzo is a prime free agent?  (Especially for the Mavs who already have a primary ball handler)

(04-04-2021, 01:34 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: He can play with the ball or without, which means he can give Luka rests in game. 

(04-04-2021, 01:39 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: The above is absolutely correct, and I don't mean this next comment as a slight on his general ball-handling abilities, as he'd be the first or second best handler on the team immediately, but:

He is NOT a pick and roll guy. That's why I didn't think he's a fit with Zion, who imo should be used (at least early on) like prime Amare Stoudemire, and that's why I think he'd be mostly an off-ball player here in Dallas. He's just not a great fit for this system as a ball-handler, imo, but might be an upgrade over Richardson in a similar role.

But none of that even compares to the simple and obvious truth that involving his father with the franchise, even in a minor, peripheral way, is one of the dumbest things this team could possibly do next. I get that this doesn't bother others (don't get why) but I will never be able to get there.

(04-04-2021, 01:46 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: I think he would really help KP and Brunson. Lonzo is not a ball dominant PG. He runs the offense but it´s not about him creating of the dribble. More about him getting the ball to his teammates and setting them up in their go to spots. He would also improve the mediocre transition offense. Lonzo can push the pace and is probably the best half court passer in the entire league.

(04-04-2021, 12:27 PM)omahen Wrote: I very much share concerns about Brunson as Sleepinghero does. I think this might be the main question - is Brunson able to take the role Richardson has?