(01-13-2021, 11:56 PM)Mavs03 Wrote: I like what I saw from the KP-WCS frontcourt.  I'm curious.  Assuming everyone is healthy, what would be your starting lineup be moving forward?

Starters:
Luka
J-Rich
DFS
KP
WCS

Bench:
Brunson
Burke
THJ
Kleber
Powell

Johnson, Green, Iwundu, Boban, Terry, Hinton, and Bey rounding out the bench

I like the versatility of our starters.  The bench is very solid.  Quite frankly, this is a good team that has been constructed by the Mavs brain trust with the potential of being a great team.

(01-14-2021, 01:14 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: The Mavs already have everything they need.  Unless it’s a straight up star player, there’s really no roster tweaking that can help them.

(01-14-2021, 01:14 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: The Mavs already have everything they need.

(01-14-2021, 01:54 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I do think they need a guy who can start at the 4. Someone to make Kleber and WCS amazing bench players. A younger, more athletic version of Johnson, who's tough, plays defense and brings a variety of offensive skills to the table. I think that's the dude they need to look for. 

(01-14-2021, 01:54 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I think this is pretty close to the truth, as long as they get the best version of everyone on the roster, or damn close to it. 

I think someone playing ahead of Brunson/Burke would be nice, like a George Hill type, but then again, I like that they're young, and one or both of those guys might grow quite a bit over the next couple of seasons. 

I'm saying this now: Hardaway fits here, and I would love to have him back, personally, ESPECIALLY in a 6th man role. Either way, the team needs a lethal catch and shoot guard who knows how to work without the ball to get open shots. DFS, Richardson and Green might all shoot well enough, but none of them are that dude. THJ is, and he's already here. He already fits on and off the court, and he's grateful to be here. I see no reason to chase Hield or Robinson, giving up either assets or overpaying to replace someone who's already here and playing well (and he HAS played well here for over a season now). Give the man a good contract and move on to another need. 

I do think they need a guy who can start at the 4. Someone to make Kleber and WCS amazing bench players. A younger, more athletic version of Johnson, who's tough, plays defense and brings a variety of offensive skills to the table. I think that's the dude they need to look for. But, I'm in no hurry, really. A high percentage of moves out there could potentially make the team worse, so patience is key, imo.

(01-14-2021, 08:01 AM)F Gump Wrote: If it turns out that this team is REALLY a top 5 defense (which apparently they already have been, without KP), then the potential for this existing set of 15 is already sky high. Which means there's probably not a good reason to tear it apart (by trading off a bunch of pieces in a team-altering trade), unless someone has a superstar to offer.

Also, Luka hates turnover of the roster. That's another MAJOR reason to be very selective with (or perhaps averse to) more changes.

(01-14-2021, 08:19 AM)DanSchwartzman Wrote: I agree and have said so recently.  I love fantasy trades, but can't find much that I like right now.

The implication of standing pat this season is you are probably bringing everyone back next season (at least THJ and JRich).  I don't have an issue with that.  Johnson is trickier because of his age.

I like to look at what they tried to do as a guide for what they might do.  This summer is extension time for Brunson.  Either that, or he is UFA the next summer.  Given the fact they wanted to deal for Haliburton, I could see them moving to a more accomplished PG as early as this summer.  I'm a Brunson fan, but I'm not blind to the fact that his spot could be upgraded.

(01-14-2021, 09:35 AM)Hypermav Wrote: Is there such a thing as a playoff Blake Griffin?  With Luka's improved defense, can the Mavs afford a LMA, Griffin, Love type who can score the ball playing next to Porzingis.  S. Bey is making Blake expendable for Detroit.  Not my favorite player but its not like we have a high bar at PF.  He could be useful in a playoff run.  Just expensive for Cuban.  This also assumes the Mavs plan on bringing JRich and THJ back next year.

(01-13-2021, 06:50 PM)omahen Wrote: Who would you trade for Tucker? I think he is great but I just don't see it. Besides, he wants extension which I would be very reluctant to give to a 35 year old.

(01-14-2021, 09:15 AM)F Gump Wrote: That need for a secondary playmaker was filled superbly on draft day with the trade for Richardson. 

(01-14-2021, 09:28 AM)HanspardsShowerVoice Wrote: Richardson isn't a secondary playmaker who is a threat off the dribble.  I know people  REALLY REALLY REALLY want him to be one, but he's not.    That was part of the problem he had in Philly, because they wanted/needed him to be that guy and he wasn't.    He is obviously struggling with his shot, but still right now he's a 10 PER player on the season.    He's been everything we wanted on defense, I think the shot will come around, but he's just not a secondary playmaker and scorer on a Championship caliber team. 


Burke is basically the scoring guard version of Boban.  There are some tasty matchups he can feast on, and other nights he should barely touch the court because of his limitations.    The market evaluated and paid Boban and Burke as similar caliber ~3 million a year players.

The Mavs need a 2nd playmaker who can score off the dribble.  Preferably one who can be in your crunchtime 5 in the playoffs.    Luka just dribbling the air out of the ball isn't going to cut it against NBA playoff defense.  Look at what happened to Houston's Harden Ball when they were in the playoffs vs. regular season.    LeBron, the greatest point forward to ever play, is better when he has Kyrie or Playoff Rondo to balance the offense.

(01-14-2021, 10:55 AM)F Gump Wrote: I think J Rich is as much of a secondary playmaker as the Mavs need alongside Luka.