Building Around Cooper: A Backward-Looking Thought Experiment

[Mavs2021]

I think getting one of Sexton and Simons with the MLE is crucial, regardless of the draft. Both excellent career shooters and secondary playmakers, that are just entering their primes. They can be 6th man of the year contenders, but also give Kyrie the necessary breaks/rest during the regular season. We will have a top 8 frontcourt defense imho, but we´ll have to make the defensive sacrifice in the backcourt to spare Kyrie. I know we all want the two way players, but they are not there at the MLE and we cannot survive with just a Caruso. If we get one of Sexton/Simons for the MLE it will be a steal. Our advantage is we can offer a clear path to responsible minutes, even if we draft a Brown/Flemings/Wagler.

[mvossman]

Thanks for the synopsis.  For the most part we are on the same page.  I'm not sure I spend assets on Gillespie if I have Irving and Acuff on the team.  I'd probably look for a sweet shooting forward to put in the rotation either by trade or by free agency.

I think the main thing I want to point out is I'm trying to also think of this from the perspective that Dallas doesn't draft a guard.  Maybe its because we move up and Wilson or Dybasta (please Lord) makes more sense.  Or, maybe its because Ament is higher on their board than whatever guard is left by the time we draft at 8/9/10.  Whatever the reason, we need a plan should that be the path.  To me, that's the point at which a Gillespie or Dosunmo or Ivey makes sense.  Your draft pick rotates with Flagg and whoever is still here at the forward spots and you need someone to rotate with Kyrie and Christie in the guard rotation.  I'm mainly focused on top 8/9.  I think expansion draft has to enter our thinking at some point also.

If we end up drafting one of those guys, there will be even less reason to have both PJ and Naji on the roster next season.