08-06-2021, 02:09 PM
BRIAN AND MARK EVALUATE THE OFFSEASON
Up until now, at least --
THJ. Mavs HAD to re-sign him, unless they had a known replacement in place. They need his production and someone to fill his role as a high-volume, high-minute three-point shooter, while being serviceable defensively. They think the contract is very fair. The four years might be a little longer than expected, but that was probably negotiated in exchange for a slightly lower starting number.
MOSES BROWN. Might or might not make the roster. Don’t get excited yet.
BOBAN AND WILLIE. The podders were not expecting either of these guys to be re-signed, but it's a new day at the Mavs. Boban is a minimum contract, unlike his last deal. He is Luka’s buddy, and can play situationally here and there, so they have no problems with the signing. As far as Willie goes, someone has to play backup center. Willie can take a few minutes there, and can also serve as ballast in a trade.
BULLOCK. Replacement for Josh Richardson. Provides efficient three-point shooting, along with good defense. Shoots 45% on corner threes. Good reports on him from the Knicks.
STERLING BROWN. Replacement for Trey Burke, probably. Depth shooting piece.
Starting lineup. Not clear how that will shake out.
DRAGIC. Masai refused to trade Lowry at the TDL, and got a fair amount of incoming over it. Now, he knows he can't get as much of a return, but he feels that he has to come out of the Lowry trade with something more than Precious. Specifically, he wants a first round pick for Goran. If not, he says he'll just keep Dragic. Mavs don’t want to give up a first round pick for Dragic. Possible that they will still negotiate something. For sure, the Mavs need to get Dragic or move on to a new target.
The podders hoped for someone a little better than Dragic, but now he may be the best available. Goran is no longer the player we saw in the finals, but he can still help the team. Defensively, they will have to hold their noses, but he can still make plays and score some. Two years ago, when they could have gotten him, he would have been a great fit. Although he is no longer that guy, he can help. If the deal doesn’t get done as part of the MIA-TOR trade, there may be little incentive for TOR to buy him out. Remains to be seen whether Duffy can get it done.
Other playmakers. Don’t really know who might be available under the radar, but as far as free agents go, Schroder is probably the biggest name left. However, the Mavs have no interest. There are guys like Millsap, Markkanen, DSJ, Ntlikina, Avery Bradley, Cousins, filler-level guys. Even if they end up getting someone of that level, they HAVE to get another playmaker — doesn't have to be a great one, but one who can spell Luka, so that he doesn’t get exhausted by the third quarter, and back him up. We have seen that just surrounding Luka with shooters isn’t good enough.
Further moves? Kawhi is still on the board, probably due to his misreading the market. He wanted to have a LeBron James-type week, where teams came courting, but other teams, including the Mavs, moved on. Mark and Brian think the Mavs did the right thing.
Dameris and Followill would like to see the Mavs give Mike Tobey a shot as a developmental project, but that’s just their own idea, not reporting. Luka will sign his extension, probably next week. Extension talks can occur with JB and DFS. Unknown at this point whether extensions will be offered. Might need to see how they perform in whatever Kidd’s system is before decisions are made. Every effort is being made to give KP a chance to work out this season.
Overall grade. As things stand (no Dragic), the team gets a grade in the C to C+ range. Signing THJ was important, but the other moves consisted of a few singles. They do get credit for offloading JRich without having to attach an asset. So far, just “okay.”
Up until now, at least --
THJ. Mavs HAD to re-sign him, unless they had a known replacement in place. They need his production and someone to fill his role as a high-volume, high-minute three-point shooter, while being serviceable defensively. They think the contract is very fair. The four years might be a little longer than expected, but that was probably negotiated in exchange for a slightly lower starting number.
MOSES BROWN. Might or might not make the roster. Don’t get excited yet.
BOBAN AND WILLIE. The podders were not expecting either of these guys to be re-signed, but it's a new day at the Mavs. Boban is a minimum contract, unlike his last deal. He is Luka’s buddy, and can play situationally here and there, so they have no problems with the signing. As far as Willie goes, someone has to play backup center. Willie can take a few minutes there, and can also serve as ballast in a trade.
BULLOCK. Replacement for Josh Richardson. Provides efficient three-point shooting, along with good defense. Shoots 45% on corner threes. Good reports on him from the Knicks.
STERLING BROWN. Replacement for Trey Burke, probably. Depth shooting piece.
Starting lineup. Not clear how that will shake out.
DRAGIC. Masai refused to trade Lowry at the TDL, and got a fair amount of incoming over it. Now, he knows he can't get as much of a return, but he feels that he has to come out of the Lowry trade with something more than Precious. Specifically, he wants a first round pick for Goran. If not, he says he'll just keep Dragic. Mavs don’t want to give up a first round pick for Dragic. Possible that they will still negotiate something. For sure, the Mavs need to get Dragic or move on to a new target.
The podders hoped for someone a little better than Dragic, but now he may be the best available. Goran is no longer the player we saw in the finals, but he can still help the team. Defensively, they will have to hold their noses, but he can still make plays and score some. Two years ago, when they could have gotten him, he would have been a great fit. Although he is no longer that guy, he can help. If the deal doesn’t get done as part of the MIA-TOR trade, there may be little incentive for TOR to buy him out. Remains to be seen whether Duffy can get it done.
Other playmakers. Don’t really know who might be available under the radar, but as far as free agents go, Schroder is probably the biggest name left. However, the Mavs have no interest. There are guys like Millsap, Markkanen, DSJ, Ntlikina, Avery Bradley, Cousins, filler-level guys. Even if they end up getting someone of that level, they HAVE to get another playmaker — doesn't have to be a great one, but one who can spell Luka, so that he doesn’t get exhausted by the third quarter, and back him up. We have seen that just surrounding Luka with shooters isn’t good enough.
Further moves? Kawhi is still on the board, probably due to his misreading the market. He wanted to have a LeBron James-type week, where teams came courting, but other teams, including the Mavs, moved on. Mark and Brian think the Mavs did the right thing.
Dameris and Followill would like to see the Mavs give Mike Tobey a shot as a developmental project, but that’s just their own idea, not reporting. Luka will sign his extension, probably next week. Extension talks can occur with JB and DFS. Unknown at this point whether extensions will be offered. Might need to see how they perform in whatever Kidd’s system is before decisions are made. Every effort is being made to give KP a chance to work out this season.
Overall grade. As things stand (no Dragic), the team gets a grade in the C to C+ range. Signing THJ was important, but the other moves consisted of a few singles. They do get credit for offloading JRich without having to attach an asset. So far, just “okay.”
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