Mavs rotation

[DallasBasketball]

Maybe in the future. If you're suggesting that they'd lie to him just to get him to re-sign, I don't see it. The last thing they need is another unhappy high-paid player. I would be shocked if both the player and team haven't reached a consensus on what his role will be in the near future, at least. Hey, who knows - maybe they sold him on a 6th man role during negotiations! I doubt it, but I'd buy that before I'd buy that they deceived him or that they'll change their minds about what was discussed for at least the first half of the first season. 

I've noticed that most people (maybe not you - this part isn't aimed at anyone in particular) who see THJ as a 6th man seem to note "fit with Luka" as part of their reasoning. Without reopening that debate, can I just point out that how these guys fit with Luka is probably the very first box that needed to be checked in each of their cases? In other words, the Mavs think THJ fits quite well with Luka or he wouldn't be here, especially on a four year contract. I feel this is self-evident.

I probably have too many years watching Ginobili and Terry, so I REALLY respect the 6th man role.

I’m not suggesting anyone lied. I’m just suggesting things can change. Tim was a 6th man for a long time here, but was completely killing it for much of the season and it was obvious he needed to start. 

I personally think he’s starter material. I think that’s obvious too. But I don’t know how much of a negotiation is spent on defining a box around someone’s roles, as opposed to expressing a level of love and respect. 

Listen to my pitch,

“we wanted you here in the NY trade, that’s why we got you, we have believed in you all this time. To us, you earned your value of your previous contract. And we want to reward you with a contract that shows we still really believe in you. The contract will make you the 2nd highest paid Mav next year and you will be the 3rd highest when Luka signs. We want you and Luka to be the lead Guards on this team for as many years forward as possible. We think you can keep growing with Luka and we think this is the perfect environment for you, and we think we can help you further improve. Making you the 2nd highest paid player we are really going to depend on you, do you want to be the guy we rely upon? Sign here to show us you want to be a MFL.”

And I never mentioned starter ;p

Going back to the bench at any point isn’t about demotion. It’s about team. And I know egos are real and at play. But Timmy is MFL like Terry IMO, and if it were obviously going to make the team better(like when he was put at starter), I think Tim would abide.