Trade & FA 2023-24: Sexton On the Market? | ORL Likes Hartenstein?

[RGP1981]

If you are wanting to make this about Exum vs Joe, Exum is a PG. None of the others are, nor is Joe. But just as relevant to the question about Exum and Joe, both are already under contract (at a very low price) for another season with their teams. Team options, technically, but neither will be declined. Joe isn't going anywhere.

As for whether the Mavs need a designated shooter, so to speak, I think it's already taken care of in the scenario you've created. Caruso would fill that role, of a backup who is a very efficient shooter, and he's also not going to be a drop-off in defense. Otherwise I also don't have any hesitation to see those shots going to players like PJW, DJJ, Green etc, both to keep them engaged and also to make them more of a 2-way threat.

I agree they would be wise to add a cheap guy to bring into such a role, either a PG type or a shooter type, because Hardy is not efficient enough to be the answer, and imo he's not getting better. All they will have is a minimum, assuming the MLE goes to DJJ. But just like OKC found Joe out there available, there should be someone available who is flying under the radar, if they can properly identify him.

Well, I think we're mostly on the same page... but just to clarify... I'm not wanting to make this about Exum vs Joe. In the scenario we were talking about (i.e., getting Caruso), I think Caruso effectively replaces Exum as PG and/or defensive wing. So then (with Caruso + DJJ + Green on the squad), I feel there is no need for Exum, and the focus should shift to finding a designed shooter (to coin your term) who is not named THJ.

I also agree with you about Hardy not being efficient enough so far, and that Joe will be really hard to pry away from OKC because of that cheap team option. I would still like the Mavericks FO to enquire though and even overpay for him a bit if he can be gotten.

Now here's where I think we might disagree... i.e., does Caruso fill the role of a designated shooter type, who can come into the game and attempt to throw flames for 10-15-20 minutes? I don't think he is a shooter like that, not in the same way that guys like Isaiah Joe and Jordan Hawkins are. He gets his shots and points in the flow of the game. Whereas guys like Joe and Hawkins create their own opportunities for their shots mainly through their off-ball movement, thus helping to take more scoring pressure off Luka and Kyrie. Then you also have Hardy to offer a different type of scoring pressure relief, through a more 1-on-1 type of game.