Trade & FA 2023-24: Vezenkov+Kings Are Done

[Luka77]

The solution to the offensive problem is not to go get someone who is 1) inefficient, 2) not great at team play, and especially 3) a problem for their own team on defense. Hell, if that's the goal, just re-sign THJ at a ridiculous rate.

I'm not sure I understand this trend right now of having created nearly the perfect defensive team around Luka and Kyrie and wanting to torpedo that. Landlord and Lively manning the middle. PJail. DJJ. Exum and/or Green to help with defensive effort (if not results) off the bench. Maxi when healthy. With those guys next to them, Luka and Kyrie are playing the best defense of their lives, because they have those other guys to shore them up as they sell out their defensive approaches. When THJ plays, it hurts the team right now. When Hardy plays, it hurts the team right now. 

Should the Mavs work on getting one or two strong offensive players this summer? Sure! But guys who are below average or worse on defense are unwelcome in the most absolute of terms. Personae non gratae, period. And guys who are capable of creating their shot who are also average or better on defense tend to be quite a bit more expensive. Given how crowded the Mavs' cap is, I just don't see how you're going to get a guy like that, and especially not without losing DJJ as well, which could make any such acquisition close to being a wash. 

I think the only real solution for the Mavs moving forward is to have phenomenally great, no-worse-than-top-five-in-the-league scouting. Get the guys we need on rookie scale. I think there's a nearly airtight argument to be made that, given what's coming with Luka's supermax, the only way they're ever going to replace Kyrie's roles on the team is by finding the league's next Brunson in the next couple of drafts or undrafted free agent groups (and not losing him via screwing up his rookie deal).

First Simons unlike THJ can create his own shoot for himself and for others.  He averages 5.5 assists which is more than Kyrie.  That is hardly someone that doesn't play team ball.  Also Simons is a .386 career three point shooter (43% catch and shoot) better than THJ .36 career shooting.  Simons can spread the floor and create/drive on close outs much better than THJ.  The Mavs could definitely use a floor spacer if nothing else.  Botttom line Simons is a much much better player than THJ.

Moreover losing THJ, Powell, Hardy and a draft pick do not take away from the current defense.  It's not like the Mavs are trading defenders for more offense so Iam not seeing how adding Simons would torpedo the defense.  

I agree with you on Mavs needing to always look to churn the bottom of the roster by scouting and player development.