05-27-2024, 04:45 PM
I'm with FGump.
I'm not interested in any changes to the starting lineup, whatsoever, except for (possibly) switching out Gafford for Lively.
The need is the bench. A healthy Kleber (if that ever happens) will help quite a bit, and it looks like Hardy has finally caught a toehold. I'd be surprised if he's not in the opening night rotation next year. I haven't given up on Green, and I think he's cast just about right as the 4th guard (now that they have a 3rd who they trust to handle the ball), and he can play a little 3 in situations where his speed is more important than someone else's size.
But, what's missing to my mind, especially the more I understand how Kidd is trying to play, is another long, versatile forward. Someone off the bench who can fill in for both Washington and DJJ, play near their level, defensively, and possibly most importantly, HAS A CATCH AND SHOOT GAME. Now, I don't have a burning need for that player to be DFS, but he DOES check all those boxes, loves the Mavs, is loved by the Mavs, and we all know he's a high-character, hard-working pro. They could do a ton worse.
O-Max will hopefully get into the mix some behind that mystery addition AND behind Kleber (he has utility in both big and small lineups, which is the allure), but if Hardy wasn't ready to supplant THJ this season until the end, I have a hard time counting on O-Max to be totally ready after a second training camp.
Do all of that and maybe add one more actual PG to play in emergencies (or, IDK, maybe Exum already covers that), put the COMPLETE team through summer off-season, training camp and preseason team bonding, and I think you have a real, live contender. I really do.
I'm not interested in any changes to the starting lineup, whatsoever, except for (possibly) switching out Gafford for Lively.
The need is the bench. A healthy Kleber (if that ever happens) will help quite a bit, and it looks like Hardy has finally caught a toehold. I'd be surprised if he's not in the opening night rotation next year. I haven't given up on Green, and I think he's cast just about right as the 4th guard (now that they have a 3rd who they trust to handle the ball), and he can play a little 3 in situations where his speed is more important than someone else's size.
But, what's missing to my mind, especially the more I understand how Kidd is trying to play, is another long, versatile forward. Someone off the bench who can fill in for both Washington and DJJ, play near their level, defensively, and possibly most importantly, HAS A CATCH AND SHOOT GAME. Now, I don't have a burning need for that player to be DFS, but he DOES check all those boxes, loves the Mavs, is loved by the Mavs, and we all know he's a high-character, hard-working pro. They could do a ton worse.
O-Max will hopefully get into the mix some behind that mystery addition AND behind Kleber (he has utility in both big and small lineups, which is the allure), but if Hardy wasn't ready to supplant THJ this season until the end, I have a hard time counting on O-Max to be totally ready after a second training camp.
Do all of that and maybe add one more actual PG to play in emergencies (or, IDK, maybe Exum already covers that), put the COMPLETE team through summer off-season, training camp and preseason team bonding, and I think you have a real, live contender. I really do.
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