Trade & FA 2024-25:

[KillerLeft]

I guess my biggest gripe is that they try to use Hardy as a PG. (He’s not)
They play Green as a SF. (He’s a SG)
They’ll have to start DJJ. (He’s a bench ~20 mpg guy IMO)
Maxi at the 4 is an issue. (Two 3PA per game isn’t getting it done)

No roster is perfect and I’d be fine if the only move was THJ for Grimes+DJJ re-signed. I was just pointing out what I view as the weakest spots and how the roster and salary structure could get balanced.

I'm caught up on this thread now, and had to go back and search this one out. Too interesting to pass up. I think this helps me understand a lot of what causes you and I to disagree on some of this stuff, despite my general feeling that you really get the game. 

The only thing I agree with from the list above is the Kleber part. He's a 5, has been a 5, and it's pretty undeniable. I agree with the shooting point you're making (uncommon range at the 5 turns to "way too slow of a release" at the 4 in the blink of an eye), and would actually double down and say that foot speed goes from being a huge positive on defense as 5 to a slight negative as 4, too. 

The other three assertions intrigue me. In each case, I'd have said the opposite. 

I don't think ANYONE is "a PG" anymore, at least not in the way that (I think) you mean. To my way of thinking, a guard who can't handle the ball, and I don't just mean bringing it up, but actually able to floor the ball to create an advantage for himself (and yes, for others) isn't useful in today's NBA. We are watching guys like Hield, Hardaway, Robinson, Redick, etc, fade away in live time. That's kind of dying breed now - those who are flourishing in that role are now 6'6"-6'9" and play forward. What some argue is the Mavs "trying to make Hardy a PG" is really just "trying to make Hardy play NBA basketball as a guard" to me. It's interesting to me that so many have a problem with this. 

And THAT'S probably why I see Green as a 3. I think he's a 3/2, to be fair, but I'd FOR SURE put the 3 first. He's really fast...for a 3. Speed doesn't pop at the 2. He's got a great handle and is a great passer...for a 3. Sub-par dribbling/playmaking skills for a guard, imo. He has become a decent shooter...for a 3. His release looks better every year, but he's still passing up way too many shots, and in the blink of an eye, it seems that EVERY guard out there can string complex dribble moves together to create a long jumper (off of the dribble) out of some type of step back or side step. I think he can (or should be able to) GAURD other guards, and I LOVE that about him (in theory). 

Totally agree that DJJ, on offense, is under qualified as a starter. However, he did better than I expected him to do with his shooting this season. Like, way better. Are we sure he can't get even more comfortable as a catch and shoot guy, now that he's FINALLY getting a chance? I'm not, but I do see where you're coming from here. Still, did you see the list I posted the other day about "league leaders in % of their minutes being spent defending the opponent's best scoring ball-handler?" DJJ was in first place by a mile, at 54%. I really, really think we've become a little desensitized to just HOW GOOD the dude was on defense this season. This is no small thing, imho. If you can make the team better by replacing him as a starter, cool, and it's not like he's so good I don't think that's possible. And, I think he'd still be impactful off the bench. But, he was INTEGRAL to the team's success down the stretch and in the playoffs, so it's not like I'm going to be disappointed if he's the opening night starter, know what I mean?