06-30-2024, 01:46 PM
(06-30-2024, 01:04 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Do we think that's a likelihood?
I'm still in the optimistic camp that these Dallas decision makers know that what DJJ gave them defensively was a key part of the puzzle. Why else would they be poised to offer him a big chunk of the MLE, if not the whole thing? You don't do that if you're not intending to play him a lot next year.
I think with Thompson, they're essentially trying to replace Hardaway with someone they think they can actually play. If they're wrong, they're wrong, but some of the contract options being discussed are movable if it doesn't work, imo.
If you can limit Luka's minutes to something reasonable I think he would. Look at the difference in his defense this year vs the 22 WCF run. He was healthy in 22, but still getting routinely targeted. This year he was hobbled but still competing and holding his own pretty consistently. It seems to me that he now understands what level of effort is necessary. And I have to imagine there were conversations with Luka/Kyrie before deciding to pursue Klay to make sure they were bought in.
As far as Klay, they must have some level of confidence that they can manage his ego and still run out more defensive-minded lineups when necessary. I agree they haven't forgotten the importance of DJJ's defense. They're just trying to give Kidd all the weapons they can and trusting him to find the right mix of lineups.