Trade & FA 2024-25:

[LukaMVP]

If the Mavs goal is to play Kyrie, Klay and Luka together for the majority of minutes, then I think the Mavs could get Grant Williams'd again. It has been acknowledged by most GSW fans for 62 pages over a year and a half that Klay is not starter quality any longer, and should be coming off the bench. This was on a team which had more defense than a lineup of Kyrie, Klay, Luka, PJW and Lively.

I think the best role for Klay here is to accompany one of Luka/Kyrie as the 2nd scoring option when the other is sitting... while having one of *Grimes/Exum/Naji alongside them (along with PJW and Lifford)... and for Klay to provide a much better scoring impact in that role than THJ or Hardy. He can take a huge load off Luka and Kyrie and help reduce their minutes played, and will offer better defense than THJ or Hardy did too. It will also be valuable to have Klay's experience and knowledge about things like playing off screens for others to learn from and be included in the coaching staff's schemes.

*The asterisk or question for me here is: is Grimes/Exum/Naji good enough, and can Grimes and Exum stay healthy enough. As an aside, I think Hardy may be relegated to playing mainly when Kyrie is not on listed on the team sheet.

Also, I'm sorry but thinking about PJW as the POA defender, which the guys on this podcast brought up... is just dangerous and asking for trouble, because it will inevitably lead to PJW being injured. Maybe it's just me, but I'm quite fearful about losing PJW to injury and the impact it could have.

I think Klay will player better than he did last season, being a legit third option, or the second option with either of Kyrie and luka sitting. I agree that playing luka, Klay and Kyrie simultaneously on court would be challenging defensively. Klay will start for us but I guess Kyrie will be subbed out earlier in the first quarter and will get back earlier, then luka and Klay sit resting. so the overall playing time for luka/Kyrie will be reduced to a more sustainable level which will help them maintain good health and form through the long season and playoffs. kidd can find a way to start Klay without playing them three together for too long on court imho.