(12-19-2024, 02:02 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: 1 I would be very in favor of a DFS trade (or a Cam Johnson trade) if we found out tomorrow that PJ Washington is out for the season or something, but we're talking about 10 minutes per game on most nights, because there are ZERO minutes available at the 3 for him. This missing backup 4 is not the achilles heel this board is making it out to be, imho. It's a player that will probably not even be in the playoff rotation.
2 This is why trades don't happen between contenders. To acquire talent, you send FUTURE assets (draft capital) to BAD teams to get their players who are clearly being wasted in their current situations. That's how the Mavs got Porzings...Kyrie...Gafford...PJW...on and on the list goes.
1 "we're talking about 10 minutes per game on most nights" -- Great point, which keeps getting overlooked. However, I do think that 10-15 minute slot does not go away in the playoffs, because I don't think their 5's or their 3's are very good at the 4. At least, not so far (and I have no belief that will change). They need a player who can defend big/bigger players, and make 3s, and hopefully Kleber and/or Omax will work.
2 That's a good point. In light of that, if we are perusing teams who are going nowhere, are there any players who might make a good target?
SIDE NOTE: About that search, I don't agree with the idea that the Mavs would be looking for a "defender" as some have theorized. Why not? Because you really can't play that guy in the playoffs (which defeats the purpose of getting them in the first place, for a team like this). In playoff-level games, players with good defense MUST also have enough offensive skill in order to keep the defense honest, rather than simply ignoring that 1 player and constantly doubling Luke (or the ball) and bogging down the skill players.
IOW if they are trying to upgrade the roster, imo the Mavs would ONLY look for players with some level of 2-way potential. They don't have to be great on both ends, but they have to be able to contribute reliably. And it seems to me that's what they are trying to develop with the players they already have -- increase their skills where they lack (either offense or defense) rather than accept one-way play. Kidd always pushes hard for defense because that's what most players don't want to do.
The good thing about that is that if they do add a player who is good enough on both ends, I believe he WILL be useful and get more minutes than seem to be available, which can help in lots of ways.