Trade & FA 2024-25:

[KillerLeft]

DFS just makes sense for us, and I think he'd embrace a lesser role than he had when we traded him.
He does check just about every box (veteran, experienced with system, great locker room presence, can guard 1-4, and can shoot the 3).

And honestly, I think losing PJ would be more detrimental to the team right now than losing either Luka or Kyrie. DFS would be a cheap way to somewhat mitigate the risk of losing PJ for any length of time.

Plus looking ahead, he'd also be some insurance if Grimes becomes too expensive to re-sign.

Totally agree with the first point - it's plausible that DFS would value a return here enough to happily accept a reduced role. He's that type of dude to begin with, and on top of that, he has been stuck in a bad situation since getting traded. And, he's getting to that age, also. However, I think he is still right for a bigger role than what would be available to him here (unless either Thompson or Marshall are outgoing, which I highly doubt), so I guess I just struggle with that, especially when you mix in the trade cost he'll fetch for Brooklyn. I think he ends up on a team where he's either the starting 4 or at least the first forward off the bench, and neither of those roles is open here, no matter how the rotation shakes out. 

Having said that, I TOTALLY agree with your point regarding how screwed the Mavericks would be if PJW missed significant time due to injury. I don't have any problems whatsoever giving Marshall those backup 4 minutes when the rotation shortens, but I don't think he could replace the 38 minutes of excellent defense they're getting from PJW there by himself. DFS would be a needle mover in terms of insurance there, for sure, and probably enough to warrant easing up on PJ's minutes just a bit to load manage him. So, I agree with you that from a certain angle it makes a ton of sense. I just don't know that it's appropriate, given the cost and how much basketball seems to be left in DFS. Still, I'd be excited to have him back - that's for sure. 

I don't really see how he'd help insulate against losing Grimes, however. I think they're totally different players who fit into totally different roles on both sides of the court. You kind of lost me on that one.