01-19-2025, 01:01 PM
(01-19-2025, 03:06 AM)F Gump Wrote: Jalen Smith at 8.5M (and 2 more years that are even bigger) doesn't appeal to me financially at all. He's very meh. And I don't think he would interest the Mavs as a solution, because the skill package the Mavs expect from their C is "defender and rim protector" and imo he's a significant step down in both areas from what the Mavs already have, and would want.
Draymond is an interesting name, and offers some interesting skills on the defensive end that could work, but on offense he's not really a floor spacer or a rim-runner, and the Mavs don't seem built for him to dominate the ball, so hard to see the fit. And being committed to that big contract scares me in his late 30s.
Jalen Smith is a better defensive rebounder than Gafford, better defender in space and obviously a better floor spacer. He does not fit the traditional rim protector/runner that Gafford does, but he does address a lot of the flaws we have seen with Gafford. If he is quick enough to handle the backup 4 spot as well, then I would be more than happy to trade in Gafford 13.5 and Maxi 11 for Jalen 8.5.
Draymond would fit a lot of needs for this team. He would be perfect running the point when Luka is not on the court. I was going to comment that I don't know how Luka and Draymond coexist on the court, but he is actually shooting over 36% from 3 these last two seasons on decent volume. Don't really think he is for sale. Maybe Klay can put a buzz in his ear.