Trade & FA 2024-25:

[mvossman]

DJJ was an excellent signing by the Mavs (and the Clippers).  If you remember there was a lot of ho hum when the Mavs signed him.  It also took him a bit to find his footing.  Even when he did, it seemed like it went months before he was consistent from the three.  He was in our run.  He was really good defending. 

The reason is left is pretty simple.  It is tough to tell a player who went to the finals that we want you back but want you to take a step back.  That is literally what the Mavs had in mind when they signed Klay.    DJJ starting spot was gone.  We can argue that until we are blue in the face, but that is reality.  DJJ thinks of himself as a starter and didn't want to go backwards.    So he went to LAC for that opportunity at similar money.

I want to hold off my analysis on Marshall.  I love his toughness and his offensive game has been really suprrising.  His man to man defense has been a little worse than I expected.  He also has some brain dead moments.  I want to see him for a good 20 game run andn hopefully with a healthy roster before I feel confident in my evaluation though.

I think there were a few of us on here that were excited about the DJJ signing (although I don't think anybody pictured him becoming a quality starter).

I think we would have been better off keeping DJJ.  Grimes could have provided most of what we are getting from Klay (and probably more by the end of Klay's contract) without needing to be in the starting lineup.  Hell, we could have had DJJ, Grimes and Naji for less assets and cap hit than going the Klay route.