Trade & FA 2024-25:

[mvossman]

The easy answer is more touches and playing with a PG that has a much lower usage rate. The other real answer is different scheme and different role. He has improved slightly based on the bigger role he got with Dallas.

The real sticking point though is that while DJJ had a great year with Dallas they aren't winning a title starting him. Or DFS for that matter. I like both of those guys. The Mavs got to the finals and looked like world beaters until Boston turned it on. That series was ugly. They lost on offense and defense in that series.

Your argument of keeping DJJ and running it back with the whole team would be valid if the games in the finals had been close. The 4 games Dallas lost were by a total of 50 points. They broke 100 once in 5 games. Slight incremental improvements from DJJ aren't fixing that. That series was likely a wakeup call for Nico and Kidd.

More touches does not explain why he is more efficient.  Getting more touches and being more efficient clearly means he is playing better.

Strong disagree that you can't win a title starting DJJ or DFS.  Most of the recent NBA champions had a player that was not any better than DFS (or what DJJ is doing this year).  Pope with Denver, Loony with GS, the Bucks started PJ freaking Tucker.  The Lakers started Pope, Danny Green (a DFS clone) and Javale freaking McGee.  

I think you are over focusing on one series.  The Mavs were worn down and played poorly.  Boston was at the height of their power.  They already don't look like the same team as last year.  If I had to pick a favorite for championship right now it would probably be OKC, a team we actually beat in the playoffs.

I would argue that when you make it through the very difficult West to the finals, that is the perfect time to make incremental changes.  You had a rookie center and key pieces just added at the TDL.  Improve around the edges (Timmy for Grimes, Naji, Dinwiddie) and give the starting unit more time to actually play together.  

Besides I keep hearing these "reasons" for making moves.  Let DJJ walk for Klay because we need the offense to complete with Boston.  Then a few months later send out your offensive engine because "defense wins championships".  I still feel like the provided narrative is whatever excuse Nico can come up with to get his guys.