MAVS NEWS:

[Smitty]

I think if I'm going there that I need the acquired player to obviously join the top 10 (if not the top 7/8).  I'd love to hear that we have an extension agreement with PJW (end of August is a long time to wait).  To me, you combine Martin with someone like PJ (if he won't extend) or Klay or Max.  If PJ stays, then the Klay/Max slots are the next weakest link IMHO.  Trading Klay is a tricky proposition.  I really like Max, but if you could land Herb Jones for Martin, Max and pick, then that works better in terms of using the outgoing salary in a way that is useful to the roster (and New Orleans).

I think I can be talked into including Max in the deal for Herb. To me, he's the perfect guy to pair with Kyrie in the starting group.

Kyrie - DLo
Herb - Klay
Flagg - Naji
AD - PJW
Lively - Gafford

In the starting group I see two offensive creators in Kai and Flagg. Plenty of offense when you combine AD. Then 4 very good/elite defenders surrounding Kyrie. Herb being the "POA" guy.
Off the bench you have another playmaker in DLo & secondary ball handler in Naji. PJ provides scoring off the bench. Klay being the knockdown shooter. It’s just really well balanced.
AD playing a lot more 5, with less Gafford minutes in the playoffs. I like it.

If I was running an 8-man playoff rotation, I'd drop Gafford and Naji. I'd start PJ at the 4 and AD at the 5, to add more shooting in the starting lineup. DLo, Klay, & Lively off the bench.