MAVS NEWS:

[F Gump]

I think you're both right (and wrong).

FGump is far too harsh on evaluation of Jones in terms of what he does well, imo. You and I are aligned there. He's such an impactful on-ball defender that if he were somehow magically here, he'd be playing ahead of some of the names Gump is suggesting that he'd be behind. PJW, just as an example, is a different sort of forward than Jones, and I'm really high on PJ, but Jones is in a different class of player, so you'd change your rotation to suit Jones, not try to make Jones work in a world that already includes PJW's role being set. And Marshall isn't even worth thinking about, because Jones would take 100% of his job here before his flight into Dallas landed. 

But, you keep suggesting that doubling down on the roster imbalance is the way to go (unless I'm misunderstanding you). I don't WANT the plan to be Kyrie and a bunch of guys who can't handle the ball or shoot, so telling me that's the plan doesn't win this idea a lot of points from me. I definitely agree that Jones would solve the last remaining defensive hurdle - POA. But, the offense would get even worse, and isn't that the real enemy now?

You say I am too harsh on HJ. And in the next paragraph, you offer the very issue I have noted re him as a big problem - his poor ability to shoot and space the floor, esp w a Mavs team badly in need of such.

Yes HJ is a very good defender. Never said otherwise.

However you must be able to help on 2 ends, not one. Platoon hoops is a dead end in April-June. Period. Since forever. Why? Because playing 4-on-5 is a recipe for failure, because your inability will impact everyone else on the floor. So I really see no future in chasing one-end only players.

Hate him all you want but PJW is a 2-way player in a real way. So is NM, even if a lower level of skill. If HJ could make 3s, he works imo, however he is meh, so I would pass.

Again - I imagine he's off the Mavs radar anyhow because of injury, so he's not even being looked at.