MAVS NEWS:

[KillerLeft]

1 Hardy? Agree they prob have a longer rope for him than we do, but they MUST see how bad he is too. Right?

2 Christie? I'm hopeful. 

3 Klay? I think he's much better than fans notice and I do NOT think he's on his last legs. That day will come some day, but imo he is vital still. 

I do think he would make a great JET 6th man player, not to phase him out but to use him more wisely. 

4 Exum? I have long said he is 100% in their plans at the right price, and imo him signing has no reflection on anyone other than they find him very useful. I also think they see his defense and ability to play SG as ways to get him in the lineup no matter who else they have.

5 BW? I dont think Exum signing has any relation to him but DAR does. Imo they like BW a lot and see solid upside. But he lacks experience, so they cant trust him enough yet. IMO he can be a solid backup at least, and sooner than we realize because hes been a pro for a few years. I notice when he plays, good things happen -- he has a plus impact on the game- and I believe Mavs see that too. We'll see where it goes but I for one see really good things for him ahead. 

Your overall summary at G is a reminder that maybe Mavs are all set talent wise, and just await the injection of Kyrie and his all star ability added to the mix. He was GREAT last year before getting injured and the idea of some that he will be kinda meh when he returns doesnt wash with me at all.

I'm closely aligned with this thinking. 

Here's where I'm a little different:

I agree that Thompson's season was much better than his critics acknowledged, and don't think for a second that the Mavs have buyer's remorse on him in any way. I also believe he'll continue to be useful this season, and hopefully the next. But, given the issues the team faces at POA defender and with general backcourt athletic ability, I think the ideal situation is to get him to "some 2 and some 3, off the bench" as soon as possible. I think that's the role he thrives in to close out his career, and seeing him penciled in as the starting 2 (which I don't think you expect, but most do) worries me a bit. The reason I expect it is that I don't expect them to have a better alternative, at least until Kyrie comes back. But, if they like Christie in that starting off-guard role? Well then, all of a sudden you can kind of see their thinking with POA defense and a variety of other things. 

I also do see correlation between going out of their way to sign Exum and their expectations of Brandon Williams. I think Exum will start the season as the first guard off the bench, acting as the backup PG (unless Kidd hates Russell and Exum wins the starting job). Either way, I think this pushes Williams to the 3rd PG, and while I'm optimistic about him, I think that's a much more comfortable place to be if they expect to be a good team.