Building Around Cooper: A Backward-Looking Thought Experiment

[Smitty]

Thanks for the synopsis.  For the most part we are on the same page.  I'm not sure I spend assets on Gillespie if I have Irving and Acuff on the team.  I'd probably look for a sweet shooting forward to put in the rotation either by trade or by free agency.

I think the main thing I want to point out is I'm trying to also think of this from the perspective that Dallas doesn't draft a guard.  Maybe its because we move up and Wilson or Dybasta (please Lord) makes more sense.  Or, maybe its because Ament is higher on their board than whatever guard is left by the time we draft at 8/9/10.  Whatever the reason, we need a plan should that be the path.  To me, that's the point at which a Gillespie or Dosunmo or Ivey makes sense.  Your draft pick rotates with Flagg and whoever is still here at the forward spots and you need someone to rotate with Kyrie and Christie in the guard rotation.  I'm mainly focused on top 8/9.  I think expansion draft has to enter our thinking at some point also.

I think you and I are aligned on the idea that the Mavs don't have to draft a Guard. I would be ecstatic with one of Dybantsa, Boozer, Wilson, and even Ament, who is worthy at 7/8/9, if that's the direction they go. To your point, there are a lot more Guard options I like in Free Agency that could help fill the need at Guard.

On the expansion draft, a week or so ago I worked through the rules to see what it would look like for the Mavs if it happened this coming season. It was great! We expose AJ Johnson, Martin, and the 5 UFA’s. It will look a lot different by 29-30, but something to be mindful of for sure.