Re Mavs choices
Johnson has a guaranteed deal for next season, and a TO (decision deadline 10/31/26) for the following (27-28) season. But I think he could be traded (as salary-match filler) or waived in the summer in favor of a player they like better (such as Williams or Nemby) who might have a future - what they see from him in the next 20 games is likely to make a big difference. Someone mentioned a Roddy B similarity, and I can see that in some ways. But the guy has almost no real experience past high school - he was a top 10 recruit out of high school, but chose to go to Australia Pros instead of college, and there he played very little (7 mpg) and very poorly. Drafted by MIL as 1st rounder (bizarre choice) probably based on measurables and the apparent hope he would be lightning in a bottle, but he was apparently unplayable (44 minutes all season) and they shipped him to WAS at the deadline. He was in WAS a year, who tried to use him, but he was awful (can't shoot a lick), who shipped him to DAL as salary-match filler. I am very skeptical he will be kept.
I think Nemby and Cisse are both on the bubble for next season, with the possibility that the Mavs try to do the 2-way deal with each of them again. Who else they sign will be a determining factor.
I think B Will is on the bubble too. He has "something" -- his attacking style tends to inject energy which makes the team play better - but his lack of a reliable 3-point shot really limits his value and how you can use him. If they do bring him back, I can't see him being worth more than a minimum salary.
I don't assume Bagley or Middleton will be back, because we don't know what size contract it will take. But they might. There are certainly advantages (for both player and team) in keeping the same player and repeating what you know, but roles, touches, shots and numbers will look very different when the Mavs have a fuller set of their starters and are trying to win games. I see a place for each of them at the right number, but I can also see each of them getting a bloated deal from someone. Don't want that to be DAL. Neither should be a starter, and backups (unless you are sure to be a high-priority, 6th-man or so, 25-or-more minutes regular rotation guy) MUST be very modest money. Bagley would be a good choice as a 3rd string C, at an appropriate salary for 3rd string (which would be perhaps 3-4M, or maybe just minimum), but if he wants more, it's hard to see a fit with Gaff and Lively taking all the minutes. Can Bagley be a backup PF? Can he defend at all?
I think as-is they have 8 men in place for their rotation, and if you pencil in 2 additions - via pick 8 or so, and via MLE (or TPE) - that's all the major minutes they have. The 8 would be ...
C - Gaff Lively
PF - Flagg
SF - PJW Naji
SG - Christie Klay
PG - Kyrie
There are definitely ways to upgrade all of that, so plenty of ways to use pick 8 or the MLE/TPE. Mainly need to add 2 players who can play, and play well.
Johnson has a guaranteed deal for next season, and a TO (decision deadline 10/31/26) for the following (27-28) season. But I think he could be traded (as salary-match filler) or waived in the summer in favor of a player they like better (such as Williams or Nemby) who might have a future - what they see from him in the next 20 games is likely to make a big difference. Someone mentioned a Roddy B similarity, and I can see that in some ways. But the guy has almost no real experience past high school - he was a top 10 recruit out of high school, but chose to go to Australia Pros instead of college, and there he played very little (7 mpg) and very poorly. Drafted by MIL as 1st rounder (bizarre choice) probably based on measurables and the apparent hope he would be lightning in a bottle, but he was apparently unplayable (44 minutes all season) and they shipped him to WAS at the deadline. He was in WAS a year, who tried to use him, but he was awful (can't shoot a lick), who shipped him to DAL as salary-match filler. I am very skeptical he will be kept.
I think Nemby and Cisse are both on the bubble for next season, with the possibility that the Mavs try to do the 2-way deal with each of them again. Who else they sign will be a determining factor.
I think B Will is on the bubble too. He has "something" -- his attacking style tends to inject energy which makes the team play better - but his lack of a reliable 3-point shot really limits his value and how you can use him. If they do bring him back, I can't see him being worth more than a minimum salary.
I don't assume Bagley or Middleton will be back, because we don't know what size contract it will take. But they might. There are certainly advantages (for both player and team) in keeping the same player and repeating what you know, but roles, touches, shots and numbers will look very different when the Mavs have a fuller set of their starters and are trying to win games. I see a place for each of them at the right number, but I can also see each of them getting a bloated deal from someone. Don't want that to be DAL. Neither should be a starter, and backups (unless you are sure to be a high-priority, 6th-man or so, 25-or-more minutes regular rotation guy) MUST be very modest money. Bagley would be a good choice as a 3rd string C, at an appropriate salary for 3rd string (which would be perhaps 3-4M, or maybe just minimum), but if he wants more, it's hard to see a fit with Gaff and Lively taking all the minutes. Can Bagley be a backup PF? Can he defend at all?
I think as-is they have 8 men in place for their rotation, and if you pencil in 2 additions - via pick 8 or so, and via MLE (or TPE) - that's all the major minutes they have. The 8 would be ...
C - Gaff Lively
PF - Flagg
SF - PJW Naji
SG - Christie Klay
PG - Kyrie
There are definitely ways to upgrade all of that, so plenty of ways to use pick 8 or the MLE/TPE. Mainly need to add 2 players who can play, and play well.