08-20-2026, 05:54 PM
(08-20-2026, 02:25 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I liked this the other day when you said it and wanted to circle back. I tend to agree. We probably have to define terms, but I would say the idealized version of Larry would be incredible. Part of it is how devoid the Mav’s are of an alternative at this point. Part of it is the flashes you see in his tape (Europe and summer). I honestly don’t see the difference between Larry and Wagler to explain the 20 spot difference in where they were drafted. Wagler’s 3 point shot is definitely more assured, but I’d argue Larry’s vision and passing are special. It isn’t that I think Wagler drops downs to Larry’s level, it is that I can see a version of Larry that is every bit as good as the best projections for Wagler. If that comes close to happening - watch out.
Are there other contenders for most important - assuming idealized versions? I put Larry over Lively. I think we know what Lively is, and it is formidable. He just has to play and if he does he’s VERY important to the franchise. I didn’t pick Risacher. It would be nice if he could just be a younger version of Cam Johnson. But, if that is his idealized outcome, it isn’t as high as what I’m hoping for from Larry.
The other candidate is Morez. People who see him as a C cite Bam and Horford as comps. That would certainly be good for our future, but it doesn’t touch the scarcity Larry might fill. If I knew Lively wasn’t a factor I might feel differently. To me, the idealized version of Morez is a starter next to Lively, not a 3rd big playing in place of Lively or Flagg when they rest. Bam with a 3? Jaren Jackson? I saw him take guys off the dribble in summer league and maybe I put too much into his 3 point shot developing, but I don’t think Evan Mobley is out of reach for Morez. Again, Idealized, but maybe not as valuable as the best version of Larry on a team with Flagg and a hopefully healthy (some day) Lively.
I don't argue any of what you wrote above, although to me the question mark around (or improvement in) Lively is just as big or bigger than the other what-to-wish-for outcomes.
Each of those certainly offers a very VERY wide delta between best and worst possible (realistic) outcomes ...
1 Idealized De Larrea
2 Idealized Lively
3 Idealized Morez