04-29-2021, 10:38 AM
(04-29-2021, 08:05 AM)Branduil Wrote: My concern with Graham, besides the potential Brunson complications, is that it would feel like the Mavs trying to strike gold on a not-yet-proven guard for the 3rd offseason in a row. I'm somewhat tired of hoping guys like Wright, JRich, etc. will live up to their "potential"... I want someone proven. And if it takes trading KP to get that guy, so be it. The Mavs need a real star next to Luka, not a maybe-he'll-break-out guy.
I share a little PTSD regarding Wright and JRich as well. Both of those guys have failed here due to an unwillingness, hesitancy, or just bad 3 point shooting, and a tendency to dribble the ball around without doing anything. These are two issues you will not have with Graham. He is a high volume three point shooter at a good percentage (upper 30s last two years and over 40 on catch and shoot) and the word on him is he makes good quick decisions and has a very high assist to turnover ration.
At 12-15 mil, we are not looking for a third star. We are looking for a competent starter that fills needs (and getting someone young is a big bonus).
The overlap with Brunson is a concern. They are different players in that Graham is more of a 3 point shooter and distributor, while Brunson is more of a three level scorer. Graham is the better defender (why I want him for the starting lineup) but they are both undersized. You could probably get away with playing them together for the ~12 minutes Luka is off the court, but the situation would be awkward.