In Nico We Trust

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm making this a thread because I want to concentrate more on the "how" of last night than the "who".  We can debate the "who" of things other places (and probably will  for years to come).  But the "how" was amazing.  It was creative.  It used the rules well.  It understood the needs of the teams they dealt with.  It was non-linear and it didn't burn a single asset (in fact, it added the ability to use the MLE or stay far enough below the 1st apron to do S&T's).

If you break things down, this was 10 for 12/24 (and they got their guy anyway) plus Bertans for Holmes.  

I do either of those deals all day.  It is incredible value for 10...hard stop.  Plus, Holmes has a chance at helping the rebounding/paint defense need we have and Bertans stood no chance of doing that.  We turned 10 and a trash contract into two guys with top 20 grades on some boards and a center who will get minutes.  It was probably better than any of the realistic trade down scenarios anyone here posted.

Many hated the idea of a trade-down for the sake of dumping a contract. (this is the creative and the non-linear part).  I said several times that you have to paint the entire picture that results from such a trade down before I pan the idea.  Doing this as a July deal was very creative.  It opened a whole world of possibilities either on draft night or going forward.  

They understood perfectly what OKC wanted and felt good that Orlando wouldn't scuttle their plan.  They also understood what Sacramento wanted and trade-one set them up perfectly to get an asset for eating a contract Sac needed to move, but also one Dallas could use.  Relationships baby.

You can tell from the interviews that this was Nico's baby.  He was the engineer of 10 for 12 and he told Prosper "I told you I would make this happen".  It was a well thought out plan and it fell into place perfectly.

Nico apparently has a type...heralded HS player who falls because he's not as effective as the hype in his year after HS.  It worked with Hardy and there really isn't any reason it won't work with Lively.  Drafting an older role player once you get to the 20's is a trend that will continue under the new CBA.  Prosper has a shot at being a premium role player.  No matter who you think they might have gotten instead, Lively, Prosper and Hardy make it look like the Mav's are taking the draft seriously and are competent at it.

Looking ahead, I take Nico at his word that they aren't done.  The way I look at this, a playoff team probably can't rely on Lively, Prosper and even Hardy yet.  So, the only playoff ready grown-ups are 

Bigs:    Maxi, Holmes
Wings: THJ, Green, Reggie
BH's:    Luka, Irving

Until the kids are more seasoned, we probably need one more grownup.  Next up...the Reggie guarantee decision.