Game 24: Dallas Mavericks (15-8) vs. Toronto Raptors (7-16) | 6:30pm CST

[Knutsen]

OMax is one of those guys you just want to cheer for and he came through tonight.
While others looked complacent, he hustled his butt off to fight for minutes which seemed to be just enough to help keep the team from fully self-destructing.

Putting him in the rotation right now would benefit in multiple ways imo. He would help preserve Maxi, get vital development time, perhaps turn himself into a valuable trade asset and hopefully plays to a level that could make him become another weapon come PO time.

When I saw Powell come in to play the 4 with Gafford, I thought OMax's days as a Mav were virtually over.

I think the Powell at the four stunt was just to give him some run in front of his Canadian people - at least I hope so.

[KillerLeft]

As I said earlier, during the game, I realize this type of thinking opens me up to ridicule, but...imagine what this team would look like if O-Max could somehow reach a level of consistency THIS YEAR that would allow him to play those 10 minutes behind PJ at the 4 most nights? ANOTHER long, quick, fast, athletic and versatile defender in the mix. Insurance for Kleber injury. A chance to play Kleber more at the 5 (when called for) when he's NOT injured.

Imagine the implications that would have on developing this roster moving forward.

[Knutsen]

As I said earlier, during the game, I realize this type of thinking opens me up to ridicule, but...imagine what this team would look like if O-Max could somehow reach a level of consistency THIS YEAR that would allow him to play those 10 minutes behind PJ at the 4 most nights? ANOTHER long, quick, fast, athletic and versatile defender in the mix. Insurance for Kleber injury. A chance to play Kleber more at the 5 (when called for) when he's NOT injured.

Imagine the implications that would have on developing this roster moving forward.

If Dinwiddie (or Exum), Grimes, Marshall and Gafford keep performing at the level of the last few weeks and stay healthy O-Max emerging as a backup 4 and rising over Kleber would be everything we need. 

You could even think about O-Max and PJ line-ups when for example Boston plays five-out in the future. It‘s a huge „if“, but I wouldn’t bet against him emerging this season because of his character.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Jokic vs. Poole, the battle we didn´t know we needed. Jokic will have to have a 60 pt triple double for the Nuggets to win.

Damn, you were real close...but they still lost. The NBA is funny, Mavs boat raced the Wizards, then Denver comes in a loses to a team they're supposed to beat, even without Murray. There's no guarantees on wins.

[KillerLeft]

Damn, you were real close...but they still lost.  The NBA is funny, Mavs boat raced the Wizards, then Denver comes in a loses to a team they're supposed to beat, even without Murray. There's no guarantees on wins.

Man, the Nuggets have problems. Have you seen that clip going around in which Gordon tries to pull everyone in for a quick on-floor huddle before a free throw, and Murray refuses? They've got some chemistry issues on top of the depth issues everyone has talked about all season.

[Knutsen]

If Dinwiddie (or Exum), Grimes, Marshall and Gafford keep performing at the level of the last few weeks and stay healthy O-Max emerging as a backup 4 and rising over Kleber would be everything we need. 

You could even think about O-Max and PJ line-ups when for example Boston plays five-out in the future. It‘s a huge „if“, but I wouldn’t bet against him emerging this season because of his character.

Nice article on O-Max:
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/maveri...ful-depth/

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

One of the great things about Omax is he can actually dribble! I liked the play where he received the outlet around half court, pushed the ball into the paint and then kicked to Klay for the open 3. He had a number of nice “extra” passes last night that lead to good shots.

[SkenfromLMF]

One of the great things about Omax is he can actually dribble! I liked the play where he received the outlet around half court, pushed the ball into the paint and then kicked to Klay for the open 3. He had a number of nice “extra” passes last night that lead to good shots.

Looking at the rosters... last year OMax with his skill set would have had Josh Green's role. This year that skill set is deep bench and we have upgraded THJ with Din & Green with Grimes. The only gap is really the size that DJJ brought vs Naji, but Naji has proven to be a VERY positive asset in most other areas.

[Chicagojk]

Looking at the rosters... last year OMax with his skill set would have had Josh Green's role. This year that skill set is deep bench and we have upgraded THJ with Din & Green with Grimes. The only gap is really the size that DJJ brought vs Naji, but Naji has proven to be a VERY positive asset in most other areas.

Yes minutes will be tight.  I think the first step for Omax is give Kidd reason to find him minutes.  Up until last game he hasn’t done that.  Maybe he has in practice.  He won’t be in the regular rotation yet when everyone is healthy.  But if he makes it easy for Kidd look for minutes for him, than that is a nice step.

[KillerLeft]

Yes minutes will be tight.  I think the first step for Omax is give Kidd reason to find him minutes.  Up until last game he hasn’t done that.  Maybe he has in practice.  He won’t be in the regular rotation yet when everyone is healthy.  But if he makes it easy for Kidd look for minutes for him, than that is a nice step.

Agreed on all the above, but...

If Kidd has decided that Kleber's only real use is as the backup 4 (I hope not, but if) then all of a sudden he's pretty expensive for a 10-12 minutes per night role ON TOP of all the injury concerns and inconsistent offensive play. I imagine the leap from there to "let's give the kid a chance" might not look so big to a front office trying to shed salary smartly.