MAVS NEWS:

[Smitty]

The three wings are the concerning part.  Who knows if PJ and/or Marshall are with the team next year, but if they are two of the three on this list will be on the court most times.   Probably with a non shooting center.   That is an issue.   We hope Cooper improves, but PJ and Marshall also need to improve.

I don't know if either or both will be on the team next season but there's some hope for PJ. He's been hurt the most by subpar PG play this season, being asked to do too much on the offensive end, especially early in the year. He's also been dealing with the ankle injury. In and out of the lineup all year. Here are his 3PT numbers over his career:

37.4% / 4.0  3PA
38.6% / 4.5  3PA
36.5% / 4.6  3PA
34.8% / 5.9  3PA
32.0% / 5.7  3PA
38.1% / 4.2  3PA
31.0% / 4.2  3PA

~35% has been the league average for Power Forwards over the years, with 3.1 attempts per game. PJ has been at or above that 5 out of 7 years in his career.



Naji on the other hand is a lost cause. He has his strengths, but outside shooting will never be one of them.

34.9% / 2.6  3PA
20.0% / 1.9  3PA
30.3% / 2.8  3PA
38.7% / 2.3  3PA
27.5% / 3.2  3PA
30.5% / 2.9  3PA

~36% has been league average for Small Forwards over the years, with 3.8 attempts per game. Naji has been at or above that percentage once in his career and below attempts per game every year.


As for Williams.... I don't know that he'll be a Mav next season. UFA in the Summer and the Mavs want to invest in Nembhard. They'll have Russell on the roster, if he opts in. They will likely target a PG in the draft. Just a lot of reasons I don't see him here past this season.

[KillerLeft]

I don't know if either or both will be on the team next season but there's some hope for PJ. He's been hurt the most by subpar PG play this season, being asked to do too much on the offensive end, especially early in the year. He's also been dealing with the ankle injury. In and out of the lineup all year. Here are his 3PT numbers over his career:

37.4% / 4.0  3PA
38.6% / 4.5  3PA
36.5% / 4.6  3PA
34.8% / 5.9  3PA
32.0% / 5.7  3PA
38.1% / 4.2  3PA
31.0% / 4.2  3PA

~35% has been the league average for Power Forwards over the years, with 3.1 attempts per game. PJ has been at or above that 5 out of 7 years in his career.



Naji on the other hand is a lost cause. He has his strengths, but outside shooting will never be one of them.

34.9% / 2.6  3PA
20.0% / 1.9  3PA
30.3% / 2.8  3PA
38.7% / 2.3  3PA
27.5% / 3.2  3PA
30.5% / 2.9  3PA

~36% has been league average for Small Forwards over the years, with 3.8 attempts per game. Naji has been at or above that percentage once in his career and below attempts per game every year.


As for Williams.... I don't know that he'll be a Mav next season. UFA in the Summer and the Mavs want to invest in Nembhard. They'll have Russell on the roster, if he opts in. They will likely target a PG in the draft. Just a lot of reasons I don't see him here past this season.

I don't really agree with the idea that we should be open to building around Flagg with other 4's, but...if those who do are correct, part of the allure there is that PJW could potentially work. That's another reason not to look at the 4's in the draft super hard, I think, but I digress. 

I agree with your prioritization above - I don't think Marshall is a fit at all, under any circumstances, and that's a shame because I really like him.

[Smitty]

I don't really agree with the idea that we should be open to building around Flagg with other 4's, but...if those who do are correct, part of the allure there is that PJW could potentially work. That's another reason not to look at the 4's in the draft super hard, I think, but I digress. 

I agree with your prioritization above - I don't think Marshall is a fit at all, under any circumstances, and that's a shame because I really like him.

I just think PJ and Flagg can fit together is all. You can call one of them the 3 and one of them the 4. It's never mattered to me. I call them both Wings. They are both versatile defenders that can guard up or down. They both have playmaking ability. Flagg more than PJ, so he can technically be called the "3" on offense if you'd like. PJ shoots well enough from the outside to also be called a "3", if you like. Both are good weakside rim protectors. Both are good help defenders overall. Both are good perimeter defenders (PJ better than Flagg at the moment). If both shoot above league average from 3PT on good volume in the same season, they are a great 3/4 (Wing) combo.

What both need RIGHT THIS SECOND is good PG play. Kyrie helps. The Mavs FRP this year could help next season. Nembhard improving Year 2 could help. But the idea that Flagg and PJ aren't a good fit at the 3/4, I can't get there... Naji, I'm already there.

The idea that Flagg will only ever be a PF for his career. I can't get there either. Right now today? Sure. His strength and weaknesses call for most of his time to be as the Big Forward.

[Nowitzki Way]

As for Williams.... I don't know that he'll be a Mav next season. UFA in the Summer and the Mavs want to invest in Nembhard. They'll have Russell on the roster, if he opts in. They will likely target a PG in the draft. Just a lot of reasons I don't see him here past this season.

I agree on Williams and makes me wonder if he would get included in a trade this deadline. He could be added as a sweetener to an AD or even Gafford trade.   Might allow us to get a slightly better pick.  I feel like he would be more attractive to a playoff team than some 2nd round pick in 2032. He would be a solid guard off the bench for a contender.

I dont see a future here with him.

[Smitty]

A Flagg article from MacMahon: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4767...advertised

"He's better than advertised, if that's possible," a Western Conference scouting director said.

"His greatest strength is his competitiveness," a West GM said. "He's a motherf---er."

"It's very rare that you get a guy that is that skilled and he plays the hardest of anybody on both sides of the floor," an East scout said. "That's a winning player."

"I actually thought his offense would take longer than it has," a West general manager said. "All these guys being out has given him freedom to explore and expand his game. He's so big, and he's realized he can just get to his spots. I've always thought he'd be that 1B [offensive option], but he's an alpha for your team. He plugs every gap."

"The biggest thing that stands out to me is his athleticism," a West scout said. "If I'm the GM here, I'm adding as much shooting as possible and building around him for a long time."

"His ability to finish with both hands in traffic at the rim and just outside the lane and restricted area is impressive," an East scout said. "He's a hard left driver. I think teams will pick up on that more and more, which could lower his efficiency."

"When he doesn't play well, I still really like watching him play because of the way he plays," Nuggets coach David Adelman said. "The intensity, I think that takes you a long way because you're going to go through ups and downs when you're young. He's really impressive."

"He's what everyone thought he would be," a West pro personnel director said. "He's 18 years old and closing out games -- making shots and making plays to close games. That's just not normal. That's something really special."


Side note on Kyrie: The return date of Kyrie Irving, the co-star on the Mavs' 2024-25 NBA Finals team, as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in early March remains to be determined. He has yet to be cleared to practice, and while Irving has made it clear that he hopes to play this season, sources anticipate that, considering the Mavs' place in the standings, there will be discussions about postponing his comeback until next season.

[mvossman]

"The biggest thing that stands out to me is his athleticism," a West scout said. "If I'm the GM here, I'm adding as much shooting as possible and building around him for a long time."

[Smitty]

Exactly why Naji isn't a fit long term.... And he'll want MLE money or more in age 30/31/32/33 seasons... Yikes!

[Mavs2021]

A Flagg article from MacMahon: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4767...advertised

"He's better than advertised, if that's possible," a Western Conference scouting director said.

"His greatest strength is his competitiveness," a West GM said. "He's a motherf---er."

"It's very rare that you get a guy that is that skilled and he plays the hardest of anybody on both sides of the floor," an East scout said. "That's a winning player."

"I actually thought his offense would take longer than it has," a West general manager said. "All these guys being out has given him freedom to explore and expand his game. He's so big, and he's realized he can just get to his spots. I've always thought he'd be that 1B [offensive option], but he's an alpha for your team. He plugs every gap."

"The biggest thing that stands out to me is his athleticism," a West scout said. "If I'm the GM here, I'm adding as much shooting as possible and building around him for a long time."

"His ability to finish with both hands in traffic at the rim and just outside the lane and restricted area is impressive," an East scout said. "He's a hard left driver. I think teams will pick up on that more and more, which could lower his efficiency."

"When he doesn't play well, I still really like watching him play because of the way he plays," Nuggets coach David Adelman said. "The intensity, I think that takes you a long way because you're going to go through ups and downs when you're young. He's really impressive."

"He's what everyone thought he would be," a West pro personnel director said. "He's 18 years old and closing out games -- making shots and making plays to close games. That's just not normal. That's something really special."


Side note on Kyrie: The return date of Kyrie Irving, the co-star on the Mavs' 2024-25 NBA Finals team, as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in early March remains to be determined. He has yet to be cleared to practice, and while Irving has made it clear that he hopes to play this season, sources anticipate that, considering the Mavs' place in the standings, there will be discussions about postponing his comeback until next season.

These guys are not scared of Flagg. They just want to give Culture Cuban more encouragement to botch tanking again by dropping above Memphis and Milwaukee. What they are really scared of his Flagg AND a top 4 pick AND an additional 1st round pick. They want Flagg to remain alone.

[Chicagojk]

I think we all had high expectations for Flagg, but he has blown those out of the water.  Just seeing the growth from the beginning of the year to now is remarkable.   Maybe there is a big soph leap, or maybe it is gradual, but it is really exciting getting a chance to watch.   

I thought he would be a perimeter player and maybe your second creator in time.    He is already that....with some hiccups.   I really think he is going to be your lead guy....maybe sooner than later.    He already makes really nice simple reads.   It should continue to improve with more space and also building chemistry with the other players.  

If he starts shooting better....watch out.

[Chicagojk]

I just think PJ and Flagg can fit together is all. You can call one of them the 3 and one of them the 4. It's never mattered to me. I call them both Wings. They are both versatile defenders that can guard up or down. They both have playmaking ability. Flagg more than PJ, so he can technically be called the "3" on offense if you'd like. PJ shoots well enough from the outside to also be called a "3", if you like. Both are good weakside rim protectors. Both are good help defenders overall. Both are good perimeter defenders (PJ better than Flagg at the moment). If both shoot above league average from 3PT on good volume in the same season, they are a great 3/4 (Wing) combo.

What both need RIGHT THIS SECOND is good PG play. Kyrie helps. The Mavs FRP this year could help next season. Nembhard improving Year 2 could help. But the idea that Flagg and PJ aren't a good fit at the 3/4, I can't get there... Naji, I'm already there.

The idea that Flagg will only ever be a PF for his career. I can't get there either. Right now today? Sure. His strength and weaknesses call for most of his time to be as the Big Forward.

I think Flagg is so easy to build around.  You can really build a team that can morph into different play styles with Flagg being the lead.

Personally,  I prefer him on the perimeter now rather than battling with the big physical, power forwards.  That will probably change as he gets stronger, but I think I still want him on the perimeter.   His height and natural strength is going to make him so hard for smaller player to guard him.

It is really tough to get a feel for PJ this year (same for Gaff an AD).  Ideally, you want to see players play 15-20 games in a row.   These three players have been in and out so much that it is tough to build anything.  I am sure you are also trying to get back into the groove an fully not trusting your body, so it is tough to make concrete evaluations.   One of the things I worry about PJ is his defense on the perimeter.  He seems much more comfortable dropping into the lane than chasing smaller players.    If this is true, I think it makes him less of a match with Flagg.  Ideally, you would want a player with is flexible to defend multiple positions.  

I have gone back and forth on Marshall.  Still don't think I have landed on either side yet.

[Chicagojk]

I agree on Williams and makes me wonder if he would get included in a trade this deadline. He could be added as a sweetener to an AD or even Gafford trade.   Might allow us to get a slightly better pick.  I feel like he would be more attractive to a playoff team than some 2nd round pick in 2032. He would be a solid guard off the bench for a contender.

I dont see a future here with him.

Williams is tricky.   I like Nembhard better than him by a good margin.  Although, I think Williams may have been the better player the last few weeks (in a lot or most of the games).  I am also wondering why Kidd has been playing Williams more recently.   Williams definitely brings scoring the floor and is so fast.   I think Kidd has been handling both well though.   Just by eye test, players seem to really like playing with Nembhard.    

Williams is 26 though and may be playing himself into a multi year contract.   I would think at his age he will accept the highest offer from any team.   What is his ask?  Are they looking for the Jaden Hardy contract?   Does Dallas consider it if he may or may not be in the main rotation next year?   If it is a minimum, I think Dallas would bring him back.  He may be playing himself out of that range.

[DallasMaverick]

I don't know if either or both will be on the team next season but there's some hope for PJ. He's been hurt the most by subpar PG play this season, being asked to do too much on the offensive end, especially early in the year. He's also been dealing with the ankle injury. In and out of the lineup all year. Here are his 3PT numbers over his career:

37.4% / 4.0  3PA
38.6% / 4.5  3PA
36.5% / 4.6  3PA
34.8% / 5.9  3PA
32.0% / 5.7  3PA
38.1% / 4.2  3PA
31.0% / 4.2  3PA

~35% has been the league average for Power Forwards over the years, with 3.1 attempts per game. PJ has been at or above that 5 out of 7 years in his career.



Naji on the other hand is a lost cause. He has his strengths, but outside shooting will never be one of them.

34.9% / 2.6  3PA
20.0% / 1.9  3PA
30.3% / 2.8  3PA
38.7% / 2.3  3PA
27.5% / 3.2  3PA
30.5% / 2.9  3PA

~36% has been league average for Small Forwards over the years, with 3.8 attempts per game. Naji has been at or above that percentage once in his career and below attempts per game every year.


As for Williams.... I don't know that he'll be a Mav next season. UFA in the Summer and the Mavs want to invest in Nembhard. They'll have Russell on the roster, if he opts in. They will likely target a PG in the draft. Just a lot of reasons I don't see him here past this season.

Every bench player has strengths and weaknesses. Naji and BWill each have some NBA-level skills. Both are useful players.

[KillerLeft]

I just think PJ and Flagg can fit together is all. You can call one of them the 3 and one of them the 4. It's never mattered to me. I call them both Wings. They are both versatile defenders that can guard up or down. They both have playmaking ability. Flagg more than PJ, so he can technically be called the "3" on offense if you'd like. PJ shoots well enough from the outside to also be called a "3", if you like. Both are good weakside rim protectors. Both are good help defenders overall. Both are good perimeter defenders (PJ better than Flagg at the moment). If both shoot above league average from 3PT on good volume in the same season, they are a great 3/4 (Wing) combo.

What both need RIGHT THIS SECOND is good PG play. Kyrie helps. The Mavs FRP this year could help next season. Nembhard improving Year 2 could help. But the idea that Flagg and PJ aren't a good fit at the 3/4, I can't get there... Naji, I'm already there.

The idea that Flagg will only ever be a PF for his career. I can't get there either. Right now today? Sure. His strength and weaknesses call for most of his time to be as the Big Forward.

I don't think PJW is anything like what I'd call a "wing," so my guess is that we just use that term differently. Flagg, maybe, but again, that's not the path for him I'd choose. 

The more ball-handling skills, perimeter shooting and general "wing" play Flagg develops, the MORE advantage he'll have as "the big forward." That's the whole idea. That's how he'll be special, imo. I might be in the minority, not sure, but I feel pretty strongly about this. I love PJW as a player (was one of the only people who wanted him here) but I have seen more than enough of him trying to do "wing" things. I agree he's a fairly versatile and valuable defender, but unless he wants to hang out in the corner and shoot (and improves at it pretty significantly), I don't love the fit. Flagg needs space. 

Totally agree about the PG angle. 100%.

[KillerLeft]

Exactly why Naji isn't a fit long term.... And he'll want MLE money or more in age 30/31/32/33 seasons... Yikes!

Yeah, Marshal might actually be a pretty ideal backup for Flagg, but the kid is going to be playing 35 minutes for the foreseeable future, and Marshall really isn't an ideal fit as a complement on the court. Unfortunately, Marshall's current status calls for a bigger role and paycheck than that, so I'd want to get what I could for him while his stock is high and he's on this bargain deal were I in the Mavs' shoes.

[cow]

I hope Naji retires a Mav.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Flagg is special in his head more than for the skills, i said it after a couple of games.

He REALLY wants to win over all.

Draft a 1B and then i go to war with them. All day.

[Smitty]

I don't think PJW is anything like what I'd call a "wing," so my guess is that we just use that term differently. Flagg, maybe, but again, that's not the path for him I'd choose. 

The more ball-handling skills, perimeter shooting and general "wing" play Flagg develops, the MORE advantage he'll have as "the big forward." That's the whole idea. That's how he'll be special, imo. I might be in the minority, not sure, but I feel pretty strongly about this. I love PJW as a player (was one of the only people who wanted him here) but I have seen more than enough of him trying to do "wing" things. I agree he's a fairly versatile and valuable defender, but unless he wants to hang out in the corner and shoot (and improves at it pretty significantly), I don't love the fit. Flagg needs space. 

Totally agree about the PG angle. 100%.

It's probably impossible to articulate exactly what a Wing is, in the sense that I mean it, over a message board. But I'll try to give a general idea of what I mean.

A Guard is someone who is a primary ball handler and initiator of the offense. They defend other Guards.
A Wing is someone who is a secondary ball handler and finisher on offense. They can also be catch and shoot types. They defend other Wings, some Guards, and some Bigs, depending on matchups.
A Big is pretty straight forward.

These are very basic descriptions of course. You have Combo-Guards. 3-and-D guys. Stretch Bigs. Whatever someone gets labeled, it doesn't matter to me. Over the years I've tried to refrain from getting into the old 'position label' battle on the internet.


A good example of this position label thing is Klay. He’s a "2" by definition. But his play style is way more Wing than Guard. He’s a play finisher, not a play initiator. But he's labeled a "2". A Guard. I view him more as a Wing. In the end, it doesn’t matter. He fills a certain role on offense and he can guard “SG”, “SF”, “PF”, depending on the matchup.


Cooper Flagg to me is most definitely a “3”, even by today’s NBA definition. It’s up to him to become a better shooter from outside 15 feet and an even better ball handler/initiator but I have zero doubt that he will. The Tatum comparisons might have been underselling what he can/will be but this “box” of him being a 4 only is not something I'm willing to do. What does it even mean, really? That he’s a weak side defender? Non-ball handler/shooter? Can’t guard the POA, or switch on the perimeter? He’s a Wing. Point-Forward type to me. Both sides of the ball matter in this context. He’s basically the definition of positionless basketball. Which is what makes him easy to build around.

[Smitty]

@RonKnowsSports
Jason Kidd said Kyrie Irving will likely return after the NBA All-Star break.

The standing will not influence the team’s decision to bring Irving back.

[Mavs2021]

@RonKnowsSports
Jason Kidd said Kyrie Irving will likely return after the NBA All-Star break.

The standing will not influence the team’s decision to bring Irving back.

LOL. Didn´t even read this before my play-in push prediction. I said before the season, they either need to be really good or really bad, what they can´t do is be in the middle. Of course that´s where they´ll land.

[Chicagojk]

I would be real disappointed if they play for a playin spot. I do t have an issue bringing back a Kyrie at some point, if he is ready and cleared. Give him some games but watch his load. Tricky balance.