DAL OFFSEASON: Trade & FA | Mavs "mostly done...but you never know."

[Fuerza1]

Speaking of Wes Iwundu, sounds like he's already out in Orlando.

https://twitter.com/_Iwundu25/status/132...6256425986

Hope it's the Mavs that scoop him up. I'd be willing to give him the contract Delon got last offseason.

[KillerLeft]

@"cow" is absolutely right. There were stretches in Philly when Richardson's role was to handle the ball PRIMARILY, and it didn't go very well.

But, I agree with Dan that he has enough experience doing that to make the Mavs want to try it as a SECONDARY guy on the floor with Luka. And, they might've given up (for now) on the star secondary ball-handler we all know they want and just found the closest thing who can play DEFENSE. 

It's not like anyone is thinking Luka is going to be standing in the corner watching Richardson go to work for 15 possessions a game. He's definitely not that guy. But, I think he's experienced enough to press a 4 on 3 in a situation where Luka gets trapped, for example, and the mavs had next to NOBODY who could do that last year. 

And, he can shoot a little, so he's definitely capable of playing off-ball, but I don't think he's a replacement for the kind of ELITE off-ball offensive play Hardaway gives you.

I think Dan has this one right, at least as far as what the Mavs are thinking. It might not be successful, but this is what most of you wanted, right? Better defenders? Well, these types of issues are the type of problem that come with that, and I think, given the price to get him, Richardson was a really good thing to try.

---

But you all want a PF (Wood, Gallo and similar). So why not Tucker as a poor man option.

Oh, I don't say no...I guess my point is that MOST teams don't have a 4/5 combo who defends hard and pulls opposing bigs out by knocking down corner 3's...a "3 and D BIG"...that's a rare, awesome thing to have. I just wonder if the price to get him might reflect that he's more valuable to a team with NONE of those than he might be to Dallas, where he'd be an ADDITIONAL one. 

If he just appeared on the roster, I absolutely think he makes them better, especially with the KP injury early on. No argument there.

---

@"omahen" I see your point now. I was looking at Wood/Gallo in a different light than Tucker, and you're saying he's the same as them, only farther down the list. 

I gotcha. That's a decent point.

---

@"omahen" I'll say this:

IF the Mavs were to land PJ Tucker and go into the season with a possible playoff big rotation of KP, Tucker and Kleber, THAT is a team built to neutralize the things that make the Lakers special (if everything works as planned). 

The secret to breaking the Lakers' defense is absolutely getting AD out of the paint, and that's going to be a crucial option for Western Conference contenders to have at their disposal for a long, long time. But having TWO of those three be agile, hard-nosed defenders? MAN, that's pretty sweet.

[khaled1987]

The tampering has shut down the rumor mill for now it seems...

I think folks(sources) will be more cautious after Bucks fiasco

[HanspardsShowerVoice]

4/5s that do it all are basically a list of 1 ... AD. Then you've got to pick skillsets. We have a defensive specialist in Maxi. We got 7+ muscle in Boban. We even have a tall forward who can play 5 in small ball lineups for brief amounts of time in DoDo . What we don't have is a 4/5 who can dependably get you 15 a night and clear out the paint for Luka and be a high end PnR roller. The reality is that both KP and DPs careers are in jeopardy. Fans can be rosy and optimistic that everything is going to work out fine, front offices with title aspirations can't.

[Tyler]

Bogi is officially available.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status...9028742146

[ClutchDirk]

Bogi is officially available.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status...9028742146

Giannis not signing his extension?...

https://media.giphy.com/media/HMiMKtZGFLlkY/giphy.gif

[StepBackJay]

Bogi is officially available.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status...9028742146

If the Mavs can't or won't get Bog I will be stunned. Clearly the Mavs would be his first choice if they will pay him what he wants. The Kings have leverage bc the Mavs can't do a deal without a S&T. They could say naw we don't want anything the Mavs have. In which case Atlanta or somebody is in the pole position bc they can sign him outright. The Kings have his rights so that gives them of course more leverage. The Kings can try to pit these teams against each other. Just knowing what Bog was going to go for tho (Donte from Bucks) it seems like the Mavs have enough to get him. So if Atlanta gets him I am going to be really frustrated.

[KillerLeft]

4/5s that do it all are basically a list of 1 ... AD.  Then you've got to pick skillsets.  We have a defensive specialist in Maxi.  We got 7+ muscle in Boban.    We even have a tall forward who can play 5 in small ball lineups for brief amounts of time in DoDo .  What we don't have is a 4/5 who can dependably get you 15 a night and clear  out the paint for Luka and be a high end PnR  roller.    The reality is that both KP and DPs careers are in jeopardy.  Fans can be rosy and optimistic that everything is going to work out fine, front offices with title aspirations can't.

And this is the argument for Wood. I agree. 

But, to be fair, KP is here on a max contract. So, unless you think Wood can A) be the best version of his potential and B) play a shit ton of minutes on the court WITH KP, then you probably don't want to pay his quote, even if you can. 

Those are the questions. Is he worth the contract, or will he slack off once paid? Do the Mavs want their MAIN, default lineup to include two bigs, like the Powell/KP setup, or have they now settled on having a DFS/OPJ type out there as the 4, maybe with a Kleber/Tucker type off the bench being sufficient for the times they want to get a little bigger? It kind of depends on whether you're more scared of the Lakers or Clippers long term, imo, and ultimately, they need to construct their roster in a way that gives them the options of going EITHER way. I just don't know which way they want to go more often, and that's a big thing to know in terms of salary distribution.

[fifteenth]

4/5s that do it all are basically a list of 1 ... AD.  Then you've got to pick skillsets.  We have a defensive specialist in Maxi.  We got 7+ muscle in Boban.    We even have a tall forward who can play 5 in small ball lineups for brief amounts of time in DoDo .  What we don't have is a 4/5 who can dependably get you 15 a night and clear  out the paint for Luka and be a high end PnR  roller.    The reality is that both KP and DPs careers are in jeopardy.  Fans can be rosy and optimistic that everything is going to work out fine, front offices with title aspirations can't.

LOL, I was reading this thinking, "did you forget we had KP?", and then I got to the last 2 sentences.

[StepBackJay]

Would Houston do a S&T WCS for Tucker? That would keep their MLE open for other moves.

[KillerLeft]

If the Mavs can't or won't get Bog I will be stunned. Clearly the Mavs would be his first choice if they will pay him what he wants. The Kings have leverage bc the Mavs can't do a deal without a S&T. They could say naw we don't want anything the Mavs have. In which case Atlanta or somebody is in the pole position bc they can sign him outright. The Kings have his rights so that gives them of course more leverage. The Kings can try to pit these teams against each other. Just knowing what Bog was going to go for tho (Donte from Bucks) it seems like the Mavs have enough to get him. So if Atlanta gets him I am going to be really frustrated.

So, he has a LITTLE leverage, for sure, because he has to sign an offer sheet. 

And, you're right - SAC has no choice but to move him, for financial reasons pertaining to Fox's upcoming extension, so I'd expect a similarly cheap trade cost (maybe cheaper) in any sign and trade scenario we see. 

But, to assume that A) he wants to be here AND B) the Mavs want him here seems a bit much. It's possible both of those things are true, but it's also possible NEITHER is true.

[Hypermav]

Bogi is officially available.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status...9028742146

We shall now scan market.  Scanning...scanning...yep we are screwed.

[HanspardsShowerVoice]

4/5s that do it all are basically a list of 1 ... AD.  Then you've got to pick skillsets.  We have a defensive specialist in Maxi.  We got 7+ muscle in Boban.    We even have a tall forward who can play 5 in small ball lineups for brief amounts of time in DoDo .  What we don't have is a 4/5 who can dependably get you 15 a night and clear  out the paint for Luka and be a high end PnR  roller.    The reality is that both KP and DPs careers are in jeopardy.  Fans can be rosy and optimistic that everything is going to work out fine, front offices with title aspirations can't.

And this is the argument for Wood. I agree. 

But, to be fair, KP is here on a max contract. So, unless you think Wood can A) be the best version of his potential and B) play a shit ton of minutes on the court WITH KP, then you probably don't want to pay his quote, even if you can. 

The reality of KP is even under the best case scenerio he's going to require an absolutely ridiculous amount of minutes restriction and nights off going forward.  Again, that is the best case scenerio.  

And let's be clear ... this skillset isn't a "nice to have" for this organization with Luka.   It's absolutely critical that someone on the roster is providing it.

[StepBackJay]

But, to assume that A) he wants to be here AND B) the Mavs want him here seems a bit much. It's possible both of those things are true, but it's also possible NEITHER is true.

Ya it just makes me crazy bc he's buds with Luka, gives us that playmaking and clearly the Mavs are better than any of the under the cap teams chasing Bog right now. You would think its a fit all the way around. THJ then becomes expendable at some point which is another advantage.

[ClutchDirk]

Bogi is officially available.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status...9028742146

We shall now scan market.  Scanning...scanning...yep Luka and the Mavs are my best chance to get rings..

FIFY

[KillerLeft]

The reality of KP is even under the best case scenerio he's going to require an absolutely ridiculous amount of minutes restriction and nights off going forward.  Again, that is the best case scenerio.  

And let's be clear ... this skillset isn't a "nice to have" for this organization with Luka.   It's absolutely critical that someone on the roster is providing it.

I'm not disagreeing with you, least of all about Wood and how he'd be used here. I'm on your side. 

But do not make the mistake of thinking the Mavs can DOUBLE UP on a redundancy of KP's role with him on a MAX CONTRACT. If they think they can't depend on him and they MOVE HIM, that's a different story. 

With Wood, I'm intrigued, but that's because I feel like not only can he do what KP does (as you're saying) but that he can ALSO play on the court WITH KP. I do not think the Mavs would even consider him (at the price we're talking about - maybe the MLE though) if they don't feel that way.

---

But, to assume that A) he wants to be here AND B) the Mavs want him here seems a bit much. It's possible both of those things are true, but it's also possible NEITHER is true.

Ya it just makes me crazy bc he's buds with Luka, gives us that playmaking and clearly the Mavs are better than any of the under the cap teams chasing Bog right now. You would think its a fit all the way around. THJ then becomes expendable at some point which is another advantage.

So, you might be right, but just to play devil's advocate...what if he doesn't WANT to be in Luka's shadow? What if he wants to be the PRIMARY ball-handler for a team?

And, ok, you think he's better than THJ, so fine. I think that's fairly debatable, but let's go with that. Say you replace THJ with Bogdanovic...who's spacing the floor now? Richardson? Yikes. 

I think there's a profound...I won't say misunderstanding, but maybe taking for granted of what great off-ball shooters like Hardaway bring to the table, and how that opens things up for others. It's not just about checking their damn 3pt%, guys.

---

Basically, here's my argument, and obviously some here will disagree.

Looking at the FIT of positions 1, 2 and 3:

If the two pieces in place are Luka and THJ, give me Bogdanovic over Hield. 

If the two pieces in place are Luka and Richardson, give me Hield over Bogdanovic. 

If the logic above leads you to Hield, then give me THJ and all of the future possibilities his expiring contract brings (would be shocked if some way better options than Bogdanovic don't shake loose, even without fit being considered).

[StepBackJay]

Josh Richardson is career 36% from 3, Bog is 37%, THJ is 35%. People act like Rich can't shoot. You are going to be surprised. All of these guys can hit outside shots especially in this system that gets them good looks.

[Jason Terry]

Guards: Luka, THj, Beverley
Wings: Richardson, DFS
Bigs: KP, Tucker, Maxi

I would put that playoff rotation up against any team in the league

[LukasBestFriendForeverTonyT]

Bogdonovic has to be on our radar right now. Mavs would need to find to takers for which players on our roster to make him an offer?

[KillerLeft]

Josh Richardson is career 36% from 3, Bog is 37%, THJ is 35%. People act like Rich can't shoot. You are going to be surprised. All of these guys can hit outside shots especially in this system that gets them good looks.

Yep, he can knock down the wide open looks, just like DFS - that's a win, for sure.

But what I'm saying is that part of the "system" you're crediting with generating those wide open looks is having a guy whose GREATEST skill is relocating off-ball in designed, creative ways to put pressure on the defense. Once Curry went out, I had a tough time seeing a situation where Hardaway wasn't on the roster. I don't think Richardson will be asked to play that specific role on offense, as A) he's not as good at it as Hardaway and B) it would literally mean exerting maximum energy constantly at both ends of the floor. When he's playing off-ball, I'd expect it to look a lot more like DFS's game. And I agree, he'll knock them down at a much better rate here, but that's because of Luka AND Hardaway, imo. 

The minimizing being done in this conversation (not by you, specifically, but by many people) is not about Richardson's 3pt%, it's about how freaking hard it is to play the role of FEATURED off-ball shooter in the NBA. Hardaway was GREAT at it last season, and that's probably one of the 3-4 biggest reasons the Mavs made the playoffs. Most teams in the NBA are looking for a guy who can do exactly what he did for the Mavs. It gets so overlooked on this board. I can handle the argument that he has only done it once, so it might be an outlier season. I don't agree, but I can handle that. But, to act like what he did last year wasn't valuable, or was something that the Mavs looked at themselves and said "Well, we can't have THAT guy here anymore" is INSANE to me.