2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[StepBackJay]

Yeah, I have no care whatsoever for what the NBA thinks. I just talking who I'd want on the Dallas Mavericks. Two players with major injury histories are worse than one, which is not as ideal as none.

Right I am just not sold on THJ and J Rich. Mavs need a third guy that has star potential or close to it. I am glad J Rich had a good game last night but I don't think he's on Dipo's tier at all.

I want Mavs to find that third guy one way or another. They will probably not do anything big until the summer. I expect them to use their cap space for someone who can consistently be that third scorer or playmaker. I don't think it will be Dipo. As I have said I bet he goes to NY or Miami before the TDL.

Our role guys are fine and they look great some nights especially when KP is playing well. We saw they look like garbage when our top 2 guys are out. I think to be a real contender we need that third guy.

[StepBackJay]

So the Mavs want to add shooting and bigman depth (according to Stein) but they probably don´t want to touch the current core (rotation players).
That leaves us with Johnson, picks, end of bench vets and rookies.

Personally I would target Fournier and Bamba but I think the Mavs prefer cheaper options. Maybe Tucker and McLemore? The classic Mavs move would be something like 2 2nds for Redick (absolutely hate it).

I could see the Mavs throwing a 2nd at some player just to add a good rotation piece for the playoffs. Bamba is a total bust and Mavs have enough projects right now. Fournier would be a great target but I see him more like a FA target. I just don't think you can give up any assets other than a 2 for an expiring player. THJ and J Rich to me are certainly guys that are movable for the right since they are also FAs.

[StepBackJay]

The move I really want to make is Powell + a 2nd for George Hill. Hill would be a good depth move and also a cap clearing move to get Powell's money off the books.

[vfromlmf]

KP’s defense was strong last night and I love how he bodied up to one of the NBA’s biggest loads in Jokic. That version of KP is a top 30 player in the NBA and probably higher if he defends like that at center. 

If the Mavs look to upgrade I think it’s rather simple. A starter will need to push one of JRich, Kleber or DFS to the bench or another team. 

JRich is probably your next guy after Luka and KP, just based on minutes and versatility. 

That leaves DFS or Kleber. You could make an argument for upgrading either spot but it won’t be easy. Kleber has turned into a fantastic role player; and DFS is just rock solid. That said, looking at Carlisle’s closing lineup with Brunson on the floor you could make the case that swapping DFS for another defender who can create & score makes the most sense. 

That leads me to Oladipo who I value as much for his defense as his ability to score. And honestly I think he fits extremely well. People get hung up on offense and but don’t forget, ‘Dipo is an all-NBA caliber defender who will give you most of what DFS does plus much more.

[ClutchDirk]

Kleber is the weakest player starting currently...him and Powell make a deadly bench duo...

Go get the starting PF we need and we are good to go....been saying all season we need a PF...

[SamStetz]

Kleber is the weakest player starting currently...him and Powell make a deadly bench duo...

Go get the starting PF we need and we are good to go....been saying all season we need a PF...

Is there a PF out there that you would be comfortable starting in place of Maxi where the only outgoing piece is Johnson + draft pick(s) if needed? (I’m excluding rookies cause I’m not excited by trading any of the rooks for just a potential rental/short term piece)

[dirkfansince1998]

Kleber is the weakest player starting currently...him and Powell make a deadly bench duo...

Go get the starting PF we need and we are good to go....been saying all season we need a PF...

Not sure how Kleber is the weakest starter. Best on/off numbers. Best 3-points shooter. Above average defender (slowly getting back to his pre COVID level).
Based on this seasons numbers Rirchardson has been the worst starter. Looking at a bigger sample size it´s probably DFS. For a player that basically only attempts wide open shots his percentages are really bad. He has no outstanding skill and makes most of his impact with hustle plays.
Another legit scorer/shooter instead of DFS would make a big impact. Right now he is the one guy that teams are leaving open. Smart coaches are using the matchup to hide defensive liablities or protect their bigman. Best example: Both Utah games. Gobert was matched up with DFS and happily left him wide open in the corner.

As far as starters I would rank them:

Doncic > KP > Miami Richardson > Kleber > DFS > Mavs Richardson

Including the two bench guys that play starter minutes:

Doncic > KP > Miami Richardson > Kleber = Brunson > THJ > DFS > Mavs Richardson

Richardsons has been the biggest disappointment of the season but it looks like he is slowly getting back to his former level. Can only hope that the trend continues.

[Kammrath]

Doncic > KP > Miami Richardson > Kleber > DFS > Mavs Richardson

AMEN.

DFS and JR so far are the weakest links in the starting lineup (assuming KP gets back to some semblance of his old self consistently).

[DrMav]

If I had to pick one guy to upgrade out of the starters it would be DFS. I love the guy and am not looking to move him off the team by any stretch of the imagination, but I think with his limited offense and not really being a lockdown defender, being a bench guy is probably the role he is best suited for.

Kleber is rounding back into shape on defense, and his 3 point shooting has been excellent. The only way I would upgrade him as the sole starter is if we couldn't upgrade DFS, and could keep those strengths pretty close but drastically improve our rebounding.

I'm personally not looking to upgrade JRich this season. I think he's showing that while he's not flashy on the defensive end, he's doing good work slowing down some of these strong PGs that we haven't had an answer for. And his offense is also rounding into shape or he's on a bit of a hot streak depending on your level of optimism. Whether we keep him or not in the offseason is a matter of price to me. If he stays in the MLE range, I'm keeping him for sure and looking to trade him later if needed.

[Kammrath]

Kleber is 32nd at PF with a 12.32 Per...

But he is first on the team in on/off with +8.2 (+2.2 offense, +6.0 defense) of the current major rotation guys.

[Chicagojk]

In my opinion both Kleber and DFS are both really good heavy minute bench players.   I think one can start on a championship level team.    Not sure it is best to have both of them starting.    If Dallas upgraded one of those spots, and have one of these guys come off the bench, that would be the best fit.  I would define both as glue guys.  Maxi is going to play good perimeter defense, block some shots coming off a guy, and hit perimeter shots.  He is not going to rebound great.  Not going to provide much toughness or shot or playmaking ability.  DFS may be more limited but also does things that may not always show up on the stat sheet.  Plus he has a great contract.  The last step for him is to become a little more reliable on the three pointer.  That continues to be a work in progress though.  He is also the size and build that is very valued in todays NBA.  

Josh Richardson?   Let me get back to you about that.  TBD.

[ClutchDirk]

But he is first on the team in on/off with +8.2 (+2.2 offense, +6.0 defense) of the current major rotation guys.

And his rebounding is getting us killed most nights...

[ClutchDirk]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2936...s-possible

[omahen]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2936...s-possible

So, you are saying there is a chance

[StepBackJay]

So, you are saying there is a chance

They didn't say Wall is untouchable!

[dirkfansince1998]

And his rebounding is getting us killed most nights...

His rebounding or DFSs and Richardsons shooting? Not to mentiont that DFS has by far the worst PER among starters.

Richardson 12.6
Kleber 12.3
DFS 9.9

[Mavs03]

I know he's having a down year but any interest in Aaron Gordon?  Gordon is averaging 14 points 7 rebounds 4 assists.  He's shooting 43% from the field, 37% from 3, and a paltry 63% from the FT line (he's a career 70% FT shooter).  Orlando has lost 7 in a row.  They're the 2nd worst team in the Eastern conference.  I can't see Jonathan Isaac and Gordon coexisting next year when Isaac is back.  Gordon has 1 year left on his deal (he'll be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022).  I doubt Gordon will resign in Orlando.  Could we do Johnson's expiring deal and 2025 1st round protected pick for Gordon?  Maybe throw in a Josh Green or Tyrell Terry as a "sweetener"?

My thought process is Gordon would slide into the starting PF position.  Kleber could go to the bench and strengthen that unit even more.

Luka
J-Rich
DFS
Gordon
KP

Brunson
Burke
THJ
Kleber
Powell

WCS and Boban rounding out the bench.

Gordon fits in the youth timeline.  He's only 25.  His agent is Bill Duffy (Luka's agent).  Just a thought.

[Kammrath]

And his rebounding is getting us killed most nights...

When Maxi is on the court:

The Mavs grab 50.4% of all rebounds and 75.4% of all defensive rebounds.

When Maxi is off the court:

The Mavs grab 47.5% of all rebounds and 71.3% of all defensive rebounds.

He has literally been the most impactful TEAM rebounder the Mavs have this year.

[Kammrath]

Aaron Gordon?

I have always been IN on AG, just not for two 1sts like ORL has apparently been asking.

[Mavs03]

I have always been IN on AG, just not for two 1sts like ORL has apparently been asking.

I agree Kammrath.  2 1st round picks are ridiculous.  Gordon literally has 1.5 years left on his deal.  His value is dwindling.  That's why I'm throwing Green or Terry and 2025 1st round pick.  Green or Terry being a young asset as opposed to throwing another future 1st rounder.  We give them salary cap relief as well.