2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[Jason Terry]

If you want to run it back with THJ and Richardson trading Johnson and picks for any kind of upgrade is the best option. Let´s say the Mavs trade picks and Johnson for Fournier. Resign all three SGs/SFs (THJ, Fournier, Richardson). Depending on the cap situation that would still give the Mavs the MLE/ tMLE (if Cuban is willing to pay) to add one more guy.

I agree that would be ideal. Problem is this absolutely ridiculous 10 team playoff. There’s only 4-5 teams selling this year so it seems the market prices will be sky high. Magic can and should ask for a late first for Fournier. If it’s Johnson and 2nds then yes I’d be fine with a deal, but that might not get us anything of value in this market. We will need to see, but there’s plenty of teams especially in the East that have no business being in the playoff discussion

[StepBackJay]

Isn't Aaron Gordon a 4?  or even a small ball 5?  

I'm seeing a lot of posts about how he'd be an upgrade over DFS.  I was thinking he'd push Maxi back to the bench.

Ya maybe altho I think Maxi and Gordon have position flex, certainly defensively. Gordon does more inside stuff and Maxi is more of a spacer on offense so I could see them playing together.

[StepBackJay]

Prediction is Clippers, Heat, 76ers, Warriors, Lakers will all make impact moves and/or get impact buyout guys (Nets could still add more buyout guys). Mavs will make 1 small move that won't make much of an impact at all and we can look forward to being a bottom rung playoff team at best this year.

[HanspardShowerVoice]

IMHO, the purpose of Gordon is moving DFS to the bench (probably one of the worst starting players among Western Contenders, imho).   He shores up rebounding (KP gets all the blame for rebounding problems, but DFS is horrible as a 4).    He can switch on multiple positions while KP parks underneath the rim.   He becomes the PnR rim runner while KP plays more stretch big and pick and pop facing the basket.   Then you hope the Mavs can work their 3 PT shooting coaching magic him that they used on THJ (but not the shooting magic they used on JRich).

[cow]

Brutal to look at this list. Of the top 20 there’s only 3 players i believe would even consider the mavs: derozan, Drummond and Holmes. None move the needle. It’s wishful thinking to consider Ball or Collins would want to be in Dallas of all places when there’s so many better options this summer. We’ve seen how that movie ends

The best option this deadline is probably stand pat. And the best option this summer is probably keep everyone and use the MLE on Dragic if possible. If not then maybe someone like Bobby Portis or Bjelica. 

Wait and see how luka and kp develop together. If we’re happy with them then go all in. If not then blow it up

I'd go after Derozan or Lowry from that top 20.  Both check the secondary ball handler, toughness, veteran leadership boxes this team severely lacks at the moment.  Dragic would also do a good job in that role.  

I still want to use the MLE to upgrade DFS with THT.  

If the Mavs are serious about Collins, they need to scrape together a package at the TDL which means saying goodbye to Brunson and picks.

[StepBackJay]

If I can get Fournier and AG I would give up any combo of players and 2nds outside of Luka, KP, Maxi to get a deal done (not saying it would take that much).

At a minimum you want to have Luka, Fournier, AG, Maxi, KP as your core group (whether or not they all are in the starting lineup).

[KillerLeft]

Lowe: The old argument for Gordon is that Orlando misplayed him as a 3.  He really should be a full time 4. 

This. I’m surprised so many people think he would play the 3 here. Not only do I not see that being his regular position, I have a hard time seeing him get much burn there at all in a Mavericks uniform. This dude is a more versatile version of Powell who would jump ahead of Kleber in the rotation, imo, not DFS. 

I’m still interested, but it seems like some of his main fans in this thread might be disappointed by the results. I honestly don’t think he’d be a threat to DFS in any way.

[StepBackJay]

This. I’m surprised so many people think he would play the 3 here. Not only do I not see that being his regular position, I have a hard time seeing him get much burn there at all in a Mavericks uniform. This dude is a more versatile version of Powell who would jump ahead of Kleber in the rotation, imo, not DFS. 

I’m still interested, but it seems like some of his main fans in this thread might be disappointed by the results. I honestly don’t think he’d be a threat to DFS in any way.

I think AG could play with Maxi or DFS. What would make AG not be able to play with Maxi? We have literally no one in our starting 5 that ever rolls to the basket so its not like AG is going to get in anyone's way on offense. On defense he can guard multiple positions.

[SleepingHero]

I think AG can fit with Maxi quite well

He'd be filling in for DFS on the offensive side and while that doesn't make much sense at first, all DFS does is sit out by the 3pt line and consistently miss wide open 3s. Teams leave him alone because he can't put the ball on the floor. AG meanwhile is much more talented. So much so in my mind that teams wouldn't be able to leave him there at all and doing so would create many holes. 

A kickout from Luka could result in a lethal dunk from AG if given the space. All he needs is a runway and it's a takeoff for a poster. AG can stretch it a little bit too, so he can even shoot the 3 like DFS. AG also is talented enough to put the ball down and create, which is something we're sorely missing from DFS.

On the defensive end, AG leaves some to be desired but theoretically both Maxi and him are quick agile bigs that can hang on the perimeter. Rare qualities that would actually transform the Mavs on defense imo. 

DFS is best suited in a bench role with the 2nd unit. Donnie should aim to make that happen without giving up the core of Luka/KP/Maxi/Brunson/THJ

[StepBackJay]

I think AG can fit with Maxi quite well

He'd be filling in for DFS on the offensive side and while that doesn't make much sense, all DFS does is sit out by the 3pt line and consistently miss wide open 3s. AG is much more talented. So much so in my mind that teams wouldn't be able to leave him there.

A kickout from Luka could result in a lethal dunk from AG, or a shot since he can stretch it a little bit. AG also is talented enough to put the ball down and create, which is something we're sorely missing from DFS.

On the defensive end, AG leaves some to be desired but theoretically both Maxi and him are quick agile bigs that can hang on the perimeter. Rare qualities that would actually transform the Mavs on defense imo. 

DFS is best suited in a bench role with the 2nd unit. Donnie should aim to make that happen without giving up the core of Luka/KP/Maxi/Brunson/THJ

To your point you can't have DFS and AG shooting 3's. Maxi is too good of a 3 point shooter and general fit on the team to pull him out of the starting lineup. As you mentioned AG can do a lot of different things on offense and you can live with his 3% like we currently live with DFS.

[ItsGoTime]

That’s why we need AG and OPJ.

[HanspardShowerVoice]

I think AG can fit with Maxi quite well

He'd be filling in for DFS on the offensive side and while that doesn't make much sense at first, all DFS does is sit out by the 3pt line and consistently miss wide open 3s. Teams leave him alone because he can't put the ball on the floor. AG meanwhile is much more talented. So much so in my mind that teams wouldn't be able to leave him there at all and doing so would create many holes. 

A kickout from Luka could result in a lethal dunk from AG if given the space. All he needs is a runway and it's a takeoff for a poster. AG can stretch it a little bit too, so he can even shoot the 3 like DFS. AG also is talented enough to put the ball down and create, which is something we're sorely missing from DFS.

On the defensive end, AG leaves some to be desired but theoretically both Maxi and him are quick agile bigs that can hang on the perimeter. Rare qualities that would actually transform the Mavs on defense imo. 

DFS is best suited in a bench role with the 2nd unit. Donnie should aim to make that happen without giving up the core of Luka/KP/Maxi/Brunson/THJ

I really can't get over how absolutely awful DFS is.   He's now getting the full  Michael Kidd Gilcrist treatment when teams just leave him wide open for even corner threes and dare the Mavs swing it to him.  


I think people are just absolutely so desperate for a 3D wing that they'll let you get away with kind of "looking" like one, even if you're absolutely bad at basketball while doing it. 

[KillerLeft]

I really can't get over how absolutely awful DFS is.    

I think people are just absolutely so desperate for a 3D wing that they'll let you get away with kind of "looking" like one, even if you're absolutely bad at basketball while doing it. 

I don’t think he’s awful at all. He is having a disappointing season shooting the ball, for sure, it is officially on the list of things to be upgraded. 

However, there is literally not a single other player on this roster like him. He is the only legit small forward on the entire roster, in my opinion. I think he actually does a lot of good and important things that you would miss if he was gone.

---

On the defensive end, AG leaves some to be desired

Defense is one of the main selling points for Gordon, imo. I think he’s a very good defender, even a difference maker at times. 

I just don’t think he can play the 3 on offense here, that’s all. 

I would LOVE to see him here, in a big rotation with Kleber and KP.

[HAguiar95]

To your point you can't have DFS and AG shooting 3's. Maxi is too good of a 3 point shooter and general fit on the team to pull him out of the starting lineup. As you mentioned AG can do a lot of different things on offense and you can live with his 3% like we currently live with DFS.

We don't need to. Pull both from the starting lineup. Go with:

Luka-Hardaway-Richardson-Gordon-KP (30-35mpg) is your starting lineup. 

Brunson-DFS-Maxi (25-30mpg) get the heavy minutes from the bench. 

Everyone but KP can handle the ball, everyone can shoot (Rich/Gordon/Luka are suspects) and everyone but Hardaway can defend. If defense is needed swap Hardaway for DFS.

[dynamicalVoid]

Gordon...

Front court player
Can rim run (something our front court seems average on)  (maybe in the playoffs we see plays run that we havent seen yet and it will look like we are way better than we currently are at those easy baskets)
Can put the ball on the floor(something our front court cant do)
Can create a shot for himself (something our front court cant do)
He seems versatile defensively (big and not slow footed)

A lot of what our team seems to lack in the front court

[SleepingHero]

I really can't get over how absolutely awful DFS is.    He's now getting the full  Michael Kidd Gilcrist treatment when teams just leave him wide open for even corner threes and dare the Mavs swing it to him.  


I think people are just absolutely so desperate for a 3D wing that they'll let you get away with kind of "looking" like one, even if you're absolutely bad at basketball while doing it. 

I wouldn't call DFS absolutely awful. I just think he's in a role that has shoes too big for him to fill. He's a limited player. The fact he misses these open shots at the rate he does is a bit comical. But he still has some great points about him. He's still an ELITE defender. He is a fantastic offensive rebounder. I think he makes a lot of hustle plays. He can hit a 3 from time to time. But he isn't reliable, and the Mavs need that kind of reliability if teams are sending 100% attention to Luka/KP. Which is why I think we're all in agreement that the "DFS" role needs to be upgraded. 

I do think there is something to the whole "looking like" 3D wing getting you paid. Thankfully the Mavs locked DFS on a cheap contract.

[StepBackJay]

We don't need to. Pull both from the starting lineup. Go with:

Luka-Hardaway-Richardson-Gordon-KP (30-35mpg) is your starting lineup. 

Brunson-DFS-Maxi (25-30mpg) get the heavy minutes from the bench. 

Everyone but KP can handle the ball, everyone can shoot (Rich/Gordon/Luka are suspects) and everyone but Hardaway can defend. If defense is needed swap Hardaway for DFS.

Right I would be fine with that lineup.

[SleepingHero]

Defense is one of the main selling points for Gordon, imo. I think he’s a very good defender, even a difference maker at times. 

I just don’t think he can play the 3 on offense here, that’s all. 

I would LOVE to see him here, in a big rotation with Kleber and KP.

Interesting. I know AG has all the tools to be a defensive monster. His length, size, agility, all are amazing. But there is still something lacking about him.  know from the Magic games I've seen he takes plays off more often that I'd like. But I assume that can be attributed to being on pretty bad teams.

But I agree with you, AG locked in on defense is a huge selling point.

[ItsGoTime]

To your point you can't have DFS and AG shooting 3's. Maxi is too good of a 3 point shooter and general fit on the team to pull him out of the starting lineup. As you mentioned AG can do a lot of different things on offense and you can live with his 3% like we currently live with DFS.

We don't need to. Pull both from the starting lineup. Go with:

Luka-Hardaway-Richardson-Gordon-KP (30-35mpg) is your starting lineup. 

Brunson-DFS-Maxi (25-30mpg) get the heavy minutes from the bench. 

Everyone but KP can handle the ball, everyone can shoot (Rich/Gordon/Luka are suspects) and everyone but Hardaway can defend. If defense is needed swap Hardaway for DFS.

I actually really like that lineup. Luka and THJ would almost have to be the 2/3 on defense and that could be a bit suspect, but the offense would be pretty good IMO. Still say go get AG and OPJ and roll with that team for a year and a half to see what it’s got (all FA getting contracts worthy of their contributions).

[StepBackJay]

Also I want Fournier and AG as a package deal. I like those two coming over as a package rather than just AG. Fournier is a better third scoring option than anybody we have right now.

You also see games like last night where Luka + KP and our current crew isn't enough to beat a tough defense.