2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[KillerLeft]

Right now, it does look like THJ might need to be on the way out. But what if we got back the THJ from the last 2 seasons (because, consider that we assume we'll eventually get back the Luka that can shoot)? If so, we might think very differently, so that chapter is still being written imo.

Totally agree about the idea that "effective THJ" which, contrary to popular opinion, has existed here in Dallas and might very well exist again, would be helpful and possibly not worth giving up on just yet. 

The reason I brought him up is because I see three players who seem to be in competition for the same minutes: THJ, Bullock and Green. Every player has their individual strengths and weaknesses, of course, so I'm not suggesting that the three are anything close to the same player, but I do think that now that we've seen how each is used here in this system, those are the three in competition with each other for a specific group of minutes. 

I think DFS and Ntilikina could be lumped in with that group, but I think both of their games are different enough (in two opposite directions) to prevent them from directly conflicting with that trio. I suppose Green has more overlap with Ntilikina than either Bullock or Hardaway, given how great he is at defending the point of attack around those high screens, but that's a different conversation. I honestly don't look at Bullock and think "you know, the Mavs don't really need DFS anymore." 

My premise (for argument sake) is that we're dealing with three, distinctly (enough) different groups here:

1) Guard/wing (point of attack, 1-2 types) - Ntilikina, Green (both have to eat minutes leftover by Luka and Brunson)
2) Wing (2-3 types) - THJ, Bullock, Green
3) Wing/Forward (3-4 types) I think DFS is the only one on the roster who fits this mold

I think Brown is super interesting, because to my mind he has been tried in all three of those roles this year, with success and failure accrued in each. I think he might be the closest player to DFS that's on the roster, but doesn't have the size for it, really. I think they hoped he'd be a solution for category 1, but I like Ntilikina and Green both better in that job. 

Maybe I'm overthinking this, idk. I feel pretty strongly though that DFS is an NBA starter, and honestly, a better than average one. A good one, even. Further, I just don't think he should be viewed as expendable in any way, at least until there's another player who can do what he does on the roster.