2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[vfromlmf]

I'm going to go contrarian on the Mavs roster needs. The general consensus seems to be the Mavs need to add a big. Either a beefy center or a physical forward in the prime RoCo mould. I'm actually leaning toward adding another guard.

What?! This team is loaded with guards! -- Luka, Brunson, THJ, Bullock, Green, Ntilikina, Burke are all guards. Why do they need another!? 

A few reasons:

-This team can use another ball handler and playmaker for the playoffs. See Kidd's post game from last night.

-This team can use an All Defense caliber point of attack disruptor.

-DFS is the starting SF and backup PF, but he's this team's primary point of attack defender. His defense is solid but not game changing.

-Luka is spending more and more time operating out of the post. He's big, physical and this team's best defensive rebounder. I don't see a problem with playing two guards next to Luka.

What do we think of trading DFS in a deal that lands you Marcus Smart? 

Dallas would run

Luka
Brunson / THJ / Green
Smart / Bullock
Kleber
Porzingis / Chriss

Smart adds another ball handler and is an upgrade over DFS defensively. 

What's in it for Boston is less clear, so it might need to be a three-way deal. 

Of course, if reports are to be believed, Boston wants a high-level playmaker, so I assume they would want Brunson. He's a better scorer and steadier playmaker than Smart; and he could fit nicely into Smart's salary slot next year.

Given that reality, what do we think of Brunson+Powell for Smart+Langford ?

Dallas doesn't add another ball handler in this deal, but they do add an All Defense guy to the mix while keeping DFS and the big rotation intact. 

Dallas would run

Luka 
Smart / THJ / Green
DFS / Bullock
Kleber
Porzingis / Chriss

FWIW I hate the idea of trading either player but I'm concerned about losing one or both in FA. Especially concerned about Brunson and NYK.