01-27-2022, 06:56 PM
(01-27-2022, 03:43 PM)F Gump Wrote: Yes. Smart thinking.
Brunson definitely creates offense. He completely qualifies as the "second creator" (and one who's a really good fit) that we were clamoring to get, as the season began, but couldn't figure out where/how to get.
My perception of his value keeps growing, but I think a big part of that is because his game keeps growing. IMO Letting him go should only happen if the Mavs can exact a Major Return in exchange. But, as hard as it is to find this guy, maybe not even then. For example, I've toyed with the question of "What if you could tell NY you will swap JB to them, if they'd get and send you Collins" and as much as I like Collins, I hesitate. I think JB is that valuable here.
This is the same calculus I was running when I first started mentioning JB ideas as a means to a bigger end.
Unfortunately, it takes more than just JB to salary match Collins and those elements matter to a team trying to make a playoff run. Surely Atlanta isn't taking Hardaway to add to Huerter and Bogdonovich at the same position. So, you are probably looking at Maxi/Bullock and a pick freed up by the trade with NY.
Now it is Collins for two starters (Maxi and JB) and your 7th man. Top four starters look great...KP/Collins/DFS/Luka. Who is #5? You still have Powell/Green/Frank/Sterling, but one of those guys gets promoted to starter and you need a PG from somewhere to run the second unit. I think Collins is a fairly substantial upgrade longer term. But I want to know what the rest of the deal looks like before pulling the trigger.
Question regarding our second two-way...If Sharife Cooper (2-way for Atlanta) is traded to Dallas as part of some deal, can he fill that open slot we have?