2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[Jason Terry]

We've collectively spent a good bit of time shipping THJ off for various things this summer.  It makes sense.  There was a lot of noise about him being available at the TDL.  The trio of DFS, Bullock and Green have played well and seem to fit Kidd's scheme.  As Tjarks said the other day, the team wants two wing defenders in the starting lineup to go with a center and two ball-handlers.  If you retain THJ, he's probably still coming off the bench.  Here is what you probably have in terms of locks for an 8 man rotation in such a scenario:

?         /Powell
DFS/    ?
?         /THJ
Luka/JB/Dinwiddie


If Hardaway does stay and if we acquire a starting center, we have some extra bodies to deal with.

There isn't room for DFS, Maxi and Bertans at PF.  Someone either needs to leave or one of the three will have a severely diminished role.

There isn't room for THJ, Bullock and Green at SF.  Someone either needs to leave or one of the three will have a severely diminished role.  

I think Bullock or Maxi are the most likely targets for Sacramento in a deal for Holmes.  Either is a trade match for Holmes.  I can certainly see the argument for keeping Bullock (you can never have too man defensive wings).  But, I think Green has already passed  him as a defender and if Bullock keeps up the 1-for-7's from deep, Green will soon pass him on the offensive end too.  As to the backup PF position, I'd just tell Maxi and Bertans that the next one to hit 3 three's in a game gets to stay.  

I heard Cuban on another podcast appearance yesterday (Mav's Moneyball).  He was gracious toward KP saying he just didn't fit what Kidd is trying to do.  He actually credited Kidd with showing him and Nico how Dinwiddie and Bertans might fit and how he'd use them to fill the team's biggest needs.  I get that some of that is just PR speak framing a positive narrative.  But, there is probably an  underlying truth also.  I think the key to figuring out the plan for the summer is figuring out what Kidd thinks he needs most and then trying to see either what doesn't fit or areas where we have excess and try to come up with a deal using that.  I can make an argument for THJ not fitting.  I can also make an argument for Maxi and/or Bullock being excess here while being useful elsewhere.

Kidd is building something and i agree that following his moves and thoughts will indicate what the summer plan will be. Kidd and his staff have been phenomenal. 

The formula he seems to have is: 2 ball handlers + 2 wing defenders + 1 screen and roll big

Ball handlers:
Luka/Brunson/DinWiddie

Wing defenders:
DFS/Bullock/Green

4 of these 6 players on the court. I think we’re ready to go to war with these players at these 2 position groups

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Big:
? / Powell

Powell does many of the things we want our big to do. Excellent screener and roll man. Can play team defense. Smart player. How will that translate to the playoffs when teams take away the lob game? 
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Suplemental Volume Scoring:
THJ/Bertans  

To me this is more of the excess position where we could lose one of these guys and get by just fine. It’s a bench position so there’s no need to lock up so much money on both. 

Maxi is a special case and could be excess depending on who we can get this summer. He’s not someone who can handle high minutes. He has the versatility to be used as a wing defender in certain matchups. He can guard the perimeter and shoot 3’s (which Powell doesn’t really do) so currently he brings something we are in short supply. 

The big question is: what will be the skills the new big brings? Basically if the new big can shoot then Maxi is expendable. If not, then he gives us a different look and Maxi is needed