2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[Jommybone]

That's what I thought you meant, just making sure. 

I think anyone involved with the team (or closely observing) would hope that Ntilikina gets at least one more season here to see if he can truly blossom and claim a regular role. I think he has shown enough to earn that hope. 

I share your level of intrigue over Chriss's play style and potential skillset, but don't know that he has shown enough to qualify for that same tier (Ntilikina's tier). 

In a separate but related point, I speculate that if you asked the coaching staff what they'd prefer, the top three guys on this list they'd want to keep would be Ntilikina, Burke and Brown (in some order). Those are the three who already seem closest to understanding what it takes to simply be a professional basketball player. Obviously Boban qualifies here, too, but he just flat-out isn't a type of player who can function in today's game. This is compounded by the obvious decline in his game that has occurred during his time here in Dallas. 

Maybe most importantly, I'm not sure Cuban cares about any of that more than he cares about the hike in his tax bill (even if it is just for one year) that would come with some of what's being suggested around here. 

But it's all guessing at this point.

I think your take is eminently reasonable. Mine may well be wrong. But to the extent I’m not seeing eye to eye with you, it’s mostly because

1. I view Chriss as a Nico/Kidd decision. The summer signings not so much. Burke not at all. 

2. Chriss has the potential to be what I view as a much rarer quantity—another Maxi (or Maxi light). None of the other guys qualify as hard-to-find types. Defend the rim, switch screens, and stretch the floor. If he can do even 2 of the 3 there’s a spot for him here. And there’s a chance he can become average at all 3, given time, which would make him valuable. 

3. I fear Burke burned bridges with his no-inoculation stance. My view on that stuff = whatever. But I don’t think my view is the NBA norm.