2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[DanSchwartzgan]

It adds options, sure, but it also takes away one of the biggest strengths of last year's team by removing Dinwiddie. Also, while you could say it gives you more options, you kind of have to start both Wood and Holmes with this lineup. Like I can't imagine Wood dealing with being moved to the bench well, and we already know what that's done to Holmes.

I don't know if Wood can survive as the lone big, but I'm 90% sure the Mavs' current plan is for him to replace Powell in the starting lineup from last year.

To me, the Mavs' interest in Dragic is as a quality 4th PG and mentor, which kind of matches up with what he was saying about himself. Will he choose the Mavs over other options for the vet minimum? We'll see.

Dragic was a net positive in the playoffs (I know, 4 games and only 79 minutes). Was Dinwiddie a net positive?  Was he a net positive in his playoff minutes with Luka?  Was he a net positive in his playoff minutes with Brunson?  The answer to all of those questions is No BTW.  So, how is that one of our biggest strengths?  Dinwiddie was Luka's only negative pairing among the main rotation guys in the playoffs (Bullock, DFS, Brunson, Maxi, Powell and Bertans).  Brunson was negative when paired with Dinwiddie and Maxi amongst those top guys.

I've spent some time researching Wood's effectiveness at C and PF the last three seasons (especially the two seasons before this last one in Houston).  There is a huge improvement in team defensive numbers when Wood plays PF vs. when Wood plays C.  The issue seems to be the corresponding drop in O.  The issue both places isn't that Wood can't play PF offensively.  It is that Houston and Detroit just couldn't manufacture any O with a non-shooting center on the floor (mainly because they played at least one other non-shooter at the same time).  Will lack of O be an issue with Luka, Brunson, DFS and Wood on the floor together?  I don't think so.  

To be a champion, you have to win four series against all sorts of different lineups.  I think you have to be able to play big and you have to be able to play five-out.  We aren't there yet, but a deal like this gets us closer.  I don't think the cost is that great.