07-23-2021, 09:11 AM
The Athletic published a good article yesterday describing the downside of Luka's quick ascendance. He was simply too good, too fast, so Dallas never had the opportunity to build around him with high draft picks. Trading their picks for a guy like KP was really the best move available to them.
I'd argue the Mavs have another problem -- Luka's age. Teams that win in the playoffs are generally full of seasoned vets. Thirty-something guys who know how to play. But Luka is only 22 and his generation of top players are still locked into their teams on rookie deals. Guys like DeRozan, Conley, Lowry, Green are much more likely to want to play on a veteran-led team like the Lakers.
This brings me to Collins, Robinson, Ball, Graham and Holmes: younger guys who may not be ready to win at the highest level but will make this team better and also fit Luka's timeline.
I have a hard time believing ATL will let Collins walk after their run to ECF. Cuban broke up the Mavs Championship team but that was driven by concerns about an aging roster and a desire to land a bigger fish. Collins in young and fits perfectly with Young. My money has ATL dealing Gallinari and signing Collins to a near max deal. (Gallinari to Dallas?)
I like Holmes but only if the Mavs go in an entirely different direction and trade KP. I don't see it happening. KP is your unicorn center.
Robinson is interesting as an uber-efficient floor spacer but doesn't solve the Mavs secondary creator problem.
There's a lot to like about Ball but is he just the next Delon Wright, JRich? He's a better shooter than those two but he has concerning flaws in the half court. Does he want to play in Chicago?
That leaves Devonte Graham, a guy the Mavs' are known to like who just turned 26. He's an analytics darling and certainly a starter in this league -- but he's blocked behind a future star and another starting caliber guard on big money. Graham is efficient, can shoot the 3, can play on or off ball, can create for himself or others and he plays defense. He gives the Mavs another look with some speed and quickness at guard.
If I'm Dallas my first call is obviously to Kawahi ... but when he says no my next call is to Devonte Graham.
I'd argue the Mavs have another problem -- Luka's age. Teams that win in the playoffs are generally full of seasoned vets. Thirty-something guys who know how to play. But Luka is only 22 and his generation of top players are still locked into their teams on rookie deals. Guys like DeRozan, Conley, Lowry, Green are much more likely to want to play on a veteran-led team like the Lakers.
This brings me to Collins, Robinson, Ball, Graham and Holmes: younger guys who may not be ready to win at the highest level but will make this team better and also fit Luka's timeline.
I have a hard time believing ATL will let Collins walk after their run to ECF. Cuban broke up the Mavs Championship team but that was driven by concerns about an aging roster and a desire to land a bigger fish. Collins in young and fits perfectly with Young. My money has ATL dealing Gallinari and signing Collins to a near max deal. (Gallinari to Dallas?)
I like Holmes but only if the Mavs go in an entirely different direction and trade KP. I don't see it happening. KP is your unicorn center.
Robinson is interesting as an uber-efficient floor spacer but doesn't solve the Mavs secondary creator problem.
There's a lot to like about Ball but is he just the next Delon Wright, JRich? He's a better shooter than those two but he has concerning flaws in the half court. Does he want to play in Chicago?
That leaves Devonte Graham, a guy the Mavs' are known to like who just turned 26. He's an analytics darling and certainly a starter in this league -- but he's blocked behind a future star and another starting caliber guard on big money. Graham is efficient, can shoot the 3, can play on or off ball, can create for himself or others and he plays defense. He gives the Mavs another look with some speed and quickness at guard.
If I'm Dallas my first call is obviously to Kawahi ... but when he says no my next call is to Devonte Graham.