08-09-2021, 03:31 PM
(08-09-2021, 03:06 PM)cow Wrote: I still question their evaluation of THJ. Other teams offered him the same or more money so maybe I'm the crazy one. Though it isn't like NBA teams give out terrible contracts all the time. I really hate talking junk about THJ because I love the person, how hard he works, and unlike so many others, he wants to be here.
There's room for disagreement on the value, but I think they really had to retain him if they didn't have a replacement ready and set, and that appeared to be his market value. In terms of other people playing a similar role, you might even say he's a little on the low side in terms of first-year dollars (if he has an increasing contract), although maybe on the high side in terms of years.
I'm not saying that he's the best guy in the league at his position, but he is reliable on the offense given his role, serviceable on defense, hardly ever misses a game, is apparently a high-character guy, and very importantly, really wants to be here. If they had just let him go, I don't think it's a given that they could have replaced his production immediately, particularly at a lower price. They haven't shown much aptitude for looping people in when they need a particular fit.
I don't think the MBT has any other choice but to try and make KP work out. You could probably trade him pretty easily, but you aren't going to return value at this point.
Yeah. I'm sure they were also reluctant to give up on him without knowing they had done everything they could. They got him a new coach. We'll see what happens.
I think the new MBT did okay this offseason. The real test for me is how they draft next year.
Edit: I also think we view DSJ through the lens of what he's become and his last few moments in Dallas. He still had a good rookie campaign under his belt and potential at the time we traded him. And lord knows Carlisle and point guards. There were probably other opportunities to return value for him if they deemed he needed to be traded. And if the Mavs intention was THJ, I really hope the principles on that deal weren't centered around DSJ but rather expiring contracts for what was at the time, one of the leagues worst contracts in THJ.