12-19-2019, 05:30 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-19-2019, 05:32 PM by Scott41theMavs.)
(12-19-2019, 04:19 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: Not sure if this has been posted yet, but it's an article from Tim Cato on the Athletic about trade targets.
https://theathletic.com/1469365/2019/12/...ld-target/
For those who don't have the subscription:
Mostly says we should stand pat, basically like many here are saying to not mess up the chemistry. Most of the comments agree.
He has 4 trade pieces that he would trade if he can get the other team to bite on them:
THJ, Lee, JJ and Second rounders for the next 3 years (2 this year and ours for next and the following years). He's reluctant to add JJ, "But if Dallas must include a young asset in any deal they make, Jackson seems like the obvious candidate."
He then says:
Quote:[b][b]WHO DALLAS WOULDN’T TRADE[/b][/b]He goes on to talk about 9 trade targets:
I don’t think any other player on the roster makes sense as a trade candidate except maybe Jalen Brunson. And while Dallas wouldn’t do that under almost any circumstance, perhaps they would think differently if they were getting back, I don’t know, Jrue Holiday. Otherwise, every player either has too little value to other teams, too much value to Dallas or is on too team-friendly of a deal (or all three) to make sense.
Andre Iguodala - Lee and a second at most for him. He won't stay, but would be good for a playoff run this year as a "savvier, more experienced version of DFS".
RoCo - In terms of RoCo compared to DFS he has this to say: "He’s a better shooter with the same glue-guy qualities. I’m not sure that he’s significantly better, though, or that he dramatically raises your team ceiling. It very well might take Lee and Jackson, plus second-round picks, to get him to Dallas."
Rudy Gay - Can't happen til Jan 14th, but Lee and picks for him and this to say: "He’s hitting a career-worst 27 percent from deep for San Antonio, but that team’s spacing is horrid and he’s still a vicious defender."
Jae Crowder - For the same package as Iggy, Iggy is the better player.
CP3 and Adams - Doesn't like either of their fit. Esp Adams.
Gallinari - Fantastic fit, but unless OKC values THJ, we don't have the pieces to get him.
Love - No as well, but talks about the spacing this team would have with him and KP.
Jrue - Only player to blow it up for and use JB. Proposes THJ, JJ, JB and 2nds. NO is prob looking for a better return package but what if they asked for DW and JB, would you do it?
Finishes with why we should stay pat. Has this to say "Most of this roster has never even been to the playoffs before. You need that experience before you can put serious expectations upon them. I suspect any push-all-your-chips-in-right-now move would underwhelm and ultimately fail. But because your stars and, really, this entire roster is so young, why would you do that?"
The entire premise of this guy's piece is that Luka isn't ready. That makes me believe both that he doesn't know much about Luka's career history and also that he hasn't been watching many Mavs games this year.
If the Mavs had the right supporting cast - for example, if they could have landed Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick Favors this offseason - with this year's Luka, they would be bona fide contenders. Not saying they would win, but they would have a genuine chance. I understand what the guy is saying about chemistry. If I'm the Mavs, I think you ask Luka. "We get the sense you like these guys, and would like to continue to grow with them this year. We can see with our own eyes that you are an NBA championship leader right now, in early 2020. Are you content with staying the course this year and taking your best shot with these guys? Or would you be irritated if we didn't make the effort to trade some of your teammates to give you a somewhat more realistic shot at winning your first Larry this year? We want to make you happy. You're our guy."
If anyone thinks that that's the cart dragging the horse and that players shouldn't play GM, first of all, you weren't watching this offseason. Second, I think Luka has the humility not to do stupid stuff if you consult him like they consulted Dirk. The bottom line is that the single most important matter for this franchise for the foreseeable future - and yes, already, this early in Luka's rookie contract - is to keep Luka happy. WDLW? (what does Luka want)