12-22-2021, 11:53 AM
(12-22-2021, 11:22 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: But, I don't think it's necessary for him to be a starter to pay him his market value. 1-2 (fairly) high-dollar bench guys are fine, to me, as long as they're integral to the team's approach. Brunson has already taught us that he's a potential 6MOY type who can fill in when a starter is missing, close some games, play heavy minutes, etc. This is the worst case scenario for him, and it's really good.
All true, but what if he wants to be a starter? It was said several times this season already.
(12-22-2021, 11:22 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: Hardaway Jr, on the other hand, is ONLY valuable as a starter in a system that prioritizes generating shots for him (he's not great at generating his own, though there seems to be an emphasis being placed on him learning to do that more this year). He's having a dismal time of it this year, and I just don't think the new systems are good for him. IMO, HIS contract is the one that should be moved, if/when it is determined that he's going to come off of the bench. He's just not a 6th man type.
I can also see THJ being valuable as a 6th man (perhaps even more than starter), but one of course can't afford to have two 15-20 mil guys coming from bench. I think that Mavs don't only have a problem of lack of talent but also a problem that what they do have is not really fitting together. THJ-Luka-KP together equals bad defense, THJ-Luka-KP-Brunson even more so imho. Remove two of them for the likes of Bullock, DFS, Kleber and offense dies. Having two of them on the bench also doesn't make sense as their contracts are (will be) too high.
I think we all agree Mavs need to convert one or more of this borderline starter/role player missfit contracts to legit starter(s) that fit, probably with Luka and KP as the ones you are building around. It may happen that someone like Brunson will be a "collateral damage" as Mavs don't have many assets.