12-10-2022, 02:53 PM
(12-10-2022, 07:03 AM)omahen Wrote: I am still firmly in the two way wing camp. Preferably a big wing. As it was publicly stated, Mavs vision is to have a team full of switchable guys. What they lack is a bigger body as Green, THJ, Bullock and DFS are all too small to fight with elite big wings. Also, lets not forget, this roster is aging. I don't think Mavs traded for Wood with the purpose of moving him at TDL. The time for their move is summer, not TDL. I think the plan was for McGee, Wood, Kleber and one wing to cover the PF and C minutes for next 2 years. Lets not forget, Luka is often playing the PF position on defense, especially against teams without elite PF.
Above all, the guy needs to be an excellent defender and he needs to be at least a decent 3 point shooter. He needs to be able to switch on perimeter as Luka is not good at fighting over screens - one of main issues with KP pairing. Opponents will be always attacking this combination on defense. A non shooter will always be exposed in playoffs, so no way I would be paying anything near the SA price for Poeltl. Mavs made their move on McGee and so far it looks like a major screw up. And idiots gave him a three year deal, which was in my opinion of negative value when they did it, and is hugely negative value now. If Mavs would think their big move needs to be a center, it wouldn't make any sense to sign McGee.
Turner could be a good option at center, but I don't think he solves all the Mavs problems. His stock is way up atm and Mavs would be again left with little assets after the move. The time to trade for him would be this past summer, imho. But obviously Mavs weren't interested or the price was too high. Indy would likely want expiring salaries (Powell, Bullock and Wood are options) and probably two FRP. This means, Mavs would have little assets left for any other move.
I don't think Collins is the answer. He is too small to play center on defense and also not a great defender. PJ Washington is great, but I would only see him as Maxi replacement.
My move would be to replace SD in the starting line-up and move him to the 6th man role. I would move Bullock out of rotation (if possible use him in trade) and reduce minutes of THJ, SD and DFS a bit, thus creating the minutes for the new guy. While Green had some good games, he is still often pretty much invisible, like tonight against Milwaukee. Phoenix game was actually the only really good game he had in the last five games. I don't think he is ready for a bigger role. I see him as a long term replacement for DFS. Hardy is a long term THJ replacement imho, with slowly increased role every season.
I think the most important part for the Mavs now is recruiting. Convince a player he wants to be here and only here. Players on expiring contracts have a lot of weight in where they want to go, where they want to be traded to. Of course we have no idea, what players want. My main target would be Siakam. He will be expiring next season and if he says he doesn't want to stay in Toronto, they will have to trade him. He is in his prime, elite defender and would fit well with either Maxi, Wood or Powell/McGee. He could also be used as a small ball center.
Jaylen Brown would also be a perfect option, but I don't see it possible he would leave his excellent situation in Boston to basically play same role in Dallas. The only option I see him go is to a team where he could be alpha, but I think he will resign in Boston for max money. Anunoby is another name I have a lot of interest in, but will be more difficult to get. Other options are considerably worse afterwards - either aging superstars or players a tier or two below in terms of quality.
Most of Raptors will be expiring next season and they will have a lot of decisions to make. They have a lot of good players, but what they need is a star. They will be in excellent position to trade for one in the summer, but can they convince one to join them? The last one didn't want to stay even after winning a title with them. Even if they do make a trade, Siakam or Anunoby could be the ones going out. So, can Mavs jump in as a third team?
In my ideal scenario, Mavs trade Bertans, Bullock and McGee contracts for Siakam. Resign Powell and Wood. The team would be:
Luka, SD
THJ, Hardy (very limited minutes)
DFS, Green
Siakam, Maxi
Powell, Wood
I don't think we have (or will have) the assets to both land Siakam and dump the Bertans and McGee contracts.
Also, the math is which is better, DFS/Siakam/Powell or Wiggins/DFS/Turner? I find myself leaning towards the later.