03-09-2021, 12:43 PM
(03-09-2021, 12:12 PM)fifteenth Wrote: Has anyone floated this theory:
1. KP doesn't like the fit with Luka. He wants the ball more. He doesn't especially like being asked questions that include the phrase "your best player" when the interviewer is talking about Luka. He doesn't really want to play the way RC would ideally like for him to play. And the rumors in the past of KP being selfish and hard to work with are all turning out to be true (sad news for Mavs fans).
2. KP broached the trade idea with the Mavs. KP's people have even had some off the record conversations with the Warriors.
3. But!!! The Mavs are not reacting to this by agreeing to trade him. Instead, they're saying, "KP, you're under contract, we want you here, we have a plan to make you and Luka great together, and it can all work if you stick with us. We're not trading you. If you work with us there will be plenty of shots, wins and credit to go around. So stick with us, keep a TEAM attitude, let Rick's vision for you and Luka play out, and it's going to work out great.
I don't know that I believe this, but wanted to at least put it on the table.
1) He averages 16.1 FGA per game...6.3 3PA per game...playing 30 minutes a game through 20 games. Per basketball-reference...that is par for the course his entire career. Unless the Mavs promised something more during the acquisition...I dont see how KP can be upset with touches/shots(wanting the ball more). There didnt seem to be a problem end of last year or in the bubble. Its RC's offense and what KP is being asked to do, Luka's usage rate or a major personal issue with someone on the team or in the organization...if I had to bet.
2) All signs point to this. Im not into tea reading and Im not going to list the sequence of events that leads me to believe this...but KP pressuring for a trade is where my money would be. If there is nothing going on behind the scenes...there is some weird, unnecessary game being played that doesnt really relate to basketball what so ever. Which would make you ask "Why else would those things have occurred?"
3) As someone mentioned on this board a few days ago...its in everyone's best interest for this to work out. Especially the Mavs. I dont see the Mavs being able to acquire someone of KP's caliber/potential elsewhere...best try and work it out. If the team thinks he is too much to deal with or that his defense is too much of a liability then I guess move him...but he is going to be hard to replace. When I say caliber/potential and hard to replace...I am talking about Playoff basketball...not regular season games.
Lets just get into the playoffs and see what this squad can or cant do.