DAL OFFSEASON: Trade & FA | Mavs "mostly done...but you never know."

[cjeter24]

One reason the Mavs may like Oubre (Fish has reported Mavs liked him in Washington) is that he's shown the last few years that he's a pretty decent wing in the PNR being around the 70th percentile. That's not elite by any means. But for a 24 year old wing that was pretty raw coming out? I think that's pretty good with plenty of room to improve. He definitely has good handles for a wing. 

He's an improving shooter with solid form. I'd think the Mavs probably see that continuing to improve and that they can work on that a bit. 

He's got the physical tools to be a really good defender. He is not yet by any means. And maybe he won't be but he's also been on bad teams that don't play defense. I think he's got the potential to actually be a plus defender if he wants to be. Again he may not want to be that type of guy. 

And lastly he's very athletic and a slashing type. I'd have to think the Mavs want more of that moving forward to not rely on shooting jumpers so much. IMO the biggest thing holding Oubre back offensively is that he's not yet figured out how to really excel off ball unless he's spotting up for a shot. He's way too athletic to not be a huge threat to cutting to the basket. If you check the advanced stats in those areas, his game is completely non existent. 

In a normal offseason I'd be chomping at the bit to get Oubre but it's hard to imagine a huge improvement with a shortened offseason. You don't have 3-4 months to work with him but 3-4 weeks.

For 31, sure.  18 and DFS are a no-go, not for a 1-year rental.  I expected a bigger leap from him and that's never materialized. maybe he's never been in the right situation.  If he's bound and determined to be a free agent and we still like him, chase him next year.

Well the reason you should make the move now is that you can go over the cap to sign him next summer. If you do indeed get rid of Powell and Wright this offseason, I believe you are going to be able to squeeze in keeping one of Curry and Kleber and having max cap space while retaining the bird rights to Oubre. It's just rough math in my head so don't quote me on that ha. 
Basically you get a max free agent commit, ship off Kleber or Curry and then sign Oubre to whatever # is necessary to keep him.  Of course if you don't think he is getting over 15 mill than it doesn't really matter. 

Of course all of that is off the table if you got to take Bev.

That's a good point but you'd have to have more confidence in Oubre working out than I do.   As of today, I prefer DFS who has shown continued improvement and is on a controlled/affordable contract.  I think I also prefer the 18th pick lottery ticket over the Oubre blossoming lottery ticket because again, you'll control that player for 4 years.  Now let me stick my fingers in my ears as everyone reminds me of the MBT drafting prowess

I can see us getting off of Wright but I don't think we can get off of Powell.

I'm not necessarily advocating for it. But if I'm getting rid of Powell and Wright and getting Oubre, I'm sending out 18 in a heartbeat. 

I don't think I'm for a deal where I'm taking back longer term money like Beverly. I'm not plan powder for 2021 but I also don't want to exhaust any bit of cap space for guys like Beverly, Powell or Wright. We have our role players with their salaries here already. We need long term starters. Either trade for or wait to sign them in FA next year.