2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[DanSchwartzgan]

I would agree Hardaway is the guy on the bubble for sure. Remember he had a slow start last year. He is the guy though that I'd want to move most likely. 

Mavs could roll with Luka, Rich, DFS, Powell and KP. I would love to replace Powell with a better PF but I fear the Mavs are just too in love with him at the moment.

Tobias Harris for THJ + Powell..

My incredible close and personal internet friend Killer yesterday said the more good pieces you add the narrower the list becomes for that final perfect piece.  I think we are there.  I also think you've identified the two slots where a major upgrade is most likely.

Dallas added Luka in 18, KP in 19 and I think we will look at 20's addition as being JRich.  Curry was never going to work defensively as a starter next to Luka.  I think JRich will prove to be a keeper.  I think THJ last year and Powell the year before were in the top half of their positions (THJ was the 15th ranked SG in RPM last season and Powell was the 15th ranked PF the year before).  It isn't that easy to get players ranked 1-14.  And if you fill one hole, it often comes at the expense of another.

The nice thing about the set up Dallas has now is DFS can provide a good bit of what THJ does offensively...Especially if the Powell replacement can create a little.  On top of that, we have Green, Bey, Hinton and Iwundu all competing for that backup 3 spot.  I look at Terry as the backup to the Brunson/Burke backup backcourt.  I see Johnson/WCS fighting for minutes behind KP/Powell/Maxi (and serving as injury insurance).  

So, it would certainly be possible to cash in THJ as part of a deal for another starter and let DFS start at SF and Green get a fairly consistent role off the bench (maybe not next week, but soon).  You might even be able to do it without gutting the bench.  I'm with you on a KP/Tobias/DFS/JRich/Luka lineup.  Giannis is obviously the gold standard.  Subbing in Grant, Anunoby or Gordon (the usual suspects) also works, just not as well as GA or Tobias.  I'm also on Team Gobert and moving KP to PF.  I'd really like to add a 3rd best player to the starting lineup with KP/Luka/JRich and DFS while maintaining a bench of WCS/Maxi/Green/Burke/Brunson.  We really are that close to hosting first round playoff games.  But, it won't be easy.  If you are going to give up two middle of the pack starters, you need to have a viable replacement at one spot and a true upgrade at the other.  The list of viable and attainable guys for this need is getting pretty thin.