2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[Branduil]

I disagree, especially if the alternative you suggest is another 3&D guy, which is how I view OPJ. If they could get a 3 who could ALSO floor the ball and make plays, I'd trade those dudes in a heartbeat. 

And, I'm not resigned to the idea that the upgrade has to be at the 3. I view Powell's spot as just as likely to be upgraded, even if you're correct that they're locked into starting him there FOR NOW, with THIS roster. That's certainly the position Giannis would've played, after all. So, we KNOW there are players they'd replace Powell with. 

Finally, while I don't know if the Mavs agree with this, MY opinion is that DFS is more desirable to keep and build around than Powell, and I LIKE Powell (before injury). I just REALLY like DFS. 

I hope that all makes sense.

I feel like you're selling OPJ a bit short on offense. His career averages on PPG and shooting percentage are higher than DFS' best year, which was last year. This is despite OPJ playing on a variety of disastrously bad and mismanaged teams while DFS played on the most efficient offense in league history last year.  I think he could capably share the third-scorer role with JRich in our starting lineup.

Looking at OPJ's career, his best season, unsurprisingly, was when he played the third scorer to John Wall and Bradley Beal. He averaged 14.7 ppg on 44% 3PT shooting and 60% TS. That's elite for a complementary scorer. And Luka+KP in a Rick Carlisle offense is much, much better than Wall+Beal. Really the question with OPJ is if he can stay healthy.