2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[KillerLeft]

We should still be in the talent gathering phase. Especially young talent. 

I 100% agree with this. But, I'm not sure the Mavs' approach to free agency is the battleground on which to stage that fight. 

Personally, I was expecting them to trade one or both draft picks to somehow facilitate the adding of a high-profile, older veteran who had a chance to make a huge difference THIS YEAR. This isn't necessarily what I wanted them to do, but it's what I expected, so I spent the off-season trying to decide who my preferred target could be from that, specific pool of potential additions. (For the record, I was right - Hayward would've been the best option, by far, and I still think Rubio would've been great here)

But, not only did the Mavs not trade the picks, they ADDED another early second rounder. To me, that was an indication that the front office agrees with you. They also believe they should be in the acquiring young talent phase. We can argue all day about the how relatively successful we think the specific details of their recent approach has been, but I was pleasantly surprised by how intelligent the macro view of their strategy was, and feel a strong urge to give them healthy credit for that. 

I don't think they've done much wrong since drafting Luka, really. Hindsight will always offer up good second guesses of major decisions, but I firmly believe their goals and method have been in line with reality. Like @"Kammrath" said the other day, the margin of improvement from where the team ended last season to "true contender" status is the most difficult growth to achieve, by far (once you have a Luka in place).