2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[BasketballJones41]

So here's a roster problem that I don't see many people discussing:

The Mavs currently have 4 playable, useful bigs on their roster - KP, Kleber, Powell and WCS. Lately, when wins have been so needed that nothing else matters, Carlisle has shortened his rotation to 8, basically. I do not believe he WANTS to do this. I think he WANTS to play all 4 of those bigs, but can't. 

1) I'm a believer in what @"DanSchwartzgan" was selling all off-season, about how the KP/Powell pairing was a dream on offense, but I think it's pretty clear at this point, based on Carlisle's choices and more than a few comments from KP, himself, that HE prefers NOT to be just a spacer. HE wants to set screens, play off of Luka, etc. 

2) So, that means that while Porzingis CAN be paired with Powell and WCS for stretches, it's not what the team (or at least KP) believes is in in their best interest, offensively. I think we can say this definitively, regardless of what the numbers tell us. I know some will disagree, but I think KP prefers for Kleber to stand in the corner, creating space for HIM to do his thing, as opposed to KP having to stand in the corner to allow Powell to do his thing, which is the way the team played for about the first 2/3 of last season. 

3) That means that KP, who is a MAX CONTRACT player around whom the team is being built, and who is very likely to start and end most games, believes that the team should play in such a way that the 4, whoever it is, needs to be a shooter. Hence, Kleber starting and Carlisle STILL playing stretches where KP is the only big out there, despite @"Kammrath"'s constant reminders that he probably doesn't like doing that. Recently, Carlisle has even opted to play Powell as the only big for stretches, I assume to free up Kleber to stay on the court with KP. I think they are jumping through hoops right now to make KP work, and it's not going well. 

4) Powell and WCS absolutely cannot play together on offense. It's a total nonstarter, imo, and not even worth trying to make work. 

So, it seems clear to me that either KP is going to need to be told "go stand in the corner and be quiet while we run pick and roll with Luka/Powell or Luka/WCS" or the Mavs are going to need another 4 who can shoot. That's the only way to make it through an entire game with KP playing the role he wants to play, without giving some time to the KP/DFS/Luka front court that most people here hate so much. 

I, personally, think Collins is the ideal solution, as it allows Kleber to come off of the bench for EITHER Porzingis OR Collins, and then stay on the court, fitting PERFECTLY with either Powell or WCS (whichever Carlisle likes better). But, he's not the only solution out there. I think Gallo would help quite a bit, for example, so there's merit in what @"StepBackJay" has been saying lately. 

My question for the board: Who else would solve this problem, allowing the Mavs to play four bigs in their 9-man rotation, and which of them are actually attainable?

I agree with everything you said above. For all of those reasons John Collins would be an ideal fit here. If not him I think the obvious answer is Markkanen. He’s also a restricted free agent this year and will likely cost less than Collins. He’ll probably also be a little easier to get. Another name that stands out to me is Zach Collins from Portland. Right off the bat his injury history concerns me especially when we’ve already got Porzingis. But when healthy he seems like a younger version of Maxi with more upside. So those would be the three dudes I’d be looking at the trade deadline or this off-season.