2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[KillerLeft]

However, my point was never to state it as a fact that Brunson will become an All Star. It was simply that he is on an upward trajectory and has not reached his ceiling.

100% agree there. Lock step. 

You do not trade a young player that is on the upward trend of getting better for a guy that is 10 years older on the decline. That logic does not work in any sport. 

Well, if you start with that premise and mix in a bit of draft capital (going either direction, based on how good the players are) and a bit of cap relief, what you're describing is pretty much what EVERY trade looks like in ANY sport, imo. 

Now, I tend to agree with you about Brunson's value not being accurately gauged by most Mavs fans, and I happen to think they should still be in "acquire YOUNG talent" mode as a team, so you and I are likely to agree about most suggestions for trading Brunson. 

But, we can't MAKE the team build around him as a top 6 player, which is what he needs to be (somewhere) to reach his potential. Maybe their thinking is exactly like yours, and that's the plan (awesome). MAYBE, they think he can be that, but not on a timeline that's acceptable to them, and that both he and the team would be better off going their separate ways. And MAYBE they just don't think he's more than a backup PG, which, on a team whose franchise player is a PG, isn't a role that offers very much room for growth. 

IF (if) the Mavs' opinion is closer to either the 2nd or 3rd scenario, I just hope they get something they DO value for Brunson while they can. That's all. 

My personal (probably equally unpopular) opinion is that Luka/THJ/Brunson are a great guard rotation, and that Burke is fine as the 4th guard, filling in when he has to. Richardson is the guy I don't think fits, and the guy I'd be making calls about, along with Johnson. But, I can't say I'd be shocked if Brunson ends up moving, specifically because HE is one of the things I'd want from this team if I ran another team and was selling a valuable rotation player.

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Not even KP and Brunson for Siakim and Lowry?

Maybe...I don't see a trade THAT huge happening though.