2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[DanSchwartzgan]

I think the main question is, if this group has the potential to contend.  

If no, you basically have two options. First one is you can hope for internal development and play the patient game. The other one is start building a team anew, making everyone not named Luka available. Try to upgrade several positions. 

I don’t see any reason why we would use our limited resources to make any changes to Luka, DFS, JR, JB, THj. 

Its always been about defense and rebounding. It’s the front court that possibly needs help.

JT, I thought your entire post was really good.  We are better than our current standing and numbers indicate (Covid and injuries devastating the roster does matter).  I think Omahen's quote is a false dichotomy.  Clearly there are more nuanced options, though I would agree we are in a bit of a rock and hard spot dilemma as it relates to the options you provide and anything in-between.  Here are some things (and challenges) I think lie between doing nothing and starting from scratch:

ST Band-aid:  JT has posted some good backup PF options.  These would give us a good ninth man to add to the C/PG/Wing that we currently have in spots 6, 7 and 8.  I think of this as the Thaddeus Young option and personally think we need to do this at the very least.  We rely WAY too heavily on Maxi and DFS and an injury to either in the playoffs would be devastating.  James Johnson hasn't proven to be the answer.  Do we "contend" with this addition?  I view us as eventually returning to better than where we peaked last season, so small incremental improvements are valuable.

More than a ST Band-aid at the TDL:  We can all dream about a size-able upgrade at some position (I'll call this the John Collins option...Schwartz...to put a face with a theory).  Unfortunately, it is hard to trade for value when you have no value to give.  We have nothing to offer other than expiring deals.  None of the players we could offer are particularly young nor do they have high ceilings (does anyone seriously think we are trading KP?).  Plus, with 20 teams making the playoffs/play-in now and 26 or so thinking they have a chance (and the lottery odds less beneficial to tanking), there aren't a lot of sellers out there.   I think we are much more likely to see an expiring veteran on the downside of his career than someone on the level of Collins...so back to the ST Band-aid.

Summer:  As I've said for months, we have to give up a ton just to get in the conversation for high level FA's.  If you are going to give up all those guys in the summer for a shot, then you are better off doing it before the TDL and controlling said RFA (or at least having full Bird rights if he's a UFA).  Add the fact that there isn't an obvious home run UFA available and summer home runs don't seem likely.  I'm not saying we won't do anything.  I'm saying it is unlikely to be anywhere near a max level guy in the summer.

I will remind all of a complicating factor that might make Brunson more available than I'd prefer.  As most know, he's UFA in 22 and Dallas has no way of keeping him if he wants to go.  Yes, we can extend Brunson next season, but only up to 120% of the average salary (call it $12mm).  So, if Brunson is satisfied at that level or less, great.  If he sees himsellf as FVV if only given FVV's opportunity, then uh oh.  

I've posted something Eric Pincus wrote about Zach LaVine who is in a similar situation but at bigger dollars (basically renegotiate the 2021 contract and then extend him).  It would take additional research to see if that would work with Brunson.  But even if it does, that will require using some 2021 cap room...not ideal if we are trying to use cap room to add players.  Does Dallas want to deal with all that?  Or, do they let it become someone else's problem by moving Brunson?  I like Brunson and love how he looks with and without Luka this season.  But, when you add in all the financial gymnastics it becomes more of an open question than just my preference to keep him.