02-14-2021, 12:16 PM
(02-14-2021, 10:57 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I don't think Richardson is a bust here yet, but I do think he's still getting the "honeymoon" benefit of the doubt around here, as if the trade just went through and we don't have actual play in a Mavs uniform to evaluate yet. I think he has been better the last couple of games, particularly on offense, where he has forced less and let the flow of the game come to him more. But for much of the season he has been underwhelming. And, he's a GOOD defender sometimes, for sure. But, he isn't a GREAT defender, imo, or hasn't been that here, so far. I've seen him make some nice plays on that end, but he gets blown by just like everyone else. He's not prime Ariza, Green, Allen, etc.
While I don't hope he's gone soon or anything, I don't have Richardson written into the future here in ink yet, and I sure hope the Mavs don't, either. If he has trade value, I see no reason he can't be included in a deal to improve the team. I, too, think Brunson might be the better player, long term.
I like Richardson, I do wonder if the Mavs made the right move now all things considered. And I was on the Rich for Curry bandwagon pretty early last offseason. I like Rich as a 3D glue player but I think at best he is like the 4th or 5th option on offense and his defense hasn't quite been amazing yet. My worry is that his price tag is going to get pretty high even if he doesn't have a great season just bc you have too many teams with space and not enough FA's.
While I am willing to ride it out this year to see how he does I am also open to the right trade that makes sense. For example if you could get Kyle Lowry for J Rich and JJ I would do that deal. You wouldn't have to have an extension in place bc you are giving up an expiring player. Both teams would be swapping for guys that they believe are better fits with the belief that they can resign them in the offseason.
Lineup would be Luka, Lowry, DFS, Maxi, KP with key reserves being Brunson, THJ and WCS.