03-20-2021, 04:51 PM
(03-20-2021, 04:18 PM)omahen Wrote: KP trade was awesome, I would repeat it 100 times out of 100. As a plus it turned out that THJ contract actually isn't all that bad, he is actually a very solid player. There is no turning back from this point. Mavs have a very solid base of 7 players. I don't believe our picks/rookies and expiring contracts aren't enough to add one piece in the starting lineup. Then add the second piece with MLE. The art of course is to nail those final two pieces of the puzzle.
I think everyone was on board with the KP trade. It is easy to question it now that there are seemingly issues but he was expensive and there are issues. I'm struggling to come up with the solid base of 7 players.
-Luka: exceeding expectations
-KP: below expectations. Has shown flashes. Often looks like he doesn't belong. Fear of injuries in the back of everyone's mind.
-Brunson: exceeding expectations
-Maxi: exceeding expectations, yes he has limitations when trying to dribble the ball and rebound but he's become a dead eye 3PT shooter and is a good, versatile defender.
-THJ: has regressed this year. He used to be a guy that would show up every other game but his trend this year is every 3rd or 4th game. I don't think anyone on the team plays as hard as he does.
-JRich: below expectations. He plays great every third game.
-DFS: at expectations given his contract. He's a good, versatile defender who's 3PT shot has abounded him. Please don't dribble.
-Powell: below expectations. Sets good screens. Our strongest (physically defender). Doesn't give you much else.
-Burke: below expectations. He's had like three good games. Doesn't get consistent minutes.
-WCS: Looks great every 6th or 7th game. Has a lot of JaVale McGee in him. Hands like feet. No strength.
-James Johnson: Did we have expectations? Handles the ball okay. Can play one on one defense against the like of LeBron fairly well.
-Boban: His historic efficiency has regressed. Has 19 DNPs and 10 other games with 5 minutes or less.
-Iwundu: Doesn't play. Has had two or three nice games.
-Rookies: Don't play
Luka, Maxi, Jalen and KP are the foundation and even then, KP has a lot of question marks. DFS gets you to #5 and he's fine as an end of the rotation guy. THJ and JRich could be gone next year and that's probably okay given their consistency issues.
To get to that additional starting piece you are going to cost yourself Jalen or Maxi and a future first and a future first means you owe three again and are yet again handcuffed in regards to flexibility. Donnie and Mark have shown how great they are with free agent recruiting.