2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[mvossman]

Questions:

Which RFA would you aggressively go after this summer?  John Collins or Lonzo Ball

Which current player would you try to resign?  J-Rich or THJ

I would pick Collins and THJ.  

I think the Mavs believe Josh Green could eventually fill in the role of J-Rich...a defender and a 3 point shooter.  THJ could continue serving his role as a bench scorer (along with Brunson).  When KP needs to rest on a 2nd night of a back-to back...you would have Collins and Kleber being your PF and C respectively.

Starting lineup:

Luka
Green
DFS
Collins
KP

Bench:

Brunson
Burke
THJ
Melli
Kleber

Green would be the 5th option as our starter.  His job this summer is to shoot 500 3s a day and work on his shooting.  I think he has shown flashes of being a good defender.  He has a long way to go but the potential is there.
Still have the MLE to get another player.  Of course, we could trade for Collins and be an over-the-cap team and resign both THJ and J-Rich.  Cuban would have to pay luxury tax in that scenario.

My immediate answer would be neither.  If you are talking about making an offer sheet, that has a real potential for disaster.  Collins will almost certainly get matched and Ball would be a significant danger as well.  Given all the colluding that happens, most guys are off the board after the first couple of days.  There would be a good chance the Mavs would be left with scraps (see two years ago).

If we are going to trade for these guys, It will require significant assets.  Collins will probably require at least Maxi.  Assuming you do that trade under the cap, you are potentially giving up Maxi+THJ+JRich+MLE for Collins who has a questionable fit with KP.  I don't see the sign and trade scenario for Ball with JRich.  Not sure why JRich would want to do it and there too many moving parts in general.  You would most likely have to give up Brunson to get Ball.  Who wants to do that?

Also, I think it is way too early to pencil Green in the starting lineup.  There is a good chance he never reaches starter level, and it is particularly unlikely he does by next year.  First step is to become a rotational piece, and he has to be able to hit a 3 to even get to that level.