2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[StepBackJay]

Why?

I already posed this question in the KP thread but what does Marcus Smart do better/differently than Josh Richardson? I understand he's has a much higher ceiling as a defender than Richardson, but defense isn't the reason Richardson flamed out here. 

Same with Delon Wright. Mavs need a guard that can space the floor. Marcus Smart's career splits are 37.6/32.0/77.7. That is horrid shooting.

So first Smart is an actual elite defender. He is a 2-time all NBA defender. J Rich and Delon Wright are guys that have reputations as good defenders but are basically not much better than above average, plus defenders. I do think both of those players are better in more aggressive schemes whereas Mavs have been playing a more conservative drop coverage in recent years.

Smart is elite enough to work in any scheme and even more so if Mavs move into more of a switching scheme which I expect them to do once KP is out the door. Having such a large guard in Doncic enables them to do more switching. Smart is perfect for defending the point of attack, especially smaller guards who give Mavs trouble. That being said he is a multi-positional defender. To me the plan would be to also get a bigger wing to help defender bigger players like Kawhi, especially given Maxi's decline.

Marcus Smart on offense is going to be similar to J Rich. He will do some chucking but I think his toughness is very much needed. The Mavs are pillow soft right now.

I think trading for Smart is one of two dozen ideas Mavs need to chase down but his fit would be excellent here.