2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[StepBackJay]

That would be a terribly disappointing off season.  This is our last year where we have any room to maneuver and we don't improve the starting lineup at all?

I'm not sure why we would be penciling in Powell as a starter?  He rarely started all year and got hardly any minutes in the playoff series.  That does not scream starter to me.  The 4 spot is definitely our biggest weakness right now.

This team has no chance to contend until we add some legit starters that can play quality defense.  We tried last year and failed with JRich, but it is still the highest priority from a long-term standpoint.

If KP gets back to his prior levels of defense, you don't have to have another big at the 4.  I think you could add another wing to the starting lineup and DFS and Luka could share 4 duties.  Something like KP/DFS/Luka/Ball/THJ would probably work.

If KP's mobility is going to be what it was this year, then he has to go, even if its for air.  There is no chance you can have a starting lineup including the version of KP with Luka and THJ that could possibly be good enough defensively.  I am leaning towards needing to go this route regardless in the long term.  Get a true defensive anchor at the 5 (sign Holmes or trade for Turner or Adams) to go with Luka/DFS/THJ and work with that.

So it would be nice if there was a silver bullet like just signing Kawhi but there isn't. I think you need to improve the roster. I am penciling in Powell bc I actually think he played the best with both KP and Luka. I feel like when Maxi was out there the offense didn't look as good because Luka didn't have his roll man which has played with pretty much his entire career.

Plan A for the Mavs (imo) is to upgrade Powell to Collins. If there's no Collins then I think finding a Powell upgrade gets harder. Certainly KP is on the trade block. I wouldn't rule out a Turner trade or something like that. I just think with KP's stock being so low he might be around a little while longer. In the meantime I feel like Lauri on a discount deal would be a talent upgrade with some upside. Enough so that I feel like Mavs would prioritize him over some other targets.