2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[omahen]

I think that's one of the big questions here.  Patient or Proactive?  

If simply patient, the criticism will be "hell, Donnie could have sat on his hands.  In fact, he was good at it.  Why did we bring the Nike recruiter here again?".  I can also see Cuban wanting to make a big splash to show the issue with all of the toxicity was the guys who left, and it is fixed now.

IF you go with Team Patient, do you spend big money on guys like DeRozan, Conley and Lowry?  Or, take a shot at some younger guys who could surprise to the upside and provide trade value in a year or two?

In my opinion it is obvious Mavs are not Team Patient. I expect them at least try aggresive moves with the probably result being quite shortsighted one. It is possible though that they just fail and to the outsiders it would look like Mavs are Team Patient. I guess that was what happened to Donnie. He tried making moves but failed and Mavs tried to save face by claiming "we love our boys". I think it is obvious value of our assets is very low due to both low number of available assets and low quality of what we have. Few picks, no high upside young players, even no surefire starters for contenders. I wonder how can Mavs try to spin it if they fail at making moves again. Forgetting some dream come true Dame trades and similar A+ offseasons and some great KP trades, best case Mavs are able to do is add two quality starters this offseason that would fit well on team. Meh offseason is adding a meh star like DeRozan for most of cap space leaving limited possibility to cover some other of the many holes. I am affraid this will be most likely scenario.

My Team Patient approach with Luka would be in trying to build a flexible situation to be full time contender ready in 2024 while trying to gradualy improve results while Luka is gathering experience. Our assets are low but we are likely only two years removed before having full set of picks available. In the meantime we will have 2022 FRP to use to improve the squad. Below are my steps for contender building using following assumptions:
- assuming star doesn't demand a trade to Dallas
- assuming KP-Luka relationship is not broken beyond repair
- assuming KP can't be traded due to low value and new coach sees how to make it work (I actually think this is what Mavs want)

Steps in 2021:
1. Sign best player available into cap space. My list of BPA starting with best: Collins, Lowry, Conley, DeRozan, Ball. Collins and Ball on 4 year deals, the elderly citizens on three year deals.
2. Trade Brunson and Powell for a starter quality player (or cap space that allows us to bring that player). I don't think there is a valuable role for Brunson long term. I don't see him as a starter, he is too good to be just a back up behind Luka. I think his role can be more easily replaced than getting the starter with limited resources available. His value is high right now. Powell contract I think was a mistake and again I think we can get his level of production far more easily than a starter. If player under 1 is Collins you bring in a guard, if player under 1 is not Collins, you bring in PF. Possibilities are way to broad with way too many unknowns to narrow down on a specific target. If player under 1 is young, this should be experienced guy.
3. Establish which of these year rookies are long term keepers and create a role and minutes on the team for them. Green 4th guard, Terry third PG, Bey third PF, Hinton 5th guard/wing. This means back ups are brought in accordingly, so that youngsters I decide to keep get regular minutes (Green) or at least nice set of minutes in specific games (Terry, Bey, Hinton). Than it is up to them to show what they got.
4. Don't waste any assets, even if JRich opts in. If he does, number 2 can be modified with him in the picture. I wouldn't be affraid to run it back with JRich after a healthy offseason. Players under 1 should be obtainable with THJ+WCS cap space (perhaps with some minor salary dump like Burke or something similar).
5. Extend DFS
6. Sign bench wing shooter for rMLE and deep bench for BaE.

Step in 2022:
1. Use pick to upgrade rotation quality or draft someone if you really like him (but give him minutes)
2. Decide about Maxi - he will be 31. Give him a year or two more, trade him, whatever. Minor issue.

Step in 2023: 
1. If everything goes according to the plan the pick will be conveyed to NY so immediately after draft the realistic star hunting begins. If number 1 in 2021 was an elderly statement Mavs have his, KP and likely some smaller salaries expiring. If guy was Collins and Ball, we have a player entering his prime with only one year left. All tradeable deals assuming Collins or Ball at least stay on current level. From draft to TDL Mavs can aggresively hunt a trade for disgruntled star. 
2. Full time tampering (starting even earlier) for star(s) FA 2024 - we can have space for two of them. This time do it right
3. If 1 and 2 fail, resign the team and wait for opportunity with full arsenal of assets ready. 

I think this approach will lead to better team in the short term and realistic contender in 2024. Of course if opportunity occurs I jump and take it. 

Team Impatient is wasting assets to dump players on pennies on the dollar or trading for marginally better players.