2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[Mapka]

Yeah, I think the Mavs stayed in the same place as always.

Personally, I figure the Mavs will never be very good at negotiating as long as Cuban wants to put himself front and center in the negotiating process. He thinks he's a great deal-maker and he thinks he knows how to attract deals; but he just doesn't have the people skills to understand the sales dance, and how to navigate it. For example, if he had ANY feel, he'd know the decision-maker NEVER can be up front, and his team would NEVER let the other side go around the front man to get his bottom line. But he doesn't get it -- and he has talked to media about how hard it is to do deals, because the other side always has to ask someone for permission, then they come back and ask for a bit more - never understanding that that's how the expert sales game is played.

Anyone who watches Shark Tank with any regularity sees his ability to land deals comes from having the deepest pockets where he can money whip any deal and overpay. Not from skilled negotiating. Just like how the Mavs have been operating, interestingly (and not surprisingly) - when the Mavs overpay they get the deal. Otherwise, not so much.

People aren't doubting DDR can score, he can. But there are two major issues which would be amplified with the Mavs:


1. What happens during the 90% of the time when Luka has the ball? If DDR is standing on the perimeter his man will ignore him and come double Luka. If DDR goes inside then he'll be crowding the lane if Luka tries to drive. You can't compare him to Booker or CP3 because even though they're good mid-range shooters, they can ALSO hit threes.

2. DDR is one of the worst defenders in the league. He would compound our already serious issues on that end, we'd be playing 2 guys who can't guard anyone on the perimeter, and Luka isn't great there either.

There are better options who are better fits out there.

I can see Conley or Lowry. And I can see Dinwiddie as a fourth best option.

Who else would you want?