03-01-2022, 03:40 PM
(12-15-2021, 10:49 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: Yeah, the Carlisle stuff was mostly rehashed stuff. I found the Dennis Smith stuff interesting though.
How could anyone have any trust on a Cuban led franchise now? Things seemed so dysfunctional for years there. For me, it starts and ends with Cuban. Whatever he has been doing since 2011 outside of one draft night has been pretty much a clown show.
https://twitter.com/Dennis1SmithJr/statu...1826226180
(03-01-2022, 03:16 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I only differ from your thoughts in one place.
First, I think the Mavs should keep both Bullock and DFS. I understand you're trying to consolidate contracts and upgrade performance in other areas, and I agree with you that should be the goal, but Bullock and DFS are good role players for their position and contracts.
Bullock's contract has him ranked 54th highest paid for forwards (Bertans by the way ranks 37th). Right in line with guys like Jae Crowder and Robert Covington. That's the going rate for 3 and D specialists and the Mavs have desperately needed them for a while so we shouldn't be so eager to forego one to upgrade another position. Especially since Bullock+DFS have had excellent net ratings and play positions of need.
If we are going to consolidate contracts, getting rid of bloat is the first priority. Like you identified: Burke, Brown, and THJ all have to go. Which is about 27 mil right there. Powell needs his salary either greatly reduced to 2-5 mil or be shipped out. That's another 6-8 mil. That accounts for ~34-38 mil that the Mavs need to get rid of and should be split among the starting C, PF, and 7th man.
When it comes to the 2 guard/6th man debate with JB and SD, I think the Mavs have already cemented those roles with JB getting the nod and SD being the 6th man. At 18 mil, SD is bit overpaid for a 6th man but if he brings 13ppg along with defense and passing it's solid enough.
Maxi has to be extended at the most for 18mil for 2 years. That's what Serge Ibaka got 2 years ago when he was 31. That's what Maxi is worth. If he wants any more then he needs to be traded this offseason.
Starter 1: Luka
Starter 2: JB
Starting 3: DFS
Starting 4: ----
Starting 5:----
6th man: SD
7th man (2nd forward): Bullock
8th man(2nd 4): Maxi...? Bertans...? One too limited offensively, the other too limited defensively (and supremely overpaid)
9th man (2nd 5): Powell...? (overpaid at 11mil)
10-15: Burke, Brown, Chriss, Frank, Green, Bobi (with Burke and Brown needing to be replaced with vet min guys)
Some trade thoughts:
You mentioned Holmes for THJ, a framework thrown out by Dan earlier this week. It's one of my favorite ideas. It makes the most sense for both teams and falls right in budget for the 5.
For the starting 4, everyone here wants/dreams John Collins. But ATL wants defensive wings. Are we willing to give away DFS? Bullock? I'm more inclined for the latter than the former. It becomes less appetizing when we take a step back and realize we need to throw in Maxi along with picks as well. Expensive. It's tough to try and find a 4 because we basically need a combination of Maxi and Bertans in 1 guy. That's a superstar.
To me there are tiers of guys that are available this summer:
Tier 1 (will never be traded): Luka, Boban.
Tier 2 (we're listening, but it has to be a really good offer): Brunson, DFS.
Tier 3 (They can be had but it won't be a bargain): Maxi, Bullock
Tier 4 (We got to pay to get rid of these guys so it's probably better to just keep them): SD, Powell, Bertans
Tier 5 (We don't need these guys, please get rid of them for us): THJ, Burke, Brown
Tier 6 (The afterthoughts): Frank, Green, Chriss,
I am not really with you on the thinking about the Tiers. I think Mavs need to focus on what they need, where we agree. I don't think Mavs need to get rid of THJ, Burke, Brown. They need to upgrade them. However, if it takes Maxi and Bullock instead of THJ to get what we need, we can still make it work with THJ. Of course I have no idea how Mavs really negotiate, but so far we have only listened to reports like "they were offering THJ to everyone". I think the focus needs to be - we want "insert your favorite player name here". What would it take to get him? Both players we need should be far better than Maxi or our other role players, so it shouldn't be a problem to include any of them in the deal.
THJ for Holmes is a nice idea, but I am not so sure about Sacramento seeing it as equal. There are 29 other teams who see how obviously available Holmes is and there will certainly be competition for his services as he is a proven player on great contract. I don't think his post Sabonis games will have much impact on his evaluation. THJ had a bad season and even if he returns, he will likely get small chance to prove he is better. It might actually be better to sit him for the remainder of the season. I think Sacramento could see Bullock as a better option than THJ and I would still do it.
As for Collins. I doubt Atlanta is interested in role players. They have plenty of their own and they are arguably better than ours. I think they are looking for a star. They are also looking to win now, so the picks are of little interest to them. Could we snatch Collins in a three team deal with a team that would not be looking for win now players but picks and stuff? Unfortunatelly, Collins is young and on a long term contract, so even a rebuilding team could see him as one of core building blocks for the future.