08-22-2023, 01:00 PM
(08-21-2023, 09:41 PM)surfpuckmd Wrote: I didn't compare the players- I compared the situation. Both Josh Green and Jalen Brunson are players the Mavericks drafted and developed. We don't have a great history of drafting and developing players so both are remarkable. Brunson and Green both improved dramatically while with the Mavericks. Both seem like high-character players. Successful NBA teams retain these kinds of players. The Mavericks failed to retain Jalen Brunson due to some bad decisions. I think not extending or retaining Josh Green would also be a bad decision. I don't think it would be as bad as losing Brunson, however.
I do think Mark Cuban should feel pressured to spend money to improve this team. I think after losing Jalen Brunson, he should feel extra pressure. I don't believe extending Josh Green would excuse him letting Brunson walk. I feel like he owes Luka, Kyrie and the fans the most competitive team he can assemble. That will entail paying the luxury tax from now on until Luka is no longer a Maverick. In most professions, you can survive a mistake as long as you acknowledge it and learn from it. If you make a similar mistake a year later, criticism will be much louder.
Basically, I agree with you. I think we believe the same things on this topic.
I'm on board with this perspective. I'll add that I hope the MBT has learned their lesson on asset preservation. The original Brunson contract didn't allow for any FA restrictions, so there was no method to allow a match once the contract expired. Green is under more control (I think).
To me the big lesson from Brunson is to not be afraid to pay for talent, even if the player isn't in your long term plans. And if your staff can't evaluate the talent to support that decision, then maybe you need a new staff.
Imagine if they'd paid JB and he was now wanting his own team. Butt-load of assets would be coming back DAL's way. So in reality, it was kind of a double-whammy on the team building effort.