12-27-2023, 03:19 PM
(12-27-2023, 01:57 PM)loki Wrote: Maxi coming back healthy and playing like he did a few years ago would be the simplest solution, but that feels like wishful thinking at this point. He only played 37 games last season and now he's broken down again. Hopefully they get him back on the floor in time to re-evaluate before the trade deadline.
I'm not nearly as worried about the backup center being switchable. You have to get to the playoffs first, and if the Mavs are dropping winnable games due to the Powell/Holmes minutes, it could have a huge impact on their playoff seeing. It might even bump them to a play-in team if they aren't careful. Sure, it would be great if you have a backup you knew could hang in the postseason, but if Lively can't do that as well I feel like they're screwed either way. The matchup matters as well. Imagine they end up playing the Wolves without a legit backup because they were worried about smallball. That could get ugly.
Of course, it all depends on the assets and cap flexibility they have to give up to obtain this proposed backup. I was on the Gafford train all offseason, but with the recent discussions of re-signing DJJ I'm not sure they can afford someone that expensive. Guys like Richards and Goga seem to be more in line with what they could pay. I'd happily give up Powell+2nds or even Hardy for someone like that. That type of deal doesn't rule out the Kleber-dream either.
Nah. You are not giving up Hardy, because you chose to sign Powell, but not Goga or Bamba. That would be just doubling down on your own gross negligence again. And yes I call it that. Nobody could have seen Lively coming and this team is 1-5 without him. We´d have headed straight for the lottery
What if Hardy is a Reggie Bullock and doesn´t get going until January? What if it´s just a sophomore slump. That´s just as likely as last season´s shooting being a fluke.