(05-15-2023, 08:01 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: Easier said than done. Other teams need defenders too, and they aren't going to give them up for the Mavs poo-poo platter of assets they have.  Mavs are in a touch position to re-tool their roster.

(05-15-2023, 07:13 AM)omahen Wrote: I think neither Vuc nor Toppin suit to what Dallas needs. I would be disappointed a lot if this would be the result of the offseason. Mavs need to get excellent defenders next to Luka and Irving.

(05-15-2023, 09:04 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I'm a bigger Toppin fan than you probably (plus a NY deal is never going to happen, so probably not worth debating anyway).  But center is just a problem.  They tend to fall into one of three categories:

1.  Available, but not what we want/need

2.  Available, but not worth the potential asking price

3.  Unavailable

Add to the complexity the prevailing wisdom that you don't pay centers (so you certainly don't pay assets to overpay the player).  Then you have the style of play requirements as very few switchable centers can rebound and shut down the paint (and if they do they are in category 3).  

Who is left?

(05-15-2023, 06:42 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Can you double S&T Wood for Vuc?  Wood joins Ayton and Williams in their big rotation.  Vuc isn't the ideal defensive center by any stretch of the imagination, but we're not exactly flush with options.  Maybe McGee is outgoing in that deal with Wood to make the salaries work.  BTW, it wouldn't shock me if they targeted Vuc even without the hypothetical we are discussing.  

Vuc and Toppin weren't designed to be your big moves, but they slot in as starters moving Powell/Sims and Maxi/Morris to the backups at the 4 and 5.  I think you are also set with scoring guards with Luka, Kyrie and Hardy.  Your big move is on the wing.  Green is the only sure thing and you'd presumably keep one of THJ or Bullock with the other one and your two future picks going out for the wing stud you are targeting.

(05-15-2023, 09:17 AM)omahen Wrote: I think Toppins potential is mostly on offensive side. I may be wrong, but if I remember correctly, defense was his weakness coming into draft. 

As for center. I like Vuc as a player, I think he can do a lot of things very well. But, I think Vuc is just the opposite of what Mavs need at center. Having him next to Luka and Kyrie will lead to disastrous defense. Besides that, I think he will be paid at least Nurkic level money. Based on this, every dollar coming his way is a wasted dollar on the center position imho. 

Since Mavs chose to be in the win now mode, I think the only way to success is to navigate within the "Available, and what we need" bunch successfuly. Overpaying is the least concerning thing to me, because I am affraid Mavs situation is pretty much black and white. They either succeed (build a contender now) and everything is fine or they fail (at building a contender now) and likely start rebuild sooner than later. I think Mavs moves will all look like an overpay. The question for me is, are they capable of bringing in two quality starters that fit next to Luka and Kyrie, while hopefully retaining Green and Hardy. If they can do that, this team could be good, no matter what else is left there. If not, well, the mistakes of many years are just too big to overcome.

(05-15-2023, 11:07 AM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: Vuc kind of sucks guys.  Sims though is someone I've been pumping on these boards for a while.  He could easily be a Robert Williams level center in this league if given a chance.  Has all the tools.

(05-15-2023, 11:50 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: I don’t advocate for Vuc, but if he is our starting C next year, it’s still better than Powell starting for us.

(05-15-2023, 11:15 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: So, Toppin is at worst a neutral defender. Looking at his DFG% he’s decent at 6 ft and under and doesn’t let 3’s get out of hand. Overall, he has a -1% DFG% which isn’t world beater, but it isn’t bad either. That was this season. Last season when he was getting a lot more playing time he was a ton better. Overall -4.4% DFG% (more negative the better).

Regardless of what the knock on him was coming out of the draft, I think he’s fine, again, not great, as a defender.

(05-15-2023, 01:01 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: I agree with that, I just REALLY hope we are focusing are addressing our frontcourt needs as opposed to simply upgrading talent.  We need defense and rebounding and Vuc isn't overly spectacular at either of those.  I actually believe if Vuc and Sims were on the roster that Sims would complement the rest of the starters much better.

(05-15-2023, 01:47 PM)omahen Wrote: All that numbers came mostly against bench units. In Dallas you would want him to guard LeBrons and Durants on a daily basis. I think Mavs need great or at least above average defenders, to be contenders.

(05-15-2023, 02:37 PM)cow Wrote: So many coaching upgrades out there and Cuban is going to dig his heels in with Kidd.

(05-21-2023, 12:25 AM)Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo Wrote: As much as I like Kyrie's play (and attitude) so far in Dallas, I'm just waiting for some issue to pop up out of nowhere.
This is what Kyrie does.
Of course I wouldn't want him to walk for nothing.. so yes...
Sign and Trade (IMHo) is the way.
Reaves + Vanderbilt + whoever 
I don't even care if the Mavs don't get a pick as long as Reaves and Vanderbilt are included.

(05-21-2023, 03:24 AM)Mavs2021 Wrote: Davis 47
LeBron 40
Kyrie 40 (assuming he´d sacrifice a little money)
Reaves 20
Hachimura 15
Vanderbilt 5

That´s basically what the Lakers would want out of this.

Lakers want to send Russell + Bamba + Beasley + future 1st to the Mavs.

Mavs want Kyrie + McGee for Russell + Hachimura + Vanderbilt + future 1st.

Settle at Kyrie + McGee for Russell + Bamba + Vanderbilt + future 1st.

Ideally you make it a three-way trade and send Russell to another team. Would Orlando be interested for Isaac + Harris?

That would mean you pulled off a Kyrie trade for four expiring contracts, got rid of McGee and added a future 1st.

Maybe you can get Vucevic in a S&T or for the MLE if his market is real bad.

A lot would ride on the health of Isaac, Kleber and Bamba, but on paper it´s at least deep and you can easily generate $50M+ in capspace next summer.

Would not be the worst deal in the world, if you are committed to push forward with a younger roster.