MAVS 90, GRIZZLIES 97

[Chicagojk]

On the bright side, I'd take Luka + KP over Morant + Brooks ... but if I'm being honest, the margin isn't huge.

I think the main issue is Memphis considers Jaren Jackson their second star.  Like KP, Jackson has similar injuries issues.  I would take Luka and KP over Morant and Jackson.   The problem is Memphis has Brooks, Bane, and for now Adams.  Both Brooks and Bane would be our third best player, I think.   Then they are filled with really nice glue guys Jones, Kyle Anderson, Tillman, Melton, Clarke (although he hasn't really been that great recently).   The Mavs have similar type of players but we are asking a few of them to play a higher level of importance than they should.   



Memphis is also playing the long game.   Jonas was really good for them.  But looking forward they didn't know if the fit was perfect and they were worried about his salary demands coming up.  So they took on Steven Adams (who I think was a downgrade but got some cost certainty for this year and next) and then picked up a young draft pick.   We will see if this moves works out but they are being disciplined as they continue to build their team. 

It is the same thing we have said for years.  We have a star and we have a really nice group of role players.  What we are missing is a third and fourth best player (Second if KP can't be counted on).