MAVS 132, BLAZERS 117

[Mavs2021]

I'm not sure that having multiple bad contracts that need to be dumped (Maxi does not belong on this list) is a great argument for signing Brunson to 17.  The right answer might be to let all of them go (eventually).  

Lets say you can get Brunson/agent to agree to end of season contract prior to TDL (I am skeptical), then the question is do you want Brunson as sixth man at 17, or whatever you can get in a trade?  What if you can get Mavs 23 pick for him?  Which would you rather have?

I´d keep Brunson at $17M. I´d say that is market value for a player of his quality. Also at age 25 there is still room for improvement. I´m sure if you look at JET´s salary as a percentage of the cap, it´s probably exactly in that price range.

Let the new MBT show me that they don´t suck at drafting/using draft picks as assets, before we give up on a proven commodity like Brunson. Of course it all depends on what Brunson wants. If he does not want to commit, then trade him.

To expand on the Green/Ntilikina conversation. Maybe Green and Ntilikina will get there eventually, but what they are showing is that 3&D is not the answer.  It´s so obvious that THJ/Bullock/Powell are all too one-dimensional to play at the same time, especially if the 4th guy is DFS/Porzingis who are not great creators either. It´s probably easier nowadays to find a guy that can make an open three than a guy that can create for himself and others.

All due respect to Brown and Powell, you probably see every game that this position can also be upgraded. Powell has a lot of skills around the basket , but zero physical presence. Brown has all the physical tools, but not the skills. Jarrett Allen would have been perfect for this. Mo Bamba should be a target and so should Mark Williams in the draft. Imagine you pay WCS/Powell/Boban/Brown $20M. Pretty sure you can get Mo Bamba and mark Williams for that money for the next four years.