Should we give Donnie credit?

[Mavsfan12]

I disagree with your initial premise.  It is a good GM who is able to pivot when Plan A or B don't pan out and sometimes that means picking up assets that you can LATER do something with.

It is a great GM that can execute plan A. It is a good GM that can execute plan B. It is an OK GM that can pivot when most all else falls through and do what Donnie has done for so long in FA. 


Sleepinghero deleted his post, but what he said is extremely true. Donnie is a great-to-best talent scout in the business. That does not make him a good GM, it makes him one of the best talent finders in the league. (Edit) Even when he knows a guy is gonna be really good, he doesn’t even have the negotiating skill to convince the guy who hired him to take that player.

I also firmly disagree with this statement.  The NBA has a few GM's that I would like to re-introduce you to:

Raptors GM Masai Ujiri.  Plan A this summer, resign Leonard.  Result: did NOT resign Leonard despite having just won a ring with player and holding his bird rights and ability to pay more than ANY OTHER TEAM...  basically, every possible advantage and team separate of location/roster could possess.  Conclusion: did not make Ujiri less than a great GM... Widely considered one of the best in the biz.

Spurs GM RC Buford.  Plan A Insert starter and solid role players here.  Result: Got left at alter by morris, signed Carroll, lyles, and resigned Gay. Just a devestating offseason that will likely result in Spurs missing playoffs for the first time in 2 decades.  Conclusion: I don't think that Buford has any job security issues.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.  Plan A Big splash move to get running mate for Lebron, fill out roster with shooters and value role players.  Result: traded for Davis, signs Danny Green and Cousins.  Signs value contracts with 2 shot blocking centers and borderline hall of fame pg.  Conclusion:  Pelinka is still regarded as a douche that no one likes or will do business with unless absolutely necessary.  Widely considered one of the worst GM's in the game.  
 
I could keep going.  Context matters.  Just because a GM doesn't get a particular player that they target, it DOES NOT equate to that GM being any more/less skilled than the guy who gets the player.  Markets matter, existing players/coaches matters, past success in the playoffs matters, future outlook, etc...  If what you said was accurate, you would have to rate almost every GM less than good EVERY year, scarcity of resources being what they are.  You can be disappointed that you live in Dallas and not LA, but that is not Donnie's fault.  He does an amazing job with what he has to work with.  Dallas does not have the skins on the wall to just snap and have people come running.  Until this season, they haven't had a bonafide all-star to build around in years.  Aging Dirk was simply not enough to entice the AAU crowd even when we had max caproom.  Dallas is a town that needs "the process" to rebuild vs clear the decks and watch the players flock. just the facts.