Accurately Assessing the Mavs Recent Personnel Changes

[DanSchwartzgan]

This is so true. For me, it points to a different conversation, completely. The Mavs were so, so lucky to have gotten that season out of DJJ.  

Without any of those pieces of luck, with DJJ being probably the most surprising, we've got a very different vibe around here this summer.  

I think there is yet another conversation that needs to be had.  These are replacement level players.  One WCF appearance it is DFS/Bullock.  Another it is PJW/DJJ.  I think there is a reason we hear rumors about 3-4 guys and, at least in the Nico era, end up with one of them.  Then we hear how close we were to getting someone else on the list.  It is because they are largely interchangeable.  We don't ask much of them because we ask so much of our Super-star and our Star (whether it is Brunson or Kyrie).

So, I'm not in on the luck thing as much as I am the interchangeability thing.  I will acknowledge there are degrees of excellence within these roles and tradeoffs in the specific skillsets these 'replacement level players' possess.  But, that is really what we are talking about here...degrees of excellence between Klay/THJ, DJJ/Naji and Grimes/Green.  

To go back to the OP, I think Klay is a clear upgrade over THJ (for less money).  I thin DJJ/Naji are largely a wash.  I think Naji's size and strength/power on D will work better in the playoffs than DJJ's quickness and athleticism.  I also think Naji is the better offensive player.  My question, and time will tell, is Grimes vs. Green.  My suspicion (I hope I'm wrong) is this was lateral or a slight downgrade.  But, as I've said, even if it is a slight downgrade, the extra $8mm in savings was a critical element to everything else and therefore worth it even for a Green fanboy like me.