John Collins...Our Third Star

[vfromlmf]

1.  Doesn't marginalize Brunson by adding another guard
2.  Provides an important role for Green (Defensive) by not adding another guard
3.  Is a significant upgrade from Maxi who can play next to KP or next to Powell/WCS because of his diverse skills
4.  Allows KP to play his preferred C position and still keep a second big on the floor
5.  Keeps a 20 a night big on the floor on nights KP sits
6.  Is a significant FA win and fulfills Donnie's prediction that outside shooting wings and PF's will want to play with Luka
7.  Lands what is arguably a third star

Revisiting this post-playoffs. 

1. Brunson was marginalized because Luka is going to play 40+ MIN in the playoffs as the lead ball handler. Brunson might see more minutes against a team with a more favorable matchup but he won't get big playoff minutes against big switching teams like the Clippers.

2. Green needs to be a 20 MIN contributor next year and at least see the court in a playoff rotation but I don't think you make free agency decisions around a kid who didn't even play as a rookie.

3. Collins is an upgrade to Maxi on offense but Maxi is a more versatile defender. But what strikes me most about watching the Hawks vs Sixers, is Collins occupies the exact role Carlisle envisioned for KP vs the Clippers. Neither player is a primary initiator or playmaker, neither is the primary screener, and neither player anchors the defense. This would seem to make them redundant. Or you're going to have to ask one of them to change their game.

4. KP can play center against some teams, but clearly not all teams. And I certainly don't think Collins and KP will be any better defensively than Kleber and KP.

5. Valid point but in the modern NBA KP and Collins are both finishers who will get their points off Luka or the occasional offensive rebound. I don't think either player is a guy you want to run a modern offense through.

6. ok ... ?

7. Eh, I don't think so. Collins is a very good, efficient player who arguably does what the Mavs want KP to do, (only he does it better than KP does). He'll get you 20 in the playoffs and find ways to impact the game. But I just think the real stars in today's NBA are guys you can throw it to, and they'll get you a bucket or an open three for a teammate. I just don't see Collins as that guy. I think Collins is an ELITE third guy who will put up efficient numbers.

Most importantly, it's clear from these playoffs the Mavs don't need another guy who will stand in the corner looking for threes or get a few garbage buckets off of offensive rebounds. The Mavs need serious interior defensive help and they need a dynamic secondary creator. Unfortunately, Collins offers neither.