MAVERICKS 139, PELICANS 107

[omahen]

I feel like the time to trade him has passed.  If we had traded him during or prior to this last offseason, we would have had the flexibility to fill in the holes.  The perfect starting center match for Luka (Holmes) was available for 12 mil a year.  Depending what you traded KP for, you could tackle other holes.  You likely would have enough cap left over to sign DeRozan, who addresses the need for another player who can create for themselves and others.  Then you focus on 3&D guys to fill out the roster.  A Holmes/DFS/DeRozan/Luka core is better than a KP/DFS/Luka/THJ core.

But now?  Our big rotation is already an issue, and removing KP generates a gapping hole.  We don't have another starting quality center.  After Luka extension we have no cap to upgrade in free agency, and we have limited assets for trading.  You would want to get significant value out of a KP trade now or it makes little sense.  I don't see that happening any time soon.

Very much agree. I think Mavs have little option but build around Luka-KP trying to add a third key complimentary piece that would perhaps put all the other pieces, often asked to do too much, in the right role. Use Powell/WCS as matching salary in the trade and replace their roles with vet min guys. I am sure some halfway decent centers will be dumped after TDL.