10-03-2020, 02:25 PM
I have explained my position pretty well - 1) it's crazy not to be concerned about keeping Luka happy - and that involves have a cast around him that can help him win from training camp of '20-'21 onward - in today's NBA, 2) next year, that doesn't necessarily mean a truly contending team, but certainly a much better team, because the team around Luka and KP was extremely talent starved, so I'm not Mr. Gotta-Win-Now, 3) that improvement must include, this offseason, at least one player (two, if THJ is not here next year, which I am in favor of) who is not necessarily the-second-or-third-best-player-on-a-contending-team, but certainly the Mavs' third best player, which I have said over and over and over again is extremely low-hanging fruit, and 4) if you don't do it through the draft, you'd better be ready to do it, efficaciously, through trade (hint: our assets aren't great) or free agency (hint: we only have the MLE).
I am fine with best player available (especially if we can move up a bit and get better player available) regardless of immediate readiness (but if he isn't ready to contribute at 20 mpg by the beginning of '22-'23, can we agree either that his learning curve is way too steep, or that he was a gigantic bust?) as long as the Mavs have another solid plan to get that third guy by other means.
I would make one major exception to BPA. If the BPA can't play defense (i.e. Toppin, Nesmith), then the answer is a flat no, and you move on down your draft board for the selection. Once again, BPA can't play defense, then
https://media.giphy.com/media/O9BPkYr89lK2A/giphy.gif
I am fine with best player available (especially if we can move up a bit and get better player available) regardless of immediate readiness (but if he isn't ready to contribute at 20 mpg by the beginning of '22-'23, can we agree either that his learning curve is way too steep, or that he was a gigantic bust?) as long as the Mavs have another solid plan to get that third guy by other means.
I would make one major exception to BPA. If the BPA can't play defense (i.e. Toppin, Nesmith), then the answer is a flat no, and you move on down your draft board for the selection. Once again, BPA can't play defense, then
https://media.giphy.com/media/O9BPkYr89lK2A/giphy.gif