08-27-2020, 08:05 PM
(08-27-2020, 04:08 PM)Scott41theMavs Wrote: We will see how good of a team Luka needs around him to win over the next year or two, but I would say the current wish list is as such:
1) One guy to play next to Luka in the starting backcourt who is very good at a) quarterbacking the team in Luka's absence, which includes the ability to create his own shot, b) defending point guards, and c) catching and shooting off the ball at 38% or better from 3, since he's almost always going to be off ball when Luka's on the court. I think Burke might be that guy, but someone like Jrue or Schroeder would obviously be better if we could get him.
2) At least one, and preferably two (especially if the Mavs can't fill out the rotation while keeping THJ on the cheap, which is the solitary circumstance in which he should be on roster at the beginning of 2021-22), starter-level, long, athletic defensive wings, and perhaps an additional bench guy of this type to complement DFS.
3) A big man who can spread the floor, anchor the defense, and rebound who can fill in when KP is injured - it's binarily unacceptable to have future genuine contention runs derailed if KP ever gets injured during the playoffs again.
4) As an acceptable alternative to THJ or a second wing, a bruiser PF who can scrap a little with the Morris's and Harrell's of the world, rebound, defend, and hit an occasional outside shot. In today's NBA, it's probably better to just get a bench player of this type.
So, assuming we can't productively trade KP and have to rely on the feast or famine of his shaky knees moving forward, a future Luka team would look something like:
Luka/Brunson
Dude #1/Curry
Dude #2a/DFS
Dude #2b/Dude #4/Maxi?
KP/Dude #3/Maxi or Bobi
I imagine that Dude #1 is going to be quite expensive if it's someone better than Burke. A perpetually-healthy Brogdon would have been perfect, and look at his price tag. Dude's #2a and #2b (or THJ) are likely to cost about $15 mil each, ditto Dude #3. Dude #4 might be available for the MLE. That's a roster that doesn't get another star because you can't afford another star, but is still going to be a challenge to build. The most probable way to obtain one of those four guys #1-3 is likely by nailing another Josh Howard-type low-pick gem in the draft, or by trading up for the right guy, thus freeing up salary for the others.
For next season specifically:
Finding a way to trade THJ/Brunson/Wright/Jackson/WCS/#18/#31/'25 1st for one long term starter (#1 or #2) would be AWESOME.
Dude #1: Really can't see an available guy that would be a great upgrade over THJ with the assets we have. He sucks at defense and has his moments, but can hit 3's and is already integrated into our offense. My best bet here would be using THJ. Long term, I would draft T. Maxey (#18)/J. Ramsey (#31).
Dude #2 (Don't think we need two of those, that would be a luxury, so I will cut one of them and slip DFS into the SL): Assuming DFS is one of them, the other must be more of a PF physical guy. Looking at the last draft, PJ Washington/Brandon Clarke comes to mind. Unfortunately, I don't think there is such a guy in this upcoming draft. My best bet would be to fit Maxi into that role (I know people hated his series against LAC but they are a cheat code and he was forced to guard the best player in the world, while Luka was hidden on Morris, and it took his shot away). Long term, I would draft T. Bey (#18)/X. Tillman (#31).
Dude #3: It's clear that Powell can't anchor the defense, so I'll slot him in the backup PF position. For this one I have D. Saric (RFA), C. Wood (DET) as good options to fill that role. Long term, I would draft J. Smith (#18)/K. Tillie (#31) for this position.
Dude #4: Really don't think there are minutes for this guy. I would sign a W. Gabriel (POR - RFA) or H. Giles (SAC - UFA) for this spot. Split the MLE with Burke. VetMin for Lee/MKG.
Dude #1 and #2 are impossible to find, that's why I went with THJ/Maxi. Dude #3 and #4 are found with Draft/MLE.
Trying to find trades for Dude #1 and Dude #2 without giving up our core is a difficult task. Guess we should go with the rookies and wait for '21 FA.