(07-09-2022, 02:58 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: On your #2…I agree with your tiers (exactly how I see things) but don’t share your confidence that the options available in your second level will be sufficient. They might be, if one of those young guys claims a spot in the rotation definitively, but I don’t want “8th man by committee.” That’s not flexibility, that’s “we don’t really have an 8th man.” Essentially, they’ve changed Brunson out for Wood (when looking at their playoff rotation players) and added THJ.
1) 8th man by committee isn't ideal...but if the Mavs are forced to take this team into the season there is a chance that FN, JG, or JH could make a leap where you can count on them. And it is possible with a full year in the system that DB could find a real home. I personally think that is a very real possibility.
2) Trading CW for JB is an upgrade to what the Mavs need in the playoffs around Luka. I really came around on JB, but repeatedly said even after his jump in the playoffs that he and Luka do NOT maximize each other. I think Luka and CW have a chance to be "sum is greater than the parts" which is exciting. I also think having THJ and his shooting on top of that is a huge step. So if the Mavs go into the playoffs with the roster as is I think they have a chance to be better and stronger than last year (of course you still need the right breaks around you to get to the WCF).