ROSTER TALK: Mavs favs for Vogel if no HC job exists. Kyrie handshake deal?

[StepBackJay]

"Who will be the other PG" is an interesting speculative game, because it seems fairly certain they CAN'T ignore the issue.

There are all kinds of ways they could play this. Their trade assets are fairly obvious - THJ, DP, DB. My favorite was to hope for a swap with CHA in which Rozier is some (or all) of what the Mavs would get, because I think he'd be a really good fit, but I don't think the contract numbers would be acceptable for them in future years.

I also noodle with Sexton, since he's been mentioned, but that's hard because of all the money restrictions (apron limit, and Base Year, combined with salary-match requirements), that then get further complicated by what CLE might want (and wouldn't want). There's a path to a deal for him, I think, but it's so complex and uncertain that imo it seems very unlikely to happen. Just too many hurdles.

So I circle back around to the idea that maybe they just target an EMERGENCY guy, minimum salary, and then they plan to use some of those PG minutes for trying to develop Green or Ntilikina or maybe even Hardy a bit to handle the 3rd creator job. If they do well, they play more, and if not, then emergency guy is used. I'm wondering if something like that was in their thinking with Dragic, where he IS the 3rd guy in ability, but might not play if one of the others is effective that game.

I think that's where I am, and if that's on the right track, then I wouldn't be surprised if their list includes names like Kemba Walker (once he's bought out), Brandon Knight, and Isaiah Thomas. Same offer as made to Dragic - one year minimum, irregular minutes, but at times you'll be very needed.

I tend to agree with this. It also means they can trade for a vet or pick up a buyout guy without much trouble if the opportunity arises. The TDL is another time when guys might be come available. I think its not a bad idea to have a spot or two on the roster that is easy to free up.