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

[The Jom]

This post comes from the Luka thread.  It was an add-on to Kamm's post about the top 100 players in the league ranked by likelihood to be selected to the All-Star game.  Luka was #1.  Here is how they describe the measure in their words:


 "These are NOT simple player rankings. They measure award likelihood based on individual success, peak performance, availability, and team success."

Some other player ranks from among players who are in trade rumors currently include:

19:  Siakam
36:  Ayton (not in rumors, just my wishful thinking)
50:  Clarkson
51:  Kuzma
54:  FVV
58:  Anunoby
59:  M Turner
62:  D Russell
72:  H Barnes
75:  G Trent
83:  Bogdanovic
93:  Oubre
94:  Plumlee

There has been some talk lately about 2nd 'True Star' vs. multiple "B-Level" guys like Wood and Dinwiddie.  Given where those guys rank, I'd probably arbitrarily set that at 35-75 range.  That's kind of the point where the 1A and 1B guys run out and you start getting third best players on a good team.  Note that most of these guys are playing for contracts including Clarkson, Kuzma, Turner, Russell, Barnes and Trent.  FVV is playing for an extension.  The rumors say most of these guys can be had for a first or less (other than the Toronto guys and Ayton).  

Stein says THJ is on the block.  It makes sense to me as he stands in the way of Josh and to a lesser extent Hardy.  If you can fill in the hole created by Hardaway with someone you already have, then it makes perfect sense to see if you can get something of value for him.  If so, here is how I see the depth chart with THJ gone.  The question is which spot most desparately needs that additional B-Level guy?


Luka     SD        Green      Maxi        C Wood

SD            Reggie       DFS               Powell

            Hardy    Frank      Bertans    McGee


I'm putting Maxi in the starting lineup over DFS.  Don't know that that will happen, but his is how I'd do it to help make Wood's D work.  We know the team has had success doing the Wood/Maxi combo against mainly subs.  I think you can make an argument for needing an upgrade to several positions in the nine man.  Could you use another ball handler...there is a hole there, so absolutely.  Could you use a 4/5...yes, especially with Maxi hurt and Powell expiring...yes.  I think the hard part is figuring out what to do with the guys who are O-Only or O-Mainly.  IF SD and Wood really are your B-Level guys, then how do you justify moving them to the bench?  But, if you bring in an O-Only guy for Green or Maxi (or DFS), then you've crushed your defensive balance.  There is part of me that would almost rather go outside NBA Math's top 100 and fill holes with players just outside of that range.

The hole is at defensive 5. That’s why we prioritized McGee. That’s why Maxi’s value here is so huge. If Turner can still ball, he’s the best fit.