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

[mvossman]

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.

I'm going to assume that Dorian just had a bad couple of months as opposed to starting some huge decline.  In that world he makes more sense than Maxi in the starting lineup, especially in the regular season when Maxi needs his minutes managed.  I also think SD is a classic 6th man, which is generally considered just as important as a 4th or 5th starter.  So if we are talking about long term lineups with Timmy outgoing and what is needed, I see:

Luka     Green            DFS/???     DFS/???   Wood

SD        Frank/Hardy   Bullock      Maxi        Powell

I would argue what this team needs more than anything is a big wing that is a plus defender, can space the floor, rebound, and ideally create for themselves or others.  Depending on that players skillset, we may also need to get a legit backup point guard at a higher level than Wright.  I also think if you are sending Timmy out, you could easily add Bullock to him if you need a big salary match.

If you look at the options for that big wing, both Siakam and Anunoby make a ton of sense.  I think either would be worth a massive asset expenditure to land.  

I'm struggling to find a really good fit after those two.  I don't know that there is anyone out there that fits that need and has any hint of being on the block that would be worth significant draft capital.  I am also struggling with a straight up trade involving Timmy that makes sense.  

Of course, this is all predicated on the Mavs extending Wood.  One crazy thought is some kind of a trade involving Wood for Turner.  That completely changes the roster construction situation.