2023 DRAFT: Mavs take Lively, OMP, sign Mike Miles to 2-way, sign Jordan Walker

[Chicagojk]

The Ringer now has Walker at 10 with Utah taking PG Wallace.  It really seems like Detroit and Indy are the keys regarding Walker/Hendricks/Whitmore.  Washington could certainly hedge their bet on Kuzma, but they could go other directions too.  If goes Wallace or Dick, then one of Walker/Hendricks/Whitmore likely makes it.  Duffy represents Walker and Whitmore.  The Raymond Brothers have Hendricks.   

If you get Walker, you might could get away with Naz Reid as your MLE guy.  I don't think Reid plays enough D if you get one of the less D-oriented big wings.  I think you have to keep Leonard Miller and GG Jackson in the big wing conversation if things don't go your way 1-9.  I spent some time on Miller.  The things he needs to fix are not insurmountable at all.  If you get someone like him though, Naz Reid probably isn't your guy.  My apologies to those who have brought him up before as I'm not trying to claim credit for your brilliance.  But I'd probably throw the Full MLE at Paul Reed to get him away from Philly.  If you told me we got Reed and Hendricks, I'd probably call it a summer and hang onto 2027 until I can trade 25 with it.

Reed/Powell/McGee
Hendricks/Maxi/Morris (Bertans is S/W)
Green/THJ/Lawson
Irving/Reggie/Pinson
Luka/Hardy/Wright

Obviously Hendricks (or Miller or Jackson or Whitmore) won't start from day one.  BTW, is a Bertans S/W part of why Morris is confident in his return.  Do that and sign Irving for just under Luka money and you have the Full MLE.

Yeah, it will be interesting.   The reason I like a Reid and Walker offseason is it appears to be two solid doubles.   Reid is a skilled big who plays hard.  Walker is a young big who plays hard.   It doesn't erase all our needs but puts us in a much better position.  A Reid/Walker/Maxi/Powell front court is a nice mix of skill set imo.  

Sure, defense is still an issue and the wing talent is not championship contender.  But we would still have the 27th first round pick with some average to solid assets.   If we could use that pick for an upgrade on Bullock and then uncover another player who can be a top 8 player who is a good defender....now we are talking.

I am sure there are more attractive alternatives but I would be very happy with a Reid/Walker/small smart move offseason.