07-14-2023, 04:26 AM
(07-14-2023, 12:44 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: The Mavs have tons of guards, tons of centers, and two forwards (Josh and THJ are guards and struggle against forwards). Luka can play forward, but I’d rather not. Maxi can play against plodding forwards these days for a few minutes. This idea that a center is needed is wrong. We’re okay with Maxi, Lively, Holmes, and Powell splitting 48 minutes. It could be 12 a piece for all I care. But we have 96 forward minutes and are about 48 minutes short on players with the size and speed combination to take that role. We failed last year mainly because the Josh and Bullock combo couldn’t get it done. We need a third, long, skilled, high quality forward.
I agree that we need another power forward type to complete the rotation. Dwight Powell is a reasonable stopgap and has demonstrated positive value on the court for several years as the starter. He may become useless in the playoffs but he can manage as our starter this year. Maxi can cover some minutes at center then Lively is obviously the future there. I think Lively can start to earn some regular rotation minutes as the season goes on then will be ready to play 20-25 minutes per game next season. I would rather not spend assets on a center for this year when we have invested our best draft pick in years on Lively.
Importantly, we can obtain a decent, young, power forward time through free agency without sacrificing yet more draft picks. There are a few talented players left we could acquire for a portion of our MLE. Derrick Jones Jr is the best but Darius Bazley is already a good defensive player and has improved his 3-point shooting. Both could contribute as the 10th/11th man and are both young with the potential for development and improvement.