11-14-2023, 09:20 AM
(11-14-2023, 03:19 AM)omahen Wrote: In my opinion this core with even more improved Lively (every year of experience) and very good (if not elite) 2-way wing is a contender. I think that one player would put many guys in the correct role and perhaps create even better impact from certain players. But, he has to be the right fit for this team. I can't imagine how could you put much better rotation players on the bench, other than perhaps just tinkering around the edges for perfect players for specific roles. Mavs problem in all Luka years has always been just lack of top end talent. Too many decent players instead of a couple of great ones and a little lower number of decent ones. Mavs finally have an opportunity to nicely close a top end of the roster with imho just one correct move.
In any case, Mavs have imho about 2-year window with Kyrie. If one doesn't believe they can build a contender in this window, than he should start making plans about how a contender without Irving (or Irving in a reduced capacity and role) would look like. We would be suddenly dealing with a whole different puzzle to solve. 2-way wings are always good to have, but we would need to bring in another star to replace Kyrie. And these tend to be way more difficult to get.
Which 2-way wing would you target? Also importantly, which teams do you think will be willing to trade good players during this season?
I think we can monitor the standings over the next two months to see which teams disappoint. A few teams generally give up on their seasons in January and February, decide to tank and are willing to give up good players for assets.
A few important caveats:
Teams that don't own their own first round pick in 2024 will be less likely to sell off assets as they don't benefit from losing.
2024 looks like a relatively weak draft so the incentive to tank may be lower than normal.
Which teams do you think might become sellers in a few months? Of those teams, which players do you think could help us?
I think the Bulls and Caruso are the best bet and best fit for our roster. Caruso is probably the best defensive guard in the NBA. Offensively, he is what we need- low usage with solid efficiency. I think he would be much more affordable than Anunoby and his contract is a bargain. I believe our 2027 1st would be a reasonable offer. I think our ideal trade would be Jaden Hardy and Richaun Holmes for Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond. I really like Jaden Hardy's potential but it doesn't look like he's going to get consistent minutes here. Caruso takes DJJ's starting spot and Drummond can be the situational backup center when we need rebounding and a big body. That would give us a really nice 11-man rotation. It would markedly improve our defense and rebounding.