01-08-2024, 07:45 PM
(01-08-2024, 06:27 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: So, Ideally NewPF can create for themselves and others and hit a 3 (think Bojan/Kuzma/Grant), but also defend and rebound (think Not Bojan/Kuzma/Grant). We've talked about a ton of names and no one who is available seems to fit the bill. A backup C is another position where there is disagreement about. Do we run 48 minutes of a similar skill set or do we need a differentiated skill set (a better and healthy Maxi).
To me, the guys who aren't necessary to this vision (besides Holmes) are THJ (I think his D and lack of playmaking is really detrimental), GWill (not good enough to start and blocks OMax backup opportunities) and Hardy. Does anyone else even matter? I would pay a premium if I could fill NewPF and NewBackupC all at one time as long as I don't have to touch the Luka/Irving/Lively/Green/Exum/DJJ/OMax core. I'd also give up 2027 unprotected and add swaps if the level of player was high enough. I know many here want to wait until the summer (or put better...think we have a better shot at accomplishing both this summer). But, fill those two slots properly...now...and I think we can run with anyone in the playoffs.
A couple of unrelated things here. I think people forget how raw Pascal S. was his rookie year, and at the risk of a bad comparison, PS's stats were no better than Omax then. He played 15 mpg, and never shot but a few 3-ps for a spectacular .143 average. I bring this up, because I think (hope) that the Mavs see their future PF in Omax - even if he's not ready for prime-time now. He's the rebounder, assists, and dirty work guy you want in the lineup. Even his ball-handling is pretty good. His outside shooting needs work, but I see no reason to doubt that will happen. He's just not ready now though.
I doubt Omax will be ready for starter minutes early next season, so I agree we still need an upgrade at PF now. But this idea that we need to be patient and wait for the big fish borders on incompetence to me. There are no perfect candidates. That's why it's called an "upgrade." You take a shot - like the Grant Williams acquisition - for just that reason. GWill was seen as an upgrade. Maybe he's not quite what we hoped, but even if he fails to perform he's completely tradeable. We took a shot with DJJ, and he performed like a champ. You can never be 100% sure you're going to get the right guy until he's in the lineup. Waiting for the perfect starter is not a good game plan in my opinion.
If Pascal's asking price is too steep, I completely understand that from the FO perspective. I can imagine that. Maybe Toronto wanted Omax and a FRP among other things. I probably wouldn't do that either. But I do think it's a good idea to shuffle the deck within reason.
I get the feeling this FO is more aggressive at finding players and working the phones. I hope that's the case. I would hate to see Free Agency fly by without a stab at a big man (or two). I think you would do a disservice to the players and fans by standing pat with this lineup when it's obvious there's a glaring need.