(01-24-2024, 09:29 AM)omahen Wrote: The risk of this approach is, that the guys stays exactly as they are. As they are, they are not a difference maker and will not be. Because they are young, you are paying extra for the potential preventing you to have the asset for a (far) more established difference maker. That is why I am not a fan of this kind of moves. Outside of Kuminga, all the rest have been in the league long enough for us to pretty much know what they are and will be in the future. I rather wait for the right guy than split assets in a couple of tries hoping someone will be significantly different with us than he was so far.
I think "waiting for the right guy" in free agency is fool's gold. You're looking for a profile. You're looking for a player who has skills your team is lacking. And more importantly, you're looking for a player you can actually afford and who will sign with your team. Several very good players will likely be available in free agency, and the Mavericks have been historically bad at signing them.
The object is to improve the team, no? Good teams are built over time. Doing nothing when there is a clear need, is almost as big a risk - particularly for the current players who are well aware of what they need. If the Front Office tells me (a fan) after the trade deadline, they are "waiting for the right player," then I would say they were negligent.