01-24-2020, 04:41 PM
I read the Mavs strategy is in-line with what they were planning to do whether Powell got hurt or not, which I think is exactly the right move. The Mavs are in no hurry to make a desperation short term move.
The Mavs are building a dream team and it starts with the most difficult position to fill, an MVP caliber point guard. Check.
The next hardest position to fill - especially in today's NBA - is center, and I strongly believe that's the right long term position for KP. Center is KP's unicorn position and he's a perfect fit for the role in the modern NBA. He can shoot, drive, pass a little, come off screens like a shooting guard, run an Iverson cut. Basically, he's unguardable and teams just have to hope he misses shots. On defense he's a dominant rim protector and underrated rebounder. Importantly he takes those big beefy dinosaur centers like McGee and Dwight Howard out of the game. Center, check.
Guards and wings are extremely valuable but I'd argue the Mavs have plenty of serviceable pieces already on the roster.
What is lacking is a big forward/wing with size next to KP, and everyone around the team is saying the same thing.
I read the article from Shams that the Mavs are looking to open up a roster spot as suggesting the Mavs have their sights on a possible 2 for 1 that might entail bringing a player (bad contract?) into the TE to facilitate a 1 for 1 or 2 for 2 swap of some sort. Opening up a roster spot certainly suggests the TE may be in play which is a good thing.
Regarding backfilling for Powell, I think the Mavs long term plan might have been for Powell to eventually move back to the bench anyway, so finding a center to provide depth behind KP is a much lower priority need, especially with Kleber playing so well and Boban capable of excellent spot minutes.
The Mavs are building a dream team and it starts with the most difficult position to fill, an MVP caliber point guard. Check.
The next hardest position to fill - especially in today's NBA - is center, and I strongly believe that's the right long term position for KP. Center is KP's unicorn position and he's a perfect fit for the role in the modern NBA. He can shoot, drive, pass a little, come off screens like a shooting guard, run an Iverson cut. Basically, he's unguardable and teams just have to hope he misses shots. On defense he's a dominant rim protector and underrated rebounder. Importantly he takes those big beefy dinosaur centers like McGee and Dwight Howard out of the game. Center, check.
Guards and wings are extremely valuable but I'd argue the Mavs have plenty of serviceable pieces already on the roster.
What is lacking is a big forward/wing with size next to KP, and everyone around the team is saying the same thing.
I read the article from Shams that the Mavs are looking to open up a roster spot as suggesting the Mavs have their sights on a possible 2 for 1 that might entail bringing a player (bad contract?) into the TE to facilitate a 1 for 1 or 2 for 2 swap of some sort. Opening up a roster spot certainly suggests the TE may be in play which is a good thing.
Regarding backfilling for Powell, I think the Mavs long term plan might have been for Powell to eventually move back to the bench anyway, so finding a center to provide depth behind KP is a much lower priority need, especially with Kleber playing so well and Boban capable of excellent spot minutes.