41 minutes ago
(9 hours ago)F Gump Wrote: My preferred summer doesn't really align with or satisfy most of the opinions here, but it's very much in the vein of these recent posts.
The moves are mostly simply ones, not splashy, and basically would IN TOTAL see the Mavs get Ball and send away Martin, Hardy, and DP. Re-sign Jones (multi-year minimum with TO or NG at end) and Exum (2 yrs 9M). Kyrie re-signs at 3/120.
That's 14. The 15th spot is probably left open, for development and flexibility, and there's still room to spend TxMLE, more or less, and stay below A2.
In the summer they sign PJW to a 3-4 year extension (maybe 20M/yr?) and Gafford to a 2-3 yr extension (maybe 15M/yr?), with a plan to have a big rugged team that wears you down and has the opportunity to grow together. Their PG plan uses lots of combo type guards to create offense, with some big enough to play and defend at SG, but no one to be heliocentric. Kyrie returns in time, but in the meantime some mix-and-match of Klay, Flagg (a point-forward, actually, but starting like Luka's NBA time did with the ball in his hands a lot and a vagueness as to his position), Williams, Ball, Exum. Don't quibble about the details but recognize they definitely would have no problem filling the overall G rotation with good players.
They end up comfortably under A2 with flexibility and a very manageable payroll future.
The end result looks like this:
Starters ---- main backups ---- deep backups to start season
C - Lively ---- Gafford ---- Jones
F - AD, PJW ---Naji --- Prosper
G - CF, Klay ---Williams, Christie, Ball, Exum --Kyrie eventually
Starting CF at SG essentially is partly because I think he can play that position and present HUGE problems to the opponent on both ends at that position, and also to ensure he gets enough minutes. But if he never plays a minute at G, there's still more than enough good guards to handle their needs.
There's options to go big, small, depth to deal with injuries, and lots of very good talent at every position. And most importantly to me, it doesn't take an impossible get by trade from another team, nor impossible salary-shedding gymnastics.
I would be totally fine with that offseason. I know we are a lopsided team now and need guards, but I just don't want to giveaway good players where we do not see a clear roster upgrade. I don't know if Flagg is a SG with that type of roster, but could he start games at the 2 for 4 minutes and then sub into a more standard lineup?
I think you can have the same type of conversations with Gafford this summer that they should have had with Brunson. Gafford has made 46 million, I believe, over his career. Good money, but, not NBA great. He can surely play out the year, and get a bigger payday next offseason. Although, does he take the certainty of now at 15-18 million per year to pretty much double his earnings. His perceived role shouldn't change much if the Mavs truly want AD to play PF. PJ has made 50 million over his career, so maybe the certainly appears to him too. Although, I think this will be a more difficult conversation. I have no idea what type of value each have as expirings. Both are good players. At times, real good. Mavs can't act like they are giving away scraps for either imo.
PG is the only concern. Lonzo has not proven he is reliable due to injuries. If he is out and Kyrie misses the first 50 games next year, the point guard room is really light. Exum hasn't been the heathiest guy either.
