(12-28-2020, 04:59 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I agree that you CAN integrate another guard, and have made that point before. Numerous times. I have 0 problem understanding Dan’s points, and made similar points back when I was on the Rubio wagon.
What I’m saying NOW is that I’ve actually seen enough of Richardson’s ball-handling to have me wondering whether they SHOULD add another guard. I don’t think they need to, necessarily.
I’m currently leaning towards adding more size, rather than more guards. Just my opinion, and I was previously in the add another guard camp. To be fair, for a CJ level guy, I suppose you’d have to alter any plan.
Trades will not happen before TDL anyway. I think the trade "NOW" is taken way too literally. So there will be plenty of games to really judge the team. Not on a small sample of two bad games and one blowout victory. I am actually affraid about potential consequences of this victory, like thinking they are better then they actually are. It was not just Mavs being good (they were), but it was also Clippers having a total off night. They couldn't buy a bucket even when totally open.
JRich was great against Clippers (but so was everyone else) but not so much against Phoenix and Lakers so it is way too early for me to draw any conclusions. But even if he is able to create, does it really hurt to bring another one? It is just that it is much easier to find players at that guard spot than at big wing one. I mean, which big wing is realistically available and you like? Tobias Harris? Barnes? Griffin or Love? All vastly overpaid, 2 of them zero on defense. Gordon doesn't really convince me he would be a fit, I have very mixed emotions about him. Collins would certainly be a very intriguing option but I don't think we have the assets. On the other hand we have LaVine, Oladipo, Hield, Fournier (6th man), OPJ as very likely available options which all have manageable contracts and could perhaps be available for Johnson and assets. I am not even necessarily trying to "upgrade" THJ but Johnson contract, who is certainly extremely overpaid but expiring.
I am just convinced a trade should and will happen as it makes no sense to either:
- let Johnson and THJ go, to resign one THJ similar player in FA (we will not have more cap space after we resign JRich) or
- resign both of them without improving the team.
It makes way more sense to stay over the cap and add a vet for MLE. And if we want to actually get a better player, we will most likely have to include a young player or pick.