With Jalen Brunson gone where do the Mavs finish this year?

[HotRocks34]

I'm guessing in the 5-7 range (they finished 4th this year) and probably out of the postseason in the 1st or 2nd round.

Mavs are better in the frontcourt with Wood and McGee and worse in the backcourt after losing Brunson. They still need someone to play the 3rd guard with Brunson gone, and they could use another 3D wing.

They have gotten taller, longer, better on defense and better at rebounding. Their offense is likely around the same or a slight tick down.

Their issue is the West improved. Clippers, Nuggets, Lakers (Kyrie?), Pels (Zion), Wolves all seem better. Maybe the Blazers are better (don't know)? Mavs are probably around the same or perhaps a little bit better, but they just might not be able to keep pace with teams like the Suns, Grizz, Dubs, Clippers, Nuggets, etc.

If Brunson stays, they're still not better than Healthy Clippers, Healthy Nuggets, or Healthy Dubs. So that would mean a 2nd round exit probably at best next year.

As a fan, I'm eager to see how next season goes. I'm not mad at losing Brunson for the price tag he got, but just wish the team got something in return. I hope the team is able to make 1-2 more moves before/during the season, too, provided that they stay healthy (if they have poor health they may need to make more moves).

I can see where I think the team wants to go, the direction, but it might take a few more years to get the pieces in place.

[HotRocks34]

One other thing on Dallas.

Dragic said that he was told by the team that if he signed he would not be playing much. He said he was told something like "you'll play one game and then sit the next five games". Something like that.

If that's true, that would seem to indicate that the Mavs braintrust has an idea already of who they want to use in the "third point guard/ballhandler/playmaker" role. With the idea being they apparently didn't see Dragic filling the role for them on a steady basis.

What this means, to me, is that Dallas probably thinks they can move forward with some combination of Ntilikina/Hardy (rookie) off the bench. Given that Kidd seems to favor defense, my guess is that Dallas might try Ntilikina in the role at first.

Ntilikina doesn't bring a lot from an offense perspective, but he is tall, long and can defend. The kind of qualities the Mavs seem to be looking for these days.

For the RAPTOR statistic, Ntilikina had the 16th-best NBA DRAPTOR in the 2021-22 season for all players who played at least 750 minutes (a +3.6 metric). The guards who were at the same level or better were Caruso, Payton, Alvarado, George, Thybulle and Rubio.

Ntilikina had some nice moments in the playoffs (seemed to particularly excel in the Suns series if I recall correctly). That showing combined with the current length/defense focus of the team might mean Ntilikina is going to get first crack at the 3rd Point Guard (expecting Dinwiddie to start with Luka) spot.

If this happens and Ntilikina could make it work, Dallas' 6th-ranked defense might potentially get even better, not even mentioning the additions of McGee and Wood in that regard.

If Ntilikina were to be the 3rd Point Guard, the offense almost certainly would take a hit. But the team might think that a returning Hardaway and added Wood could help offset such a dip.

And, as mentioned, if you asked Kidd whether he'd accept a diminished offense in order to have an improved defense, my guess is he would say "yes".

[Henry Turner]

We will finish 6th with a first round PO exit and a v unhappy Luka to manage.
So expect cuban to go on panic mode and go way above tax next year.

[mpoo_sin]

Miss the playoffs but they draft a 2nd star

As long as Doncic stays healthy the Mavs will not miss the playoffs and will always be one of the top 4 teams in the West.

Funny how Williamson fanboys think that the Pelicans have a better outlook next season than the Mavericks. Just delusional.

And looooooooooool at those few who think that Lakers and Trailblazers are going to be better. These teams are lucky if they reach the play in.

[Mavrelous]

One other thing on Dallas.

Dragic said that he was told by the team that if he signed he would not be playing much. He said he was told something like "you'll play one game and then sit the next five games". Something like that.

If that's true, that would seem to indicate that the Mavs braintrust has an idea already of who they want to use in the "third point guard/ballhandler/playmaker" role. With the idea being they apparently didn't see Dragic filling the role for them on a steady basis.

What this means, to me, is that Dallas probably thinks they can move forward with some combination of Ntilikina/Hardy (rookie) off the bench. Given that Kidd seems to favor defense, my guess is that Dallas might try Ntilikina in the role at first.

Ntilikina doesn't bring a lot from an offense perspective, but he is tall, long and can defend. The kind of qualities the Mavs seem to be looking for these days.

For the RAPTOR statistic, Ntilikina had the 16th-best NBA DRAPTOR in the 2021-22 season for all players who played at least 750 minutes (a +3.6 metric). The guards who were at the same level or better were Caruso, Payton, Alvarado, George, Thybulle and Rubio.

Ntilikina had some nice moments in the playoffs (seemed to particularly excel in the Suns series if I recall correctly). That showing combined with the current length/defense focus of the team might mean Ntilikina is going to get first crack at the 3rd Point Guard (expecting Dinwiddie to start with Luka) spot.

If this happens and Ntilikina could make it work, Dallas' 6th-ranked defense might potentially get even better, not even mentioning the additions of McGee and Wood in that regard.

If Ntilikina were to be the 3rd Point Guard, the offense almost certainly would take a hit. But the team might think that a returning Hardaway and added Wood could help offset such a dip.

And, as mentioned, if you asked Kidd whether he'd accept a diminished offense in order to have an improved defense, my guess is he would say "yes".

Ntilikina isn't a PG, he has no off the dribble game, his touch around the rim in non-existent, and his shooting touch is streaky and may be slightly better than Thybulle.
Hardy also isn't a PG, and he's years away from being a rotation player.
Either they know something about Josh Green we don't or they fumbled the ball badly with Dragic.

[HotRocks34]

Ntilikina isn't a PG, he has no off the dribble game, his touch around the rim in non-existent, and his shooting touch is streaky and may be slightly better than Thybulle.
Hardy also isn't a PG, and he's years away from being a rotation player.
Either they know something about Josh Green we don't or they fumbled the ball badly with Dragic.

Seems clear they have a plan and Dragic wasn't part of it. I was upset they didn't get Dragic but I do think I understand what they are thinking.

I am pretty sure Ntilikina took Green's minutes in the Phoenix series, and did well with them.

Kidd seems high on Ntilikina. Here's what he said about Frank around the time Dallas signed him.

Read on Twitter

For Kidd to actually say Frank might be able to start says a lot, I think.

Kidd also said this about Ntilikina in November:
https://theathletic.com/2929630/2021/11/02/frank-ntilikina-qa-why-he-joined-the-mavericks-luka-doncics-trick-shots-and-push-ups-after-mistakes/

How quickly things change. “When you look at the rotation, you have to play him,” Jason Kidd said Sunday after Ntilikina contributed 12 points in 21 minutes. Already, the 23-year-old French guard has earned his chance.

After Frank's solid playoff contributions, my guess is Kidd's confidence in Frank has only grown. However he is used (point guard, etc).

My guess is, at this time, the second unit would look something like this:

Ntilikina
Hardaway
Green
Wood
Kleber

If that's the case, Frank would not have to do a lot when Dallas has the ball. The offense would probably run through Hardaway and Wood, in least in terms of who is getting shots.

My guess is if the team only adds one more piece, it'll be a 3D Wing (or some Wing). That seemed to be the feeling when Dragic was basically passed on.

That being the case, and based on Kidd's comments, my guess is Frank is going to get a shot next year. We'll see. And if it doesn't work, then you move on from there.

But Frank will bring the defense, which is what Kidd wants. Even if he can't shoot and can't finish at the rim. So the Mavs will have to work around those limitations if they do put Frank out there.

[Mavrelous]

I am pretty sure Ntilikina took Green's minutes in the Phoenix series, and did well with them.

He did, as a defensive wing, not as a PG, I'm not saying Ntilikina doesn't have a place in the rotation, I'm saying he's not the 3rd guard to replace Brunson.

[HotRocks34]

I am pretty sure Ntilikina took Green's minutes in the Phoenix series, and did well with them.

He did, as a defensive wing, not as a PG, I'm not saying Ntilikina doesn't have a place in the rotation, I'm saying he's not the 3rd guard to replace Brunson.

Then it would have seemed to have made sense for the Mavs to get Dragic, which they didn't seem to have seriously tried to do. If Dragic was told he was only going to play like 1 game out of 5, then the Mavs apparently feel they have someone to play the other 4 games and take Dragic's spot. Which would seem to be the backup point.

My guess is that person is Frank.

Frank doesn't have to be Brunson, and the Mavs don't have to have the exact same setup they had this last year. So perhaps less
"3 guards" stuff and more frontcourt offense with someone like Wood. More backcourt offense from Hardaway (who missed the last 4 months of the season or so). And so on.

Just based on the Mavs' moves and words, they seem less concerned about the 3rd Point Guard (getting one) than they are in getting a 3rd 3D Wing.

Maybe the Mavs stagger Luka and Dinwiddie more, and use Frank some with the 1st unit and let Din run more with the second unit.

We'll see. I was very unhappy when they didn't get Dragic, but in looking over what they've said and what seems to be the plan for roster construction, and then looking at how Kidd seems to view Frank, things made more sense.

That doesn't mean Dallas has gotten what they wanted in the offseason. I don't think they did (or not all of it). But they may have just made the choice that they're ok at the 3rd Point Guard spot for now, at least when it came to getting or not getting Dragic.

We'll see how things play out.

[Eric Millegan]

They could easily finish 1st. Luka is that good.

[Warriorfan]

Miss the playoffs but they draft a 2nd star

As long as Doncic stays healthy the Mavs will not miss the playoffs and will always be one of the top 4 teams in the West.

Funny how Williamson fanboys think that the Pelicans have a better outlook next season than the Mavericks. Just delusional.

And looooooooooool at those few who think that Lakers and Trailblazers are going to be better. These teams are lucky if they reach the play in.

Steph Curry Green combo have missed the playoffs.

[iLLmatic860]

Ntilikina isn't a PG, he has no off the dribble game, his touch around the rim in non-existent, and his shooting touch is streaky and may be slightly better than Thybulle.
Hardy also isn't a PG, and he's years away from being a rotation player.
Either they know something about Josh Green we don't or they fumbled the ball badly with Dragic.

Seems clear they have a plan and Dragic wasn't part of it. I was upset they didn't get Dragic but I do think I understand what they are thinking.

I am pretty sure Ntilikina took Green's minutes in the Phoenix series, and did well with them.

Kidd seems high on Ntilikina. Here's what he said about Frank around the time Dallas signed him.

Read on Twitter

For Kidd to actually say Frank might be able to start says a lot, I think.

Kidd also said this about Ntilikina in November:
https://theathletic.com/2929630/2021/11/02/frank-ntilikina-qa-why-he-joined-the-mavericks-luka-doncics-trick-shots-and-push-ups-after-mistakes/

How quickly things change. “When you look at the rotation, you have to play him,” Jason Kidd said Sunday after Ntilikina contributed 12 points in 21 minutes. Already, the 23-year-old French guard has earned his chance.

After Frank's solid playoff contributions, my guess is Kidd's confidence in Frank has only grown. However he is used (point guard, etc).

My guess is, at this time, the second unit would look something like this:

Ntilikina
Hardaway
Green
Wood
Kleber

If that's the case, Frank would not have to do a lot when Dallas has the ball. The offense would probably run through Hardaway and Wood, in least in terms of who is getting shots.

My guess is if the team only adds one more piece, it'll be a 3D Wing (or some Wing). That seemed to be the feeling when Dragic was basically passed on.

That being the case, and based on Kidd's comments, my guess is Frank is going to get a shot next year. We'll see. And if it doesn't work, then you move on from there.

But Frank will bring the defense, which is what Kidd wants. Even if he can't shoot and can't finish at the rim. So the Mavs will have to work around those limitations if they do put Frank out there.

If the plan is to make Frank a starting PG, they are really failing to build a contender around Luka

[chokingmav]

Lol……it’s Jalen Brunson. Luka is still the man. They finally have help in the middle. The team will be solid.
Top 3 seed.

[KnicksGadfly]

Frank…geez, the Mavs really need to stop relying on ex-Knicks to save them. You’d think they’d learn after Porzingis and THJ

[Apz]

Frank…geez, the Mavs really need to stop relying on ex-Knicks to save them. You’d think they’d learn after Porzingis and THJ

thj been great. Maybe its the other way around, cause i cant see dsj and stuff on knicks. So bigger worry about brunson.

And while frank might be signed as pg, luka is the pg

[chuck_wagon44]

The better question is how long till Mavs fan started hating Christian Wood for his unprofessionalism and constant whining about touches?

[Scalabrine]

I voted 7th. I think the Clippers, Warriors, Suns, Grizzlies, Wolves, Nuggets all have better rosters. I think the Pelicans are right there with them and the Blazers, Lakers, Jazz, Kings are right behind. Luka is gonna need to be healthy and play like an MVP for them to go higher than that if all other teams stay healthy.

I think the biggest issue with this roster for me is when Luka misses games (he will), then this team is probably the worst team in the West.