How Much Is Jalen Brunson Worth In The Offseason?

[Mavrelous]

When Brunson has the ball, Luka stands the other end of the court and just watches.

So it's a my turn, your turn offense.

Does Luka shoot well on catch and shoot 3s? Otherwise he seems to see those possession as a chance for him to take a break.

A reporter, maybe Kevin O'Connor, said early in the season or in the preseason, he asked Luka about working offball and Luka looked at him like he was a Martian.

Not true, lately Luka has been dropping to the elbow and positioning for a post up waiting for the entry pass, many times Luka starts the P&R draws both the big and and best perimeter defender and passes to Brunson to attack.

[BlueSan]

Would be cool though if they introduced some off ball offensive movements instead of static positioning and iso....

[wco81]

Very good season for the Mavs.

And actually, Brunson played pretty well in this series and the whole playoffs.

Yes I know he's not long enough or have the athleticism to be a difference maker.

But hasn't he been important during the regular season, producing good minutes when Luka's on the bench?

I understand not committing too much of the cap for him. But the players you get back in a potential trade may not be as productive either. Despite his size, he scores a lot in the paint and hits 3s at a good clip.

Mavs could replace him with another 6-7 guy who is better able to defend scorers but he may not be a reliable shooter. He might be more in the vein of a Ntilikina, great on-ball defender but you wouldn't depend on him to get you a lot of big buckets.

But with Luka, maybe the Mavs don't need that, just a conventional PG who can run the offense when Luka's not on the court.


However, if the Mavs won't pay him $25 million a year or more, not sure how many other teams would pay him that much and give up good assets. In today's games, it's about wings who are switchable defenders.

Though I think other teams may start to hunt Luka more with fast guards who can blow by him. So Brunson's lack of length may not even be the biggest problem.

[41Dirk41]

Great season by Jason, probably we were not in WCF without him.
We can't lose talent for free so... We have to trade him.

He plays the best basketball with our franchise player out or on the bench and they paired are a defensive nightmare. He doesn't fit with Luka. Simple.

A lot of teams want him, it's not a difficult trade... We can wait until the TDL and wait the right offer.
We have all the time.

[Absinthe]

Great season by Jason, probably we were not in WCF without him.
We can't lose talent for free so... We have to trade him.

He plays the best basketball with our franchise player out or on the bench and they paired are a defensive nightmare. He doesn't fit with Luka. Simple.

A lot of teams want him, it's not a difficult trade... We can wait until the TDL and wait the right offer.
We have all the time.

I agree. He’s not a legit second option because he can’t coexist with the first option. It’s a simple math problem. Brunson always plays his best basketball when Luka is either on the bench or out entirely. That isn’t a winning recipe. Brunson will be a killer on a team where he can be the primary ball handler. That’s not this team.

[Darren]

While this is a certain but not a big one. Luka needs rest. And it is not like Brunson underperform alongside Luka, especially in first two round. But playing Luka, Brunson and Dinwiddle together doesn't work well. Opposing team just crowded the paint. And the corner shooters become non-factor. Defensively, things do not look good.

[Darren]

Brunson and Dinwiddle are not good pair. The Mavs can't blow out game 2 coz of the third quarter. Both are reluctant to drive but miss a lot of contested threes. But people only aware of Green and Ntilikina missing three. However, both are ineffective with bad spacing.

[Darren]

one way to fix it is to insert Boban. Boban can score off pick-n-roll, pick-n-path, one-on-one. Shot blockers are forced to pay attention to Boban instead of sorely on drivers. Mix it up with some backdoor cut and crushing offensive boards. Even Green or Ntilikina become playable.

On the other end, create a situation in which no shooters are opened and driving pass Boban is doable. Use this welcome-to-the-paint as a trap, drawing charge and forcing steals and completely turn the rhythm into favor can fix all these. If Dejuan Blair as C with Barea and Harris works. I see no problem with Boban on court.

Just start Maxi and make Boban a primary backup when Luka sits. Find a FA or draftee to a situational rotation player. Then it is not bad at all with limited pieces.

Of course, I want to bring in Buddy Hield. I think Hardaway, Powell and a pick will get it done. A deadeye shooter makes a difference like Seth Curry did. Not to mention Hield do not has size disadvantages catching passes or playing defense.

[Darren]

Boston put this strategy on Giannis and won the series.

[LAL1947]

Of course, I want to bring in Buddy Hield. I think Hardaway, Powell and a pick will get it done. A deadeye shooter makes a difference like Seth Curry did. Not to mention Hield do not has size disadvantages catching passes or playing defense.

Aren't THJ and Hield basically the same? Hield gets hot at times but is cold at other times.

I'd argue that healthy THJ might actually be more valuable than Hield, so I'm not sure why you would give them a pick for that trade. Just curious is all.

[Archx]

Of course, I want to bring in Buddy Hield. I think Hardaway, Powell and a pick will get it done. A deadeye shooter makes a difference like Seth Curry did. Not to mention Hield do not has size disadvantages catching passes or playing defense.

Aren't THJ and Hield basically the same? Hield gets hot at times but is cold at other times.

I'd argue that healthy THJ might actually be more valuable than Hield, so I'm not sure why you would give them a pick for that trade. Just curious is all.

He also thinks giving Boban extended minutes is a good idea. Trading THJ+Powell AND a pick for a lesser version of THJ? I don't get it... On top of it, THJ's contract gets cheaper every year not the other way around.

[arkuo]

THJ is going to be pretty worthless soon. Brooklyn regretted their Joe Harris signing last year. Miami fans are ready to crucify Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro for laying an egg this year. I dont see an upside in paying THJ that much.

[Apz]

Ye, wouldnt trade thj straight up for hield, would need an unprotected pick coming back.

How is boban helping? Not in offense, he kills the spacing. Not in defense, he cant move and would just be dragged out of paint.

[LAL1947]

How is boban helping? Not in offense, he kills the spacing. Not in defense, he cant move and would just be dragged out of paint.

Boban is a meme at this point. The honorable thing for him to do would be to retire and free up roster spot + the cap space.

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[ejs78]

THJ is going to be pretty worthless soon. Brooklyn regretted their Joe Harris signing last year. Miami fans are ready to crucify Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro for laying an egg this year. I dont see an upside in paying THJ that much.

Hardaway is on a declining contract where the other 2 aren't. Assuming he's still here him at 16 is much better than 20 million. Also a little easier to move.

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[arkuo]

THJ is going to be pretty worthless soon. Brooklyn regretted their Joe Harris signing last year. Miami fans are ready to crucify Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro for laying an egg this year. I dont see an upside in paying THJ that much.

Hardaway is on a declining contract where the other 2 aren't. Assuming he's still here him at 16 is much better than 20 million. Also a little easier to move.

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Yeah. That, and the type of players that fit with Luka. There is not a lick of defense being played between Luka, Brunson, Dinwiddie and THJ. Something's gotta give when you face legit playoff powerhouses like Golden State. I think you'd have to shed some of those names (outside of Luka of course) and get one player who is at least elite on one side of the floor. If it's an elite offensive player like Zach Lavine or an elite defensive player like Marcus Smart, I think that solves a lot of those problems.

[Darren]

Of course, I want to bring in Buddy Hield. I think Hardaway, Powell and a pick will get it done. A deadeye shooter makes a difference like Seth Curry did. Not to mention Hield do not has size disadvantages catching passes or playing defense.

Aren't THJ and Hield basically the same? Hield gets hot at times but is cold at other times.

I'd argue that healthy THJ might actually be more valuable than Hield, so I'm not sure why you would give them a pick for that trade. Just curious is all.

Not the same. Hield is more natural shooter and is struggling carefully after Seth leaving. And Buddy is better playmaker. Hardaway only pull up mid-range. Hardaway won't be effective. That's 3 more year sick contract hurting team building. Somebody mention regressing contract. Actually, Buddy is also on regressive contract two years sooner. This makes possible a max slot for Turner, for example. And the presence of Powell will only hurt the team. Knowing the Mavs, they will play whoever gets paid.

I'm just being realistic. LaVine won't come in any sign and trade. Why would Chicago agree to take on bad contract or unplayable piece at all? That's worst than letting LaVine walk. The Mavs simply doesn't have the asset to do something like that. The most they can get is Gobert indeed for the limited assets.

As for Boban, I am talking about the scenario in which both Brunson and Dinwiddle are on court with non-shooter teammates. I am just saying how it can be fixed. Assume the Mavs can only spend 6M. Then, don't take things for granted. The Mavs might not even get McGee, Biyombo or Hartenstein afterall. Under this scenario, it's natural to make Maxi starter. Without a floor space in 2nd unit, you've to adjust. And let's be real. I don't agree that Boban is necessarily worst than other backups. Afterall, you find a game plan to accommodate pieces and get more playmakers involved. Then, you get more flexibility when playoff comes.

In the Mavs FA history, the Mavs is never a distinction. Big names want big cities and beaches. Why would people believe this time Cuban's wish will work out at all?

[Darren]

The Mavs couldn't even get Mike Conley, Hassan Whiteside or Dwight Howard. So the Mavs better focus on hometown players or international players; and strengthen the ability to draft and train. If you don't have a strong two-wayed team, then you have to be creative to fix problems here and there. That's the whole point. What're the Mavs offering in trade? I don't even find Dinwiddle wanted by other teams. Hardaway and Bertans are KP like. Green's value is significantly lower after playoff. So is Dinwiddle and Powell. This leaves you with players you don't want to trade. I don't think you can force Brunson to sign and trade. More likely than not, the Mavs end up with nothing.

[Darren]

The only realistic pieces are Gobert and Bamba. I prefer Bamba. Between Brunson and Dinwiddle, I prefer Brunson. Buddy, because of the natural shooting, can play alongside Luka and Brunson in 4th quarters. And the contract ends soon. If things doesn't work out, the Mavs can move on.

[Archx]

THJ is going to be pretty worthless soon. Brooklyn regretted their Joe Harris signing last year. Miami fans are ready to crucify Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro for laying an egg this year. I dont see an upside in paying THJ that much.

Hardaway is on a declining contract where the other 2 aren't. Assuming he's still here him at 16 is much better than 20 million. Also a little easier to move.

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Yeah. That, and the type of players that fit with Luka. There is not a lick of defense being played between Luka, Brunson, Dinwiddie and THJ.

How do you explain the fact that Luka leads all mavs in almost every statistical category (normal and advanced+hustle) when it comes to defense? How do you say a player like that doesn't play a lick of defense I would agree about other 3 though. But yeah if you listen to media or SVG who had an agenda against him, then sure he doesn't play any defense.