[tap2390]

A lot of us are upset that the FO hasn't done enough to surround Luka with top-tier talent or at least gather assets that will allow the Mavs to have more flexibility making moves in the future. The point of this thread is to analyze the moves that fans are most upset about to see if the Mavs actually made a misstep, or simply didn't have the assets to compete with alternative deals:

2020 Offseason

Christian Wood
Wood was a UFA who agreed to 3 years/ $41 million with the Rockets. Rockets facilitated the signing by working a sign-and-trade agreement where they sent the Pistons #16, cash, Trevor Ariza, and a future 2nd, in exchange for Wood, a future 1st (heavily protected), and a future 2nd.

Given their cap situation, the Mavs couldn't have signed Wood outright. Had they pursued Wood more aggressively could they have worked out an agreement with the Pistons that had them sending them the #18 pick? Probably. Why didn't they? Probably the money they had committed to KP and Powell and the thought that Wood may be redundant, or that resources were better committed elsewhere. That being said, even if Wood was being brought off the bench, at $14 million a year he would be an absolute steal.

Verdict: MISS


Saddiq Bey/ Immanuel Quickley/ Desmond Bane
The early steals of the draft. All three were available with the Mavs pick. We took Josh Green instead. If would be a bit revisionist to say that the Mavs should've taken Quickley or Bane at #18 when many of us would have considered that a reach with the other options on the board. There's no question that Green's upside and pedigree (#13 in his class, consensus 5-star recruit) is impressive.

Quickley is basically a longer, bigger, better defensively Seth Curry. He would be the PERFECT fit next to Luka.

Bane is an experienced all around 2 guard with amazing off ball skills. He would be the PERFECT fit next to Luka.

Bey is a versatile all around wing. He would be the PERFECT fit next to Luka.

Ultimately, it's too early to sour on Green, but obviously it would be nice to have producing rookies. Factoring in that there's no guarantee that these three guys would play here under Carlisle and ultimately it's tough to say whether the Mavs made a mistake here.

Verdict: TBD



2021 Trade Deadline

Aaron Gordon- the Nuggets got Aaron Gordon in exchange for Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, and a protected 2025 pick. Gary Harris is a 26 year shooting guard earning approximately $20m this year and next. His best season was in 2017-18, but he has been a bit of an afterthought since the emergence of Jamal Murray.

Could the Mavs have gotten Gordon for THJ and some combination of Josh Green, Tyler Bey, and/or Tyrell Terry? I'm not sold on this being the case because I believe that the Magic see value in adding Harris (26) vs. THJ (29) and having him under contract for next year potentially selling him on Orlando as a long-term home. What about Jalen Brunson? Again not sold on Magic valuing Brunson when they have Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz as primary ballhandlers.

Verdict: NOT A MISS


Evan Fournier- Magic traded Fournier for two-second-round picks & Jeff Teague. This is the easiest analysis of all, the Magic clearly valued the ability to get salary off their books and the Celtics were able to facilitate via a trade exception. Mavs couldn't have done anything about that.

Verdict: NOT A MISS


Nikola Vucevic- Bulls gave up two first round picks & Wendell Carter. 'Nuff said.

Verdict: NOT A MISS


Norman Powell- Raptors got Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood in the deal. Could the Mavs have gotten Powell for some combination of Brunson, Green, Bey, and fillers? Doubtful. Gary Trent Jr. is a 22 year old two guard who was averaging 30 MPG for a playoff team.

Verdict: NOT A MISS




All in all, the biggest 'miss' for me is Christian Wood. He's a modern big/ rim-runner whose game would mesh very well with Luka's. Even if he was redundant he would have given us an extremely valuable asset.