Could Lance be the Answer?

[G-Man]

Fisher writes that Charlotte is done with Lance Stephenson...they are off to an awful start and say he just doesn't fit.

http://mavericks.scout.com/story/148...at-lance?s=268

He may not fit here either, as our starting wings are Monta and Parsons.

But what if we moved Monta to the point guard spot, and had Stephenson at the 2? Suddenly we are no longer undersized at either spot. Instead, we have a defensive stopper a la our last Stevenson, DeShawn, except with more offense. We'd have much better ability to get out on 3 point shooters. This would solve our Jameer problem, with better ball handling and shooting at the point.

Fish says we could match his salary by trading Felton and Jameer for Lance and Pargo.

Dallas is where knuckleheads come to be reborn. I'd do that deal on Dec 15, the first day such a trade would be allowed.


Would you?

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by G-Man

Dallas is where knuckleheads come to be reborn.

*cough*Odom*cough*

[G-Man]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

*cough*Odom*cough*

True Dat.

But for every Odom, we have a Nick the Quick, a Monta. And Odom wasn't a knucklehead until he got here. But he did make up for lost time.

[LonghornDub]

I actually wanted Lance over Parsons this summer, but I'm increasingly concerned that he really is just an unsolvable locker-room problem. Having some defensive personnel deficiencies is a far less serious problem than having a bad locker-room environment. The Mavs currently have a terrific group of guys, so I'd be worried about messing with that.

[SeanL]

I'd trade him for Parsons. At least his contract number is lower

[grndmstr_c]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I actually wanted Lance over Parsons this summer, but I'm increasingly concerned that he really is just an unsolvable locker-room problem. Having some defensive personnel deficiencies is a far less serious problem than having a bad locker-room environment. The Mavs currently have a terrific group of guys, so I'd be worried about messing with that.

I tend to come down on this side of things, too. At least for now. Dallas may very well have issues that can't be solved without a trade or another summer shopping spree, but all indications are that they at least have a cohesive locker room with no distracting head cases, and they do still have some stones to turn over on the current roster as they work to figure out what lineups and substitution patterns are going to give them their best shot going forward.

Edit to add: I don't see a Monta/Lance/Parsons/Dirk/TC starting lineup as an option. Neither Lance nor Parsons are mature or experienced enough in the Mavs' system to run point, and while Monta probably could, Rick's history (c.f., his handling of JET) suggests he won't have any interest in asking Monta to shift roles from one lineup to the next.

[Skywalker]

Spacing would be even more of an issue with that lineup as well

[yahyes]

I'm starting to think Lance only plays good under Frank Vogel. System player like him can decline quickly. Watch him get bought out or something by this time next year becoming a free agent. So, I wouldn't sweat for Lance. Especially if we really don't know whether to move Monta at point.

[Vinsanity]

I'd do it in a heartbeat. Monta/Lance/Parsons/Dirk/Tyson... yes please

[j0Shi]

The answer: Move Dallas to the Eastern Conference.

Isn't out weak spot PG?

[Melonhead]

I dont think Ellis would be as effective at point as he is at SG. Thats my main hangup. Would rather look for a PG. Really thought we'd be solid adding Jameer, but that hasnt been the case.

[jthig32]

My immediate response is "no". However...my goodness do we need a wing defender and another elite defensive rebounder.

I think our offense would suffer noticeably with the proposed starting lineup, but I don't think we're going anywhere with this combination of middling defense and horrendous rebounding.

I think there's roughly zero chance of it happening, though.

[Kante]

No. Somehow he can't pass to a big man (Dirk would be that), he needs the ball in his hands and Monta as PG would be TO prone.

[mac222b]

Have to say no

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Lance lives in Lance world. Don't see that changing.

[mac222b]

Lance would no doubt help defense and rebounding. But spacing would be an issue and 3-point shooting is already lacking. Unless we're talking about Nelson starting next to Lance with Monta off the bench. But then the closing lineup has spacing/ball distribution issues and Monta is playing All-star level ball- bringing him off the bench could upset team chemistry. Not to mention the possible negative impact on team chemistry Lance brings.

Finally, trading for Lance would probably be the last major move this team could make. If they really think he's the missing piece then by all means do it. I'd take the chance that a better fit comes available before the deadline and if not, see how the summer plays out.

[Melonhead]

Would rather go for a PG. Maybe poach Ty Lawson from the floundering nuggets? He doesnt make much.

[mac222b]

Question for the cap-savvier among us(Thig?). Say we trade for Lance or Dragic- what are the potential benefits cap wise? Could we invoke Bird Rights on Tyson and Early Bird on Monta? Brandon? Monta's cap hold would be 130% if I'm reading this correctly. Teams can go over the cap to sign their own FA, correct?We would lose the ability to s'n't and would have the MLE as the only exception to work with.

I'm just curious as to how a trade may effect future moves. If this team is all in on Dirks final few years is going this route the best way to maximize this rosters potential? Any benefit to trading for an expiring contract(Dragic, Rondo) due to Bird. Can we potentially give them a larger deal than other teams? Thanks ahead for any responses!

[sefant77]

Dragic and Rondo are not on the trade block.

Its more a general question: Do we try to get like 15m under the cap next summer (with letting Wright go) trying to sign one of the two good PG options Dragic or Rondo...or are we now trading for players and give up the cap next summer.

Lance has a LOT of baggage...of course would be the S5 pretty tempting...but its a risk. And maybe we could get Dragic next summer...

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by G-Man

True Dat.

But for every Odom, we have a Nick the Quick, a Monta. And Odom wasn't a knucklehead until he got here. But he did make up for lost time.

Odom wasnt a knucklehead with knucklehead problems, he had a drug problem...and Lakers knew

[mac222b]

I was just using Dragic and Rondo as examples; doesn't necessarily have to be them. Was more along the lines of me asking: what are the pros/cons of trading for a player in season as opposed to waiting for FA aside from the obvious.

Obvious pros: showing desire to contend this season by shoring up deficiencies, possible "preview" of future lineup to help build continuity(I trust MBT is far better attuned to tendencies of future FA targets to have interest in playing with this group of guys/coaching staff than we are)

Cons: must part with assests, limits future flexibilty(?). Or does it? That's kind of what I'm after here. Prospective trade as it pertains to players Bird rights(Tyson, Ellis, Brandon, Dragic, Rondo)and whether that could influence a trade or dissuade the team from making one.

[EricaLubarsky]

Would his new nickname be the Lanswer?

[ffballer]

please no... this dude is crazy as f***, we seem to have a solid united roster, this dude is just a red flag to me

[ffballer]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Would rather go for a PG. Maybe poach Ty Lawson from the floundering nuggets? He doesnt make much.

now we're talking, jameer felton and greg smith for him, helluva deal

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by ffballer

now we're talking, jameer felton and greg smith for him, helluva deal

On what planet do the Nuggets even consider that deal?

[ffballer]

Originally Posted by spreedom

On what planet do the Nuggets even consider that deal?

in the same that fired george karl as their coach

[mac222b]

His contract is rather large(runs two more years after this one at 8m per)and he has been hurt but George Hill could be a nice fit if nothing else presents itself.

Hill is an excellent defender and decent distributor and 3pt shooter. He's an upper middle class man's Devin Harris. Future 1st, filler and Felton for a healthy Hill- any takers?

[sike]

Should the Mavs acquire Lance? Nope.

Would the Mavs consider it? Nope.

remember the talk this off season was the Lance was barely on their free agent radar?

Mavs apparently don't want his kind of crazy.

[jthig32]

Actualky, Sike, it's been reported that the Mavs had an agreement in place to sign Lance, had Houston matched Parsons.

[hayth.james.g]

Originally Posted by sike

Should the Mavs acquire Lance? Nope.

Would the Mavs consider it? Nope.

remember the talk this off season was the Lance was barely on their free agent radar?

Mavs apparently don't want his kind of crazy.

AS Jthig said, they had a verbal agreement in place. I do agree though that at this point we would be very hesitant to push for Lance. Our 3 point D is bad, but I don't know if you want to mess with the chemistry this far into the season.