Mavs Money Mailbag: Many things happening at once

Once again, y’all come through in the clutch with amazing questions and I really enjoy the conversation which is happening in the comments. I’m writing this following the news that there’s going to be a season in less than seven weeks, so these questions may not entirely reflect that news but we do what we can with what we have where we are.

As always, ask me more questions and I’ll try to answer them next week.

How do I explain to my wife that free agency starts like Thanksgiving and such and the Mavs are gonna play on Christmas? via Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace on Twitter)

Sports fans are rejoicing as we should but this is going to be a lot of things happening in a short period of time. Pair that with being at home during a pandemic without access to family and childcare, I recommend pairing this news with gifts.

What’s the number one thing you want the Mavericks to do this off-season? via A&MTIFA (@GoodTakeMachin1 on Twitter)

Use their picks to select at least one player. Look, I know there are some broad based disagreements about the draft and how Dallas uses it, but I just really want them to select someone from this group of guys. Like Jalen Brunson and Dennis Smith and that Luka Doncic guy in years past, rooting for a guy who is young, has a pedigree, and has room t grow as a player is fun. And I think Dallas is really going to want to have cost controlled assets moving forward.

Why would the Mavericks be aggressive this off-season given limited assets and what’s coming via free agency in 2021? via Michael Page (@Mike_page10 on Twitter)

Mike’s referring to the Dallas Morning News article from last week. I read that entire post as a ton of saber-rattling. What I mean by that is given where the Mavericks are in the team cycle along with Luka Doncic simply existing, Dallas has to at least appear aggressive. The Mavericks are willing to do something, that’s the gist. I don’t think they do anything that takes future moves off the table.

Would you prioritize 3&D wings in the draft or a secondary ball handler? via Zach Burner (@ZachBurner on Twitter)

Wings, wings, wings. It’s the most scarce position in the league and Dallas just needs bodies so Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber aren’t the only ones able to guard players on other teams that are 6’5” or taller. Though I think Dallas takes the best player available given where they are in the draft.

Rank these in order of value as assets to other teams: Dorian Finney-Smith, Jalen Brunson, Delon Wright, Maxi Kleber, 18th, & 31st pick. Via Christian (@wydcru on Twitter)

1. Dorian Finney-Smith - wings are valuable, period. And he’s got a great contract.
2. 18th and 31st picks - Cost controlled young talent that a team gets to choose.
3. Maxi Kleber - He’s 29 soon and his contact is solid but not cheap. He plays a very valuable role but the question becomes are his best days behind him?
4. Jalen Brunson - Great value in his contract but 6’1” shoot first guards are not unique. I know the fanbase loves him but his contract is so inexpensive I don’t see what he brings back.
5. Delon Wright - Stock is at an all time low following his super weird season and he’s getting paid a good sum of money.

Will you celebrate if Giannis does sign the supermax? via Luka’s Lawyer (@mfflhunter on twitter)

No, but it would provide a ton of clarity to next steps for the Mavericks. With this truncated off-season, I don’t expect it to happen. There’s just too much up in the air.

What level of player (or what is the floor) is it worth it to trade 2 of the following players and a draft pick for DFS/Brunson/Kleber? via Luke DeLorimiere (@LukeDeLorimiere)

Great question and I’ll try to make some season. If we were to rank all the Maverick players 1-15 from last season, it’s Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and some combination of Maxi Kleber, Seth Curry, maybe Dwight Powell, or Jalen Brunson. It’s up for debate is the point because the talent drop off after KP is steep, and I’m considering how much I loved THj’s game last season.

In order to move some of the players who I’d currently consider top notch depth, they’d have to bring in a starter who would be a clear number three player that bridges that talent gap. I’m not sure if they can do that given what’s out there right now.

Do you think top NBA free agents really make their decisions about where they go during the free agency period? via Jim Bradshaw in the comments

No, but I think the best free agents have things figured out fairly well in advance. Or at least they have their personal rankings in terms of what they want to do. I’m not in on breaking the news but I’m connected enough to hear things and Kemba Walker was very much considering the Mavericks right up until Boston became an option late. The Mavericks have something now and while I don’t think they are a destination team nor will they ever be, having a MVP candidate on the roster is alluring to many free agents.

Ideal MLE candidate this offseason and any draft prospects that have caught your eye? via C_A_D_E_N. 11 (@CADEN117 on Twitter)

At the moment, no because I think Jae Crowder gets more than MLE money and I really do not care for this free agency class.

As far as the draft goes, I’m just genuinely excited about the options Dallas will have at 18 and 31 if they keep both picks. There’s no one guy that stands out as a need but I enjoy envisioning a lot of these players in a Dallas uniform, getting a chance to grow with an all multiverse talent in Doncic and superstar in KP.

These are great and I got 20 more I didn’t get to. Please keep sending them in. Have a great Friday y’all.