The Mavericks are mulling whether to add an impact perimeter defender before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.
A natural target would be the Pelicans’ Herbert Jones, who made the All-Defensive First Team last season. However, there is little belief in NBA circles that the Pelicans will actually make Jones available despite their struggles this season, Clark notes.
We have more on the Mavs:
- Kyrie Irving didn’t play on Monday against Sacramento due to what the team described as a right shoulder soreness. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon (Twitter link), it had more to do with load management. Irving played 79 minutes in a back-to-back last week. The Mavs will keep monitoring Irving’s minutes while Luka Doncic recovers from his calf strain.
- Irving will be back in the lineup tonight. He’s not listed on the injury report but Dereck Lively is questionable to play against Houston due to a hip ailment, Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News tweets. Klay Thompson, who missed Monday’s game due to an illness, is also available.
- Forward P.J. Washington was surprised he was suspended for a game by the league due to his role in Thursday’s scuffle against Phoenix. “I didn’t feel like I tried to do anything maliciously,” Washington told Curtis. “I just tried to protect my teammate and that was it.” He delivered a 28-point performance in his return on Monday, though Dallas still lost to the Kings.
Bruce Brown is a perfect fit. Cowboy to boot.
BB is too expensive (23 M). Someone in the price range of Herbert Jones (13 M) would be more realistic, since Dallas’ package could be centered around Maxi Kleber (Kleber + Exum would work, for instance).
I feel like on the right team Herb is definitely worth giving up a first round pick maybe Ben two for cause he can be the difference maker that wins you a championship.
However for the Mavs I really don’t see how they do it without a couple miracle series from the whole team. Luka is just that bad defensively that in order for them to win he has to absolutely go off offensively and his team mates have to work so hard at both ends to get over the line.
I like Lively and Gafford but defensively they aren’t Gobert, AD, Wemby and Mobley like rim protectors. When Luka gets beat it’s not like they have a top 10 help defender waiting in the paint.
Herb is an amazing defender and would definitely help but I think the elite defender they need isn’t a wing it’s a big that’ll cover for Luka.
I think Herb would be a great fit for the Pacers, cause he could be that on ball 1-4 guy. You’ve got Siakim as a help defender and you’ve got Turner as a shot blocker. Offensively Tyrese needs to do better running that offence and scoring the ball. Siakim needs to step up as the teams second option. Benedict wants to take that leap and off the bench TJ is great.
If I’m Indy I know long term Tyrese Nembhart and Sheppard as a trio all can’t work together I’d ship one of the roller players out plus a first plus another depth piece for Herb
Luka plays good defense now…. it’s like ppl still calling him overweight when that was 3 years ago