I’ve been saying this for weeks: AD is one injury away from completely ruining his career - or at least whatever trade value he had left.

People kept saying, “We’re not in a rush, we can hold on to him.”

That was utter bullshit back then, and it’s nothing but pure hubris now.

And surprise, surprise - he’s injured again. Anyone shocked by this hasn’t been paying attention.

He played 33% of all games with the Mavs. Since 2018/2019 he had ONE season with 76 games. The rest? 62 games max, a little over 60% on average! And this guy is not getting any younger.

The writing was on the wall from day one. That’s exactly why his value was so low. That’s exactly why we had zero leverage.

What really makes me furious is this collective delusion that AD is some kind of superstar and that we deserve a “nice return.”

This constant reality-denying nonsense is unbearable. Whoever trades for him now is an idiot. (Frankly, they were one before too — but let’s not open the Luka can again.)

So PLEASE, for the love of God: Get real. AD is not a trade chip. He is a burden.

And we should be happy to move him for a bag of beans - ideally one that comes with some form of cap relief.

Only if we accept this, we can collectively move forward and talk about realistic plans.

Thank you, that is all.

How about them boys! Seems like the Mavs win a few of the games they're suppose to lose. It was a lackluster start to the game, but seemed to heat up as time went on. The Mavs actually had a little vim and vigor--or in some areas piss and vinegar.

Later in the first quarter, the second, and part of the third AD seemed like he had a bit of P & V, but he seemed to wind down as the game wound down.

Gafford only played 19 minutes? Seemed like more. I'm not going to say he seemed like a tasmanian devil in there but he played pretty good.

Cooper Flagg had an off night but he still contributes in other ways.

Marshall played...not too bad. I was surprised at some of the paint shots he missed. Normally he is dead eye on those.

Klay Thompson also had an off night, but he was there!

Brandon Williams--old lightning and flash. I'm not saying that as a bad thing. Sometimes the Mavs need a change up in the game. Measured by some of the plodders in the game he does that.

I saved my best for the last. Max Christie. It was great that Max went to the basket with authority. It was also great to see him hit those threes with regularity. Dirkie worthy? Hell yeah.

Stashing this here for reference. 
As of December 30, 2025, the **Dallas Mavericks**' draft picks over the next 7 NBA drafts (2026 through 2032) are as follows, based on current obligations from past trades (including the Kyrie Irving trade to Brooklyn in 2023 and others). 

### First-Round Picks

1. - **2026** — Own (unprotected)
   
2. - **2027** — Likely owed to Charlotte Hornets (protected 1-2; extremely unlikely to be protected)
   
3. - **2028** — Own, but Oklahoma City has the right to swap (OKC can take the better of their own or Dallas')
   
4. - **2029** — Likely owed in a complex swap involving Houston/Brooklyn/Phoenix (Dallas' pick is part of a group where Houston gets the best two, Brooklyn the worst); **plus** incoming unprotected from Los Angeles Lakers (from the Luka Dončić trade)
   
5. - **2030** — Involved in swap with San Antonio (complicated; Dallas may end up with the worse of their own or San Antonio's in some scenarios)
   
6. - **2031** — Own (unprotected)
   
7. - **2032** — Own (unprotected)
   

• If the team stays the course its rolling the dice on AD's ability to stay on the court + Kyrie's unknown post-injury level. 
  
• If the Mavs switch timelines from aggressive win-now plan to 19 year old baby coop build it has to find at least one and preferably two NBA all-star caliber or capable to get back on track with the post-Luka intention.