Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[mvossman]

Personally I don't think we've seen much of a fully engaged AD. I also question how hurt he really is. He has a history. Regardless, I have NO doubt, if he's traded to a contender, his health and performance will suddenly improve. 

He's averaging 20ppg in Dallas. Playoff AD is a 28/12 difference maker.

AD wants an extension and he's not getting one in Dallas so he's doing exactly what you'd expect. We're talking about (up to) $275 million. AD and his representation won't put that at risk by playing for a tannking team who won't give him an extenstion.

It might be that he is not fully engaged and it might be related to injuries, but there is a very good chance that his age is a factor as well.  He is in the age range where a lot of big men start to decline significantly.  I'm not sure you will ever see that playoff AD again.

[Dirknows]

If we have to package Naji or Gafford with AD to get something of value just do it. Get this dude away from the Mavs. Don’t want to hear Rich Paul talk about a max extension for a dude who got hurt on a play that 99.99% of players wouldn’t.

[windjc]

OMG. I am so glad the consensus on this board are not the decision makers in a trade. I really though Mark Cuban was one of the daftest people on the planet. But he'd darn well be Socrates on this forum.

[KillerLeft]

Sure we can.  We are tanking.  

I find myself in a weird place.  I have been very pro trade AD for the right price, but if our choices are to trade AD for salary dump or trade Gafford for salary dump and a late first, I think I am leaning towards trading Gafford.  We can easily clear whatever cap we need between Gafford and Klay.  We would end up with more assets and the better player (although I am not looking forward to the AD injury roller coaster).

I'm not 100% sure Gafford is worth expiring contracts AND a first. I think he might be worth a first if you're also taking salary back (hopefully attached to a decent player who fits), but I don't know that any team out there is so into Gafford that they're willing to view him as straight up added salary. All the good teams are going through this Apron hell to one extent or another, not just the Mavs. To be clear, I'm not suggesting you can't get a package like that, just that I don't know. 

As far as the overall logic of your take, I can certainly see that perspective. AD is a much, much better player, so it's tough to give him away when you feel like you can sell higher on Gafford at the moment.

[windjc]

AD is a much, much better player, so it's tough to give him away when you feel like you can sell higher on Gafford at the moment.

Exactly. People are just over-emotional. Logic has left the room. OH NOOS! AD HURT HIS HAND! He is now worthless!

LOL. OMG.

[bubbler86]

Sure we can.  We are tanking.  

I find myself in a weird place.  I have been very pro trade AD for the right price, but if our choices are to trade AD for salary dump or trade Gafford for salary dump and a late first, I think I am leaning towards trading Gafford.  We can easily clear whatever cap we need between Gafford and Klay.  We would end up with more assets and the better player (although I am not looking forward to the AD injury roller coaster).

Gafford has his own injury history so not sure they get anything for him except expirings.   He is a heart and soul player though and can be the starting center of a successful team if we have shooting at 4 other positions.  We looked like midgets last night.   I think it is too early to fully tank without facing criticism from the NBA.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Chris Haynes] on players seeking 2nd opinions for injuries: “Teams hate that, […] Not to name any names, but there are some players out right now because the 2nd or 3rd opinion they sought, and they’re going by the diagnosis that their doctor gave them.”

edit: might be completely unrelated to AD. interesting timing though

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Atl Hawks] Asa Newell (right quad contusion): Available
N’Faly Dante (right knee, torn ACL): Out
Luke Kennard (neck sprain): Out
Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendinitis): Out
Zaccharie Risacher (left knee, bone contusion): Out

[KillerLeft]

[Atl Hawks] Asa Newell (right quad contusion): Available
N’Faly Dante (right knee, torn ACL): Out
Luke Kennard (neck sprain): Out
Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendinitis): Out
Zaccharie Risacher (left knee, bone contusion): Out

THE DREAM IS ALIVE MY GUYS

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I cant wait til we get him and he scores like 4 points in his first game and there is Civil War on this forum again.

[KillerLeft]

I cant wait til we get him and he scores like 4 points in his first game and there is Civil War on this forum again.

Would still be an improvement over the variety of Civil War we've been waging the past year.

He's an interesting, super young player who isn't a center or 4, so...PROGRESS!

[mvossman]

Gafford has his own injury history so not sure they get anything for him except expirings.   He is a heart and soul player though and can be the starting center of a successful team if we have shooting at 4 other positions.  We looked like midgets last night.   I think it is too early to fully tank without facing criticism from the NBA.

LOL, you are worried about NBA tanking criticism because Mavs trade away Gafford?

[mvossman]

OMG. I am so glad the consensus on this board are not the decision makers in a trade. I really though Mark Cuban was one of the daftest people on the planet. But he'd darn well be Socrates on this forum.

Big talk from a guy who argued this team was close to contention a couple weeks ago.

[Smitty]

The Hawks just make too much sense not to talk about. The expirings that would be included don’t hurt the on-court product at all. If they’re giving up a role player and thats it, I can’t see them holding back. The cap space that they have in the summer won’t land them an impact player. There’s no scenario where Risacher is the additional salary UNLESS you expand the trade from the Mavs side. Could you do a full reset and offer Davis, Gafford, Naji for Expirings, Risacher, Okongwu, CLE FRP?

Why the Hawks do it: You don’t trade for AD to “tank”, this season or next. Gafford fills the hole at Center and provides more of what they need there than OO, while Naji fills the bench Wing role that ZR would be leaving. You get to capitalize on your big expirings contracts this TDL in KP and Kennard.

The Mavs go into next season with zero financial issues, which is where a non-contending team should be. They get much younger and start to build a team that is clearly and only Flagg’s.

Kyrie (33) - Nembhard (22) - Top 20 FRP
Christie (22) - Klay (35)
Risacher (20) - Top 8 FRP
Flagg (19) - PJW (27)
Lively (21) - Okongwu (25)

Only Kyrie and Klay in your top 10 are “old”.
This is putting all your assets in one basket for a full reset. I like the roster and fit of the above though… Lively’s health would be the biggest X-factor going forward!

[mvossman]

I cant wait til we get him and he scores like 4 points in his first game and there is Civil War on this forum again.

Not anymore.  There might two posters on this board who would be upset for an AD for Risacher trade now.

[KillerLeft]

The Hawks just make too much sense not to talk about. The expirings that would be included don’t hurt the on-court product at all. If they’re giving up a role player and thats it, I can’t see them holding back. The cap space that they have in the summer won’t land them an impact player. There’s no scenario where Risacher is the additional salary UNLESS you expand the trade from the Mavs side. Could you do a full reset and offer Davis, Gafford, Naji for Expirings, Risacher, Okongwu, CLE FRP?

Why the Hawks do it: You don’t trade for AD to “tank”, this season or next. Gafford fills the hole at Center and provides more of what they need there than OO, while Naji fills the bench Wing role that ZR would be leaving. You get to capitalize on your big expirings contracts this TDL in KP and Kennard.

The Mavs go into next season with zero financial issues, which is where a non-contending team should be. They get much younger and start to build a team that is clearly and only Flagg’s.

Kyrie (33) - Nembhard (22) - Top 20 FRP
Christie (22) - Klay (35)
Risacher (20) - Top 8 FRP
Flagg (19) - PJW (27)
Lively (21) - Okongwu (25)

Only Kyrie and Klay in your top 10 are “old”.
This is putting all your assets in one basket for a full reset. I like the roster and fit of the above though… Lively’s health would be the biggest X-factor going forward!

I still think you might be able to get expirings and Risacher for AD straight up, as long as you're willing to forgo any ask of draft capital. Because I believe that, I say no.

[mvossman]

The Hawks just make too much sense not to talk about. The expirings that would be included don’t hurt the on-court product at all. If they’re giving up a role player and thats it, I can’t see them holding back. The cap space that they have in the summer won’t land them an impact player. There’s no scenario where Risacher is the additional salary UNLESS you expand the trade from the Mavs side. Could you do a full reset and offer Davis, Gafford, Naji for Expirings, Risacher, Okongwu, CLE FRP?

Why the Hawks do it: You don’t trade for AD to “tank”, this season or next. Gafford fills the hole at Center and provides more of what they need there than OO, while Naji fills the bench Wing role that ZR would be leaving. You get to capitalize on your big expirings contracts this TDL in KP and Kennard.

The Mavs go into next season with zero financial issues, which is where a non-contending team should be. They get much younger and start to build a team that is clearly and only Flagg’s.

Kyrie (33) - Nembhard (22) - Top 20 FRP
Christie (22) - Klay (35)
Risacher (20) - Top 8 FRP
Flagg (19) - PJW (27)
Lively (21) - Okongwu (25)

Only Kyrie and Klay in your top 10 are “old”.
This is putting all your assets in one basket for a full reset. I like the roster and fit of the above though… Lively’s health would be the biggest X-factor going forward!

I would do this in a heartbeat.  Not only do I like the long term implications, the rest of this season would be much more entertaining.

[mvossman]

I still think you might be able to get expirings and Risacher for AD straight up, as long as you're willing to forgo any ask of draft capital. Because I believe that, I say no.

You wouldn't do Gafford + Naji for Okongwu + CLE first?  I think I would.

[Chicagojk]

Question for the board: let’s say the Luka trade never happened and we are sitting here with mostly the same team as the finals tr. let’s say last year with Luka ending short of expectations. Let’s say they lost to Minnesota in The first round.

AD is on the Lakers and he has the same injury timeline he has with the Mavs. Are you trading for AD now to put on the Luka team? If so, what are you offering?

[Mavs2021]

Big talk from a guy who argued this team was close to contention a couple weeks ago.

Or that asks whether the Mavs would really trade Flagg, cause he likes Hardy too much.