(12-27-2024, 01:02 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I think what people are reacting to is your inclusion of Kyrie Irving, because there is a 0% chance trading him has even crossed the Mavericks decision makers' minds. The reason you're not taken seriously is because every single one of your proposed trades has Irving included. Not only will they not trade him, they are going to give him a nice, fat extension this summer.
Well, I'm coming at it from this angle...
Kyrie isn't getting any younger! You have to think/plan ahead too. Then also look at the main competition (Celtics and Thunder, currently), to determine what might be more valuable or necessary in order to beat them consistently. The Celtics generally put 5 players on the court who can play offense + defense at a very high level. They also have good size, and their players are overall physically stronger and more athletic than the Mavs equivalents. It's the same with Thunder... except they're smaller in size with Jalen Williams at PF, but younger, quicker and more athletic.
So, I think having the options of Avdija and Anfernee will be more valuable than Kyrie, when/if the opposing team is slowing down Kyrie to the same extent that we saw in last year's Finals. Especially with 6'9" Avdija in the lineup along with PJW, it could give the Mavs a larger lineup that the Celtics and Thunder find harder to beat.
- Luka [25yo]
- Grimes [24yo] or Anfernee [25yo], depending on need.
- Avdija [24yo]
- PJW [26yo]
- Lively [20yo]
I see these guys fitting together very well... well enough that I'm cool with trading Kyrie to make it happen... and the other backups that the Mavs have can also fit in very well alongside these guys (Gafford, Klay, Naji, Hardy, Spencer, Gortman, Kleber).
Of course, all of this is predicated on Luka finally getting serious about losing weight and staying in tip-top shape.