Trade & FA 2024-25:

[mvossman]

You are likely correct. I'm not saying Klay isn't a good addition, but it almost felt like a status thing. That a multi-ring champion would leave the team he won with to move over to DAL, who is historically bad at FAs, and indicate he expects to compete for a title. Despite the last 5 years of extended injuries and declining productivity. 

At the time I was OK with it as I expected Klay and Kyrie to provide veteran leadership to the basket of young talent DAL was accumulating. They can still do that, but the basket is smaller now. I am hopeful they can hang on until the calvary arrives as I think there are going to be a lot of surprised teams if they can get healthy. (BIG IF, I know, I know).

I think its less about status and more about Klay being somebody Nico had a prior relationship with.  Almost to the day Linsey was announced going to Detroit is when the rumors turned from DJJ to Klay.  At this point I feel like the pattern is too strong to ignore.  First Kyrie, then Klay and now AD.  Folks can rationalize about why AD was picked but its hard for me not to think a big part of it was his relationship with Nico.  This is why I fear he is going to do everything he can to get KD.