Trade & FA 2024-25:

[audiosway]

There has never been anything wrong with the 3-star model. Many teams over the years have used it to win big, typically more than 1 title.

The obstacle the Mavs face is that the rules governing payroll have been changed, making it difficult (although technically not impossible) to build out enough talent on the roster around the 3 stars. Can it be done despite those rules? It's still really early to say for certain, since these rules only came into existence in 2023.

But say, for example, the Mavs indeed had all 3 of AD, Kyrie, and KD. They would need more, but if they could keep all of PJ, Christie, and Lively, with room to re-sign Exum (yes all of that would be cap-legal), now you have a 7-man core to work with, not just 3. And you can keep those 7 men together as long as you want to, and perhaps you can find and add a key title-chasing vet or 2 at times to take a minimum and jump on the bandwagon. It works and keeps on working just so long as the owner is willing to pay the price in tax, and the players continue to play well. At some point, the run will come to an end, but to me it does look like a really scary team to face:
 
Lively AD
AD PJ
KD PJ
Christie Exum
Kyrie Exum

I've seen objections stated re PJ, but I don't buy it. Someone among your top 6 would have to be sold on the value of being 6th Man, true, but to me it's about having 6 Starter-level talents rather than 5. Great teams of the past made it work. There would definitely be plenty of minutes to go around. You keep the talent, and find ways to work your rotations to utilize ALL the talent. Since when is "the top talent would be too deep" a real problem?

I definitely see what you are saying. I think with that roster you need to have 6 starters to make it work. Especially with the age of the big 3. I won't say it can't be done because it has been done.

I just don't want to lose a large portion of the team to do it. I do feel like this team is currently set up to go after a big fish in the offseason. There are too many guys on the team that could start elsewhere. If they are cool with that I am. But, I think the injuries this year are what have made it work. There are only so many minutes to go around.

I will say though that if you can get a title or two out of bringing in KD you have to. Otherwise, all of this will have been for nothing.

I think PJ would be the perfect utility guy to hang on to in a trade like that. I do think they would try to find a way to keep Klay though.