2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[F Gump]

I'm anxiously awaiting FG's apron numbers with the top pick included.  I've gotten kind of lazy and don't want to relearn all of these new apron rules.  I think we are destined to be a second apron team, so some added complexity to what we can/can't do on the trade front.

I've already been looking at them myself. They aren't as bad as I thought, but both payroll and roster space needs some work.

Right now, with 14 players next year, they land at [rounded numbers, apron math] 209M and Apron 2 is at 208M. (My numbers assume Kyrie is on the roster next year, at the same salary as his PO.) They will definitely want to get under Apron 2. They also need help at PG.

Current Depth Chart is
Gafford, Lively, Powell
AD, Flagg, OMax
PW, Marshall, Martin
Klay, Christie, Hardy
Kyrie, Williams

I am still set on my own "summer plan" primarily featuring a trade for Ball (and wonder hopefully if one was already negotiated at the deadline, when Martin was oddly acquired by DAL despite his ill-fitting contract with incentives that all count - as a player CHI would value in a swap for Ball? - and when Ball did his extension downward to a number that works for Mavs needs). A package of Martin-Powell-Hardy for Ball would be ideal imo, as it allows money and space for the roster below (which also includes following up by signing 2 players to return, Jones and Exum, but not SD).

Gafford, Lively, JONES (SIGNED @ min )
AD, Flagg, OMax
PJW, Marshall
Klay, Christie, BALL (TRADE)
Kyrie, Williams, EXUM (SIGNED @ 5M)

That payroll lands at 205.5M with 14 players, leaving room for a 15th player (such as an emergency PG if needed, or a development player). The fact that Ball and Exum both have injury histories would be a concern, with the hope being at least one would be healthy (along with BW) until Kyrie returned, and the added benefit that both can defend and both are big enough to play minutes at the 2.

I also think that roster (as it would be on opening day) would be one for a good two-way player or raw FA to want to be on. They'd only start with 13 players in total (with an empty space, and Kyrie out) and with lots of injury-prone guys who might not be able to go for stretches of the season, potentially opening up minutes.