05-30-2025, 07:10 PM
I'm not one to start threads, but I put a lot of time and work into this and didn't want it caught up in the wash at the end of a page.
Yes, this post is long one, but after reading multiple team's message boards, studying their ultimate Offseason wishlists and incorporating what the Mavs could and should do, I've created a giant blueprint. Please give it a read and your thoughts and consideration. (Yes, FGump, I've done multiple checks against the cap on this and it seems to check out. That said, if there are slight issues, I can see multiple ways this can be compartmentalized and broken up to be compliant.)
Mantra #1 - Two Timelines DON'T Work
There have been multiple examples of teams attempting to win now while cultivating a future generation. But it simply doesn't work. Sometimes a team can win immediately, but, ultimately, doing so, leads to not developing the youth movement and hamstringing it's cap for years to come. Therefore, if it's either building around AD and Kyrie (two injury prone players) or Flagg and a younger nucleus, I choose the latter.
Mantra #2 - Though Shalt NOT Be a 2nd Apron Team
Operating within the 2nd Apron is far too limiting, prevents a team from being opportunistic and forces it to make poor choices.
Mantra #3 - Do NOT Fall in Love With Past Results
Yes, older players have history, track records and highlight reels that make you feel warm and fuzzy. But they also have bloated contracts (See: Mantra #2) and a shortened potential for winnable seasons.
Trades
Trade #1:
Mavs receive Air
Nets receive Dwight Powell and Sixers 2031 2nd
This is simply an appetizer for the deals to come, which comfortably gets Dallas under the 2nd Apron and allows it to aggregate players in the future trades. This is part of the Nets accumulating small contracts on serviceable players which is sometimes needed in lieu of the straight cap space they have. There are other teams with small, soon to be expiring TPEs who would like a free asset. I simply chose the Nets.
Trade #2:
Mavs receive #8, #13, #36 and a $51.8 mil TPE/ cap space
Nets receive PJ Washington, Max Christie, #22 and the Lakers 2029 1st (top 3 protected)
Hawks receive Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin #19 and #27 (Hawks have a $25 mil TPE)
Why do the Nets do it?
Frankly, the Draft becomes a crapshoot after the 5th or 6th pick. They hoped their pick would be higher, but they rolled snake eyes. Trading #8 and swapping around a few other picks is worth it in getting young assets like PJ, Christie and Hardy (who are easily movable -- Hardy needs a change of scenery), plus a reroll with the future Lakers' pick is a good rebet. Additionally, a giant glob of cap space looks great on paper, but valuable players on good, short contracts are much better when you are blindly starting a rebuild
Why do the Hawks do it? They have a $25 mil TPE due to expire in June. For the #13 pick they get a young Center in Gafford, a solid piece in Martin and move up a few picks later in the draft.
Why do the Mavs do it?
Yes, they swap around draft capital, but they also create significant cap space/TPE to be used in...
Trade #3
Mavs receive Damian Lillard, Harrison Barnes, Jared McCain, Bobby Portis, #2, the Celtics unprotected 2026 and regain 2030 swap rights from Spurs
Sixers receive Anthony Davis, #32 and #36
Bucks receive Paul George, Jrue Holliday, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, #3, #13,#14, 2026 Hawks 1st via swap with Spurs, Hawks unprotected 2027 1st and unprotected 1st from Clippers, 2028 swap rights for the Celtics' 1st via Spurs
Celtics receive 2031 2nd via Kings
Okay, why does each team do this?
Let's start with the Bucks:
First, they are in the epically weak East. Secondly, their immediate draft position is essentially negated by the sunk cost of having zero control of their own draft capital. Plus, they get rid of the dead weight of Lillard's deal while landing seven 1sts to trade Giannis in his prime.
A starting lineup of:
Holliday, Vassell, George, Kuzma and Queen (#13 pick) will get you into the playoffs in the East. And if it doesn't, who cares? This season is essentially a Powerball ticket while building around the seven 1sts.
Why do the Sixers do it?
Rinse and repeat: the East is WIDE OPEN and a core of Maxey, AD and Embiid would be one of the favorites to come out of the Leastern Conference. Plus, they get out of George's deal. It will cost them #3, a 2028 Clippers' 1st and McCain, who can be replaced by resigning Grimes.
Why do the Celtics do it?
Easy. They unload a MASSIVE contract and save a boatload of luxury tax. It costs them an unprotected 1st in a loaded draft in what could be a bad year for them.
Why do the Spurs do it?
Even easier. Giannis. Between Antetokounpo and Wembanyama they create the most formidable frontcourt for the next decade (GA will age like LeBron) and cause Elementary spelling bee contestants in San Antonio to freak out.
Okay, now, WHY DALLAS?
First, if you're honest with yourself, the West ain't the East. It's going to be a GAUNTLET for the next 3-4 years. The chances of an aging Mavs team threading the needle with health scares and a weird mix of very old bodies with a generational talent in Flagg who won't even be old enough to drink for THREE more years(!!!), combined with limited future picks is a bad mix. Instead, use the pieces you have and the mixture of panic and ambition the other teams have against them and build for the long term.
Why, specifically? Because a Flagg and Harper combo could be epic. Plus, with the 8th pick you can either sit back and grab whoever slips through or add an asset and move up to get someone you think could be a part of a 3-headed monster along with Lively.
Now you're wondering how Kyrie fits in with all this. Truthfully, I think it could work out two ways, with both being positive. If Kyrie decides he'd rather go elsewhere, cool. I understand. But, honestly, with the exception of Detroit, I don't see many desirable options to sign him away outright. Thus, the Mavs, could facilitate a sign and trade that gets them some assets. However, if Kyrie likes it here, I would love nothing more than a rehabbing Kyrie and Dame serving as the mentors for this next generation (gives me chills). Plus, once Kyrie and Dame have rehabbed their value, the Mavs can work with them to find them an ideal situation to go elsewhere.
So what does the new lineup look like for next season?
Harper, B. Williams
McCain, Klay
Naji, Barnes
Flagg, Portis
Lively, Maluach (#8 pick)
The Mavs then have their own 2026 1st and Boston's to add to the young core, and $30 million in expiring contracts (Barnes and Portis) that can be dealt at the deadline.
Yeah, it's young, but it's also got a sturdy framework.
As for the trades, it does look like a lot of moving parts and questioning of, plus or minus, the value of the trades. But in the long run, this trade looks fair:
AD, PJ, Gafford, Christie, Martin and the Lakers 2029 pick
For
Harper, McCain, Lillard's bad contract, Barnes, #8 and the Celtics' 2026 1st, plus regaining the 2030 swap from SA
In fact, I think this checks the boxes for all the teams.
Look, I expect Nico to Nico. But if he zags instead of zigs, this could be a way more exciting future than the one we woke up to in February.
Yes, this post is long one, but after reading multiple team's message boards, studying their ultimate Offseason wishlists and incorporating what the Mavs could and should do, I've created a giant blueprint. Please give it a read and your thoughts and consideration. (Yes, FGump, I've done multiple checks against the cap on this and it seems to check out. That said, if there are slight issues, I can see multiple ways this can be compartmentalized and broken up to be compliant.)
Mantra #1 - Two Timelines DON'T Work
There have been multiple examples of teams attempting to win now while cultivating a future generation. But it simply doesn't work. Sometimes a team can win immediately, but, ultimately, doing so, leads to not developing the youth movement and hamstringing it's cap for years to come. Therefore, if it's either building around AD and Kyrie (two injury prone players) or Flagg and a younger nucleus, I choose the latter.
Mantra #2 - Though Shalt NOT Be a 2nd Apron Team
Operating within the 2nd Apron is far too limiting, prevents a team from being opportunistic and forces it to make poor choices.
Mantra #3 - Do NOT Fall in Love With Past Results
Yes, older players have history, track records and highlight reels that make you feel warm and fuzzy. But they also have bloated contracts (See: Mantra #2) and a shortened potential for winnable seasons.
Trades
Trade #1:
Mavs receive Air
Nets receive Dwight Powell and Sixers 2031 2nd
This is simply an appetizer for the deals to come, which comfortably gets Dallas under the 2nd Apron and allows it to aggregate players in the future trades. This is part of the Nets accumulating small contracts on serviceable players which is sometimes needed in lieu of the straight cap space they have. There are other teams with small, soon to be expiring TPEs who would like a free asset. I simply chose the Nets.
Trade #2:
Mavs receive #8, #13, #36 and a $51.8 mil TPE/ cap space
Nets receive PJ Washington, Max Christie, #22 and the Lakers 2029 1st (top 3 protected)
Hawks receive Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin #19 and #27 (Hawks have a $25 mil TPE)
Why do the Nets do it?
Frankly, the Draft becomes a crapshoot after the 5th or 6th pick. They hoped their pick would be higher, but they rolled snake eyes. Trading #8 and swapping around a few other picks is worth it in getting young assets like PJ, Christie and Hardy (who are easily movable -- Hardy needs a change of scenery), plus a reroll with the future Lakers' pick is a good rebet. Additionally, a giant glob of cap space looks great on paper, but valuable players on good, short contracts are much better when you are blindly starting a rebuild
Why do the Hawks do it? They have a $25 mil TPE due to expire in June. For the #13 pick they get a young Center in Gafford, a solid piece in Martin and move up a few picks later in the draft.
Why do the Mavs do it?
Yes, they swap around draft capital, but they also create significant cap space/TPE to be used in...
Trade #3
Mavs receive Damian Lillard, Harrison Barnes, Jared McCain, Bobby Portis, #2, the Celtics unprotected 2026 and regain 2030 swap rights from Spurs
Sixers receive Anthony Davis, #32 and #36
Bucks receive Paul George, Jrue Holliday, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, #3, #13,#14, 2026 Hawks 1st via swap with Spurs, Hawks unprotected 2027 1st and unprotected 1st from Clippers, 2028 swap rights for the Celtics' 1st via Spurs
Celtics receive 2031 2nd via Kings
Okay, why does each team do this?
Let's start with the Bucks:
First, they are in the epically weak East. Secondly, their immediate draft position is essentially negated by the sunk cost of having zero control of their own draft capital. Plus, they get rid of the dead weight of Lillard's deal while landing seven 1sts to trade Giannis in his prime.
A starting lineup of:
Holliday, Vassell, George, Kuzma and Queen (#13 pick) will get you into the playoffs in the East. And if it doesn't, who cares? This season is essentially a Powerball ticket while building around the seven 1sts.
Why do the Sixers do it?
Rinse and repeat: the East is WIDE OPEN and a core of Maxey, AD and Embiid would be one of the favorites to come out of the Leastern Conference. Plus, they get out of George's deal. It will cost them #3, a 2028 Clippers' 1st and McCain, who can be replaced by resigning Grimes.
Why do the Celtics do it?
Easy. They unload a MASSIVE contract and save a boatload of luxury tax. It costs them an unprotected 1st in a loaded draft in what could be a bad year for them.
Why do the Spurs do it?
Even easier. Giannis. Between Antetokounpo and Wembanyama they create the most formidable frontcourt for the next decade (GA will age like LeBron) and cause Elementary spelling bee contestants in San Antonio to freak out.
Okay, now, WHY DALLAS?
First, if you're honest with yourself, the West ain't the East. It's going to be a GAUNTLET for the next 3-4 years. The chances of an aging Mavs team threading the needle with health scares and a weird mix of very old bodies with a generational talent in Flagg who won't even be old enough to drink for THREE more years(!!!), combined with limited future picks is a bad mix. Instead, use the pieces you have and the mixture of panic and ambition the other teams have against them and build for the long term.
Why, specifically? Because a Flagg and Harper combo could be epic. Plus, with the 8th pick you can either sit back and grab whoever slips through or add an asset and move up to get someone you think could be a part of a 3-headed monster along with Lively.
Now you're wondering how Kyrie fits in with all this. Truthfully, I think it could work out two ways, with both being positive. If Kyrie decides he'd rather go elsewhere, cool. I understand. But, honestly, with the exception of Detroit, I don't see many desirable options to sign him away outright. Thus, the Mavs, could facilitate a sign and trade that gets them some assets. However, if Kyrie likes it here, I would love nothing more than a rehabbing Kyrie and Dame serving as the mentors for this next generation (gives me chills). Plus, once Kyrie and Dame have rehabbed their value, the Mavs can work with them to find them an ideal situation to go elsewhere.
So what does the new lineup look like for next season?
Harper, B. Williams
McCain, Klay
Naji, Barnes
Flagg, Portis
Lively, Maluach (#8 pick)
The Mavs then have their own 2026 1st and Boston's to add to the young core, and $30 million in expiring contracts (Barnes and Portis) that can be dealt at the deadline.
Yeah, it's young, but it's also got a sturdy framework.
As for the trades, it does look like a lot of moving parts and questioning of, plus or minus, the value of the trades. But in the long run, this trade looks fair:
AD, PJ, Gafford, Christie, Martin and the Lakers 2029 pick
For
Harper, McCain, Lillard's bad contract, Barnes, #8 and the Celtics' 2026 1st, plus regaining the 2030 swap from SA
In fact, I think this checks the boxes for all the teams.
Look, I expect Nico to Nico. But if he zags instead of zigs, this could be a way more exciting future than the one we woke up to in February.
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