Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[SleepingHero]

Does it change anything for you if PJ is also unsigned and UFA after the season?  That possibility exists.  At that point you are trading uncertainties, but both teams probably need what they are getting worse than they need what they have (and Chicago could flip PJ at the deadline).  The financial savings of moving off of Hardy is also not nothing.

It does change the calculus a bit in terms of how I view PJ as an asset, but then as you said both teams are trading uncertainties. 

And I'd argue that PJ has more value on the open market than Coby white just due to his positional flexibility and need. I don't believe Hardy's $ is big enough to warrant attaching a first either. 

I think cow made a great point earlier that I'd like to repeat and that's the Mavs making any abrupt changes right now is history repeating by making the same mistakes that they made early on in the Luka era. The KP trade hampered the Mavs early on for YEARS. Of course they took a calculated risk, but it prevented them from actually building around Luka properly. 

Trading away PJ AND a first is a massive deal. What if PJ fits very well alongside Flagg? What if the Mavs need a first to get that running mate later down the line?

While I am interested in this core and being great in the immediate future the next year, the fact the Mavs managed to land Flagg means the real title window hasn't even begun. We should be making preparations to build around Flagg in 3 years time. Not go all in and blow what little we got left to win next season. 

Just to reiterate, I like Coby White. I think he's a fantastic target. I don't think he is worth a premium (even if the market might dictate that). I'd rather just sign Tyus Jones and hold out till Kyrie arrives.