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

[Smitty]

If Stein is right about DLo and Exum, we basically have 7 guys who have always started.  DLo did lose his starting job during his half season in LA last season, but otherwise, he’s always started.  It makes sense to start him if you are using him as a placeholder for Kyrie.  That way, when Kyrie returns, there isn’t a huge change in playing style or positions.

It makes sense to start Klay to add shooting and to put your biggest names in the lineup announcement (though Klay rarely closed, so I don’t think he’s in your “top 5” even though he may be in your starting five).

It makes sense to start PJ (or at least make that promise)…especially if you want to keep him and get him to sign that extension.  Unlike Klay or DLo, PJ definitely is among your top five players.

But, only two of the three can start if you assume Flagg, AD and a center will occupy the other three spots.  I hope it is Klay that moves  to the bench.  With Gafford and Naji on the bench, the second unit could really use some shooting.  Exum helps, but Christie is unproven at this point.  I have fewer offensive concerns with Lively, AD, PJ, Flagg and DLo as the starters.  Gafford, Naji, Klay, Christie and Exum also make sense to me.  Between BWill (PG), Hardy (Small Wing), Martin (Larger Wing) and Powell (Center), you have someone who can absorb minutes at each position as needed (though, you can absorb most injuries by just giving more minutes to the top 10 guys in your rotation).

With all of that said, if PJ doesn’t extend, I can see him coming off the bench instead of Klay.  I could also see the Mav’s using some of that deep bench payroll ($20mm between Martin, Powell and Hardy) combined with PJ to go after a more natural 2.  None of Flagg, Klay nor PJ really make that much sense as a 2.  Nico makes TDL trades every year, and I could see something happening there with PJ+ if he isn’t locked up at the end of August.  I’m not predicting that.  I like PJ and was encouraged by Nico’s story about PJ at the Flagg workout.  Just pointing out that the PJ thing isn’t locked down yet.

You and I are aligned here. I just have a hard time believing THEY will bring Klay off the bench, especially to start the year. If I had to put money on the opening day starting 5: Flagg - Klay - PJ - AD - Gafford