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

[mvossman]

We're officially way out on a branch that probably isn't even connected to a real tree at this point, but I disagree with the idea of imagining possible ways Kyrie/Cleveland Star guard A or B as a tandem could go wrong and using it as an excuse to pull away from this opportunity. 

1) Kyrie is hurt for a while. 

2) I'm not convinced beyond all doubt that they couldn't play together when Kyrie is healthy. It's definitely likely that there would be issues to overcome in that scenario, but for the payoff of an offense that actually works, putting Kyrie right back off-ball where he has been since coming here, I think it deserves a try, if possible. 

3) If it doesn't work, you simply trade Kyrie. Cooper Flagg is 18. Garland is 25. Mitchell is 28. Kyrie is like 33, I think. Pretty easy to see the level of opportunity this hypothetical represents, imo. 

And...if this is even true, when is the next opportunity you'd have to add an all star guard, in their early prime (Mitchell) or not quite in their prime yet (Garland) to this team? All the Gafford/PJW consolidation for impact guard ideas some of us tried to dream up this summer, and this is one I wouldn't have dared imagine, even. The players  in question are too good to be true (which probably means it isn't). But, if this is real I think it would be silly not to pounce. This is the kind of opportunity you jump on now and figure out how to make work later.

Mostly I am working under the assumption that the trade would be fair value at best (and with Nico likely worse).  If they were looking to dump Garland, there would be plenty of suiters with a better package that Mavs can offer.  In a bidding war, I'm not sure Gafford + PJ + two unprotected firsts does it.  In the short term I think you could do just as well with a cheaper better fitting piece, and in the long term I have no idea if Garland is the right play.

But sure, if we can land a total steal then you do it regardless of fit.