Game 14 Dirkie Thread: Cooper Flagg!...in a landslide...

[Chicagojk]

I wasn't sure it would go this way, but in a very small sample size, I think Davis hurts Flagg's development.  Its part of the Davis conundrum I've talked about.  Davis has to play to build value, but Davis playing probably hurts the (alleged) tank (I still don't know that we have enough info either way at this point).  Davis also hurts Cooper's development.  But, if you don't play him enough before dealing him, you are trashing an asset that could be incredibly helpful in turning this thing around.

I think Dallas needs to keep an open mind on Davis.  I am in no hurry moving him right away.  To be honest, I have very little interest in the Coby White, a first, and salary for Davis.  I like Coby White too.  i just feels like that is a move with very little upside.   

I hated how Davis moved to begin the year.  So much so that I went back and watched his 24 highlights to make sure I wasn't missing anything.   He doesn't move as well as he did in New Orleans but he was certainly moving better in LAL last year.   I would have honest conversations with him.

#1 does he want to be here?  If the answer is no, then we will look for deals.  Although I will be up front with him that we will only move him once we get a deal we view is good.  We would need his help to make sure that is a reality with his play on the floor.

#2 he is now a center and over 75% of his time will be at center.  What are his thoughts on this?

#3 is more of an evaluation.  Is he still hungry?   Does winning another championship still drive him?  

He has two years left on his deal with a player option.   Do we really think he will opt out with 60 million coming to him in his mid 30"s.   Mavs have some leverage here.    It is not the worst thing in the world to see how this plays out and then have him and Kyrie coming off the books when we have 3-4 good young players who are mostly before their extensions.  If Mavs can find another young player in the draft, what they do with AD doesn't really matter to me.   I just think they need to use their leverage...even when being honest with AD.