MAVS NEWS:

[mvossman]

While I am not averse to trading AD, because I think the pieces on the roster all fit once he's gone, I don't think trading AD is the ONLY possible way to make this roster better. It might not even be the best way.

The question shouldn't be about how AD is not perfect, but rather whether you are getting back high level talent or not. A pile of random role players and fringe starters and some low tier draft picks really doesn't move the needle at all. It makes you feel good in the moment to get that huge handful of shiny beads, but you gotta get one or more surefire future stars in order to get full value. AD's impact on the floor is significant, even when he doesn't put up eye-popping stats, because he impacts the game a lot on the defensive end, and that's a LOT to give up.

There is no question AD provides valuable impact on the floor when he is available.  You could make the argument that is counterproductive this season.  The goal of an AD trade is not to make the team better right now (it won't) its to make the team better in the future (when AD would be off the team or killing the cap with an extension). 

You talk about low tier draft picks, but odds are the Chicago picks will be better than what Dallas currently has.  That has value for a team building around a young superstar.  AD is not going to land a surefire future star.  He is a very good player but he is also an aging oft injured player on a massive contract.   Teams are not going to give up the kitchen sink for that.  If he struggles with injuries all season and can't play half the games he could very easily become a negative asset for all of that talent.

More than anything, trading AD will ensure this FO won't kid itself into thinking there is a window and trade the remaining future assets in a win now move, and there will no longer be concern regarding an AD extension.  If they can get a couple of decent firsts and maybe an interesting player it will be worth it just to make sure this doesn't happen.