MAVS NEWS:

[F Gump]

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.

Good argument and opinion. I just don't happen to agree with it as any sort of wise roster-building approach, especially operating in the fear mindset that "he might not be worth high trade value later, so we better accept low trade value now!"

I'll take high AD value now. Or later. Or keep him and see how far a Davis-Flagg-Kyrie core can take us. And I think ALL of those will eventually lead to a much better outcome than to just take whatever you can get asap.

I've been on the trade AD bandwagon before anyone. And the tank this season bandwagon before anyone. But I am NEVER for the belief that you lessen your talent base considerably in a hurry to turn the page (instead, work to INCREASE the talent, always). I am a Sam Presti fan when it comes to roster building, and that's been his approach. (PS - Hire Presti. Then we don't have to worry about it.)

If you think AD's value is too low to get high value now, just be patient. Trade values for players are a rollercoaster.