MAVS NEWS:

[mvossman]

I doubt something even close to the Kyrie extension is on the table for Davis here, frankly, nor would it be for Kyrie now, if that situation was up in the air. They won't do anything to jeopardize the Flagg window. All that matters is how best to mitigate the next few years, and my point is that giving Davis and/or Kyrie away might not actually be the best way to do that. 

If, as you fear, the team is to move forward with a front office that might do something like what you lay out above, this is all pointless, anyway. I don't think even Cuban would do that if he were the final decision maker, and I don't think he will be ever again. I honestly think getting out of that mode of thinking is among the bigger reasons Harrison was let go so quickly. As Rachel Nichols said, we had reached a point where he could no longer think or act objectively, because it would've meant admitting he was wrong. Basically, no matter what path is chosen from here, firing him signaled that the team was ready to think in terms of Flagg's career, not Davis's. That's a little oversimplified, of course, but I think it's basically true. 

But, it's pretty knee jerk and short sighted not to acknowledge the positives of what could be accomplished with Davis here, whether that's getting the best deal possible or taking advantage of what he offers on the court. I think it's pretty ridiculous to think he MUST be traded to avoid giving him an extension we don't like. I think there's a wide range of outcomes from here. None of them can undo the Luka trade, but many of them can work, to varying degrees. I do think there's a chance the team can be good soon, and I kind of think they're close to being good now.

Again, that Ringer Charlotte deal is intriguing, but who knows what's really out there? They're dumb if they're not looking, agreed, but I'm just saying they're dumb if they're looking with the intent to trade him no matter what they're offered. This is not the Porzingis situation for me at all. Davis and Flagg are really great together on the court. What if Kyrie/Flagg are ALSO great together? If so, that would represent more talent than Dirk ever had, for example.

I mean they signed Kyrie on that contract after a significant knee injury at the same age that AD will be when his extension is coming up, and AD is supposed to be the better player when both are healthy.  I could easily see an organization convince themselves that the Flagg timeline starts now.

I don't think I have ignored what AD could bring to the table.  I think they would be a good team and one that could win a playoff series or two next season if they have the right injury luck.  

I have definitely never argued that they should trade him no matter what.  I have always argued the return has to be enough to warrant that trade.  As a fan, I simply hope that they manage to trade him for a reasonable return at the TDL.  Not only because I think its the best long term solution and that it takes some concerning scenarios off the table, but also because it will signal a clear path moving forward.