01-01-2026, 11:14 AM
(01-01-2026, 07:11 AM)Knutsen Wrote: Since when is F Gump a human being? :p
Just kidding, for me there’s kind of a sense of urgency because Flagg is still so young, but already so good and the upcoming draft being great talent wise. So that it is kind of our best shot to get young and highly talented players on a similar timeline as Flagg. In a couple of years he will be too good, so that our draft picks will be mediocre, and additionally we won’t have the 3 to 4 years of waiting, that great talents need to become allstars. So we could basically waste his 5 rookie contract years in no man‘s land.
So getting two shots in this years lottery - two shots to jump in the top 4 and two shots to pick a future allstar - is very sexy, isn’t it?
Both things are true.
NOP pick value, atm, is dependent on your situation. I don't think a team like Spurs for example care that much to trade for it. They have their own young guys, same for OKC.
Regarding this trade, I don't see it as valuable as folks think it is for Atlanta. First they absolutely suck in drafting. Their best 2 picks this century are probably Harford and Trae. Also they are in no man's land atm, they aren't rebuilding nor competing, and it has been the case for years. They had 5 top 10 picks within the past 8 years alone. The 8 years mark is when they started rebuilding, almost the same time as the Mavs during their post Dirk era. They only made it to playoffs 3 times, and only once out of first round.
At some point you need to show some competitiveness, even as a pretender.
Regarding the Mavs, it is as you explained. The Mavs best bet for success long is getting Flagg a young running mate. We have our puck this season but zero control over next 4 years. Ideally you should get one next draft, and since it is widely hyped one it is worth a shot to get 2 picks instead of one. Risasher could also be worth the punt, but so far he is a bust that can't be the main return of the trade.
This should be the appeal of the trade for both sides. The pick is worth more for a Mavs with Cooper Flagg than a Hawks team in need of some positive results.
However, fear is the another factor.
Hawks are probably afraid they might be giving Boozer or Dybantsa for an old AD, Mavs probably afraid of giving AD for just a chance to draft Karim Lopez. And both will try to sway the trade to their side out of fear, which could make a no trade at the end.