Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[F Gump]

That's just wrong in my opinion.

Davis’ value did tank because of his recent injury, and it was way already way lower than some people in your delusional camp want to admit. If I was wrong about this, Davis would have been traded already. If he had this perceived value, a player of his (theoretical) caliber should land you all of this in a second.

Why is that not the case? Well, of course, because he’s a walking injury risk — which doesn’t just tank his value theoretically, but also practically puts TONS of pressure on the Mavs. Next time it could be his Achilles, and then you’re stuck with this guy while being over the second apron, which essentially cripples your flexibility moving forward.

Yes — some team MIGHT be desperate or stupid enough to let Rich Paul (or themselves) talk them into a trade where the Mavs receive what they wish for. But is it realistic? No, for the reasons already given.

We might get lucky, like the Lakers did with us having that moron Harrison calling the shots, but in a realistic scenario, we HAVE to ship AD out — even on a bad deal.

Obviously no team has yet offered the Mavs what they want for AD - otherwise, he would already have been traded. But that doesn't mean they won't in the future. And we have no way to know how far apart they were from a deal already being done. In negotiations, all the claims of disinterest are suspect -- "In deal-making times, buyers are liars."

Where I differ from a lot of people here (probably you are in that group) is that I don't think the Mavs are especially worried (or desperate) to trade AD soon. At all. I think they have a price they think he's worth (which is held close to the vest, but they know what it is), I don't think it's especially low, and I don't think they will let him go unless a team comes with an offer that beats it. If you don't think they will get that offer (and you certainly could be right), I don't think they will much care, frankly, and they will go in a different direction without batting an eye.

I also suspect they have other irons in the fire, and we might see a different move besides a trade of AD, around the TDL. For now, I figure they aren't likely to mess with their trade flexibility for moving AD, but once that outcome is determined, they may do something else instead (or too).

Is there a very good possibility AD is still a Mav after the TDL? Could be. But I don't think that scares them. 

As for me - I think a great pick in this draft is really vital. To me, that's the move they need to prioritize. If they have AD next season, OR have the equivalent thereof (via trade), to me that's okay either way.