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

[mvossman]

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.

I'm not sure folks think that the Mavs are desperate to move AD.  I do think a lot of folks disagree with your assessment of AD market.  I assume you saw that clip of Stein talking about his market value?  Do you think Stein is completely clueless?  Its nowhere in the ballpark of what you are asking for.

I realize you want to get maximum value for AD, but this can be taken too far.   We have watched Ainge ask for too high prices, wait too long and get lower return on players than if he would have been reasonable to begin with.  I don't want to sell low on AD (which is probably what we would be doing if we trade him at the TDL) but I also don't want to ride a disgruntled AD with all of his injury drama for the rest of this contract and get nothing for him either.