(01-20-2026, 12:29 AM)ThisIStheYear Wrote: The Mavs clearly need to make a classic Don Nelson style trade and just clean house to open up future possibilities. AD, Klay, Martin, Gaff, DLo, and even Kyrie should all be moved
I think you are exactly right with this portion that I've quoted.
One problem the Mavs have is the chasm in the age gap between Cooper and AD, Kyrie, PJW, Klay, etc... but the main problem for the Mavs is they don't control their picks from 2027 to 2030. Trading these guys for young talent or good picks can help to offset that to some extent. The risk is that future picks being traded for may not end up being good picks, which is why I think the Mavs should be doing everything they can to trade for their picks back (so they can control where those picks land to a better extent), in addition to any young talent they can bring back in trades.
As for anyone who feels that the time-line could or should be accelerated because Cooper is so good already... have we still not learned from the mistakes that the Cavs made when they drafted Lebron, or that the Mavericks made themselves when they drafted Luka? The Mavs just kept giving away assets while chasing their own tails in trying to build a title-winning team around Luka, because they didn't trust the process to (1) build right and (2) at the right time and (3) for as long as was needed. Cooper is still only 19 years old and has time on his side... but the Mavs need to make the right moves now, and not 2-3-4 years from now.
It's like this clip...
If the Mavs make this same mistake again, having already just made it with Luka, and with the benefit today (compared to 25+ years ago) of having access to so much information and thinking because of the internet... :SMH: