MAVS NEWS:

[KillerLeft]

I think there are a spectrum of views between being good next year vs full rebuild.  I think there a lot of folks who look at it more like a reset (quick rebuild) and some of the arguments against such a late pick are coming from that perspective.

I agree, and said as much ("in some sort of relative way") in the post you quoted. I feel like you're missing the point, a little. 

We're all arguing about the value of these trades, but it occurs to me the arguments are really about the value of where the Mavs are, currently, and I don't think that's as quantifiable as anyone (myself included) might believe. 

Take the Naji Marshall trade conversation I quoted, just as an example: If those who think the team's outlook is hopeless for the next few years are correct, that's a GREAT return for Marshall, and it will probably never get that good again. If you believe the opposite, losing a rotation player for some distant, nebulous potential asset seems insane. Sure, there's a spectrum of outlooks in between, but in our heart of hearts, we're all leaning more to one side or the other. The argument isn't really about what Naji Marshall's trade value is, it's about his value within our subconscious paradigm of where the Mavs are right now in 2026. The same is true of AD, PJW, Gafford, Kyrie and especially Klay Thompson. 

It's not an earth-shattering thought and might seem obvious to some, but I find it interesting to think about. It's weird not knowing for sure what the Mavs think of themselves and I for one hope for some kind of sign soon that points us in a direction definitively, regardless of whether that direction is right or wrong. It's tough right now even to know what I'm hoping happens, if that makes sense.