MAVS NEWS:

[F Gump]

I agree with a lot of the Naji concerns in regard to his fit with Flagg, and maybe even some with Washington, but it's important to keep things in perspective. The NBA is no longer about building a team that will stay together and contend for a championship for 5-6 years straight. It's about having 2-3 core guys that you constantly move pieces around each transaction cycle. Even Nico was wrong when he said 3-year window is long term, it's more like 18 months. Most of the guys that are on the roster now will not be the same ones after next years TDL. I love to talk roster building as much as the next guy, but maybe even I need to dial it back some and just focus on what's best for Flagg right now, the next 12 months. Then you reassess and make some moves around the edges. Or... if Flagg shows that he's already a top-10 guy by then, you make a more all-in swing. The biggest takeaway for me post-AD trade is that the Mavs have a ton of options now. The next GM will get a blank canvas as soon as this summer. The top pick this year will hopefully be part of that '2-3 core' with Flagg.

Great analysis.

To add a point that is rarely included in these discussions, I think that even without any changes at all, there are 2 looming additions that can make this look like a very different team as soon as next season, with very different dynamics: (1) Kyrie (2) pick 8 [or whatever].

While there's a lot of consternation about the mix of Flagg - Naji -PJ and how that can work, we lose sight of how limited the options are around them. But if you put 2 of them on the floor AND surround them with an all-star caliber scorer like Kyrie and also maybe some young stud from the draft, then it's possible (maybe even quite likely) the spacing, focus, defense sagging, all of it changes massively.

The Mavs want to go to a faster pace and with better shooters. That takes better players like that (not just a few Hardy's). But as you plug in those better players, there is a synergistic effect on the good (but not great) players you have and what have looked like their limits. It's a different world when you are a good player going 1 on 1 (or less) rather than 1 on 2 or 1 on 3 every time. 

I think Naji and PJ are good players. Gaff too. Maybe Max. But they aren't great ones who should command so much attention. So once you have those great players on the floor at the same time -- right now its CF by himself - that will magically make the good players look even better. IN THE MEANTIME we see those players being tasked with attacking roles, and getting better and better, but I think it all can go to a much higher plane when the stars get added to the mix.