04-27-2026, 12:26 PM
(04-27-2026, 10:49 AM)michaeltex Wrote: I'm thinking about it in terms of moving the team culture from hanging on/losing/tanking to winning and expecting to win. IMO, DAL has been in the dumps, culture-wise, since the beginning of the 2024 season. It started with Luka out of shape and needing an in-season focused absence to get ready to play. Then the calf issue reared it's head, again, and the team was back in hanging on mode until his return. The THE TRADE happened, shocking the team followed by such a rash of injuries that the season became "what's the point", and a late tank was implemented. 25 started with everyone justifiably holding their breath for the next AD injury, despite the excitement of a shiny new #1 pick, and quickly became a lost season of low expectations (how few games was DAL even a favorite?) and an "ethical" tank into where we are today.
Personally, I want to see some positive growth in player development, including Coop, and a return to winning as a tradition, not an accident. That will require some professional GM-ing and competent coaching. DAL is still in limbo on the former and cautiously confident in the latter. Kidd did get them to the Finals just a few years back, so he's at least earned the chance. The last two years weren't due to coaching.
Interesting. Because for me that's exactly the reason why I want to see a clear cut and rebuild. Who is going to deliver the growth and development part. Only real standout prospects are Flagg and whoever they (hopefully) pick in the draft.
Mavs have no reason not to try to win as many games as possible but they can do it with Flagg's timeline in mind or just looking at it from year to year.
I want an expert GM that rebuilds the team around Flagg. Starting from scratch. Not with the leftovers of a team that was build around Luka. Mavs are on a different timeline. Have different roster needs.