2026 NBA draft thread

[dirkfansince1998]

Re: trading Kyrie: I don't know that anyone here wants to "get rid of him." He's become a great citizen and locker room presence, and if he's even 80% of what he was pre-injury, he'll be a great catalyst for Cooper and perhaps our draft pick(s) to play better and grow. It's about opportunity. I don't think even FGump would turn down the offer presented above, if, as Rasheed suggested, we get our '27 pick back too. Three 1st rounders + cap relief? Duh. But no way that's offered or entertained.

Barring some other team being abjectly stupid like that (and it is Charlotte, after all), I think the best thing is 1) to have him on team through the first part of the season so that he can a) recruit free agents (who you probably won't be able to get if you don't have him) and b) get the team started on a winning path, then 2) see what you can get for him at the TDL. If it's not worth his value to us, then no.

The phenomenon you named - overestimating the trade value of our players - has to do with their value to us. If trading player x makes us better, then trade them. If not, then keep them. The question isn't really "Should we trade player x binarily speaking (unless, of course, his name is AD, lol)," but rather "Should we trade player x if abc is the return."

I did not start the trade Kyrie discussion and I agree that the Mavs shouldn't get rid of him at all costs but I think it is in the best interest of the team to maximize whatever assets they have to build around Flagg and Kyrie simply is too old for that. What is more valuable? Kyrie in the locker room or on the floor for two more years even though he potentially isn't the player he used to be or the return in a trade. I guess we all have our own answer for that question depending on the potential return.

As far as trade proposals go I don't disagree with you at all. What I am missing is the same kind of thought process when we look at potential trade partners. We are super excited about this years draft class and desperately try to come up with trades to add picks but other teams seemingly don't value this years picks as much and would gift them away? Makes no sense.
Only explanation is a) thinking that a player like Kyrie is worth a lot (more than in the past) or b) picks this year aren't as valuable. Cannot be both.