(02-20-2026, 09:42 AM)Smitty Wrote: Above are a few things I've talked about since the TDL. And of course, my love for PJW is well noted... so I won't rehash any of that. But, given all the information, what would I do this summer? We know that the Mavs have 10 players under contract. They currently have 3 draft picks. They have the full MLE ($15M), $21M TPE, $6M TPE, and some trade options with positive value guys like Klay (expiring), Naji, PJ, Gafford. If things hold like they are today the Mavs are most likely to land pick #8 (34.1%), pick #29 (OKC), and pick #49 (PHX). What do I do?
At pick 8, using my own board, the selection is Darius Acuff Jr. 6'3 190lb Freshman PG from Arkansas, currently 19.6 years old.
At pick 29, using my own list that is in no particular order, the selection is Isaiah Evans 6'6 180lb Sophomore SG from Duke, currently 20.5 years old.
At pick 49, using that same list, the selection is Henri Veesaar 7'0 225lb Junior C from North Carolina, currently 22.2 years old. Which will be one of my 2-Ways.
Which brings me to this at the start of free agency:
Kyrie | Acuff
Max | Evans | Klay | AJJ
Flagg | Naji | Martin
PJW
Gafford | Lively | | Veesaar*
Of my own Free Agents (Middelton, Jones, Powell, Bagley, Williams) and current 2-Ways (Nembhard, Cisse, Kelly). I can see bringing back any of Middleton, Bagley, Jones and/or converting Nembhard, Cisse.
Of the list of UFA/RFA's I have some interest in Coby White, Dosunmo, Gillespie, Mathurin, Eason. I don't think the MLE lands a lot of the guys I'd really want though.
With three roster spots open, I have a need for a 3rd PG, 3rd Big, and another 3/4 Wing. Without getting into all the trade options, I'll pick from the list above. Gillespie (MLE range), Middleton (1-yr), Bagley and bring back Nembhard and Cisse on another 2-Way. Leaving me with:
Kyrie | Acuff | Gillespie | Nembhard*
Max | Evans | Klay | AJJ
Flagg | Naji | Martin
PJW | Middleton
Gafford | Lively | Bagley | Cisse* | Veesaar*
I would extend Naji at 4/$64M and Max at 4/$70M. I would not extend Lively. Just wait until he hits RFA the following summer. You end up having a team full of guys around that MLE range, outside of Kyrie, who has a $42.4M PO the following year. Your positive trade value guys through the summer and the following TDL are now Klay (expiring), PJW, Gafford. You also have your $21M TPE to use instead of maybe just bringing back Middleton?
I think a lot of those guys have some position flex. Naji, Klay, Evans are G/F. Flagg, PJW, Middleton, Martin are 3/4 types depending on matchups and certain lineup combinations. I don't think it's a contender in the West next year, but I like a lot of the young guys in the start of a Flagg rebuild:
PG: 6'3 Acuff (19)
SG: 6'5 Christie (23)
SF: 6'6 Evans (20)
PF: 6'9 Flagg (19)
C: 7'1 Lively (22)
This is mostly unchanged from a couple months ago. It feels unlikely that Acuff is available for the Mavs, 'but insert Guard'.
The thing that I can see changing is the Mavs going with a Wing/Big at 9 instead. If that happens, I don't see them bringing back Middleton and I see them using that ~21M TPE to go after Aso Dosunmo or Coby White via SnT, or Gillespie with the MLE.
I wouldn't hate the world if Ament/Morez/Mara/Yaxel types were the pick at 9.
Let's go with Ament for this exercise and play out the offseason to see what it could look like:
Pick 9: Nate Ament W
Pick 30: Zuby Ejiofor F/C
Pick 48: Jaden Bradley PG
Which brings me to this at the start of free agency:
Kyrie | | AJJ | Bradley*
Max | Klay
Flagg | Naji | Martin
PJW | Ament | Ejiofor
Gafford | Lively
With Bradley on a 2-way, I have 3 roster spots open and can easily get a 4th with waiving AJJ. Of my own free agents/options/2-way guys I like the idea of bringing back Bagley with the BAE. And Cissie on a 2-way or Min. for mandatory Big depth. I'd be looking at signing Coby White or Ayo Dosunmo with the MLE/TPE (SnT). Can you decline Nembhard's option and get him back on another 2-way? If not, just waive AJJ, if you need the roster spot... Maybe you waive him anyway and bring back BWill or a different vet Min PG.
Result:
Kyrie | Nembhard | AJJ | Bradley*
Dosunmo | Max | Klay | Poulakidas*
Flagg | Naji | Martin
PJW | Ament | Ejiofor
Lively | Gafford | Bagley | Cissie*
I would extend Naji at 4/$64M and Max at 4/$70M. I would not extend Lively. Just wait until he hits RFA the following summer. You end up having a team full of guys around that MLE range, outside of Kyrie, who has a $42.4M PO the following year. Your positive trade value guys through the summer and the following TDL are now Klay (expiring), PJW, Gafford. Klay would be very high on my list to trade for any asset it cost you for the Ayo SnT scenario here (SRP?). Your primary ball-handlers are now Kyrie, Flagg, Ayo, Nemby, and Naji. Don't sleep on Bradley having a real impact early on his career either...