Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[mvossman]

I can appreciate this as an exercise in contemplating an alternative to a straight up trade of Kyrie. I would be nervous if this was the strategy because it would require a lot of moving parts that would be out of the Mavs' hands:

-- having a FA like Dallas 
-- having the original teams not match (or putting a chair in front of the door, if you will)
-- other teams not gumming up the process 

If there was a deal with Detroit, I wouldn't let them short-change much simply to give the Mavs flexibility (giving up less assets compared to other deals). I suppose I'd prefer a bird in the hand and, then, if someone like Dosunmu wants to sign here, work out compensation with the team. 

The Rockets trade I've seen repeatedly is Kyrie for Jabari, Sheppard, the Nets 2027 and the Mavs' 2029.  It's good to have picks, but I want nothing to do with those players. I feel like Smith is the antithesis of a Masai/Shmidtz cerebral player. And Sheppard is a defensive nightmare. If this was offered, I'd try to reroute the players.

Sheppard to Atlanta for #23 (a McCollum replacement)?
Jabari to a forward hungry team in the lottery?

Jabari and Sheppard are quality young players that played over 60 minutes a game and missed 5 games between them.  Do we really think Houston is going to give up that much production, youth and add two first round picks for Kyrie?  If you can get anything close to this you have to pull the trigger, regardless of whether you are keeping those players or turning them into more picks.