Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

I know it's not popular to defend these two on here, but it's just as likely they look good/great again, with competent Gaurd play, as it is that they're "washed" or past their peak. I don't think either forgot how to play. I think the Mavs need more than Kyrie to make it work, but that's not those guys problem. Role players are role players for a reason. Put them in the right role (finishers), and they'll be just fine. Masai and Schmitz need to have a plan and execute it. If either of those guys aren't part of it, fine. Get 'equal to' role players that work better without playmaking on the floor. (whomever that might be)

I think PJW can still be a premium role player for a playoff contender who needs his skills. I think he's "worth" his contract in the right circumstances. Imo, with Flagg being the center of this rebuild, what's needed is spacing around him, not more of what he (Flagg) is good at. It's not that I don't think PJW can fit here when he plays, it's just that with as much shooting as I think is needed, I think "when he plays" is very likely to be a smaller and smaller percentage of each game the longer this rebuild goes on. I think that contract is going to look worse and worse if he doesn't land in the right situation soon. 

Same for Gafford, to an extent, and for Naji Marshall. We can disagree about my thinking, but I mention all of this to make it clear that not loving the fit of those players here, especially relative to what they cost, is not remotely close to undervaluing their quality as players. Not for everyone in that camp, at least.