2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[Jym]

Yeah it didn't even cross my mind that he would come off the bench. That'd just be idiotic

[KillerLeft]

Alright guys, let me ask you the obvious question:

What are the chances, that Cooper Flagg might not declare for this year's draft at all? I heard theories that he might stay at Duke and dominate with tbe Boozer kids. It also makes sense because Cooper is still so young.

Sorry for thinking negatively, but we have been burned before so... could it be the right decision after all, to trade the pick for Giannis? Just to be safe?

Also: I am the least conspiracy-prone person on the planet, but it is very hard, not to believe this one. If this was the plan all along it would just explain everything. Even Nico's "defense wins championships BS". With Cooper, Davis and Lively aou already have a historically great defense right there.

No chance. With injuries being the risk they are, he'll want to start the clock on his rookie max extension ASAP.

[cow]

I wonder - and this is just a guess - if he doesn't want to comment on any team because technically he doesn't know if the Mavs will keep the pick or trade the pick.  I mean, technically he doesn't even know if he'll be chosen as the #1 pick (obviously he will be, but maybe he's trying to stay humble)

Totally fair.  If I were him, I'd be thinking, "these MF'ers just traded Luka Doncic".

[Jmaciscool]

Totally fair.  If I were him, I'd be thinking, "these MF'ers just traded Luka Doncic".

"...and Silver didn't even let me know I was part of the trade until the day before the lottery!" 

[KillerLeft]

Flagg is already 6'9" and an ELITE help defender.  Playing him anywhere other than the 4 is wasting his talents IMO.  He's like a much better version of Aaron Gordon, who was wasting away at the SF position in Orlando.  Trying to play him out of position so you can accommodate role players like PJ Washington or Daniel Gafford is disgusting.

Although I can see Kidd/Nico starting a front court of Lively, AD, Flagg.  I'm fine if they start that way....

This is now the question that matters, imho. I don't even care about how the cap/tax of it all works until I know whether we're living in the AD-5/CF-4 world (that's where I'd want to live) or the Lively-5/AD-4/CF-3 world (worth a try, I suppose). 

Either way, AD is GOING to play more 5 than he did last year because they are for sure not going to keep both Gafford and Lively after this. With Flagg in the mix of the front court, AD on the roster at one of the highest salary numbers in the league and PJW, Gafford and Lively all needing to be paid fairly soon, I'd say it's a CERTAINTY one of those last three are moved this summer, and wouldn't be shocked if two of them are. 

Knowing what the Mavs believe is Flagg's BEST position (hopefully, they will think in those terms) will go far in determining how they proceed, imo. The problem is that it might take a year or two for them to decide. It took them 2-3 years to decide Dirk was a 4, and almost a full year to decide Luka was a hybrid 1/4. If you remember, the first thing Carlisle tried was playing Luka at the 4 almost full time. 

Definitely in the realm of "good problems," and frankly, it's nice to have new things to wonder/argue about around here. 

I think RTG is right, personally, but I don't know that this current Mavs think tank will agree. I kinda think they won't, actually. I think the first approach will be to try to make Flagg fit in with their current view of AD. That might/might not be the right approach, but I'm 97% sure that's what they'll do. So, unless AD, himself, looks at Flagg as a reason to admit that he, AD, should play mostly 5, I'd say there's a high likelihood that Flagg is going to be focusing on the 3 a lot early.

[Radical Mavs]

Today‘s the day when the Dallas Adelsons will show all these hobby gamblers how it‘s done - welcome to the Mavericks, Cooper!

WildArkieBoy 

Don't give up yet.  The Adelson's home town is giving the Mavs a 1.8% chance of drafting Flagg.  


Why haven't you guys give this fans their props?

[SleepingHero]

No chance. With injuries being the risk they are, he'll want to start the clock on his rookie max extension ASAP.

That, and he’s already submitted the paperwork to declare and he forgoed all his college eligibility as soon as he did that

[cow]

Either way, AD is GOING to play more 5 than he did last year because they are for sure not going to keep both Gafford and Lively after this.

If they want to compete right away, which I think is a mistake, they'd be better off keeping them all.  AD is going to miss a good chunk of games.  Ditto for Lively.  Gafford, who everyone believes is the likely man out, is an ironman by comparison.  And that doesn't even factor in that AD when "healthy" doesn't always look like the elite player he once was/can be at times.   You'd need Flagg in the mix just to keep a healthy rotation at 4/5 spots.  

That's why I think the often kicked around Ball idea one the board is a little insane unless you can get him for virtually free.  

Rebuilding just seems so obvious while the western conference weathers the OKC juggernaut for a few years and maybe you build something that will compete with the Spurs and Houston.  I'd trade anyone not named Flagg for future assets and take bad contracts for more future assets.  And that includes Lively, as much as I love the person and player, I just don't trust his health. Develop Flagg and see what you need around him instead of trying to shortcut "the process" like with did with Luka/KP. Add healthy dose of draft luck/hits along the way.

[KillerLeft]

If they want to compete right away, which I think is a mistake, they'd be better off keeping them all.  AD is going to miss a good chunk of games.  Ditto for Lively.  Gafford, who everyone believes is the likely man out, is an ironman by comparison.  And that doesn't even factor in that AD when "healthy" doesn't always look like the elite player he once was/can be at times.   You'd need Flagg in the mix just to keep a healthy rotation at 4/5 spots.  

No argument about the injury potential, especially with AD. 

But, this is a contract year for Gafford, and if the Mavs draft yet another front court player #1, the chances they can talk themselves into keeping him at whatever number he'll want go to zero, imho. They were already low before the Mavs won the lottery, I'd wager, but now I think it's literally a forgone conclusion that he'll be moved this summer.

[cow]

No argument about the injury potential, especially with AD. 

But, this is a contract year for Gafford, and if the Mavs draft yet another front court player #1, the chances they can talk themselves into keeping him at whatever number he'll want go to zero, imho. They were already low before the Mavs won the lottery, I'd wager, but now I think it's literally a forgone conclusion that he'll be moved this summer.

Especially should probably belong to Lively and not AD which is crazy considering AD's injury history.  It might be a little too soon to write the narrative on Lively's health, but the first few chapters are alarming.  The obvious is solution is to sell them all.  

[F Gump]

There have been a lot of great points made in this thread about the fit issues for CF into this specific roster, since the minutes at C-F positions were already a challenge.

However, I think that will solve itself, so to speak, once they figure out what they want those positions to look like in the summer of 2026. That summer's issue will primarily be about money, because it's possible that PJW and/or Gafford will price themselves out of the mix.

To keep a highly talented roster together, you have to have a whole slew of players who are good-to-great values when it comes to their contract. Right now, PJW and Gafford are both very good values, but when they become a FA, who knows? So I think step 1 to resolving the lineup issue will start with extension talks with each of those guys, and you either get them locked up to an extension now that's good value, or you trade them.

But to me there's another issue, which is value vs lineup availability. On this one, I gotta take a really hard look at AD, and decide whether he is overpaid and not worth the hassle because he's too brittle. In addition, if Nico has any skill as a GM (which of course I question, but nevertheless...), he will see AD as an "asset" he received (which can then be used in a trade for a better or more reliable fit that's a great value financially) rather than as the focal point of the Mavs' future.

All the money questions in 2026 go away by themselves in summer 2026 by just letting players walk as a FA if they are too expensive, but the Mavs need to get ahead of this so that they can get some value for the assets that don't fit financially.

I think once they get all that resolved, then the lineup issues won't be there.

As for a preferred way to resolve it, I'm really torn on every player except one. That's Cooper Flagg. He stays, he starts, he gets about 30 mpg. But otherwise ....
1 Lively - I like his defensive skill and ability to guard all over the floor. His contract price is good. He has upside. But he is injured way too much.
2 Gafford - He's helpful but flawed on defense, but he's a brute and a presence when he's on the floor. He takes the beating that other players can't (or don't want to). His contract price is good right now, but unknown if it will continue that way.
3 AD - He's skilled, and a true 2-way player, and his length is off the charts. But his contract is huge, and he's injured way too often. Can you pay that much to a player that you can't be sure will be able to play? He could probably bring the most value in a trade fwiw.
4 PJW - Probably the Mavs best all-around defender, but his offense is a rollercoaster. His contract price is good right now, but unknown if it will continue that way.

There are reasons to trade each of those players (including the value in return) and reasons to keep. It's a hard equation to solve - although I think it will get easier once the Mavs work on extension possibilities and numbers and see where that takes them in their future payroll.

Oh, and BTW, I still think the Ball trade I've proposed (or one very much like it) will still be a crucial part of what's needed this summer.

This is really a great situation for an EXPERT GM to have, because there are great assets to work with, and issues to be fixed. Lots of teams will want to talk trade, because if very good assets might be available, they want in. After the draft lottery, Marc Stein made the point that the Dallas GM job now looks very appealing to the best available GMs for that very reason.

Of course, if Mavs owners insist on Nico still running the show, there's every reason to wonder if disaster trades and more asset-bungling will happen instead. What should be an inevitable great summer ahead then becomes very scary.

[omahen]

Mavs have a habit of trading expiring deals for cost controlled guys. So here is a great idea. Gafford and the mandatory SRP for Vando. One can never have enough defensive wings

[SleepingHero]

Tim MacMahon:

“Patrick Dumont, the governor of the Dallas Mavericks, recognizes the gift horse that was delivered to this franchise… The Dallas Mavericks will be picking Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick.”

[SleepingHero]

I think if the Mavs are trading Gafford, they need to get a FRP back no matter what.

I wonder if we can cook up a 3 team trade where Mavs send Gafford to the Lakers, Austin Reaves gets sent to a 3rd team, and the Lakers 2031 pick plus a different guard gets sent to the Mavs.


Maybe Coby White? Lonzo Ball like FGump has mentioned as well. I can see the Bulls really like Reaves and pairing him with Giddy

[chaparral]

There have been a lot of great points made in this thread about the fit issues for CF into this specific roster, since the minutes at C-F positions were already a challenge.

However, I think that will solve itself, so to speak, once they figure out what they want those positions to look like in the summer of 2026. That summer's issue will primarily be about money, because it's possible that PJW and/or Gafford will price themselves out of the mix.

To keep a highly talented roster together, you have to have a whole slew of players who are good-to-great values when it comes to their contract. Right now, PJW and Gafford are both very good values, but when they become a FA, who knows? So I think step 1 to resolving the lineup issue will start with extension talks with each of those guys, and you either get them locked up to an extension now that's good value, or you trade them.

But to me there's another issue, which is value vs lineup availability. On this one, I gotta take a really hard look at AD, and decide whether he is overpaid and not worth the hassle because he's too brittle. In addition, if Nico has any skill as a GM (which of course I question, but nevertheless...), he will see AD as an "asset" he received (which can then be used in a trade for a better or more reliable fit that's a great value financially) rather than as the focal point of the Mavs' future.

All the money questions in 2026 go away by themselves in summer 2026 by just letting players walk as a FA if they are too expensive, but the Mavs need to get ahead of this so that they can get some value for the assets that don't fit financially.

I think once they get all that resolved, then the lineup issues won't be there.

As for a preferred way to resolve it, I'm really torn on every player except one. That's Cooper Flagg. He stays, he starts, he gets about 30 mpg. But otherwise ....
1 Lively - I like his defensive skill and ability to guard all over the floor. His contract price is good. He has upside. But he is injured way too much.
2 Gafford - He's helpful but flawed on defense, but he's a brute and a presence when he's on the floor. He takes the beating that other players can't (or don't want to). His contract price is good right now, but unknown if it will continue that way.
3 AD - He's skilled, and a true 2-way player, and his length is off the charts. But his contract is huge, and he's injured way too often. Can you pay that much to a player that you can't be sure will be able to play? He could probably bring the most value in a trade fwiw.
4 PJW - Probably the Mavs best all-around defender, but his offense is a rollercoaster. His contract price is good right now, but unknown if it will continue that way.

There are reasons to trade each of those players (including the value in return) and reasons to keep. It's a hard equation to solve - although I think it will get easier once the Mavs work on extension possibilities and numbers and see where that takes them in their future payroll.

Oh, and BTW, I still think the Ball trade I've proposed (or one very much like it) will still be a crucial part of what's needed this summer.

This is really a great situation for an EXPERT GM to have, because there are great assets to work with, and issues to be fixed. Lots of teams will want to talk trade, because if very good assets might be available, they want in. After the draft lottery, Marc Stein made the point that the Dallas GM job now looks very appealing to the best available GMs for that very reason.

Of course, if Mavs owners insist on Nico still running the show, there's every reason to wonder if disaster trades and more asset-bungling will happen instead. What should be an inevitable great summer ahead then becomes very scary.

Outstanding post FG.  The NBA balled out the Mavs financially with the #1 pick after the disasters news of future loss revenue from the Luka trade.  Do you think the NBA will now let Nico trade that pick, I don't.  The long term goal for the Mavs and the NBA is a new arena and gambling starting in 2031.  The NBA is a business and there is a reason why Rick Welts was brought in last year.  

I'm predicting that Nico will be gone by the end of the month and Bob Myers will be the Mavs new GM prior to the draft.

[cow]

I'm predicting that Nico will be gone by the end of the month and Bob Myers will be the Mavs new GM prior to the draft.

[F Gump]

I think if the Mavs are trading Gafford, they need to get a FRP back no matter what.

I wonder if we can cook up a 3 team trade where Mavs send Gafford to the Lakers, Austin Reaves gets sent to a 3rd team, and the Lakers 2031 pick plus a different guard gets sent to the Mavs.

Maybe Coby White? Lonzo Ball like FGump has mentioned as well. I can see the Bulls really like Reaves and pairing him with Giddy

To be clear, I like Ball in the trade I have outlined (Martin-Powell-Hardy) because you solve multiple issues, and you get an iffy player who has the potential to help (but also has question marks, making his price tag much lower).

But no way do I want to make him a TARGET where the Mavs give up desirable assets that other teams might prize, nor where the result doesn't solve issues of roster space and payroll.

And fwiw, I don't think C White is available. They like him and what he does for them. (That's what makes me think Ball is very available.)

[KillerLeft]

Guys, if you separate out the Simmons/Lowe types and only listen to the actual front office types/former player types since the Luka trade...what you'll notice is, yes, a little disbelief about the return, but not nearly as much disbelief about the trade happening to begin with.

If Harrison's job was in jeopardy, it was because of the fan backlash and the effect that was having/was going to have on the franchise's BOTTOM LINE, financially. Nothing else. That's the feeling I've gotten, anyway.

I think this lottery win (and yes, they'll draft Flagg #1) saves Harrison's job for AT LEAST another season. I just don't think it's worth holding our breath about him getting fired anytime soon.

[omahen]

I think if the Mavs are trading Gafford, they need to get a FRP back no matter what.

I wonder if we can cook up a 3 team trade where Mavs send Gafford to the Lakers, Austin Reaves gets sent to a 3rd team, and the Lakers 2031 pick plus a different guard gets sent to the Mavs.


Maybe Coby White? Lonzo Ball like FGump has mentioned as well. I can see the Bulls really like Reaves and pairing him with Giddy

I like the creativity, but I don't think this would happen. Reaves value is way higher than Gafford value, imho. Gafford was basically had for a pick swap (pick swap was traded to OKC for their end of 1st round FRP in 2024) and a very bad Holmes contract. No way he is worth Lakers 2031 pick. White and Reaves are very similar players on more or less same deals, so not sure why Bulls would trade one for the other. Or try playing one with the other.

[F Gump]

Outstanding post FG.  The NBA balled out the Mavs financially with the #1 pick after the disasters news of future loss revenue from the Luka trade.  Do you think the NBA will now let Nico trade that pick, I don't.  The long term goal for the Mavs and the NBA is a new arena and gambling starting in 2031.  The NBA is a business and there is a reason why Rick Welts was brought in last year.  

I'm predicting that Nico will be gone by the end of the month and Bob Myers will be the Mavs new GM prior to the draft.

Myers would be a good get. I'd be pleased with MOST alternatives to Nico, frankly. There are some out there who would not be good, however, but as Stein pointed out, the BEST out there would now love this job which has a very talented roster and spare high-value assets to use in trades (assuming a change would get done BEFORE Nico has a chance to do another of his bad asset-killing trades).