Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[windjc]

I think from the outside looking in, Dallas looks like it has Cooper Flagg and lots of thoughts and prayers. 

And I don't really know how far off that is.

To believe this you have to believe the following:

1. Kyrie is done
2. Lively is done
3. Res is a bust
4. Larry is a bust
5. Russian kid is a bust
6. Turkish sharp shooter is a bust
7. May is unprepared 

That is an incredibly negative take.

[Scott41theMavs]

To believe this you have to believe the following:

1. Kyrie is done
2. Lively is done
3. Res is a bust
4. Larry is a bust
5. Russian kid is a bust
6. Turkish sharp shooter is a bust
7. May is unprepared 

That is an incredibly negative take.

He did say he meant it as a subtle joke.

[mvossman]

I don’t see a logjam in the front court at all. But nearly every player has position versatility, so it’s eye of the beholder there. 

PJ is a 4 offensively, 3 defensively. Flagg is the opposite. Aldama is a 4 that plays like a Wing/3 and has the size of a 5. Morez is a 5 that can play (4) next to one of the traditional Centers in Lively/Gafford.

May wants to be multiple and play different ways, depending on the opponent. IMO they have the perfect mix there. Why get rid of anyone right now?

I think guys are their most valuable when they play the biggest position they can handle defensively.  Part of what makes Flagg so special is that he can play the 4 defensively but offensively he can play 1-4.  Aldama is his most valuable playing at the 5 (when he can handle it) because his offensive skillset is more valuable at the 5.  I think PJ is a 4 defensively (he can even play 5 at times).  Given that mindset they have Lively, Gafford, Rez, Aldama, PJ, Flagg who are all best at the 5 or 4 and all deserve/expect mid 20s to mid 30s in minutes.  That is a logjam to me.  Even with Lively injury its a logjam when everyone else is healthy.

[KillerLeft]

I think guys are their most valuable when they play the biggest position they can handle defensively.  Part of what makes Flagg so special is that he can play the 4 defensively but offensively he can play 1-4.  Aldama is his most valuable playing at the 5 (when he can handle it) because his offensive skillset is more valuable at the 5.  I think PJ is a 4 defensively (he can even play 5 at times).  Given that mindset they have Lively, Gafford, Rez, Aldama, PJ, Flagg who are all best at the 5 or 4 and all deserve/expect mid 20s to mid 30s in minutes.  That is a logjam to me.  Even with Lively injury its a logjam when everyone else is healthy.

I think there's more case-by-case nuance of combinations involved, but in a general sense this is my thinking, too.. Very efficiently and clearly articulated.

[Winter]

Is there still a logjam if Lively can't play?

[KillerLeft]

Is there still a logjam if Lively can't play?

Less of one, for sure, but I think there's still a roster imbalance, yes. My opinion. 

For me, step one is to identify the top 6 in the rotation. How many different players can the 6th guy be brought in to replace, and how many differently effective play styles can that create? The goal should be for your top 6 or 7 to all play starter minutes, basically, even when everyone is healthy. To me, those are the teams who learn to play together the fastest and best, and usually do the best in the playoffs. 

It really comes down to how they envision Cooper Flagg's role on both ends of the court for me, but the answers are coming soon, hopefully.

[Smitty]

I think guys are their most valuable when they play the biggest position they can handle defensively.  Part of what makes Flagg so special is that he can play the 4 defensively but offensively he can play 1-4.  Aldama is his most valuable playing at the 5 (when he can handle it) because his offensive skillset is more valuable at the 5.  I think PJ is a 4 defensively (he can even play 5 at times).  Given that mindset they have Lively, Gafford, Rez, Aldama, PJ, Flagg who are all best at the 5 or 4 and all deserve/expect mid 20s to mid 30s in minutes.  That is a logjam to me.  Even with Lively injury its a logjam when everyone else is healthy.

I’m not going to argue with this because it’s not important. What I will say is that matchups matter. Making blanket statements on positions in a vacuum is the wrong way to go about it. Plus, who you start defending in an action is not really relevant. You have to be able to switch. Multiple times. Due to the screen heavy offensive schemes. Saying that Flagg’s best role is defending the biggest slowest forward is great, if all he gets to do is stand in the corner and guard that guy, being able to help on the backside. But that’s rarely the case. 
On a forum where we don’t get to have a conversation about every little detail, it’s impossible to relay or have a good back n forth on this. That’s why I talk in generalities when it comes to positions in the NBA game. Plus, there’s two sides of the ball. What role you play on offense (guard) could be different than defense (Forward). Plus 10 switches in any given possession…

[Winter]

I’m not going to argue with this because it’s not important. What I will say is that matchups matter. Making blanket statements on positions in a vacuum is the wrong way to go about it. Plus, who you start defending in an action is not really relevant. You have to be able to switch. Multiple times. Due to the screen heavy offensive schemes. Saying that Flagg’s best role is defending the biggest slowest forward is great, if all he gets to do is stand in the corner and guard that guy, being able to help on the backside. But that’s rarely the case. 
On a forum where we don’t get to have a conversation about every little detail, it’s impossible to relay or have a good back n forth on this. That’s why I talk in generalities when it comes to positions in the NBA game. Plus, there’s two sides of the ball. What role you play on offense (guard) could be different than defense (Forward). Plus 10 switches in any given possession…

I guess taking it a step further, by making the frontcourt so big and mobile it's unlikely a player can be easily targeted by a smaller quicker players.

[Smitty]

I guess taking it a step further, by making the frontcourt so big and mobile it's unlikely a player can be easily targeted by a smaller quicker players.

That’s the idea. For sure. The NBA is a lot different than HS or college. At least in my experience. In HS it was hedge and recover. College it was switch everything. The problem is, you have to have 5 switchable defenders. Otherwise guys in the NBA will keep hunting the mismatch and then the defense has to send two, which then makes it 4v3. We could go on for days. I don’t want to get into the weeds. Just pointing out that positions are overrated and it’s easy to talk past each other on a board where you can’t get into the details.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I think guys are their most valuable when they play the biggest position they can handle defensively.  Part of what makes Flagg so special is that he can play the 4 defensively but offensively he can play 1-4.  Aldama is his most valuable playing at the 5 (when he can handle it) because his offensive skillset is more valuable at the 5.  I think PJ is a 4 defensively (he can even play 5 at times).  Given that mindset they have Lively, Gafford, Rez, Aldama, PJ, Flagg who are all best at the 5 or 4 and all deserve/expect mid 20s to mid 30s in minutes.  That is a logjam to me.  Even with Lively injury its a logjam when everyone else is healthy.

100% agree

My view on this offseason is that they're playing the hand they were dealt.  All the guards went before their pick.  There doesnt seem to be much interest from other teams in Gafford, PJ, or Naji.  So here we are.  

I'm not really critical of what the front office has done but it's been a disappointing offseason.

[KillerLeft]

I guess taking it a step further, by making the frontcourt so big and mobile it's unlikely a player can be easily targeted by a smaller quicker players.

Careful with that. This was being sold around here like home made lemonade last summer, and it was AWFUL when put into practice. I agree they've add MORE big, mobile talent, but that doesn't mean you can only play big, mobile players. 

Look at it this way: as of right now, I don't think a rotation can be created without Christie, De Larrea AND either Sasser or Nembhard playing significant minutes. There's not a single one of those guys who would be in the top 7 (right away) for any of the contenders. Christie would be a rotation player most places, but not a top 7 guy. 

Meanwhile, they have three centers and possibly as many as six forwards who'd be in any rotation in the league, pretty much, with roughly 2/3 of those players being worth of top 7 inclusion somewhere. 

I agree with what Mvossman said the other day about what fans think will equate to winning vs. what actually ends up being in the final 4 of the sport.

[windjc]

100% agree

My view on this offseason is that they're playing the hand they were dealt.  All the guards went before their pick.  There doesnt seem to be much interest from other teams in Gafford, PJ, or Naji.  So here we are.  

I'm not really critical of what the front office has done but it's been a disappointing offseason.

It’s been a great offseason . Would not want anyone after the top 4 instead of Rez.

We have identified all kinds of potential undervalued guard talent. 

Oh and we got a great coach and front office.

You are just still upset cause of the draft.

[KillerLeft]

I guess the biggest thing that's been bothering me:

The Mavs are obviously laser-focused on the concept that shooting is important. It's undeniable at this point, and again, HALLELUYAH! Finally.

But, if those shooters are on the bench because the guys who refuse to shoot open shots are still here, playing in front of them...what's the point? It's like back in the day when Nellie's teams would add a defender, like Gregg Buckner, for example, and we'd all say "he's going to help a ton," only he didn't/couldn't, because he couldn't play the other end of the floor, so he never earned a big enough role to matter. It's that same concept, only in reverse.

Sure, the Mavs didn't add the splashy creator we hoped they'd get, but what they did add is the right thing, imho. I want it ON THE FLOOR with Flagg, not on the bench.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Charania] BREAKING: San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama has signed a five-year, $252 million maximum rookie-scale contract extension, with a player option in the fifth season, sources tell ESPN.

[KillerLeft]

[Charania] BREAKING: San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama has signed a five-year, $252 million maximum rookie-scale contract extension, with a player option in the fifth season, sources tell ESPN.

Edit, for bad initial math: Not cheap, but you have to do this. They'd better win a ring or two over that period of time, because I don't like their chances after the next extension.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I think he left money on the table?

edit: i have no idea tbh

[KillerLeft]

I think he left money on the table?

Not sure. My first reaction was that it's less AAV than Walker Kessler, but it turns out I'm just sleep deprived and laughably terrible at math, lol.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Not sure. My first reaction was that it's less AAV than Walker Kessler, but it turns out I'm just sleep deprived and laughably terrible at math, lol.

I woke up at 2am today.    Unintentionally.

[Smitty]

I guess the biggest thing that's been bothering me:

The Mavs are obviously laser-focused on the concept that shooting is important. It's undeniable at this point, and again, HALLELUYAH! Finally.

But, if those shooters are on the bench because the guys who refuse to shoot open shots are still here, playing in front of them...what's the point? It's like back in the day when Nellie's teams would add a defender, like Gregg Buckner, for example, and we'd all say "he's going to help a ton," only he didn't/couldn't, because he couldn't play the other end of the floor, so he never earned a big enough role to matter. It's that same concept, only in reverse.

Sure, the Mavs didn't add the splashy creator we hoped they'd get, but what they did add is the right thing, imho. I want it ON THE FLOOR with Flagg, not on the bench.

Let’s list the non- 3PT shooters on the team:

Nemby
Naji
Flagg
Martin
Gafford, Lively, Morez?

Nemby shouldn’t be a major minutes getter. Same for Martin. Then the 3 Centers. So, Flagg and Naji need to be better….

[cow]

Not sure. My first reaction was that it's less AAV than Walker Kessler, but it turns out I'm just sleep deprived and laughably terrible at math, lol.

I'm terrible at math on a full night of sleep.

I woke up at 2am today.    Unintentionally.

4am here thanks to a sick dog. I'm finally done with all the carpet cleaning.