MAVS NEWS:

[SleepingHero]

@townbrad
Breaking: Ethan Casson to succeed Mavericks CEO Rick Welts, who will retire at year's end.

Feels like this is getting overshadowed a bit given the basketball news, but that's a minor surprise to me.

Maybe Welts was always going to retire sooner than later, but still a surprise.

[KillerLeft]

For me, this becomes a discussion about who you build a team around. We've all been there with Luka. I love watching him as an individual player, but it's easy to imagine him never winning the big prize. He has flaws as a defensive player. Plus, I'm getting to the point where I just don't like his on-court persona much.

I'll take Flagg.

I think we can argue about Flagg vs. Luka and a ton of others (like some that RBWS mentioned) until the cows come home, but...to this gentleman's fine point, Flagg is just a GOOD DUDE (so far, at least). He doesn't seem arrogant like Edwards, he's younger, sturdier and more versatile than SGA. He's infinitely more likable in several ways than a lot of other names we can throw out there, Luka being towards the top of that list.

[KillerLeft]

Let's say you're a GM and you're starting a team, who is your first pick? I ask this only because I'm wondering if we're here already, in Cooper's second year.

Obviously Wemby goes first. But considering Cooper's offense AND defense, is he already in a place where you might take him over Ant Edwards, Cunningham, SGA (because of age), etc? 

Dominoes fall, ripples in time happen. Nico will always be an arrogant dumbass (who still is awarded no points and may God have mercy on his soul), but is there anyone here who wouldn't take Cooper over Luka?

I think the scariest thing for the NBA is what if Cooper hasn't hit his growth spurt yet? You know how Rodman and Pippen suddenly had growth spurts in college? Flagg went from 6'8" to 6'9" since last season. Can you imagine if he grew to 6'11"?

I probably take Flagg over every name on that list, including Wembenyama. I think Wembenyama is more special and likely to stay ahead of him for the foreseeable future as long as he stays healthy, but that's a scary proposition for me, no matter how many times it's shot down through hard data. I just can't shake the feeling that guys THAT long don't have super long, healthy careers. Who knows, he might age like Kevin Durant (he might BE this generation's version of the Kevin Durant evolution, honestly), but it scares me.

[cow]

I probably take Flagg over every name on that list, including Wembenyama. I think Wembenyama is more special and likely to stay ahead of him for the foreseeable future as long as he stays healthy, but that's a scary proposition for me, no matter how many times it's shot down through hard data. I just can't shake the feeling that guys THAT long don't have super long, healthy careers. Who knows, he might age like Kevin Durant (he might BE this generation's version of the Kevin Durant evolution, honestly), but it scares me.

With how teams operate these days, I'm less concerned about long term health as I don't see a modern dynasty being possible like the old days.  I'm honestly not sure where I'd put Flagg in a ranking for this conversation, but I admittedly have bias that has little to do with him and more to do with the our recent scars so take the following with a grain of salt or thirty.  I think Cooper is special and one of the best players in the world, but I'm not sure I see the "it" factor that will become face of the league.

[windjc]

With how teams operate these days, I'm less concerned about long term health as I don't see a modern dynasty being possible like the old days.  I'm honestly not sure where I'd put Flagg in a ranking for this conversation, but I admittedly have bias that has little to do with him and more to do with the our recent scars so take the following with a grain of salt or thirty.  I think Cooper is special and one of the best players in the world, but I'm not sure I see the "it" factor that will become face of the league.

Really? Then what the heck do you see? Only he and LeBron were this talented at 19.

[michaeltex]

With how teams operate these days, I'm less concerned about long term health as I don't see a modern dynasty being possible like the old days.  I'm honestly not sure where I'd put Flagg in a ranking for this conversation, but I admittedly have bias that has little to do with him and more to do with the our recent scars so take the following with a grain of salt or thirty.  I think Cooper is special and one of the best players in the world, but I'm not sure I see the "it" factor that will become face of the league.

Let's re-visit how you feel sometime after the ASB.

FWIW, I think this is the year that Coop becomes "must see TV".

[cow]

Let's re-visit how you feel sometime after the ASB.

FWIW, I think this is the year that Coop becomes "must see TV".

Probably years away and it's mostly irrational anyway.  He's already an amazing scorer and my biggest disappointment of his game from last year is already improving this year in defensive impact.  He's not the smoothest athlete and still look a bit like a baby deer on ice, but he is effective even if not the most aesthetically pleasing.  And he's freaking 19 which is nuts.

[CooPerFan]

So many injuries happening in the league. Hopefully coop and kyrie can atay healthy throughout the year

[JamesConway816]

I am 100% in on Flagg.

But the talking down on Luka lately around here is distastful. 

Facts:

- He loved this franchise

- He was forced out

- He was an All NBA 1st team and perennial TOP 5 MVP guy ever since his sophomore season.

- Not a winner? He literally won everywhere berore going to Dallas and he got the Mavs to the WCF and the „championship games“ in his early 20s and therefore even sooner than Dirk did age-wise

- His time here was cut short, but they were right where they needed to be after the Finals run with an even better team

There is no need to belittle Luka. Flagg will be good enough on his own. But Luka set the bar absurdly high. 

Reminder: ==> Coop will have to make the All NBA 1st team this season and finish top 4 in the MVP race to just to match what Luka did in year 2.

I sure hope he can exceed all that but that will be so so difficult to do and even if it takes a bit longer it wont be the end of the world. The good thing is they have plenty of time to put the right pieces around him and I am a lot more confident in Masai than anybody Luka ever had around him. 

Even May appears to make a great early impression despite being new to the NBA level.

So it‘s all looking good. 

Also no need for bad karma by talking smack on Luka ==> Plan 2028 is still in full motion 

:cool:

[cow]

I am 100% in on Flagg.

But the talking down on Luka lately around here is distastful. 

Facts:

- He loved this franchise

- He was forced out

- He was an All NBA 1st team and perennial TOP 5 MVP guy ever since his sophomore season.

- Not a winner? He literally won everywhere berore going to Dallas and he got the Mavs to the WCF and the „championship games“ in his early 20s and therefore even sooner than Dirk did age-wise

- His time here was cut short, but they were right where they needed to be after the Finals run with an even better team

There is no need to belittle Luka. Flagg will be good enough on his own. But Luka set the bar absurdly high. 

Reminder: ==> Coop will have to make the All NBA 1st team this season and finish top 4 in the MVP race to just to match what Luka did in year 2.

I sure hope he can exceed all that but that will be so so difficult to do and even if it takes a bit longer it wont be the end of the world. The good thing is they have plenty of time to put the right pieces around him and I am a lot more confident in Masai than anybody Luka ever had around him. 

Even May appears to make a great early impression despite being new to the NBA level.

So it‘s all looking good. 

Also no need for bad karma by talking smack on Luka ==> Plan 2028 is still in full motion 

In this game we are playing, I'm taking Luka just to right the wrongs of the franchise.  He wanted to be here and win here and I think he would have delivered us championships.

[Chicagojk]

We will see if it can last, but the first time in over year and a half (to be honest, maybe even before the Luka trade) I am actually looking forward and enjoying Mavs games.   Even when they lose.  In fact, I really have no expectations on win total this year.   I just wanted to enjoy basketball.    Last year there was some hope after the Cooper lotto results heading into the season, but that was immediately gashed when they started playing.    This year has been fun and new so far.

I think we all agree the roster is not finished yet.   Although, we are four games in and most players have already had a good game(s) already.    That is pretty exciting.   Both to seeing the growth but also for potential trades.  It is a lot easier to trade your players when you see them playing well on the court.   It is a drag when you feel you have guys who are just deadweight on the roster.    So far, May has been able to get good results from the team.  We will see if that can continue.

[Smitty]

@christianpclark
Story from this morning on Zaccharie Risacher. Mavericks have until Saturday to exercise his $17.4 million team option for next season. My expectation is that they will.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7729676/2026/10/28/zaccharie-risacher-mavericks-reclamation-contract/?unlocked_article_code=1.MFE.0irl.7DAv1Yo4v6MR&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta

[numnuts23]

Feels like this is getting overshadowed a bit given the basketball news, but that's a minor surprise to me.

Maybe Welts was always going to retire sooner than later, but still a surprise.

Think he was brought in to close the deal on the arena...mission accomplished.  Now he is stepping down

[Winter]

I am 100% in on Flagg.

But the talking down on Luka lately around here is distastful. 

Facts:

- He loved this franchise

- He was forced out

- He was an All NBA 1st team and perennial TOP 5 MVP guy ever since his sophomore season.

- Not a winner? He literally won everywhere berore going to Dallas and he got the Mavs to the WCF and the „championship games“ in his early 20s and therefore even sooner than Dirk did age-wise

- His time here was cut short, but they were right where they needed to be after the Finals run with an even better team

There is no need to belittle Luka. Flagg will be good enough on his own. But Luka set the bar absurdly high. 

Reminder: ==> Coop will have to make the All NBA 1st team this season and finish top 4 in the MVP race to just to match what Luka did in year 2.

I sure hope he can exceed all that but that will be so so difficult to do and even if it takes a bit longer it wont be the end of the world. The good thing is they have plenty of time to put the right pieces around him and I am a lot more confident in Masai than anybody Luka ever had around him. 

Even May appears to make a great early impression despite being new to the NBA level.

So it‘s all looking good. 

Also no need for bad karma by talking smack on Luka ==> Plan 2028 is still in full motion 

Your answering a bunch of questions that were never asked.

This was the question: " Let's say you're a GM and you're starting a team, who is your first pick?"  I didn't sense anyone "talking smack" against Luka. He's definitely a highlight reel. I just would prefer to start a team with Flagg.

[mvossman]

@christianpclark
Story from this morning on Zaccharie Risacher. Mavericks have until Saturday to exercise his $17.4 million team option for next season. My expectation is that they will.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7729676/2026/10/28/zaccharie-risacher-mavericks-reclamation-contract/?unlocked_article_code=1.MFE.0irl.7DAv1Yo4v6MR&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta

I think so as well.

[Winter]

I think so as well.

I do too, but I just noticed Luke Adams (at HoopsRumors) said the club has until Monday.... so not sure which day is the deadline.

[Smitty]

I do too, but I just noticed Luke Adams (at HoopsRumors) said the club has until Monday.

The option deadline is 10/31

[CooPerFan]

I am 100% in on Flagg.

But the talking down on Luka lately around here is distastful. 

Facts:

- He loved this franchise

- He was forced out

- He was an All NBA 1st team and perennial TOP 5 MVP guy ever since his sophomore season.

- Not a winner? He literally won everywhere berore going to Dallas and he got the Mavs to the WCF and the „championship games“ in his early 20s and therefore even sooner than Dirk did age-wise

- His time here was cut short, but they were right where they needed to be after the Finals run with an even better team

There is no need to belittle Luka. Flagg will be good enough on his own. But Luka set the bar absurdly high. 

Reminder: ==> Coop will have to make the All NBA 1st team this season and finish top 4 in the MVP race to just to match what Luka did in year 2.

I sure hope he can exceed all that but that will be so so difficult to do and even if it takes a bit longer it wont be the end of the world. The good thing is they have plenty of time to put the right pieces around him and I am a lot more confident in Masai than anybody Luka ever had around him. 

Even May appears to make a great early impression despite being new to the NBA level.

So it‘s all looking good. 

Also no need for bad karma by talking smack on Luka ==> Plan 2028 is still in full motion 

In my opinion luka isnt a winner. Yes he is talented and a great player. But the problem with him is he is so ball dominant on offense with no off ball offense in his bag. that’s why he gets godly stats. And also the Whinning to refs thing. There is a reason why he hasn’t won MVP up until now despite having godly stats.

He has attitude problem and his playstyle is only for himself. Never led his team to 55+ wins in regular season. Play no defense.

[Knutsen]

The option deadline is 10/31

Could be Monday because of working hours then, couldn’t it? 

I mean it won’t make a difference - I hope they know what they’ll do already.

[FireNicoHarrison]

If Wemba will continue to take a ton of 3s and play like a 6'2 guard i take Cooper all day.