MAVS NEWS:

[Winter]

The option deadline is 10/31

Maybe some kind of grace since the 31st is a Saturday.

[Chicagojk]

How many players would you take over Cooper?

https://x.com/sam_vecenie/status/2115557...deo/1?s=46

[Knutsen]

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.

Option picked up already!

[Winter]

Option picked up already!

Yep.

https://dallassportsjournal.com/maverick...ar-option/

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

How many players would you take over Cooper?

https://x.com/sam_vecenie/status/2115557...deo/1?s=46

1

[Scott41theMavs]

Yep.

https://dallassportsjournal.com/maverick...ar-option/

A moment of silence for F Gump.

[OldMavsFan]

Mavs pick up the 17 mil for 4th year, but didn't pick up Christie's, I think that may be a hint on who they like going forward.  Now that doesn't mean they won't resign Max, but he has some work to do, if he wants more than 8 mill, do have to wonder if he will be here after trade deadline.

[KillerLeft]

Yep.

https://dallassportsjournal.com/maverick...ar-option/

There you go - they didn't even need to wait until the deadline. Personally, I probably would've waited the few days out just in case he snaps his leg in half or something, but I'm happy with this decision.

[mvossman]

Mavs pick up the 17 mil for 4th year, but didn't pick up Christie's, I think that may be a hint on who they like going forward.  Now that doesn't mean they won't resign Max, but he has some work to do, if he wants more than 8 mill, do have to wonder if he will be here after trade deadline.

Max has a player option, right?  That is not a Mavs decision.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

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 

First, you're fighting ghosts here. I doubt anyone here would deny that Luka is, to date, the second best player ever to put on a Mavs jersey. Likewise, he gave all of us levels of joy and a respite from life's ills that are hard to measure. PERIOD. FULL STOP.

However, the question posited was whether on October 28, 2026, we would rather build around a 27 year old Luka or a 19 year old Cooper. With all due respect (truly), your response was built on past accomplishments and  emotions.  Again, I get it, Luka did some great things, but that's in the rear-view mirror. 

I suppose if you want to use your resume for Luka as a barometer or measuring stick for Cooper, I'd ask, whether you think Flagg will get the Mavs to an NBA Finals before his 27th birthday. If you're asking me, I say, yes, and take that bet everyday and twice on Sunday. 

What makes me so sure? I think Luka thinks he wants to win. But I KNOW COOPER DOES.

What do I mean? I have no doubt that anytime Luka is near a basketball court he wants to be the best player on it. Yes,, he wants to win. But I truly don't think he wants it as much as he thinks he does. Too many times he's said the quiet part outloud.: that he doesn't have it in him to condition himself to play long into his 30s. Now, I appreciate his honesty, and he doesn't owe anyone to play any longer than he wants. That said, conditioning IS a part of winning. 

On the other hand, I think Cooper wakes up nearly every night in a cold sweat wondering what he could be doing to get better. I would also wager that if a "basketball guru" told him that 5 years of abstinence would help him to get to a championship, I'd bet he'd strongly consider it.

 Likewise, how many of us are 40+? Remember how easy, relatively speaking, life felt, physically, in your 20s? And then in your 30s there was a bit of a hitch? Then, suddenly, somewhere in your 40s your body fell like it was hit by a bus (enjoy it it now, you 20 year olds!)?  I love Luka, but I think one year he's gonna go from being All NBA to suddenly being played off the court. In the last few years he's missed a ridiculous amount of games and that's when his body is at its peak, better than it ever will be in his life. Knowing how Luka's temperament is, I wonder what he'll be like when his game gets hard. Like hard-hard. If he's a player capable of being a knockdown shooter, but physically he can't get to his spots (and is still a sieve on defense). How much would a coach play him?

Again, this isn't meant to bash Luka at all. I'm merely, analytically, looking at his future game. I mean, as bad as February 2, 2025, was, is it possible that the Mavs caught basketball lightning in a bottle, where we enjoyed Dirk's career, immediately pressed reser, then we enjoyed a top 5 talent like Luka in his peak years (never experiencing anything but "Luka Magic"), immediately pressed reset, and then getting to watch someone who could be the best player in the league? 

Hey, there's no way the Mavs get Cooper without losing Luka. Yeah, it was some sh-tty tasting medicine, but I'm happy the Mavs backed into Coop.

[OBX Maverick]

First, you're fighting ghosts here. I doubt anyone here would deny that Luka is, to date, the second best player ever to put on a Mavs jersey. Likewise, he gave all of us levels of joy and a respite from life's ills that are hard to measure. PERIOD. FULL STOP.

However, the question posited was whether on October 28, 2026, we would rather build around a 27 year old Luka or a 19 year old Cooper. With all due respect (truly), your response was built on past accomplishments and  emotions.  Again, I get it, Luka did some great things, but that's in the rear-view mirror. 

I suppose if you want to use your resume for Luka as a barometer or measuring stick for Cooper, I'd ask, whether you think Flagg will get the Mavs to an NBA Finals before his 27th birthday. If you're asking me, I say, yes, and take that bet everyday and twice on Sunday. 

What makes me so sure? I think Luka thinks he wants to win. But I KNOW COOPER DOES.

What do I mean? I have no doubt that anytime Luka is near a basketball court he wants to be the best player on it. Yes,, he wants to win. But I truly don't think he wants it as much as he thinks he does. Too many times he's said the quiet part outloud.: that he doesn't have it in him to condition himself to play long into his 30s. Now, I appreciate his honesty, and he doesn't owe anyone to play any longer than he wants. That said, conditioning IS a part of winning. 

On the other hand, I think Cooper wakes up nearly every night in a cold sweat wondering what he could be doing to get better. I would also wager that if a "basketball guru" told him that 5 years of abstinence would help him to get to a championship, I'd bet he'd strongly consider it.

 Likewise, how many of us are 40+? Remember how easy, relatively speaking, life felt, physically, in your 20s? And then in your 30s there was a bit of a hitch? Then, suddenly, somewhere in your 40s your body fell like it was hit by a bus (enjoy it it now, you 20 year olds!)?  I love Luka, but I think one year he's gonna go from being All NBA to suddenly being played off the court. In the last few years he's missed a ridiculous amount of games and that's when his body is at its peak, better than it ever will be in his life. Knowing how Luka's temperament is, I wonder what he'll be like when his game gets hard. Like hard-hard. If he's a player capable of being a knockdown shooter, but physically he can't get to his spots (and is still a sieve on defense). How much would a coach play him?

Again, this isn't meant to bash Luka at all. I'm merely, analytically, looking at his future game. I mean, as bad as February 2, 2025, was, is it possible that the Mavs caught basketball lightning in a bottle, where we enjoyed Dirk's career, immediately pressed reser, then we enjoyed a top 5 talent like Luka in his peak years (never experiencing anything but "Luka Magic"), immediately pressed reset, and then getting to watch someone who could be the best player in the league? 

Hey, there's no way the Mavs get Cooper without losing Luka. Yeah, it was some sh-tty tasting medicine, but I'm happy the Mavs backed into Coop.

I said this way back when we lucked into the #1 pick and got Coop, and I’ll say it again now. The Mavs would never have been in the lottery with  Luka still playing for us that season. Yes, god, and everyone else, knows we got fleeced by the LAL in that trade. But could you say (especially with what we’re seeing now) that the Mavs came out ahead in the assets they gained from the Luka trade + Flagg? I think it’s a valid argument. 

I was and still am a Luka fan. He’s a good guy. But let’s face it, he was and still is immature. That’s what always got me with him….the arguing and complaining, the lingering back behind the play to complain to the referee…..especially after watching Dirk play for 21 years. Cooper came in as an 18 year old rookie more mature than Luka is now. To watch Cooper impact the game in a major way on both ends of the floor is a thing of beauty, and honestly, is something I’ve never seen happen in a Mavericks uniform over the last 46 seasons. And one more thing….as the father of 3 boys, you have to give it to Coop’s parents for raising him right.  As a teenaged phenom, he might be a much different person now if not for the obvious values and lessons his parents taught him.

[OldMavsFan]

Max has a player option, right?  That is not a Mavs decision.

I believe many thought he would get a new contract for 15  to 20 for 3 years and I think that had to happen before the start of season and they didn't, but he still has a player option for 8  next summer and is also a restricted FA if he declines.

[Chicagojk]

Podfather talks Flagg

https://x.com/ringer/status/2115413283486527507?s=46

[F Gump]

A moment of silence for F Gump.

Doesnt bother me at all. 

I was just raising the question of whether he is looking like he will be worth it. The Mavs have said yes, even though his shooting has sucked.

I find that vote of confidence in him encouraging (since they see more than we do). 

As I noted, I wasnt hoping for him to be gone, but only hoping to see that what they pay him is in the right ballpark of what he's really worth. We'll see how it plays out. It would be great if he could learn to shoot.

[Dundalis]

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.

Not really sure how you can have watched what Luka did in that Finals run and say that. That Luka was playing through injury that hampered him pretty severely and did what he did against far superior squads throughout that run is not something non winners do, period. That he was totally gassed carrying the team and came up against a way more talented team in the Finals with zero support from his teammates should not be used against him IMO.

First, you're fighting ghosts here. I doubt anyone here would deny that Luka is, to date, the second best player ever to put on a Mavs jersey. Likewise, he gave all of us levels of joy and a respite from life's ills that are hard to measure. PERIOD. FULL STOP.

However, the question posited was whether on October 28, 2026, we would rather build around a 27 year old Luka or a 19 year old Cooper. With all due respect (truly), your response was built on past accomplishments and  emotions.  Again, I get it, Luka did some great things, but that's in the rear-view mirror. 

I suppose if you want to use your resume for Luka as a barometer or measuring stick for Cooper, I'd ask, whether you think Flagg will get the Mavs to an NBA Finals before his 27th birthday. If you're asking me, I say, yes, and take that bet everyday and twice on Sunday. 

What makes me so sure? I think Luka thinks he wants to win. But I KNOW COOPER DOES.

What do I mean? I have no doubt that anytime Luka is near a basketball court he wants to be the best player on it. Yes,, he wants to win. But I truly don't think he wants it as much as he thinks he does. Too many times he's said the quiet part outloud.: that he doesn't have it in him to condition himself to play long into his 30s. Now, I appreciate his honesty, and he doesn't owe anyone to play any longer than he wants. That said, conditioning IS a part of winning. 

On the other hand, I think Cooper wakes up nearly every night in a cold sweat wondering what he could be doing to get better. I would also wager that if a "basketball guru" told him that 5 years of abstinence would help him to get to a championship, I'd bet he'd strongly consider it.

 Likewise, how many of us are 40+? Remember how easy, relatively speaking, life felt, physically, in your 20s? And then in your 30s there was a bit of a hitch? Then, suddenly, somewhere in your 40s your body fell like it was hit by a bus (enjoy it it now, you 20 year olds!)?  I love Luka, but I think one year he's gonna go from being All NBA to suddenly being played off the court. In the last few years he's missed a ridiculous amount of games and that's when his body is at its peak, better than it ever will be in his life. Knowing how Luka's temperament is, I wonder what he'll be like when his game gets hard. Like hard-hard. If he's a player capable of being a knockdown shooter, but physically he can't get to his spots (and is still a sieve on defense). How much would a coach play him?

Again, this isn't meant to bash Luka at all. I'm merely, analytically, looking at his future game. I mean, as bad as February 2, 2025, was, is it possible that the Mavs caught basketball lightning in a bottle, where we enjoyed Dirk's career, immediately pressed reser, then we enjoyed a top 5 talent like Luka in his peak years (never experiencing anything but "Luka Magic"), immediately pressed reset, and then getting to watch someone who could be the best player in the league? 

Hey, there's no way the Mavs get Cooper without losing Luka. Yeah, it was some sh-tty tasting medicine, but I'm happy the Mavs backed into Coop.

Curious how you'd apply that logic to someone like Shaq, or Jokic. Sure conditioning helps a lot with being in the best position physically to win, but ultimately its about the performance. Luka was predominantly hampered in the Finals vs Boston due to carrying the team through grueling series against teams with much deeper talent, playing through an injury that clearly heavily hampered him, yeah he could have been in better condition, but without the injury he's probably a lot less hampered than he was that affected his performance, not to mention getting virtually no support from his teammates in that series. Luka has never had the benefit of playing with the quality of teammates the likes of SGA, or Tatum had during their championships, and I'd say he'd unequivocally have a ring if he did. I think people underestimate how inferior the Mavs rosters were during both the WCF and Finals runs compared to some of the teams they came up against and beat.

Masai may build a team around Coop of much higher quality and depth than Luka ever had, and he wins a ring but Im not sure that immediately validates Luka being less of a winner, though I know that will be the narrative across the league if Luka doesn't win one.

[cow]

Doesnt bother me at all. 

I was just raising the question of whether he is looking like he will be worth it. The Mavs have said yes, even though his shooting has sucked.

I find that vote of confidence in him encouraging (since they see more than we do). 

As I noted, I wasnt hoping for him to be gone, but only hoping to see that what they pay him is in the right ballpark of what he's really worth. We'll see how it plays out. It would be great if he could learn to shoot.

To be fair to the kid, he's shown us a lot so far.  He makes bad plays, but always with effort and then follows it up with 2-4 good plays afterwards.  Sometimes his shot looks great, sometimes busted.  May said he's a great shooter in the presser the other night so maybe it's just a consistency thing rather than needing to reinvent his shot.

[KillerLeft]

Why are we arguing about a Laker when there’s GREAT Mavs TEAM basketball happening on live television?!?!?!

[F Gump]

I believe many thought he would get a new contract for 15  to 20 for 3 years and I think that had to happen before the start of season and they didn't, but he still has a player option for 8  next summer and is also a restricted FA if he declines.

The variables for a new deal with Max are way diff than that ^.
1 Max has a PO. There is not a TO.
2 If Max declines the PO, the deadline for an extension is June 30. 
3 Whenever he becomes a FA, he will be UFA.
4 His market value is TBD. His play this season will have major impact (for more money, or less).

[cow]

Why are we arguing about a Laker when there’s GREAT Mavs TEAM basketball happening on live television?!?!?!

Luka will always be a Mav.  He doesn't deserve to catch strays for Nico's incompetence.

[KillerLeft]

Luka will always be a Mav.  He doesn't deserve to catch strays for Nico's incompetence.

Ok…but DURING the best, most fun Mavs watch of the past two years?!