2022 NBA Draft: #37 Jaden Hardy (6' 3", 6' 9" WS) to DAL | two 2nds to SAC

[hakeemfaan]

Ordinarily, I’d agree. But, in this case, they don’t have a roster spot without taking evasive maneuvers. It’s possible one will be created through other business, but they really need to add more ROTATION pieces now, and I have a hard time envisioning ways to do that without losing the ones they have unless the pick is used for that purpose. 

I’m not anti-draft, but I AM anti “always draft a player, even when it doesn’t make sense.” 

Bending over backwards and possibly spending an asset for less than its full value just to create a roster spot for a #26 project who won’t play and probably won’t develop seems like doubling your losses, to me. 

I think the approach to team-building needs to be nuanced and flexible, personally.

I would agree if we were a 2 stud team and what happened this year is guaranteed to be a stepping stone. I can’t say if it is. The West is loaded and if the Mavs lose in the first round next year, it wouldn’t be  a shocker.  This team needs an infusion of talent.  FA and trades are no guarantees either to get what you want. There are different pros and cons with each of the 3 avenues to get talent. 


I am always going to be pro draft unless you tell me that packaging one of our picks will get us a bonafide  stud.  Unlike FA and trades draft can give you a talented player for cheap for a few years.

Two years from now some player a team considered raw and not ready immediately is a steal and meanwhile the retread they went after in FA or trade has not moved the needle much and you have either paid too much or lost assets to get that player. I see this much more than teams that gave up picks repeatedly and succeeded strictly via trades or FA. So yes unless there is an overwhelming reason to give away the pick, I will always be a pro draft guy.