MAVS NEWS: Luka Is Hurt, But is Trudging On | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[omahen]

I don’t see it as a success or failure based on all moves being EITHER win now OR long term. I think Kyrie could be moved pretty easily to add pieces and capital for the long term plan, or, if things go better than expected soon, some of the long term assets they added could be used to get more win now guys. What they’ve done is turned a complete lack of attractive assets into a pile of them really quickly. That seems like a plan, to me, and they’re not painted into an inflexible corner the way it’s felt like they were the past couple of years. They’re giving themselves real options, which I don’t personally think they’ve had since that awful Porzingis disaster.

And, this next point isn’t really a defense of anything we’re discussing, but this is the first summer I’ve felt was actually different since the big GM shakeup. Idk if it’s Lindsey, just that Harrison and Finley are finally finding their sea legs, or just an aimless, flash-in-the-pan abnormal summer, but it has me intrigued enough to want to watch what happens next. This might be a little lost on you since you joined us when Luka did, but the playbook they ran for the first 3-4 years of his career was pretty similar to what they’d been doing since Cuban bought the team. Trust me, this is DIFFERENT for the Mavs. 

I know it’s frustrating that they’re having to dig themselves out of a hole so deep, but I honestly believe this will prove to be a good summer, not only for the team, but for Luka’s career, too. Finally, I can imagine them being out there with a 25-27 year old Luka, loads of people wanting to play with him, and the assets to actually acquire them.

I understand your point. Again, I also liked the moves and some creativity we not necessarily saw before. But, I think you are missing a scenario, what if things don't look good at TDL. What if Mavs suck similarly to last season, because they are just not good enough. That scenario changes a lot of things and puts you in a very different position. Unfortunately, I think the probability of that scenario to happen is not neglectable. 

I am not sure about the first paragraph. #10 pick was an asset. Lively and Omax will become assets, when (if) they prove they are contributors. The idea of what they could become is not enough. Unless they really surprise us, we are realistically speaking at least a year or two before they become assets. GW will prove he is an asset when (if) he proves he can be a credible starter. Green will likely not be an asset anymore, as soon as he signs his new deal. Kyrie will have value if he plays reasonably well and doesn't create problems. But that is a big gamble, as he is getting old, is quite injury prone and not really mister sanity. If the result will not be there (lets say similar as last season), the players value will not increase. 

I think they had a lot of options since KP trade. Max cap space twice, draft assets,.. They just failed at everything. I remember clearly the enthusiasm after the Green draft. Mavs brought in 4 rookies (Green, two high SRP and non-drafted guy). Traded offense for defense (Seth for Richardson) and gained a pick doing it. But then reality struck. JRich didn't fit, rookies mostly didn't succeed. What looked like an awesome summer is now remembered as a big failure. 

Sure, they could start the season to see where they are and act later. But correcting mistakes later will be more costly, as Mavs will be even more desperate. Basically the only big picture dilemma we have is, should they trade the 2027 pick or not. Because lets not fool ourselves, THJ, McGee and Holmes will not bring back players we would be satisfied with. My expectation to be satisfied is for them to trade the 2027 pick for 2 RIGHT players. One starter and one rotation guy. I don't think that impacts their flexibility much, as there are always new picks to trade or keep (24 or 25 and 31 will be available next summer). But, it makes it far more likely that next season will be a much better one and far less likely, that it will suck. Stop with keeping the powder dry nonsense. Mavs don't need a star that costs 3 FRP. Mavs need correct role players that cost less than one unprotected FRP. 

I have thrown around many ideas about different moves and I am sure there are plenty more possible combinations. I don't really care about the difficulties, obstacles, negotiations etc. I know it is not easy. I expect a good FO to make it happen.