04-13-2023, 11:47 AM
So...
Are the Mavs in "win-now" mode?
If you thought that Luka's window of opportunity was small, how about when we re-sign Kyrie to big dollars?
I'd argue that the front office believes they've secured two very rare franchise building blocks, and their remaining holes are much easier and cheaper to fill. So win now? Yes.
In a win-now scenario, draft picks have minimal value. First, it's a crapshoot whether you'll actually draft a contributing NBA player, regardless of how great your player evaluation team is. And second, it's really rare to have a first-year player contribute much, even if they end up being a superstar someday.
For those reasons, I predict they will trade their pick.
Draft pick plus neutral-to-slightly-negative player/contract for reliable, productive player.
Are the Mavs in "win-now" mode?
If you thought that Luka's window of opportunity was small, how about when we re-sign Kyrie to big dollars?
I'd argue that the front office believes they've secured two very rare franchise building blocks, and their remaining holes are much easier and cheaper to fill. So win now? Yes.
In a win-now scenario, draft picks have minimal value. First, it's a crapshoot whether you'll actually draft a contributing NBA player, regardless of how great your player evaluation team is. And second, it's really rare to have a first-year player contribute much, even if they end up being a superstar someday.
For those reasons, I predict they will trade their pick.
Draft pick plus neutral-to-slightly-negative player/contract for reliable, productive player.