2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[DanSchwartzgan]

I am still set on my own "summer plan" primarily featuring a trade for Ball (and wonder hopefully if one was already negotiated at the deadline, when Martin was oddly acquired by DAL despite his ill-fitting contract with incentives that all count - as a player CHI would value in a swap for Ball? - and when Ball did his extension downward to a number that works for Mavs needs). A package of Martin-Powell-Hardy for Ball would be ideal imo, as it allows money and space for the roster below (which also includes following up by signing 2 players to return, Jones and Exum, but not SD).
 

There is speculation that one of both of Gafford/PJ might be outgoing largely based on contract status.  If we are really about winning a championship now, you do something like what you have here.  You package the excess (Martin/Hardy/Powell) and give Gafford and PJ their money.  It will be an apron problem in 26/27 and 27/28.  But, you are probably quite elite those two years.  I think you take your shot with Lively, Gafford, AD, Flagg, PJ, Naji, Klay, Christie, Kyrie, Exum, Ball and Williams and let 2026 worry about 2026 when it gets here.  

An interesting thing about Ball is he's a one and done at $10mm if it doesn't work out (or you need to cut salary).  His second year is a TO.  That fits well with the team's financial situation.  He doesn't have to be a great scorer.  Just defend the position and manage the team for a few months.  It doesn't have to be Ball.  There are other guys in the $10mm-$18mm range.  Maybe it's a better long term guy than Ball and you don't keep Exum.  I think the Sexton's and Whites of the world probably cost some draft capital on top of Martin et al.  If I'm right about that, Ball starts to look better because he doesn't cost you a pick and might not cost you Exum where someone like Sexton surely would.

Kyrie is kind of key here.  I was in the camp of 3/$120mm up to maybe $137.5mm (which would be a continuation of his current deal with raises) before the injury.  I think your 1+1 is too punitive.  I understand he lost some value with his injury, but I think they will give him 3 years to line Kyrie up with AD's contract.  I would probably try to get an opt out so we could lower his 2025 number.  I would try to get him in the $120mm range starting at around $38mm.  That would be a $17.5mm discount to his current $43.9mm plus two years added with current raises for missing part of 25/26.  It won't be presented as such.  It will be Kyrie working with the team in a sacrificial way to help us keep everyone together.  But, my prediction is that $120mm number starting with a lower number than $43.9mm in 25/26.