2025 draft thread: THE MAVS SELECT COOPER FLAGG

[DanSchwartzgan]

You are right PJ would be a nice fit when AD is no longer here.  I just don’t know how you make it work.  Even if you told him his minutes would remain the same.  Players who played a big role for a title finalist very rarely want to take a step back in their prime of their career and come off the bench.  Then you have to factor in his in in a contract year and playing for that next contract.  Telling him to come off the bench is not going to be a good conversation.

The only thing I can think of is start Cooper at the 2.  Less than ideal.  You would have to have an awkward conversation with Klay too, but he is not a long term piece.  Then PJ can start still.  After 4 minutes you can sub to get a better fitting lineup.  That is the only way I can see PJ staying here.

It probably leads to a Gafford trade.  That would suck as I really like Gafford.   I am. It sure what type of value he would bring back in a market flooded with centers.  Plus he is looking for a new contract.

I'd note that FG has Flagg off the bench in his projected lineup.  Obviously, not permanent, but it would be a way to start PJ.

I'm not advocating this being a 'contract year' for either.  I'm advocating giving both their extensions this summer.  It won't be a comfortable negotiation, but if the years/salary are right, I think it is possible.  One might say "yeah, but aren't you just setting them up to be traded later".  Well, everyone is subject to being traded later.  Both would much rather have the certainty of an extension (at a preferred number) than the uncertainty of going into free agency.  S&T's are really hard for good (expensive) teams to pull off as it is a hard cap trigger.  So, free agency probably means going back to situations (Charlotte/Washington) that both recently escaped from.