MAVS NEWS:

[Chicagojk]

You make a good point about AD being behind Giannis.  That one probably comes to a head this summer as he will either sign an extension with the Bucks or they will need to trade him.  Maybe someone who had set themselves up to trade for Giannis would be interested in two years of AD as a consolation prize.  

I see three possible paths:

1.  AD is really good and the team gels as the season progresses and Kyrie returns.  As a result, we have a decent playoff run.

2.  AD produces good numbers, but the team just doesn’t work.  It takes some pressure off of Flagg in his Rookie year, but it becomes clear there is no reason to wait two more years to start to build around Flagg.

3.  AD is hurt a lot and we end up in the lottery again.

I realize this is projected to be a good draft, I think 1 and 2 above are better outcomes than 3.  They provide an AD who might have some positive trade value.  I think the third option probably puts you in the back half of the lottery and an albatross AD contract for the next two seasons.  So, I want AD to succeed here, just not so much that Nico wants to add years.  I hope that ends up being someone else’s decision to make.

#3 would be worst case for me.  Sure, I understand of the dreams of getting a top 5 pick, but there is a ton of risk there.  Yes, you could get a high pick but man does it really complicates things.

I am taking  wait and see on this season and will not get too frustrated..outside of injury.   I want to take a 20 game portrait and then will probably do it again at game 50.   Right now with the toughness of west and the awkwardness of the early Mavs, I think #2 is most likely.   So that probably gets you a top 15 pick anyway.   You can find a good player there.   OKC found J. Williams in that range.   I think it would also make it really hard to bring back Nico.  

I am rooting for #1.  I can't see myself rooting for a tank outside of the last month.   Unless a big injury run hits.   On the same side, I will not be despondent if they don't win games.