01-08-2026, 06:11 PM
(01-08-2026, 03:34 PM)omahen Wrote: Replying to more posts in this one.
I didn't realize other teams also have the NO pick
Obviously they don't -- but that pick is the ONLY reason to deal with ATL on a trade of AD, because ATL wants to make all their desirable players off limits. So if you take the NO pick off the table, they don't have a single thing to offer that moves the needle. That's the point on the Mavs insisting on the NO pick in talks with ATL.
The ATL 2026 pick/CLE pick (variously named) isn't all that great, right now at 18, and will likely be getting worse and worse as the season goes along. ATL doesn't have their own pick to offer, to be clear.
As for why the focus is on ATL, it's because that's the suitor we know, so that's who we talk about. The Mavs don't have to trade with ATL or anyone, frankly.