Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[Smitty]

See, right there. With respect, I can't wrap my head around this logic, and I feel you're sidestepping the question, somewhat, despite giving clear answers. 

To be clear, I don't know which way is the right way to go, but I'm uncomfortable with this sort of line straddling. If, like you state, I thought for sure "the Mavs won't be a contender next year by any means," then I'd very quickly settle on the notion that almost all vets need to be liquidated into either draft capital, extremely young players or both.

And, it's not that I don't see the value in mixing vets in with the youngsters - I've always been a proponent of continuity and experience in this community. But, the team just doesn't have many assets other than some attractive veteran role players. If they're not going to be good (by my definition, a contender), then they need to get busy acquiring assets that aren't going to age out so quickly. 

What I'm saying is that those who've chosen a clear direction on how to handle this trade deadline seem to have decided what they believe in terms of the team's near future, whether they realize it consciously or not. 

I just don't think it's as clear as some think whether or not they'll be good. I'm a little paralyzed by indecision, and I wonder if the Mavs are, too.

I look at who’s under contract next season and try to categorize it.

All-Star level Vets: Davis, Kyrie
Core: Flagg, Christie, Lively, ‘26 FRP
Sell High Vets: Gafford, Naji, Klay
Hold: PJW, Martin
Anchors: DLO, Hardy
Develop: Nembhard, Cisse, Kelly

The Mavs have no draft pick next year so there’s no harm in having Davis and/or Kyrie on your roster. You can be competitive. The harm would be extending either of them. There’s also no harm in selling them, unless it’s pennies on the dollar? Because again, there’s no harm for them being on the roster next season.

I would sell high on the 3 vets that have positive value league wide. They either don’t fit with Flagg (IMO) or won’t be here when he’s ready to take over the league.

I would hold on PJ and Martin. One I think can be a good fit. The other is negative value, and I’m not in a position to be sending assets to offload negative contracts.

DLO and Hardy fit into the don’t send out assets category. They’ll both be off your books after next season, so you’re stuck with them for 12 more months.


I don’t think there’s some major need to get rid of everyone 25 and older and replace them with a 19 year old. I also don’t think it’s practical to make 7 trades of everyone that “doesn’t fit” Flagg next year. It’s kind of a bridge year in a way. If you are keeping Davis, due to lack of market, and Kyrie wants to be here.. You have a pathway to be good in Flagg’s second season. The reason it probably won’t work is health.

The only major decision I think this team needs to make this summer is whether or not to extend Kyrie, Davis, Naji. I would elect to say no to all 3.