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

[KillerLeft]

We have to factor one thing in: We don't have a FRP for several years after next season and we have a chance for picking high. What is our great plan to build a contender after that?

I understand most rationals being thrown around here, but if we miss out on a potentially great pick now, what is our clear path forwards? I don't see it.

Everyone here (well almost) is and has been focused on this summer's pick since day 1. You won't find any argument there. 

The issue is the following seasons, tbh. The kind of picks you're likely to get for guys like Gafford and Marshall aren't any kind of replacement for your own picks that you've traded away if you have to tear the house down to the studs and rebuild from scratch. That's why the Mavs are trying to avoid doing that, I'm sure. SO, what's the best way to move forward? Do you accept a less than favorable outcome on an AD trade (should an offer even manifest) in order to shed salary, so that you can keep guys like Thompson, Marshall and Gafford? Do these guys even fit well enough to consider keeping? Do you reshuffle those guys instead, hoping to add Kyrie and AD to a team that actually works next season? This trade deadline is potentially a huge crossroads for the franchise.