02-02-2026, 01:58 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-02-2026, 01:59 PM by Scott41theMavs.)
Well, three days left until the deadline, and I'm going to be away from the board until Wednesday PM. I don't really care about the repeater tax penalties, but would like to see the Mavs go below the apron. I certainly want them to be successful in being rotundly unsuccessful (i.e. tanking) this season because it desperately matters, so if offloading player x accomplishes that, great. However, I'm also aware that we don't have our pick next year, so that there's zero good reason to be bad next season, and also aware of FGump's very reasonable argument that the team is going to need a talent quotient in place to be able to build around Coop at all. That said, my consideration of the roster other than Coop going into the deadline:
Max - I know he is our best young player other than Coop, but he's not that great. A comfortable man's Josh Green, tbh. Likely a future starter, but by no means untouchable. I wouldn't be sad if they traded him if the return was a '26 lottery pick. Otherwise, yeah, it probably makes sense to hold on to him. NB: One situation that I would definitely include Max in would be in a deal with Atlanta (Pel's pick) or another high lottery team for '26 swap rights. That would give the Mavs two shots at moving up to the blue-chippers in this great draft.
AD - If the extension from any team is off the table, then that should actually grease the wheels on any move. That said, that doesn't mean that he's going to bring back more than he would this summer or later, at this point. The reason to move him is to get back something more conducive to Coop's timeline and to free up roster space while dumping a big contract.
Naji - I get that he's our best performer other than Coop given all of the injured players. But most here seem to miss Killer's point - he doesn't fit with Flagg. I think moving him is certainly good for the tank and not as prejudicial to success next year as many are saying due to that redundancy. But they need to get the sell-high value for him if they're going to move him. That means a rotation shooter, or a 1st rounder this year.
PJ - I'm sad that he has played so poorly since the AD trade. Not sure if he's part of the future or not. If they trade him, I just hope they get reasonable value.
Williams - Not sure if he's good enough to be part of a young core moving forward or not. Wouldn't be surprised to see him as a trade throw-in as some have noted.
Russell - If they can squeeze any value (or roster space) out of him, great. I'll be annoyed if we have to include draft capital to offload him.
Gafford - I'd be surprised if he isn't moved. Once again, get value for him.
Hardy - I know most of us have written him off, but as lame of a player as he is overall, he's actually quietly been better this year when he's gotten opportunities. If they need to offload him for roster or cap purposes, I'm fine with it, but he's probably one of the four or five players I wouldn't mind keeping around.
Nembhard - Keeper, as our future backup rotation point guard.
Lively - Ugh, I hate that this is even a question. If he were healthy this year, we wouldn't even be able to tank, imho. If they can get value for him, then yes, you pull that trigger.
Martin - If he has played well enough for us to offload the contract without paying for the privilege, great.
Irving - He doesn't fit the timeline, but he likely has no value. Keep him for next year's efforts and then see how he fits in/what the future holds. I think his veteran presence would be helpful.
Powell - Likely not going anywhere.
Exum - Another dump him if you can but don't pay for it guy.
Thompson - This is where I likely differ from everyone else. Yes, Splash Grandpa's an old fart, but he still has a little in the tank and fits better with Flagg than any other player still on roster. I don't give a crap about "doing him a solid" by trading him to a contender. I would keep him for next year. That said, he and Naji and Gafford are the most likely to be moved, but I hope they don't move him to move him. If value comes back, fine.
Max - I know he is our best young player other than Coop, but he's not that great. A comfortable man's Josh Green, tbh. Likely a future starter, but by no means untouchable. I wouldn't be sad if they traded him if the return was a '26 lottery pick. Otherwise, yeah, it probably makes sense to hold on to him. NB: One situation that I would definitely include Max in would be in a deal with Atlanta (Pel's pick) or another high lottery team for '26 swap rights. That would give the Mavs two shots at moving up to the blue-chippers in this great draft.
AD - If the extension from any team is off the table, then that should actually grease the wheels on any move. That said, that doesn't mean that he's going to bring back more than he would this summer or later, at this point. The reason to move him is to get back something more conducive to Coop's timeline and to free up roster space while dumping a big contract.
Naji - I get that he's our best performer other than Coop given all of the injured players. But most here seem to miss Killer's point - he doesn't fit with Flagg. I think moving him is certainly good for the tank and not as prejudicial to success next year as many are saying due to that redundancy. But they need to get the sell-high value for him if they're going to move him. That means a rotation shooter, or a 1st rounder this year.
PJ - I'm sad that he has played so poorly since the AD trade. Not sure if he's part of the future or not. If they trade him, I just hope they get reasonable value.
Williams - Not sure if he's good enough to be part of a young core moving forward or not. Wouldn't be surprised to see him as a trade throw-in as some have noted.
Russell - If they can squeeze any value (or roster space) out of him, great. I'll be annoyed if we have to include draft capital to offload him.
Gafford - I'd be surprised if he isn't moved. Once again, get value for him.
Hardy - I know most of us have written him off, but as lame of a player as he is overall, he's actually quietly been better this year when he's gotten opportunities. If they need to offload him for roster or cap purposes, I'm fine with it, but he's probably one of the four or five players I wouldn't mind keeping around.
Nembhard - Keeper, as our future backup rotation point guard.
Lively - Ugh, I hate that this is even a question. If he were healthy this year, we wouldn't even be able to tank, imho. If they can get value for him, then yes, you pull that trigger.
Martin - If he has played well enough for us to offload the contract without paying for the privilege, great.
Irving - He doesn't fit the timeline, but he likely has no value. Keep him for next year's efforts and then see how he fits in/what the future holds. I think his veteran presence would be helpful.
Powell - Likely not going anywhere.
Exum - Another dump him if you can but don't pay for it guy.
Thompson - This is where I likely differ from everyone else. Yes, Splash Grandpa's an old fart, but he still has a little in the tank and fits better with Flagg than any other player still on roster. I don't give a crap about "doing him a solid" by trading him to a contender. I would keep him for next year. That said, he and Naji and Gafford are the most likely to be moved, but I hope they don't move him to move him. If value comes back, fine.
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