TRADE: Davis, Hardy, DLO, Exum to WAS | Middleton, filler, 2 FRPs, 3 SRPs to DAL

[KillerLeft]

I'm not sure I see that viewpoint.  And trading away AD solidifies the direction the Mavs are taking which by definition makes them less flexible than had they let the new GM decide.  If I were interviewing for the position, I'd also have prepared how I would have handled the Doncic and AD situations/trades and point how where I think the previous leaderships went wrong and how I would have maximized the returns on both should it have come to that point.  Also, there are only so many of these types of jobs available and the typically only become available because of underperformance by the previous regime.

I think for most people, dealing with the AD situation means getting him out of here. I just think sooner or later, there was no way around that. 

If I, as a potential GM candidate, thought I could've done better than this deal, I might agree with you. But, my current leaning is that not many of them out there likely feel that way, and most of them are more likely to be glad to have this ugly business handled (Luka trade chapter closed as much as possible) before they take the reigns. Now, the first steps can be to build up, not to tear down. They are WAY more flexible now than yesterday. There are way more paths forward than there were yesterday. Want to get rid of Martin? You can now afford to throw away a 2nd to do it (though I wouldn't, personally). The point is: there are now options, and every conversation in that building doesn't have to be about how to maximize the asset that is AD without giving him an extension, which I think might have been a tougher topic to avoid the longer he was here.

I'm higher on AD's play than most here, so I get it, to an extent. But, we're close to it. I can't escape the feeling that I had prior to the Luka trade and again immediately after: I would not want him on my team because he's always hurt. That's simply a black cloud that I wouldn't want to be my central preoccupation, were I offered the chance to run a team. Heck, even if I DID feel like I could've done better, I might STILL be happy that was handled before I took the job, frankly.