2026 NBA draft thread

[Scott41theMavs]

"I would say that your standards for a trade for Kyrie are pretty unreasonably high, given that each of the top four guys would go number one in about 50% of draft classes" --- I prefer to keep Kyrie. I value Kyrie. I think he offers a MAJOR plus for the Mavs future. I'm not worried about the fact that Kyrie is in his 30s. (I'm not worried about the 2030's.) 

From that frame of reference (my personal POV) about what Kyrie would provide, there's nothing unreasonable about what I would want. 

For those like you who don't especially value Kyrie, I get why you demand a lower ask. You prefer to get rid of him. I get it. Any ole bag of beans (more or less) will be enough for you.

But I think he is worth way more than that. Not in any hurry to turn the page. I think the Mavs need elite talent way more than they need random picks. (And I don't put a high value on any pick past about 7 or 8 in this draft.) Kyrie should be an elite talent - which means he draws attention and opens the floor for CF and the new draft pick. To me, THAT is something I want, to increase the impact of CF. I think it will matter and will accelerate his development when he won't have to play 1 on 5.

You are directly putting words in my mouth and opinions in my head regarding "wanting to" get rid of Kyrie. No way am I undervaluing him at his age and injury history and the uncertainly of what percentage of his old self he'll be next year when the return is a 17 ppg young two guard who shoots over 40% from three, plus a high draft pick in a very strong class and another useful player. That's the kind of deal you jump on for a player in Kyrie's situation. 

I agree with you that this draft sort of peters out after the first eight players. But - 1) there ***will*** almost certainly be an excellent, future star player left on the board whom the majority of GMs don't now recognize as such (given not only the depth of this draft, but also the history of nearly all past drafts having a multiyear all-star who was picked past #9), and 2) *if* our GM is Presti or Stevens like it had better be, I trust that he will get that guy if the opportunity presents. Not to mention that he will have gotten our own pick right. To me, CF + our top 8 guy + Rollins + the correct choice at #10 who is better than you or I currently believes him to be (and the strong likelihood of the last two still being here in three years) > CF + our top 8 guy + maybe two years of Kyrie. It's about opportunity, to me. Moreover, and emphatically, "wanting to take advantage of a fantastic opportunity even if the cost is Kyrie" =/= "wanting to get rid of Kyrie."