6 hours ago
(04-21-2026, 09:43 AM)F Gump Wrote: "Why exactly do those vets need to be good next season? I think that is what plenty of us are complaining about. It's not one year with a botched tank job. It's the refusal to actually rebuild with a longterm plan. They don't need to be good next season."
I don't agree with this thesis. The Mavs have no upside to stretching out the misery. They won't get any draft benefits (for being a bad team) until 2031, so they need to go ahead and win. That also helps Flagg grow as a player -- the sooner you get him into playoff games, the faster he learns what THAT level of play is all about.
This team has a lot of talent. And a superstar in the works. If they hit in the draft (admittedly much iffier than it has to be, but they should have a good chance this summer at a solid starter or better), and find a good player in free agency with MLE, they could be competitive fairly quickly. It doesn't necessarily take years.
Not that I agree with it, but for the sake of discussion, I would also say that if they were to see things like you and plan to make this a slow arduous process, where they are trading their good players and blowing off a few seasons, they certainly want them to have been showcased in as positive a manner as possible in 2025-26. Gutting their value just before they trade them would not be wise. They certainly need more/better talent, and if they are trading away talent, they need talent in return.
But I'm expecting them in 26-27 to shoot at doing what PHX and POR did this season, neither of whom looked all that impressive in Oct, yet they each cobbled together a few good players and landed a playoff spot out of nowhere. I think if the Mavs can be healthy, they should be at least at that level. Flagg is a difference maker, and he will be even better next season. Put some talent around him, to open the floor and help him carry the load, and they have a good chance imo to take a leap.
PS - About Presti, he tanked because he had OKC picks that he could enhance. Unfortunately the Mavs don't have their own picks. That's the reality, and it would be stupid to tank if you don't have picks.
I'm not against trying to be competitive next season, but trading for Middleton and holding onto Klay while giving both significant minutes made no sense for a tanking team. I seriously doubt it will be worth whatever value they might get from two 35 year olds at the end of their careers in a non contending season.