Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[mvossman]

So…

Which team is better?

Mavericks before the Luka trade? Or Lakers now?

I’d say Mavs before Luka trade.

So Nico did a better job assembling a supporting cast around him than Pelinka has.

To be fair, Pelinka was saddled with LeBron, which seriously limited his flexibility. A truer picture will emerge with his dollars off their books.

I’d also argue that it’s really difficult to assemble a championship team with Luka.

Nico did not build around Luka, Cuban did.  I would argue Linsdey had more influence on getting the right pieces around Luka than Nico did.

Its not that hard to build around Luka.  The formula is simple.  Get him a Robin, a P&R rim protecting center (and ideally a stretch 5 as well) and 3&D wings.  Its not really that different a formula for what we need around Flagg.  Cuban took several years to get this right, trading away all of his assets for a failed Robin attempt (KP), and then letting the actual Robin walk for nothing (Brunson).  When he finally got the formula right they went to the finals (and lost to a much more talented team).

Pelinka started with a team that did not fit Luka and he has not done much to change that.  Ayton is a terrible fit.  He let the one actual 3&D player walk (although DFS might be cooked).  The only good roster decision so far has been Smart.

I don't expect Luka to come back here for many reasons.  If Cuban were back in power I could see a legit push for it, but I don't see that as a direction Masai is likely to take (free agency is dead).