Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm with Scott. We all have already seen enough to know CF can be The Guy on an elite playoff team. It's only a matter of when he will do it, not if. 

We all should have also seen enough to now understand that CF's growth trajectory happens way faster than "normal." He has shown that for YEARS, and he demonstrated it again last season.. His game at the end of the year was worlds beyond what was expected here a year ago. That one is a told ya so, because before the season began, no one believed me when I said he levels up INCREDIBLY quickly, and they should not limit how he is challenged to do more. 

Let's not forget that what he did last season was done with a crappy tanking team alongside. Put him in a better context, and he would have looked very different. BUT he learned under major duress.

For next season, let me another prediction - by the end of the year CF will end playing at new levels that no one is currently thinking possible. 

For that reason, he will be ready way sooner than anyone thinks. The Mavs need to give him the right context to use what he will be obtaining, and grow even farther faster. This team SHOULD be pursuing winning, with a good coach, a better medical staff that brings better health, and some smart roster management, because it would be a mistake to hold him back again.

Does he need help? Yes. But there is no good reason to tear it all down or to take it slow and play for 2032 or whatever. That would be a waste of years. It's a question of who they can put alongside him this season, who can be here for multiple years, and keep up as that train starts taking off. (That's one reason I so strongly favor keeping Kyrie, as he is a player who CAN play at the level CF is headed very soon. Frankly, rather than selling Kyrie, imo it would be better if their mindset was: How do we add another who can play at that level?)

Agree with all of this down to the conclusion.  I’m trying to think of what will give Flagg the best chance of winning (advanced playoff success) 2-3 seasons from now (which would still be incredibly early for most All-NBA types.  BTW, I look at that third team and think Flagg could get there by next season or certainly by the one after that.

I think it is important for Flagg to play next to real NBA players in a real NBA offense.  Kyrie would certainly help with that.  I’m not convinced he has to go, but I’m nearly sure he won’t be a major contributor 3-4 years from now and beyond.  Since that is the target that really matters, I’d be open to moving him in the right deal.  I don’t necessarily value a bunch of late firsts.  I want young players who show some promise, but who you aren’t starting from scratch with.  Guys like McDaniels, Holland and Jabari appeal to me, but the rest of the deal matters.  If you get the right package, great.  If you don’t, no harm as I love the idea of watching Kyrie and Flagg playing together.  I think the standard for me isn’t what happens next season.  It is about how well it sets us up when Flagg is early 20’s.