Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

I mean that’s kind of the conundrum of combining a developmental season with not having a first round pick next year - there’s nothing to lose by being average or even good. 

It shouldn’t be limiting the developmental part, but should instead enhance building winning habits and mindsets that you don’t get when you force loses to maximize your draft position, right?

Yes, I think that's exactly right. The kids will get to play some, on rotation, but the faster they develop into good, winning players, they will play more. Each will determine his own course.

I think the Mavs goal will be one of two things, and either is a great outcome -- 1  the youngster gets so good that there's no longer a need for the veteran, so you trade the veteran for other assets, or 2 the veteran sees the kid coming, and works his rear off to up his game to another level, and becomes so good that you dont want to live without him. 

But doing what it takes to win, making the team win more, making winning plays, that has to be the standard -- and if the talent is there, the winning will bloom (and more rapidly than we expect). We'll see how it goes.