Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Knutsen]

I don't say this much around here, because this board has a way of jumping down people's throats for opinions they'd prefer didn't exist, but...I don't think Flagg is anywhere remotely close to transcendent as an offensive engine. Not yet, at least. I think his potential transcendent value lies in being an uncommonly effective player on both ends of the court, and sure...given enough time and runway I think his offensive role could be offensive engine, but very likely that will come with a lessening of what he offers on the other end. I'm not super thrilled about taking his career in that direction, and I'm hopeful that's not the way we're headed. 

But, even if that is where they're headed with him...think about how long it took guys like LeBron or Luka to hit their strides in roles like that. He's 19. I'm in no rush. 

I think it's very possible that the next great Mavs "offensive engine" isn't on the roster yet. I wouldn't bet my life on it or anything, but I'm just saying - Flagg doesn't scream "ready to win now" to me just yet. We'll see what he's figured out over the summer very soon, and it seems like he's going to have a lot more space in which to operate, which is obviously helpful.

I fully understand that take. But „transcendent“ doesn’t have to mean transcendent offensive engine.

My definition would be a top 10 player after just three or four years in the league. So not in the nominal prime between 27 or 32, but  way earlier, basically during the duration of the rookie contract. 

And top 10 player can be reached in different ways - you could be a top 3 offensive player and suck on defense like Luka, or you could be the best defensive player and be okay on offense like Wemby. 

Or you could be a top 25 player on defense and a top 25 player on offense at the same time. And that’s the most probable way for Flagg - if he is that in 2 or 3 years he’s good enough to win a title with him as your best player. 

That’s why I say trajectory and development wise he’s more like 25 than 19.