MAVS NEWS:

[Smitty]

I hate to say this, and I know nobody is ready for anything remotely negative about Ujiri, whatsoever, but...

...this is what was wrong in Toronto. All he cared about was having a bunch of 6'7"-6'10" guys, regardless of position, skill set, synergy, whatever. In Toronto, he didn't care if they could shoot, really, which made it even worse. The way this summer started I thought he had figured that part of it out, but if all they're going to do is play the same guys who wouldn't even attempt to shoot last year, Flagg and Kyrie aren't going to magically have more space just because the coach acknowledged they need it (which any 5-year old who watched the team last year understood). 

Maybe there's a huge deal coming that will make this whole summer make sense, but it's starting to sink in for me that no such deal is coming. I'm still excited for the new front office and the coach, but...the smallest amount of "uh-oh" is creeping into my head.

I think you were right when you said the Mavs won't be very good this upcoming season. I think you were a little harsh with the "won't win 30 games" take, but nonetheless, this will be a transition of sorts. Proof of concept even. Throw a bunch of young "potential" guys at the wall and see what sticks.

I'm not in love with the Naji extension. I also don't think he'll be a Maverick for the duration of the contract. They have to know better than I do what his 'trade value' is around the league. Obviously, they were dialed in on his actual market value of ~$17m AAV. I think he'll get plenty of playing time here, so he shouldn't lose any actual 'trade value' in the next 6/12/18/24 months. The next big transaction cycle intervals.

I don't know when they will make an all-in type swing to pair with Flagg. Not even sure who that player might be. Or if they'll go that route... But they will have some decent sized contracts, attached to some pretty decent players, that will help with that cause... If and when that time comes...