Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[michaeltex]

The variable we're not taking seriously enough, and that even Fisher only mentions in passing, is: What does Kyrie expect for his next contract? It makes NO sense to pay him as a star and get stuck holding that bag before Flagg is even in his prime, imo. If Kyrie wants to give a year or two at significantly under market value so that he won't be an albatross to team building afterwards as he finishes his next contract, then I suppose it's worth a conversation - there are benefits to keeping him around under those circumstances.

But, IDK...I just feel like that's very unlikely. I think it's far more likely that he'll want one more big payday, and that it will make a lot more sense for a good team who views him as the finishing piece to pay it. We can argue about whether the Mavs will win 33 or 43 this season, but they are at least two years away from winning 50 or 60. Simply put, they are only relevant because they have one of the better, up and coming YOUNG players in the league, which is just another way of saying they are not relevant.

I think he's making $50M-ish this season. If he contributes at a level equal to pre-injury Kyrie, what is he worth then? Two more at the same salary point? Something lower? IDK what his "market" value is/will be or how one can establish that number.

If Kyrie is the #2 behind Flagg, is that a problem for a couple years? If you trade him or don't re-sign him, what's the path to restoring his contributions? Hope somebody like De Larrea develops? That's going to take a season or two to sort out, IMO, so having Kyrie's talent and experience around isn't a bad thing.

Given the off court controversies in NY, I was leery of bring Kyrie to DAL. But he's won me over and the younger guys seem to really respond to him. FWIW, I think he's worth more than just what his on court stats tell us.