Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

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 this ^ is Chicken Little level stuff. We have been through this "Oh me, oh my, how can they ever re-sign Kyrie" alarmism for two go-rounds now, and each time (despite media clickbait proclaiming gloom and doom) it was a major nothing burger all the way, for the Mavs to get him to sign on at a very reasonable number. 

I pushed back before, and I am pushing back again. The contract won't be an issue. 

The only issue as I see it would be if the Mavs are awful, and Kyrie wants out because he's tired of losing. That's always possible. But if CF is who we think he is, and the team is showing growth and a rise in the standings, I expect both parties will be comfortable continuing the partnership with no drama.