MAVS NEWS: Luka Is Hurt, But is Trudging On | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[Scott41theMavs]

We do have to couple the wanting to build for the future with winning now.  Even though big minutes for the youngsters puts us in a better position for the future, we can break Luka's spirit like we did last year.

Once again, an issue of veteran player brightness or the lack thereof. I hope to goodness that Nico and co. sat down with Luka prior to the draft and said, "Look, we royally effed up your first few years here, and we have to do a bit of a reset. Our asset cupboard is so bare that any band-aid moves won't really lead to us winning and will end up with you walking and no future to look forward to either. We're going youth movement here. We beg of you, trust us to draft the young talent we need. We'll get you and Kai's buddy Grant Williams, and try to be opportunistic otherwise. Our success level this year is going to have a lot to do with how you and Kai can mesh together as the immensely talented professionals that you are, and on how well Josh, Jaden, and our rookies perform. Whether or not that works, we will not make any band-aid panic trades that mortgage the future. Whether this year works or not, we will be well-positioned next year with assets to make a trade that is far more than just a band-aid. This is the way. This is the only correct way to move forward we have left ourselves. But we love you, we know you're loyal to our fans and our club, and we are making the solitarily-available right decision to ensure a successful future for you in Dallas. It may or may not work this year, but in any event, please recognize that this is the only way that's going to avoid a Lebron-first Cleveland run situation." 

If Luka is a bright guy, he sees that and doesn't need them to tell him this. But it would have still been good player relations anyway.