ROSTER TALK: Mavs favs for Vogel if no HC job exists. Kyrie handshake deal?

[Mavs2021]

Agreed but Westbrook would be punting the season away.  Irving gives you a shot but has a possibility of being a punt too.

I think Westbrook is actually the bigger on-court problem for next year, but not like people think.

Irving plays well next year, you have a long-term stud. (ignoring the legit future behaviour arguments aftr extension for a moment)

Irving goes full no vax/flat-earther mode, he does not play at all and you are almost guaranteed to keep your top 10 protected pick in allegedly the best draft in ages.


Westbrook on the other hand will play and play hard. 18th months ago he single-handedly dragged the Wizards into the play-offs.

I don´t think you can put a line-up around Doncic, Westbrook, DFS, Bullock, Kleber that finishes within our bottom ten protection.

Especially when your genius owner refuses to tank. He would literally rather lose in the play-in/1st round instead of a chance to draft a future All-Star partner for Luka that could not only secure his long-term services, but be the foundation for a dynasty.

Or since Cuban hates young players so much, the damn trade asset you need to acquire a 2nd star. That´s the part that I simply cannot wrap my head around. You do not need to keep the lottery pick. You can trade it for an All-Star, especially when people project half a dozen potential superstars in the 2023 draft class.