I thought this was an interesting perspective from a writer I am usually in lockstep with in terms of philosophy. And I think I disagree here.
I’m not against trading the pick, but I don’t want to take the approach of having to trade it be the default mode. It seems like that this draft is supposed to be especially strong in the lottery, and that there are multiple teams higher than the Mavs (Portland, Houston, Washington) who are also looking to trade their pick for veterans. This might simultaneously mean the Mavs might not be consigned to drafting the next Johnny Davis or Jalen Smith, and that they might not get an impact player via trade the likes of Derrick White or Aaron Gordon anyway.
That said, we also saw how trying to win-now while bringing up young prospects could fail. Just look at the Warriors trying to navigate their two timelines. And the Mavs already seemingly threw their hat in the ‘win-now’ ring by trading for Kyrie and likely giving him, a 31 year old, a long term deal double the size of Brunson’s.
Then again, the Mavs have been on the losing end of virtually every trade they’ve made in the Luka era. Like maybe you would consider the KP for Dinwiddie/Bertans deal a win? Except for the fact that Dinwiddie actually had a very pedestrian playoffs. And Bertans remains an albatross.
I don’t envy Nico’s position. This is a perilous and pivotal time.
V0823
Bruh we’ve had more wins with drafting than trading. Unless the FO can’t find a definitive improvement with the roster with the pick or none of the wings are available at #10, then please just draft.
top_of_the_table
“Prior to Luka Doncic signing his $207 million supermax extension in 2021, Josh Howard was the last player drafted by Dallas to make an All-Star Game or sign an extension with the team; both happened almost 20 years ago, in the 2006-07 season. ”
That is such a ridiculous fact.
Active_Page_3886
Trade the pick is such an obvious choice. If it were top 5 talent, then sure keep it and develop… But Mavs absolutely suck at drafting and they can’t afford to wait on a 10th pick to *hopefully* develop into something, if they expect to keep Luka and Kyrie around long-term.
Go get a young serviceable starting caliber big and let someone else roll the dice in the draft. Mavs need to try and win next year
walkintall84
I don’t agree at all. With the new CBA its rather about drafting and developing young talent, and finding value in free agents (mle/t-mle/vet min), and having very few guys making a lot.
Lets say OG:
You have to trade assets for him, and still have to pay him big amounts on his next contract. I would argue that this isn’t the best strategy to build a winner.
This team needs more youth. Because Luka is 24, but plays more like a 35 yr old guy. Barring him dropping a decent amount of pounds and being more mobile again.
Mavs struggling vs. the younger teams because they are insanely more athletic. Luka and Co taking some foot of the gas, and the problems starting.
Faat-boi
It all depends on what they can get for the pick. If it’s for a Clint Capela type and we could get off a bad contract I honestly would probably do it. Even know that’s a very Maverick thing to do that will end up with everyone saying “They have no young trade pieces” after they do the trade.
If they could also just get someone that can defend wings in the offseason I’d definitely say go for it.
Maybe that would mean trading Josh Green for a Thybulle type. They just need at least 1 big defense wing.
musash10
Given the new cba essentially creating a hard cap, the fact that several other teams will be gauging the market for the draft picks, and that Dallas had so many big minute players last year who were absolutely awful, I completely disagree with this take.
This team is not one great player from contending, it’s four decent players away from contending.
HotsHartley
It’s so weird to me that people criticize the Mavs’ draft history without ever discussing their scouting, or comparing it to teams who draft better.
Like, OK, we all know the results. Now deep-dive (or ask) why! Who’s in our scouting department? Where are they looking? How has Cuban, Nico, or Kidd helped or hurt them?
They’re nameless, faceless people that never seem to get the appreciation or scrutiny they deserve. Story idea: If they haven’t been good enough, then what are Mark Cuban and Nico doing to address it? They need to invest more time and appreciation into scouting to expect better results.
Example: Will McClay has earned a ton of trust for drafting well over the years, and his scouts and coaches show up at Pro Days across the country. American football obviously requires more players and college scouting, but the principles or improving the funnel input should be universal. Why can’t Mavs scouts scour Europe and/or the Slovenian national team for some tryouts? It doesn’t have to be Tyler Dorsey and Facu Campazzo, then a LaMarcus Aldridge tryout, making the news. There is talent everywhere, in US colleges too. Scouting is a science. Get better at it.
Who are the guys that brought in DFS and Maxi? Why don’t they get more credit?
Swimming-Run-3182
I only want us to trade for a wing like Anunoby if we can also get a serviceable big through free agency or another trade. I don’t care how good Luka and Kyrie are we arent winning shit with Powell and Kleber as our only posts
dimmadomedimmadome
If it wasn’t for the Luka timeline, sure keep the pick, but we need to be good now. Just hope we can re-sign Kyrie and go get a big + a wing or two.
Putrid_Ad_2256
Watch them trade it and Luka for Brunson…..
KhanQu3st
Every NBA writer: The Mavs need to trade their picks for players to help Luka
Also every NBA writer: The Mavs never draft any good prospects, there’s no young core to help Luka
simonsaid86
The win now narrative is becoming more laughable each time I see it echoed.
The 10th pick, our future firsts, and any combination of players from the roster aren’t getting us back 3 rotation players.
13 Comments
I thought this was an interesting perspective from a writer I am usually in lockstep with in terms of philosophy. And I think I disagree here.
I’m not against trading the pick, but I don’t want to take the approach of having to trade it be the default mode. It seems like that this draft is supposed to be especially strong in the lottery, and that there are multiple teams higher than the Mavs (Portland, Houston, Washington) who are also looking to trade their pick for veterans. This might simultaneously mean the Mavs might not be consigned to drafting the next Johnny Davis or Jalen Smith, and that they might not get an impact player via trade the likes of Derrick White or Aaron Gordon anyway.
That said, we also saw how trying to win-now while bringing up young prospects could fail. Just look at the Warriors trying to navigate their two timelines. And the Mavs already seemingly threw their hat in the ‘win-now’ ring by trading for Kyrie and likely giving him, a 31 year old, a long term deal double the size of Brunson’s.
Then again, the Mavs have been on the losing end of virtually every trade they’ve made in the Luka era. Like maybe you would consider the KP for Dinwiddie/Bertans deal a win? Except for the fact that Dinwiddie actually had a very pedestrian playoffs. And Bertans remains an albatross.
I don’t envy Nico’s position. This is a perilous and pivotal time.
Bruh we’ve had more wins with drafting than trading. Unless the FO can’t find a definitive improvement with the roster with the pick or none of the wings are available at #10, then please just draft.
“Prior to Luka Doncic signing his $207 million supermax extension in 2021, Josh Howard was the last player drafted by Dallas to make an All-Star Game or sign an extension with the team; both happened almost 20 years ago, in the 2006-07 season. ”
That is such a ridiculous fact.
Trade the pick is such an obvious choice. If it were top 5 talent, then sure keep it and develop… But Mavs absolutely suck at drafting and they can’t afford to wait on a 10th pick to *hopefully* develop into something, if they expect to keep Luka and Kyrie around long-term.
Go get a young serviceable starting caliber big and let someone else roll the dice in the draft. Mavs need to try and win next year
I don’t agree at all. With the new CBA its rather about drafting and developing young talent, and finding value in free agents (mle/t-mle/vet min), and having very few guys making a lot.
Lets say OG:
You have to trade assets for him, and still have to pay him big amounts on his next contract. I would argue that this isn’t the best strategy to build a winner.
This team needs more youth. Because Luka is 24, but plays more like a 35 yr old guy. Barring him dropping a decent amount of pounds and being more mobile again.
Mavs struggling vs. the younger teams because they are insanely more athletic. Luka and Co taking some foot of the gas, and the problems starting.
It all depends on what they can get for the pick. If it’s for a Clint Capela type and we could get off a bad contract I honestly would probably do it. Even know that’s a very Maverick thing to do that will end up with everyone saying “They have no young trade pieces” after they do the trade.
If they could also just get someone that can defend wings in the offseason I’d definitely say go for it.
Maybe that would mean trading Josh Green for a Thybulle type. They just need at least 1 big defense wing.
Given the new cba essentially creating a hard cap, the fact that several other teams will be gauging the market for the draft picks, and that Dallas had so many big minute players last year who were absolutely awful, I completely disagree with this take.
This team is not one great player from contending, it’s four decent players away from contending.
It’s so weird to me that people criticize the Mavs’ draft history without ever discussing their scouting, or comparing it to teams who draft better.
Like, OK, we all know the results. Now deep-dive (or ask) why! Who’s in our scouting department? Where are they looking? How has Cuban, Nico, or Kidd helped or hurt them?
They’re nameless, faceless people that never seem to get the appreciation or scrutiny they deserve. Story idea: If they haven’t been good enough, then what are Mark Cuban and Nico doing to address it? They need to invest more time and appreciation into scouting to expect better results.
Example: Will McClay has earned a ton of trust for drafting well over the years, and his scouts and coaches show up at Pro Days across the country. American football obviously requires more players and college scouting, but the principles or improving the funnel input should be universal. Why can’t Mavs scouts scour Europe and/or the Slovenian national team for some tryouts? It doesn’t have to be Tyler Dorsey and Facu Campazzo, then a LaMarcus Aldridge tryout, making the news. There is talent everywhere, in US colleges too. Scouting is a science. Get better at it.
Who are the guys that brought in DFS and Maxi? Why don’t they get more credit?
I only want us to trade for a wing like Anunoby if we can also get a serviceable big through free agency or another trade. I don’t care how good Luka and Kyrie are we arent winning shit with Powell and Kleber as our only posts
If it wasn’t for the Luka timeline, sure keep the pick, but we need to be good now. Just hope we can re-sign Kyrie and go get a big + a wing or two.
Watch them trade it and Luka for Brunson…..
Every NBA writer: The Mavs need to trade their picks for players to help Luka
Also every NBA writer: The Mavs never draft any good prospects, there’s no young core to help Luka
The win now narrative is becoming more laughable each time I see it echoed.
The 10th pick, our future firsts, and any combination of players from the roster aren’t getting us back 3 rotation players.