Fellow Mavs fans, why not tank?

Johnny Firpo · Post #1 » by **Johnny Firpo** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 8:24 am

I am always high on tanking, but this season, it just makes so much sense. Kyrie is out for a while still, West is stronger than ever, and we have our own pick, for the last time for a while (swaps and outgoings galore coming up for like 4-5 years). Then, we have a strong draft coming up, and potentially a weak one AFTER that. Not to mention, this could be the nail in the coffin for Nico! There is NOTHING to play for this season, other than the lottery balls. Nico will obviously not want to tank, but if AD is out or has an injury ridden season, this team's offense is so trash that they will not be able to win more than 30 games (hopefully less).

SlimShady83 · Post #2 » by **SlimShady83** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 8:30 am

It's wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to early to tank to be honest. That said I'm going to eat crow end of season, c'mon Mavs step it up, if you know, you know

Post #3 » by **Mavrelous** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 8:37 am

Mavs have acheived the tanking last year w/o tanking, what's troubling is that they have put Flagg in a bad spot, the goal should be to maximize Flagg development, and playing him as ball handler in a non- spaced offense kills his development.

UcanUwill · Post #4 » by **UcanUwill** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 8:56 am

NIco admitted himself that he shortened Dallas window by trading Luka for an older, more injury prone player. Of course he was gifted a golden parachute with Flagg and should adjust plans from here, but I do not think he will abandon trying to win now, for sheer ego.

Anyway, I am not Mavs fan, but my best argument for why not tank would be, too many tanking teams already, even if you decide to tank, it would be hard to finish in the ''top'' 6 this year in tanking standings. Of course, on the other hand, draft has 3 super prospects, so might be worth trying.

Johnny Firpo · Post #5 » by **Johnny Firpo** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 9:20 am

Mavrelous wrote:Mavs have acheived the tanking last year w/o tanking, what's troubling is that they have put Flagg in a bad spot, the goal should be to maximize Flagg development, and playing him as ball handler in a non- spaced offense kills his development.

I don't think this is a bad spot. He can learn a lot from Kyrie and AD even during practices, and also disagree that for his development that he sometimes has the ball in his hands. And it's not like he is playing PG, we are playing without a PG. He does not bring the ball up (a lot), he does not call plays, he is not a PG, and does not play. Now, would he benefit playing next to a true playmaker? Sure, but that team does not have one currently available. And Coop is definitely a prospect you want to figure out in terms of offensive potential, and whether he could have the ball in his hands a lot at one point. I think he has a chance for that, his IQ, ball handling and even vision are all very good.

Post #6 » by **Mavrelous** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 9:29 am

Johnny Firpo wrote:
Mavrelous wrote:Mavs have acheived the tanking last year w/o tanking, what's troubling is that they have put Flagg in a bad spot, the goal should be to maximize Flagg development, and playing him as ball handler in a non- spaced offense kills his development.

I don't think this is a bad spot. He can learn a lot from Kyrie and AD even during practices, and also disagree that for his development that he sometimes has the ball in his hands. And it's not like he is playing PG, we are playing without a PG. He does not bring the ball up (a lot), he does not call plays, he is not a PG, and does not play. Now, would he benefit playing next to a true playmaker? Sure, but that team does not have one currently available. And Coop is definitely a prospect you want to figure out in terms of offensive potential, and whether he could have the ball in his hands a lot at one point. I think he has a chance for that, his IQ, ball handling and even vision are all very good.

He's not playing PG but the team is playing w/o a PG and it's making his life harder, in addition, the spacing is crap.

knicksfan974 · Post #7 » by **knicksfan974** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 9:50 am

How does the Mavs still have fans after the crazy Luka trade?

badpotato · Post #8 » by **badpotato** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 10:11 am

knicksfan974 wrote:How does the Mavs still have fans after the crazy Luka trade?

Things have settled down a bit ever since Mavs were gifted 1st selection for their troubles.

Johnny Firpo · Post #9 » by **Johnny Firpo** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 10:53 am

Mavrelous wrote:
Johnny Firpo wrote:
Mavrelous wrote:Mavs have acheived the tanking last year w/o tanking, what's troubling is that they have put Flagg in a bad spot, the goal should be to maximize Flagg development, and playing him as ball handler in a non- spaced offense kills his development.

I don't think this is a bad spot. He can learn a lot from Kyrie and AD even during practices, and also disagree that for his development that he sometimes has the ball in his hands. And it's not like he is playing PG, we are playing without a PG. He does not bring the ball up (a lot), he does not call plays, he is not a PG, and does not play. Now, would he benefit playing next to a true playmaker? Sure, but that team does not have one currently available. And Coop is definitely a prospect you want to figure out in terms of offensive potential, and whether he could have the ball in his hands a lot at one point. I think he has a chance for that, his IQ, ball handling and even vision are all very good.

He's not playing PG but the team is playing w/o a PG and it's making his life harder, in addition, the spacing is crap.

The spacing is definitely crap, but I think this gives him opportunities too. He has to adjust, he has to learn, you can learn a whole lot in not ideal environments too, sometimes maybe more. He'll play with great guards in his career, I'm sure, I don't think this can ruin him or even slow him down, his work ethic, drive and basketball IQ are simply too high for this.

Chuck Everett · Post #10 » by **Chuck Everett** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 10:59 am

Being the worst team in the league doesn't guarantee a top 3 pick anymore. If they are mediocre (and miss the playoffs), they still may end up jumping higher. They weren't the only team who moved up last year. The Nets are this bad, because they can guarantee a top 5 pick this way, but that level of tanking (to me) only means that they will NOT be picking 1-3. Try to put a competent team on the floor and let the chips fall where they may.

rand · Post #11 » by **rand** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 11:21 am

100% tank.

I know people say it's early but the handwriting is on the wall. This roster is going nowhere. And since Dallas has given away nearly unprotected FRP swaps for 2027-2030, this is their only chance to pair Flagg with another high lotto pick.

Trade AD immediately, trade Kyrie after he returns and his play hopefully persuades a contender to give up a decent haul. Get expiring contracts to open cap space ASAP, hopefully in 2027 but if not then massive space in 2028.

Ride Klay's massive net negative value until the AS break and then give him a buyout since no team is taking him unless Dallas attaches assets.

Emerge next summer with Flagg, a top-5 FRP, the returns from AD + Kyrie, PJ, Lively, Gafford, Christie, Naji, Hardy and filler. Hopefully Flagg and the other high lotto pick both pan out which would set them up to be competitive in the following seasons.

As an aside, I've seen some franchises self-sabotage but the Adelsons may take the cake. To go from having Luka Doncic and making the Finals to their current predicament is really something.

lambchop · Post #12 » by **lambchop** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 11:25 am

They got the 1st pick without tanking last time. So why should they tank now?

Johnny Bball · Post #13 » by **Johnny Bball** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 11:52 am

If you can still pummel the Raptors you're too good to tank to the bottom and it will be a mediocre tank.

This is also why you can't have nice things.

Post #14 » by **infinite11285** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 11:59 am

Lol it’s the first week of the season.

I really dislike how tanking has become so ingrained in NBA culture that fans view it as a legitimate path to improvement instead of expecting teams to simply play harder early in the season.

Ferulci · Post #15 » by **Ferulci** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 11:59 am

Let me start by saying this: Tanking will not happen under Nico Harrison watch. He backed himself into a corner and his roster construction reeks of arrogance and hubris (while not making any sense).
I don't think they should "tank" like Nets or Jazz are doing by bottoming out, but I think they should be in the "buy for 1 dollar, sell for 2" market like OKC did with Paul George/Chris Paul/Hortford/Schroeder and so on. They can still sell high on Anthony Davis/Irving and redundant pieces like PJ Washington/Gafford, get good pieces + draft picks. Build around Flagg, see what they have with Christie/Hardy/Lively and find your Jalen Williams/Siakam with the gazillion picks you will get from the trades.

Post #16 » by **Ice Man** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 12:11 pm

Mavrelous wrote:He's not playing PG but the team is playing w/o a PG and it's making his life harder, in addition, the spacing is crap.

The Mavs finally let him play PG for stretches in the second half last night. He wasn't great ... he has to work hard to get past his defender and get into the paint, and because he has worked hard he has trouble finding a pass ... but it was an improvement on before, when he was stuck standing in the corner with ball-stopping teammates.

It's gonna be a tough year for both Flagg and the Mavs, because this squad is so poorly constructed. PJ, Klay, Christie, and Martin don't get assists. Basically at all. So that leaves DLo -- who's something of a shot hunter himself -- as the only small who passes, and it's not as if the Mavs have bigs who are natural passers, either. Plus, the spacing is poor because Lively, Powell, and AD all want to be inside. (As would Cooper sometimes, but there's no room for him there.)

Pretty yucky. I marvel at how much more fluid my Bulls look on offense, and just think about that statement for a while. :lol:

Chokic · Post #17 » by **Chokic** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 12:12 pm

Its unfortunate bc I really believe Dallas w/ its current roster construction could win the nba championship even this season if AD and Kyrie were 100% healthy.

Gafford Lively Washington and Christie are still really nice complimentary pieces to move forward with to build around flagg.

Jaden Hardy could have emerged as one of the above pieces but I think dallas officially killed his development. Kid is in ehat his 4th or 5th year now and still in the doghouse on depth chart.

Andri · Post #18 » by **Andri** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 1:04 pm

Chokic wrote:Its unfortunate bc I really believe Dallas w/ its current roster construction could win the nba championship even this season if AD and Kyrie were 100% healthy.

Gafford Lively Washington and Christie are still really nice complimentary pieces to move forward with to build around flagg.

Jaden Hardy could have emerged as one of the above pieces but I think dallas officially killed his development. Kid is in ehat his 4th or 5th year now and still in the doghouse on depth chart.

Davis and Kyrie’s lack of health is not unfortunate. It is expected. You can’t rely on their availability though the titanic effort of a 82 games RS + full PO’s. People predicting what is happening are not smarter, they are just more realistic.

Johnny Firpo · Post #19 » by **Johnny Firpo** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 1:35 pm

rand wrote:100% tank.

I know people say it's early but the handwriting is on the wall. This roster is going nowhere. And since Dallas has given away nearly unprotected FRP swaps for 2027-2030, this is their only chance to pair Flagg with another high lotto pick.

Trade AD immediately, trade Kyrie after he returns and his play hopefully persuades a contender to give up a decent haul. Get expiring contracts to open cap space ASAP, hopefully in 2027 but if not then massive space in 2028.

Ride Klay's massive net negative value until the AS break and then give him a buyout since no team is taking him unless Dallas attaches assets.

Emerge next summer with Flagg, a top-5 FRP, the returns from AD + Kyrie, PJ, Lively, Gafford, Christie, Naji, Hardy and filler. Hopefully both Flagg and the other high lotto pick both pan out which would set them up to be competitive in the following seasons.

As an aside, I've seen some franchises self-sabotage but the Adelsons may take the cake. To go from having Luka Doncic and making the Finals their current predicament is really something.

Agree with everything, I would love a full rebuild, meaning trading away everyone, possibly want to keep Lively and Christie, but of course it depends what we would get in return.

Johnny Firpo · Post #20 » by **Johnny Firpo** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 1:37 pm

infinite11285 wrote:Lol it’s the first week of the season.

I really dislike how tanking has become so ingrained in NBA culture that fans view it as a legitimate path to improvement instead of expecting teams to simply play harder early in the season.

I mean, literally like 95% of past champions got their franchise player either with a lotto pick, or they traded their lotto pick for the player that could get them there. You don't have to tank in this league to win, but you have to be bad randomly for a season or two, almost without an exception. And if we know that is the case, tanking makes a lot of sense.

Do you think it makes sense to punt this season?