Is CeeDee Simply Too Valuable to Trade?

The Dallas Cowboys' lacking execution on extensions with star players has become a tiring narrative. This week's fiasco stemming from a somewhat misinterpreted quote on behalf of Jerry Jones regarding CeeDee Lamb stirred calamity around that discussion.

The dust has settled and the circumstance is once again realized as one that fans and media alike have exhausted themselves on. The reality remains though that Lamb continues his holdout and extension does not appear close.

Or, "close enough,'' anyway.

Unlike the unraveling situation in San Francisco with Brandon Aiyuk, Lamb has not requested a trade and appears committed to playing in Dallas (once the financials are squared away). But what would it take for the Cowboys to pursue a future without their prized receiver and collect a return for him?

Bleacher Report's Maurice Moton named the Detroit Lions as a possible suitor in an evaluation of teams who could look into acquiring the star receiver. Moton suggested a return of a future first- and third-round pick along with Jameson Williams for Lamb.

"Williams has had an underwhelming career start, partially because of injuries and a gambling suspension," he said. "Even when available, he's made modest contributions, registering 25 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns in 18 contests. Though in spots, Williams has been an explosive playmaker."

While the salaries would align for the Lions to make this deal, the pairing of Amon-Ra St. Brown and CeeDee Lamb is probably best left for fantasy football rosters, for the sake of the Cowboys and the rest of the NFC.

Williams certainly possesses some untapped potential, but him along with two draft picks are scraps compared to what Lamb brings to an NFL offense - assuming the team that employs him is willing to cough up the $30 million-plus APY price tag.

And really, that's the only reason to entertain any of these ideas. Are the Cowboys unwilling to pay Lamb? The Joneses insist that's not the case.

Meanwhile, Dallas already has a solid core of young players they are evaluating at wide receiver.

There is no need to add to that mix, especially when a player like Jalen Tolbert, the face of that category, has started to develop a rapport with Dak Prescott.

Related: Does Jerry Jones 'Not Want to Win'?

It is unlikely the Cowboys would consider trading their best pass-catcher, but if they ever get there? Any acquisition, we say, should start with two first-round picks. ... the logic being that Dallas will need those "darts'' to find a Lamb replacement.

Even at that starting point, Dallas should demand a treasure trove in return if the relationship with Lamb reaches a point where separation is the only path forward.

One point of value in these hypothetical trades rests in how they provide a context for his value to the Cowboys. Maybe there's not a calculation on a piece of paper that represents that just yet, but it would be wise of this franchise to make that a reality sooner than later.