Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[F Gump]

1  It was reported (Shams, if I remember correctly) that LBJ will pick his option. Things might change in a month, but so far we have that.

2 Lakers should know they can't build a contender around maxed out Bron and Luka is entering his prime, really wanting to win now. They can ride the LeBron train as he brings huge money, but Luka will imho walk in a couple of years if they choose this option. 

1 LBJ will opt out and then do another 1+1. He will take care of LBJ, as he should.

Shams is guessing out his azz, has no actual knowledge, and doesn't understand the nuances of contracts. He's great at reporting what HAS happened, but has always been fairly mediocre at assessing the road ahead.

2 I think you may be right about the impact of the money in LA, but it is what it is. They have 2 max players. They will have to keep paying them and hope for the best, and unlike NTI, they get it and will do so because that's their meal ticket. I agree that they need to keep Luka happy, but their options are going to be somewhat limited because the math is the math.

I actually think the Luka crossroads with LA will arrive in 2026. He will commit to some team then - that's his obvious window for a 2+1 to cover while he's still on the 30% limit. Then in 2028 he's set up to sign the monster supermax-max-max with that team for 5 years at 35% (his first eligible opportunity for that) that would be for about $418 million. (I wouldn't be surprised if Luka is game-planning for that to be his last contract.)

All of that is why I think LA will feel tremendous urgency this summer to get needs covered. I don't think they can fritter away a year and keep LBJ and Luka happy.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Until LeBron James plays for the Lakers they will not win another ring so long live to the King.

[Smitty]

@RobMurrows
BREAKING: NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks are part of teams around the league that have started calling the Portland Trail Blazers and seeing the potential availability of guard Anfernee Simons, multiple sources told

Never heard of Rob Murrows, but at least it's a rumor to get a discussion started. Don't know what a trade would look like but pointing out that PJ+Gafford is $28,538,494, while Simons is at $27,678,571. Difference of - $859,923 for the Mavs.

[From Dirk to SCREW YOU Nico]

@RobMurrows
BREAKING: NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks are part of teams around the league that have started calling the Portland Trail Blazers and seeing the potential availability of guard Anfernee Simons, multiple sources told

Never heard of Rob Murrows, but at least it's a rumor to get a discussion started. Don't know what a trade would look like but pointing out that PJ+Gafford is $28,538,494, while Simons is at $27,678,571. Difference of - $859,923 for the Mavs.

I'm not claiming to know what it would take to get Simons, but I damn sure would not give up BOTH PJ and Gaff.

[DanSchwartzgan]

@RobMurrows
BREAKING: NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks are part of teams around the league that have started calling the Portland Trail Blazers and seeing the potential availability of guard Anfernee Simons, multiple sources told

Never heard of Rob Murrows, but at least it's a rumor to get a discussion started. Don't know what a trade would look like but pointing out that PJ+Gafford is $28,538,494, while Simons is at $27,678,571. Difference of - $859,923 for the Mavs.

You save another $500k in ULBA bonus without PJ.  

Simons can be UFA in the summer of 26 just like PJ and Gafford.  One thing to think about.  Agent is Bill Duffy.  We just cost Duffy a ton of money with the Luka trade.  Do we really want to put ourselves in the position of Duffy determining if we get to keep the guy we just traded for?

[Smitty]

I'm not claiming to know what it would take to get Simons, but I damn sure would not give up BOTH PJ and Gaff.

I wouldn't either. Just putting the two names that have been talked about a lot and pointing out the salary matching is all. I did see this on Twitter and I can see the angle for each team:

Mavericks Receive: Anfernee Simons
Lakers Receive: Daniel Gafford
Trail Blazers Receive: Maxi Kleber, Caleb Martin, Dalton Knecht, Dwight Powell, 2029 unprotected first-round pick (via LAL), 2031 unprotected first-round pick (via LAL)


I think the Mavs say yes to Simons for Gafford+FRP (Martin and Powell are just salary matching)
I think it's a slight overpay for the Lakers with Gafford for Knecht+FRP
I think Portland says yes to Knecht+2 FRP's for Simons

It's not perfect but I can see the framework being there for all 3 teams.

[F Gump]

@RobMurrows
BREAKING: NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks are part of teams around the league that have started calling the Portland Trail Blazers and seeing the potential availability of guard Anfernee Simons, multiple sources told

Never heard of Rob Murrows, but at least it's a rumor to get a discussion started. Don't know what a trade would look like but pointing out that PJ+Gafford is $28,538,494, while Simons is at $27,678,571. Difference of - $859,923 for the Mavs.

Isn't a PG. He can score. Very bad on D. For me, contract size brings a problem for the cap issues that it will bring, and for a player who only plays one end. So I'm not seeing the value.

[ACMFFL]

I wouldn't either. Just putting the two names that have been talked about a lot and pointing out the salary matching is all. I did see this on Twitter and I can see the angle for each team:

Mavericks Receive: Anfernee Simons
Lakers Receive: Daniel Gafford
Trail Blazers Receive: Maxi Kleber, Caleb Martin, Dalton Knecht, Dwight Powell, 2029 unprotected first-round pick (via LAL), 2031 unprotected first-round pick (via LAL)


I think the Mavs say yes to Simons for Gafford+FRP (Martin and Powell are just salary matching)
I think it's a slight overpay for the Lakers with Gafford for Knecht+FRP
I think Portland says yes to Knecht+2 FRP's for Simons

It's not perfect but I can see the framework being there for all 3 teams.

Just my opinion, but I struggle to see how Simons is worth 2 unprotected 1st, even factoring in Kleber/Martin/Powell bad money (only Caleb isn't an expiring tho) I still feel POR is stealing a lot of value.

[Smitty]

Isn't a PG. He can score. Very bad on D. For me, contract size brings a problem for the cap issues that it will bring, and for a player who only plays one end. So I'm not seeing the value.

Oh, no way I think he's worth giving up Gafford AND PJ. I was just pointing out the money side of it because those are the two names talked about. IF your criteria of "Isn't a PG. He can score. Very bad on D", then you're not going to like many of the rumored names the Mavs have been linked to at guard. Anfernee Simons, Darius Garland, Coby White, Collin Sexton, etc.

[SleepingHero]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Hawks are looking to package Nos. 13 and 22 to trade up into the top 10 of the 2025 NBA Draft, per @Barlowe500 (https://t.co/kjhbWRGSzN).

Atlanta gained an additional first-round pick from the Kings due to the Kevin Huerter trade in 2022.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Isn't a PG. He can score. Very bad on D. For me, contract size brings a problem for the cap issues that it will bring, and for a player who only plays one end. So I'm not seeing the value.

Agree.

Not a winning players for sure. Stay away from him.

[Chicagojk]

I think Simon’s is intriguing. I think we need some backcourt pop on offense. Simons would fit the bill.

Portland fans seem ok with KCP and pick 16 for him. They don’t need Gafford so it would be a three team trade. I would not include PJ.

Supposedly he is pretty bad on D and if true seems like someone Kidd would never trust. For a team who has stressed defense that is probably a no go. The salary is also a concern. That is a big number. He probably sees himself as a starter and that may not be available in Dallas.

So probably a no for Dallas u less I am missing something. I think on the right team with the right trade he could be a really nice get for a team.

[Nowitzki Way]

Isn't a PG. He can score. Very bad on D. For me, contract size brings a problem for the cap issues that it will bring, and for a player who only plays one end. So I'm not seeing the value.

I don't see his value either. I cant help but see him as an advanced version of Jaden Hardy. They are basically the same exact size and type of player. Volume scorer who plays no D. 

If you compare Hardy's first 3 years with Simons first three years they look eerily similar. Hardy actually put up better numbers with less minutes. But of course on a much better team. 

Simons had an explosion in year 4 with more minutes and jumped 10 points per game on average. And he's been a steady 20 point scorer for the last 3 years with decent 3point% and assist numbers. If we wanted Simons, maybe we just hold on to Hardy and give him more minutes. 

With that said, you don't give up P.J. for Simons. Especially not packaged with Gafford.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Because Murray wanted to run his own team and is not that interested in playing defense anymore, while Daniels seems to be the opposite? Not sure why I am even discussing. No team would trade an all nba defender for a back-up center.

That's simply not true.  Unfounded conjecture at best.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Isn't a PG. He can score. Very bad on D. For me, contract size brings a problem for the cap issues that it will bring, and for a player who only plays one end. So I'm not seeing the value.

Exactly!  Simons or Sexton would be a Cuban move.  Neither can guard me.  Kyrie's defensive problems aren't going to get better with age and ACL surgery recovery.  The Mavs simply can't afford a matador in the backcourt.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I don't see his value either. I cant help but see him as an advanced version of Jaden Hardy. They are basically the same exact size and type of player. Volume scorer who plays no D. 

If you compare Hardy's first 3 years with Simons first three years they look eerily similar. Hardy actually put up better numbers with less minutes. But of course on a much better team. 

Simons had an explosion in year 4 with more minutes and jumped 10 points per game on average. And he's been a steady 20 point scorer for the last 3 years with decent 3point% and assist numbers. If we wanted Simons, maybe we just hold on to Hardy and give him more minutes. 

With that said, you don't give up P.J. for Simons. Especially not packaged with Gafford.

Exactly!  I said the same thing about Sexton...  Hardy+

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I wouldn't either. Just putting the two names that have been talked about a lot and pointing out the salary matching is all. I did see this on Twitter and I can see the angle for each team:

Mavericks Receive: Anfernee Simons
Lakers Receive: Daniel Gafford
Trail Blazers Receive: Maxi Kleber, Caleb Martin, Dalton Knecht, Dwight Powell, 2029 unprotected first-round pick (via LAL), 2031 unprotected first-round pick (via LAL)


I think the Mavs say yes to Simons for Gafford+FRP (Martin and Powell are just salary matching)
I think it's a slight overpay for the Lakers with Gafford for Knecht+FRP
I think Portland says yes to Knecht+2 FRP's for Simons

It's not perfect but I can see the framework being there for all 3 teams.

Hard no

[Nowitzki Way]

Exactly!  I said the same thing about Sexton...  Hardy+

I can see that too.  I like Sexton slightly better than Simons, because he's been a consistent scorer from day one.  

He's also cheaper than Simons at about 19 million and expiring after this year. I dont know all the trade rules and apron rules, but i'd be ok giving up Gafford + Hardy  or Gafford + Omax + Powell for Sexton.  I know FGump and others have said something like this is not legal though.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Gafford for Sexton is a suicide.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Players like Sexton and Simons are the easiest to find in the NBA. Granted Sexton is incredibly efficient, but I'd rather use Hardy for this role rather than spend any assets on these guys.