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

[soog]

https://x.com/scottjberges/status/194496...13695?s=46&t=STdwn1PSB41G7EfVTb6Rxw


Scott Berges
@ScottJBerges
Mavericks & Cavaliers have agreed to a trade that will break soon.

That’s what I’ve been told here at Summer League.
9:41 PM · Jul 14, 2025
·
550
Views

[KillerLeft]

This is probably all absolutely nothing, but I'm choosing to play.

If if was rumored to be a deal for Dallas with Cleveland involved, but without the third team being known, I'm going to assume a player is coming from Cleveland to Dallas. Judging by the second text thread you posted, SH, it seems like someone is suggesting this is about enabling Cleveland to trade for Lebron, but I'm going to ignore that part, for now.

The only two possibilities that I think make sense for Dallas from Cleveland are:

Lonzo Ball (ok, I suppose - they already have Russell, so it couldn't hurt)

and Darius Garland. My goodness, wouldn't THAT be interesting? I wonder how he'd look here with this team?

[KillerLeft]

Holy geez, the Cavs are actually trying to move the heavens just to trade for LeBron James. I'm shocked, but also not shocked.

[SleepingHero]

My half-cocked, wildly irresponsible, spur of the moment not thought out reaction: Darius Garland? Surely not Donavan Mitchell.

I feel like Mitchell would break the league.

[SleepingHero]

Here's something I just cooked up that is very realistic and will be happening.

[SleepingHero]

https://x.com/scottjberges/status/194496...13695?s=46&t=STdwn1PSB41G7EfVTb6Rxw


Scott Berges
@ScottJBerges
Mavericks & Cavaliers have agreed to a trade that will break soon.

That’s what I’ve been told here at Summer League.
9:41 PM · Jul 14, 2025
·
550
Views

What possible deal could it be is the question.

[KillerLeft]

I feel like Mitchell would break the league.

I doubt it's that. Would be awesome, but I doubt it's that. 

I'm stupidly getting my hopes up for Darius Garland. Garland for Gafford and whatever it takes would make this thing a contender overnight, I think. If this happens, I just hope Harrison makes a deal everyone likes so we don't have to spend the next two months complaining about it nonstop. It feels like the Mavs have some momentum this summer. More than anything, I just hope they can keep it going for a while before the next tragedy strikes.

[KillerLeft]

SH, I'd love Mitchell here. I would. But, assuming this is somehow about the Cavs and LeBron, he'd be going there to play WITH Mitchell, right? And, that's a big salary to match for Dallas.

Garland's is pretty big, but not close to Mitchell's. Could Gafford and Martin get you close?

[SleepingHero]

This is probably all absolutely nothing, but I'm choosing to play.

If if was rumored to be a deal for Dallas with Cleveland involved, but without the third team being known, I'm going to assume a player is coming from Cleveland to Dallas. Judging by the second text thread you posted, SH, it seems like someone is suggesting this is about enabling Cleveland to trade for Lebron, but I'm going to ignore that part, for now.

The only two possibilities that I think make sense for Dallas from Cleveland are:

Lonzo Ball (ok, I suppose - they already have Russell, so it couldn't hurt)

and Darius Garland. My goodness, wouldn't THAT be interesting? I wonder how he'd look here with this team?

Re Lonzo:

• Since the Cavs traded him in a 1 for 1 swap, they are eligible to trade him again immediately but with some stipulations
  
• If they want to combine him in a trade with other players, they must wait at least 30 days after acquiring him (which would be August 6th).
  

But Darius Garland... My god that'd be such a perfect fit I'd be shocked if they could pull that off. He is the 2nd coming of Steve Nash. One of the most efficient offensive players in the league and can generate a bucket for anyone on the court. But his 39mil salary makes matching it a bit of a challenge for the Mavs.

Plus, it'd make the DLo signing a bit weird right? They essentially all but promised him a starting spot and then 2 weeks later they trade for Garland?

[KillerLeft]

Is Garland injured right now? How bad is it? I remember reading something about him maybe not being able to start the season, but I might be senile.

[SleepingHero]

Is Garland injured right now? How bad is it? I remember reading something about him maybe not being able to start the season, but I might be senile.

You'd be correct. 

Garland had a turf toe injury and had surgery on it last month. Cavs said he'll need 4 to 5 months of recovery so he will most likely be back by November realistically.

[KillerLeft]

But Darius Garland... My god that'd be such a perfect fit I'd be shocked if they could pull that off. He is the 2nd coming of Steve Nash. One of the most efficient offensive players in the league and can generate a bucket for anyone on the court. But his 39mil salary makes matching it a bit of a challenge for the Mavs.

idk...seems just about right for Gafford/PJ combined, right? I don't know how that helps Cleveland, LA or any other potential "third team," so I have not idea what to expect, but...I can see it. 

And for the record, Garland is the EXACT type of player that would satisfy my requirements for a PJ/Gafford consolidation. Instantly, everything would make sense to me.

[SleepingHero]

More twitter "insiders" are believing Lebron is a Mav and the deal is agreed upon.

Memphis, Cleveland, Dallas, and the Lakers.

[KillerLeft]

More twitter "insiders" are believing Lebron is a Mav and the deal is agreed upon.

Memphis, Cleveland, Dallas, and the Lakers.

Hmmmmm...THAT I don't love so much. 

I'm fine with LeBron being a Mav...just kinda scary to think about, you know, for WHAT.

If it's just Gafford and end of bench bloat...or even Naji Marshall in the mix...ok. Maybe the 4 team structure makes that possible somehow. But, I sure hope they're not sending that ONE potentially awesome pick back to LA.

[KillerLeft]

This is probably all BS, but I can't even imagine what the NBA world would have to say if this actually happens. Luka a Laker, with AD and LeBron as Mavs??? I can't even wrap my head around how weird it would all be.

[KillerLeft]

It can't be LeBron to Dallas. It just can't be.

I'm still predicting (assuming this is anything at all) Lonzo Ball but holding out insanely pipe-dreamish hope for Garland.

[Jym]

where's fgump to tell us what's possible contractwise?

[KillerLeft]

where's fgump to tell us what's possible contractwise?

He's lurking...probably laughing his ass off at how gullible we are. That's ok. It's all for fun.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

There is a lull currently in free agency so somebody is just trying to stir things up. I don't see LeBron in Cleveland or Dallas. And trading for Garland makes the DLo signing redundant. Mavs would have the league's smallest backcourt when Ky comes back pairing him with Garland lol.

[KillerLeft]

There is a lull currently in free agency so somebody is just trying to stir things up. I don't see LeBron in Cleveland or Dallas. And trading for Garland makes the DLo signing redundant. Mavs would have the league's smallest backcourt when Ky comes back pairing him with Garland lol.

I wouldn't care about Garland making the DLo thing redundant. I'm happy with the Russell signing, but he'd do just fine off the bench. 

The emboldened is a good point. 

I don't care - let me have this for a few hours, at least.