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

[Nowitzki Way]

My initial reaction was we can figure out where to trade Trae Young later.

But so many PGs are rumored to be potentially available.  And ATL has lost every game since he came back.  Mavs might be scared they could be stuck with him next year and not be able to get under the aprons/cap.

He's in that group with Ja and LaMelo. Nobody wants those undersized high volume guards right now.

But i'd roll the dice we could get something for him. The rest of the trade is worth to take on Trae.

[KillerLeft]

Mavs might be scared they could be stuck with him next year and not be able to get under the aprons/cap.

I'd be scared of that, too. I think he's every bit as likely to opt in next year as AD will be to opt in the year after. This is why ATL wants off of him, and why Dallas probably shouldn't take him. Remember, this is a player they've been trying to trade for a while now. It doesn't seem like anyone is interested in getting into the Trae Young business, so I highly doubt he could be flipped for additional assets. More likely the Mavs would have to turn around and PAY some team to take him. Maybe a lot, maybe a little, but the asset package from ATL would have to be HUGE for me to want to do that. 

We can quibble over AD's value all day long, but he would be the best player in this deal by a wide margin, AND they want the Mavs to pay through the nose in tax to make the trade possible by getting themsevels stuck with a player they don't want and who can't play with Kyrie at all? 

I can't get there, sorry. I'm not sure ATL has ENOUGH to convince me, if I'm in the Mavs' shoes. I mean, that conversation would START with the Pelicans pick, tbh. I don't even consider that without it, and that's just the start of the negotiations. 

There's a wider range of returns I might accept in a Porzingis based deal, because I think I could flip his expiring for something useful, and if not, I can just let him expire.

[KillerLeft]

I'd be scared of that, too. I think he's every bit as likely to opt in next year as AD will be to opt in the year after. This is why ATL wants off of him, and why Dallas probably shouldn't take him. Remember, this is a player they've been trying to trade for a while now. It doesn't seem like anyone is interested in getting into the Trae Young business, so I highly doubt he could be flipped for additional assets. More likely the Mavs would have to turn around and PAY some team to take him. Maybe a lot, maybe a little, but the asset package from ATL would have to be HUGE for me to want to do that. 

We can quibble over AD's value all day long, but he would be the best player in this deal by a wide margin, AND they want the Mavs to pay through the nose in tax to make the trade possible by getting themsevels stuck with a player they don't want and who can't play with Kyrie at all? 

I can't get there, sorry. I'm not sure ATL has ENOUGH to convince me, if I'm in the Mavs' shoes. I mean, that conversation would START with the Pelicans pick, tbh. I don't even consider that without it, and that's just the start of the negotiations. 

There's a wider range of returns I might accept in a Porzingis based deal, because I think I could flip his expiring for something useful, and if not, I can just let him expire.

One additional thought here: 

IF the Mavs take Young back, and I really hope they don't, I think it's more likely they're able to find a home for Kyrie Irving in another deal than Young. I think I'd have to be ready to think that way if I made this deal. You absolutely cannot have them both on the team next year, because even if you convinced one to come off the bench, there's really no way to play them together, even for 5 minutes per game. One of their roles is going to be TINY.

[Nowitzki Way]

One additional thought here: 

IF the Mavs take Young back, and I really hope they don't, I think it's more likely they're able to find a home for Kyrie Irving in another deal than Young. I think I'd have to be ready to think that way if I made this deal. You absolutely cannot have them both on the team next year, because even if you convinced one to come off the bench, there's really no way to play them together, even for 5 minutes per game. One of their roles is going to be TINY.

I think a Kyrie trade becomes more likely if you trade AD anyway, regardless if a player like young is brought in.   I love Kyrie. Love watching him play for my team. I absolutely want him on this team. But honestly why keep him if we're tradiing AD and going directly with Flagg's timeline as a 19 year old?

Say some form of this trade goes down with AD to Atlanta.  Ignore the big salary whether it be KP or Trae. The big asset will be Risacher and maybe Newell. And probably a pick next in 2026.

So at the start of next season you have Flagg at 19, Risacher 20, Newell 20, Lively 21, Christie 22 and 2 lottery picks in the 26 draft.   Why have a 34 year old Kyrie? Same goes for Klay.

Makes you wonder if we need to keep P.J., Gafford, Naji.   I can see the AD trade being the beginning of a huge teardown to get directly on the Flagg timeline.  Even if AD and maybe Klay is this year. Kyrie, P.J. etc is next off season.

[KillerLeft]

I think a Kyrie trade becomes more likely if you trade AD anyway, regardless if a player like young is brought in.   I love Kyrie. Love watching him play for my team. I absolutely want him on this team. But honestly why keep him if we're tradiing AD and going directly with Flagg's timeline as a 19 year old?

I have had similar thoughts/questions, basically since this "trade AD" topic came up. It wouldn't take much to talk me into it, particularly in a world where AD is already gone, but to this point the messaging from the Mavs seems to be solidly in the "we're moving forward with Kyrie" vein. Things can change, obviously, but I've kind of gotten the sense that they view Kyrie as a Maverick. Like, "retire here" style. I could be off on that, but that's the sense I've gotten recently.

[Winter]

Kyrie is kind of an unknown. I don't think you do anything until summer though. Let everyone see him play some games, see how recovery went, and the shop him in the summer if that's best

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

If the offer is Risacher and one 1st. Or you take Trae and we'll give you Risacher and two 1sts. That's tough. I don't really hate the thought of Trae Young as much as some people. Mavs are a long long long ways from being any type of contender. If we have to eat some shit in the meantime to get more assets, I wouldn't hate it.

I imagine Dumont doesn't want to be paying luxury tax fines for a team that isn't any good. So in that sense, Trae might be a non starter for the Mavs.

[Winter]

If that's the case, and the offer is Risacher, Trae, and two firsts.... then that's the trade you make. I just don't think you can settle for one pick.

[Nowitzki Way]

I have had similar thoughts/questions, basically since this "trade AD" topic came up. It wouldn't take much to talk me into it, particularly in a world where AD is already gone, but to this point the messaging from the Mavs seems to be solidly in the "we're moving forward with Kyrie" vein. Things can change, obviously, but I've kind of gotten the sense that they view Kyrie as a Maverick. Like, "retire here" style. I could be off on that, but that's the sense I've gotten recently.

I think you're correct. They view Kyrie as a Mav. They want him to retire here in the right scenario. But i don't think the right scenario factored in the #1 pick, AD not staying healthy and this season being a bust.

They are saying all the right things in public, and probably want to keep him. But it may just make too much sense to move on from him if he's the oldest guy on the team by 12 years. Especially if his contract will be up by the time we're in year 3 or 4 of Flagg and this timeline. 

Maybe acquiring a player like Young who wouldnt fit with Kyrie could force them to see past the Kyrie retiring as a Mav thing. I'm torn on that because like i said, i love watching him play.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

McMahon seems pretty clear

[MacMahon] The Mavericks would like to work out a deal to send Anthony Davis to Atlanta, but Trae Young’s not going to be part of that. They want to move forward with Kyrie Irving as their point guard and you're not going to play those two guys together.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I think you're correct. They view Kyrie as a Mav. They want him to retire here in the right scenario. But i don't think the right scenario factored in the #1 pick, AD not staying healthy and this season being a bust.

I've seen a lot of chatter about Kyrie working directly with Cooper Flagg and Flagg developing that left hand and handles with Kyrie's help.  I think you are right that the Mavs love having Kyrie, even if he doesn't fit the timeline.

[mvossman]

I think a Kyrie trade becomes more likely if you trade AD anyway, regardless if a player like young is brought in.   I love Kyrie. Love watching him play for my team. I absolutely want him on this team. But honestly why keep him if we're tradiing AD and going directly with Flagg's timeline as a 19 year old?

Say some form of this trade goes down with AD to Atlanta.  Ignore the big salary whether it be KP or Trae. The big asset will be Risacher and maybe Newell. And probably a pick next in 2026.

So at the start of next season you have Flagg at 19, Risacher 20, Newell 20, Lively 21, Christie 22 and 2 lottery picks in the 26 draft.   Why have a 34 year old Kyrie? Same goes for Klay.

Makes you wonder if we need to keep P.J., Gafford, Naji.   I can see the AD trade being the beginning of a huge teardown to get directly on the Flagg timeline.  Even if AD and maybe Klay is this year. Kyrie, P.J. etc is next off season.

I think some of this has to do with the players.  

I think AD will never get out from the shadow of the Luka trade and his injury troubles since he got here has made it worse.  I think his agent is looking for an extension and AD would prefer to be somewhere else.  

Kyrie is totally different.  He has a very positive relationship with this fan base and I think he wants to stay.  I think he is viewed as a plus in the locker room and a great vet to work with the kids.  That being said, if somebody like Houston comes begging at the TDL, you have to pull the trigger if you are blown away by the offer.

If there is any market for Klay, he should go.  May not be a huge market for him, but a salary dump and a second would be enough.

You can make an argument that PJ, Gafford and Naji are not the ideal fits with Flagg.  Gafford needs a P&R PG to have value.  I really hope they get something done with the Pacers.  That makes a lot of sense for both sides if reasonable.  Naji might be at his peak value right now and not a perfect fit with Flagg.  This would be a really good time to move him if the get the right offer.  PJ is an offseason discussion.

There are so many potential opportunities for this organization to reset this TDL.  I really hope they are willing to make moves if the right ones are there.  I think avoiding moves because they are waiting on hiring GM or because they want to see this mythical Flagg/AD/Kyrie grouping would be a mistake.

[Mavs2021]

McMahon seems pretty clear

[MacMahon] The Mavericks would like to work out a deal to send Anthony Davis to Atlanta, but Trae Young’s not going to be part of that. They want to move forward with Kyrie Irving as their point guard and you're not going to play those two guys together.

Seems like a negotiating tactic to me. They are not fighting over Young, but the implications it has on all the other pieces (players, picks). I´m pretty sure you can easily re-trade Young. The idea that we don´t need another guard, when our 3rd best PG/SG is either Nembhard, Williams, DAR or Hardy is also crazy. 

Kyrie will also be up their in age and needs to be nurtured. Do I need to remind you what happened the last time the Mavs overextended him during the regular season due to the bum Nico trading Luka and Grimes.

[KillerLeft]

 I imagine Dumont doesn't want to be paying luxury tax fines for a team that isn't any good.  So in that sense, Trae might be a non starter for the Mavs.

100% this, and the logic of it goes beyond simple cheapness, imho. I think it's the right move to lower salary (and steer away from punitive rules) in any type of AD trade scenario. I imagine this is one of the primary motivators in shopping AD in the first place.

[Mavs2021]

100% this, and the logic of it goes beyond simple cheapness, imho. I think it's the right move to lower salary (and steer away from punitive rules) in any type of AD trade scenario. I imagine this is one of the primary motivators in shopping AD in the first place.

If he didn´t want to pay the luxury tax for a crap team, he should have kept Luka.

Furthermore in my ATL trade the Mavs safe 13.5M in salary + 11M expiring in Kennard, which results in 2026/2027

Young 49
Kyrie 39
Washington 20
Gafford 17
Risacher 14
Flagg 14
1st round pick 11
Martin 10
Christie 8
Lively 7
Hardy 6
Russell 6
1st round pick 4
Nembhard 2

208 for 14 players. 1st apron is projected 210. You don´t extend Young, you get 50M in cap relieft in 2027 and all your cap problems are solved. 

I don´t see the problem with Young at all. You acquire Porzingis, he´s just an expiring contract. He does not help you improve the roster for next year, Young does. Unless you now want to argue that Nembhard, Williams, DAR and Hardy are better players than Trae Young. Also Young´s passing ability will recoup some value of Gafford and Lively, who need lob passes to be fed to them.

[mvossman]

If he didn´t want to pay the luxury tax for a crap team, he should have kept Luka.

Furthermore in my ATL trade the Mavs safe 13.5M in salary + 11M expiring in Kennard, which results in 2026/2027

Young 49
Kyrie 39
Washington 20
Gafford 17
Risacher 14
Flagg 14
1st round pick 11
Martin 10
Christie 8
Lively 7
Hardy 6
Russell 6
1st round pick 4
Nembhard 2

208 for 14 players. 1st apron is projected 210. You don´t extend Young, you get 50M in cap relieft in 2027 and all your cap problems are solved. 

I don´t see the problem with Young at all. You acquire Porzingis, he´s just an expiring contract. He does not help you improve the roster for next year, Young does. Unless you now want to argue that Nembhard, Williams, DAR and Hardy are better players than Trae Young.

Zero interest in running Young out there next season.  Would rather it be a combination of Kyrie and new additions from draft, trade or even MLE.

[Nowitzki Way]

Seems like a negotiating tactic to me. They are not fighting over Young, but the implications it has on all the other pieces (players, picks). I´m pretty sure you can easily re-trade Young. The idea that we don´t need another guard, when our 3rd best PG/SG is either Nembhard, Williams, DAR or Hardy is also crazy. 

Kyrie will also be up their in age and needs to be nurtured. Do I need to remind you what happened the last time the Mavs overextended him during the regular season due to the bum Nico trading Luka and Grimes.

Agreed. This is them using the media to negotiate. The Hawks know the Mavs dont want Trae. If so, the trade would be done already. 

With Stein and McMahon talking, this is all Mavs leaking this. Are they telling the Hawks to go get something for Trae Young and then come back to us? Are they signaling to other teams they may be getting Trae and they want to re-route him?

[FireNicoHarrison]

I will happy to see Dumont pay heavy tax for a crap team or a rebuilding one... He worths it.

[Mavs2021]

Zero interest in running Young out there next season.  Would rather it be a combination of Kyrie and new additions from draft, trade or even MLE.

The choice is either Young or Porzingis. There are no other options. You get one of the two. Unless you think you can find a better PG for the MLE, if he we even have it. God knows with these rules. 

You want to play Kyrie 40 MPG for 82 games coming off an ACL at age 34? I´m so confused. 

The reason we are crap is our G-League guard rotation. You want to make Flagg and our two new 1st round picks better players, how about having an actual elite PG out there at all times that knows how to run an offense.

[Nowitzki Way]

The choice is either Young or Porzingis. There are no other options. You get one of the two. Unless you think you can find a better PG for the MLE, if he we even have it. God knows with these rules. 

You want to play Kyrie 40 MPG for 82 games coming off an ACL at age 34? I´m so confused. 

The reason we are crap is our G-League guard rotation. You want to make Flagg and our two new 1st round picks better players, how about having an actual elite PG out there at all times that knows how to run an offense.

I'm with you. I'd take Young to get those picks.  We have two undrafted guys in the ball handler role right now.  

The trade isnt for Trae. Its the package around him. If taking him instead of KP gets you a bigger package, why not. Who doesnt want a bigger package???