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

[omahen]

It actually looks like it works straight up, since the Mavs would stay 160k under the 2nd apron. I guess the pick being 2031 earliest is not very appealing to the Mavs. Also have to assume the Cavs still want to put protections on it.

As a first apron team, Mavs can't take back more salary than sending out

[Smitty]

Just listened to the Locked On guys with TMac. Thinks Gafford is the most likely to get traded. Seems skeptical Naji can fetch a FRP, which means Mavs probably keep him. Less than 50/50 that AD gets traded. No mention of Klay. Says most important decision coming up isn’t about trades/roster, it’s who they hire to run basketball ops… With some ominous JKidd talk there..

[Dirknows]

Just listened to the Locked On guys with TMac. Thinks Gafford is the most likely to get traded. Seems skeptical Naji can fetch a FRP, which means Mavs probably keep him. Less than 50/50 that AD gets traded. No mention of Klay. Says most important decision coming up isn’t about trades/roster, it’s who they hire to run basketball ops… With some ominous JKidd talk there..

RE: Gafford. Do teams still value him as the rim running lob threat he was last two year with Luka, or the fringe player he’s looked like this year?

[loki]

Just listened to the Locked On guys with TMac. Thinks Gafford is the most likely to get traded. Seems skeptical Naji can fetch a FRP, which means Mavs probably keep him. Less than 50/50 that AD gets traded. No mention of Klay. Says most important decision coming up isn’t about trades/roster, it’s who they hire to run basketball ops… With some ominous JKidd talk there..

I'm glad they're pushing for a FRP for Naji, but I do think it's important they deal him even if they have to settle for 2nds. He's good enough to cost them a couple spots in the draft, and those 2nds could be important to grease the wheels on a bunch of future trades. Obviously this won't be a popular trade with the fans who think Dallas can be good next year.

[FireNicoHarrison]

I like Naji but he doesn't fit Flagg timeline, a FRP (maybe mid-late) is always a risk but maybe i will make the flip.

[KillerLeft]

Just listened to the Locked On guys with TMac. Thinks Gafford is the most likely to get traded. Seems skeptical Naji can fetch a FRP, which means Mavs probably keep him. Less than 50/50 that AD gets traded. No mention of Klay. Says most important decision coming up isn’t about trades/roster, it’s who they hire to run basketball ops… With some ominous JKidd talk there..

It feels like Kidd is going to be GM (hope not). I think that, if it happens, might bother me more than the Doncic trade, tbh.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I listened to that pod last night. Nick asked about the possibility of Kidd being GM. McMahon literally didn't speak for 5 minutes after Nick asked him the question about Kidd being GM. Eventually he said it was "an interesting concept."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn7jzioJbFI

[Chicagojk]

Saw the bucks may have an interest in Russell. Said they would want a second to help Dallas get off the contract. It would suck to give our last remaining second to get off him but I can’t imagine a team would take him just go an expiring.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Let's say the Mavs landed the 4th pick in the Draft and Peterson was gone. Then you get the remainder of either Boozer or Dybantsa.. Then, suddenly the phone rings and it's the Spurs offering Dylan for the 4th pick. Do you make that trade?

The 4th is questionable, but if the Mavs got the 8th pick and the Spurs offered Harper for 8 and a sweetener, I do that.

[Winter]

Let's say the Mavs landed the 4th pick in the Draft and Peterson was gone. Then you get the remainder of either Boozer or Dybantsa.. Then, suddenly the phone rings and it's the Spurs offering Dylan for the 4th pick. Do you make that trade?

The 4th is questionable, but if the Mavs got the 8th pick and the Spurs offered Harper for 8 and a sweetener, I do that.

Until Dylan figures out how to shoot a 3-pointer, I wouldn't. It's easy for me to say since it won't happen... but the Mavs need perimeter shooting. Harper is really good in a lot of areas, so it's not an easy call. But I just don't like him as a starter on a Mavs team with Flagg.

[myconsumerclub]

I have a feeling Wagler is going higher in the draft and we may not even be able to tank enough to reach that pick.

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal includes the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks.

[Chicagojk]

@ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal includes the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks.

Why in the world does Sacramento need a 28 year old Hunter?

So they had to have Schroeder this offseason so they dumped Jonas.  Now move Saric and two second round picks to move Schroeder.  Pretty much got nothing for Ellis who appears to have suitors.

[loki]

@ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal includes the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks.

Chicago gets two 2nds to take on a $5.4M expiring contract. If the Mavs dump Martin, Hardy, or Russell we're going to be sick at what it costs.

[Mavs2021]

Why in the world does Sacramento need a 28 year old Hunter?

So they had to have Schroeder this offseason so they dumped Jonas.  Now move Saric and two second round picks to move Schroeder.  Pretty much got nothing for Ellis who appears to have suitors.

IT`s a TRADE. Vivek probably got as bored as the fans.

Also you have to remember. That on every 2nd team you get good Schroeder.

Lakers --> Raptors --> Nets --> Warriors --> Pistons --> Kings --> Cavs = Good Schroeder.

Yeah definitely think a win for the Cavs and Bulls.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Kings are a rudderless ship that needs to implode. Who's running that madhouse? And DeAndre Hunter was lauded last year as a great pickup at the TDL. He fell out of favor fast. I actually think Keon Ellis might help them more. A lot of teams were interested in him.

[omahen]

Same as you I simply can't understand Sacramento. This trade looks like one where Cleveland gets an A+ grade and Sacramento gets an F. They paid Ellis and 2 SRP to get a player who is a negative asset. I feel really sorry for Sacramento fans.

1. Cleveland wanted to reduce their payroll, goal accomplished.
2. Sacramento increased their payroll and are now 13 mil in the tax
3. Sacramento was doing backflips to be able to sign Schroeder in the summer. They want to get rid of LaVine, Sabonis, Monk and DeRozan yet they somehow ended up paying assets while keeping all of them
4. Sacramento paid 2 SRP to Chicago to take Saric.
5. Sacramento will be rebuilding and is trying to sell all of their vets. Their first move was to get another vet. Newsflash Sacramento - Hunter and Murray can be an awesome fit, but will take you nowhere. You need a complete rebuild and hope for lottery luck. 28 year old Hunter will not be part of that
6. Half of the league were after Ellis. In the end Sacramento somehow ended up paying assets, not receiving.

[Mavs2021]

Chicago gets two 2nds to take on a $5.4M expiring contract. If the Mavs dump Martin, Hardy, or Russell we're going to be sick at what it costs.

It´s not even the players or the small salary. It´s the dumb 1st apron rule. Omahen you were correct, my apologies. 

That also makes the straight forward Kuminga for Klay+Hardy or DAR deal such a non-starter, cause both teams would have to pay a 3rd team to make it work.

Gosh Nico is such a dumbass. That Grimes trade was so idiotic on so many levels.  Now every team knows the Mavs want to shed salary and probably put in two 2nd round picks as part of the cost evaluation.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Good analysis. Cleveland has a chance to get under the 2nd apron with another move. I don't expect Schroder to stay in Cleveland. They have too many guards, I also hear they're trying to move Ball. As for the Kings, they're not done either. Sabonis, DeRozan, Lavine, Monk are also on the block. Chicago was a winner as they were gifted two 2nd's to take on the dead body of Saric.

[DanSchwartzgan]

@ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal includes the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks.

I'm stealing this from Tyler on Discord...Scotto had this deal Saturday morning.  He's the same guy who said Milwaukee could take on D'Lo as part of a larger deal.  That provides some hope since Scotto was right about the Clev/Sac deal.

If you look at the Buck's roster for the returning salary, you'll notice they have a ton of guys with PO's at smaller dollars than Russel next season.  Greg Anthony is expiring, but that doesn't work straight up (but could depending on the rest of the Buck's deal with a third team.  My (unrealistic) hope is we actually pay something to do D'Lo for Ryan Rollins.  I want Cooper to get good fitting teammates for next year and beyond more than I want future draft capital.

The other possibility is Dallas takes on a salary from the team that is getting Giannis.  There's no point hunting down small expiring contracts from all of the teams trying to get Giannis.  I will mention one that is in the same vein as my Rollins idea.  Kasparas Jakucionis is a Jaku of all trades.  He's a 6'5" 19 year old PG with a good wing span.  He hits his 3's, is a decent playmaker and a good positional rebounder.  He probably won't ever have the athleticism to be a big time self-creator, but he's young.  If he's going to a team in Milwaukee that already has Rollins, maybe there is a world where the D'Lo swap plus an asset lands him.  It doesn't have to be the Lakers 2029.  Maybe it is an asset we get in a Gafford deal or a Naji deal.  

My biggest hope for the next few days is we get another youngster to go along with Flagg, Lively, Christie and our own 2026 pick.  I don't really care which outgoing lands that.