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

[KillerLeft]

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.

That's a reasonable and healthy hope. One that could plausibly happen. I like your style, Mr. Schwartzgan! I will join you in that hope.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/yossigozlan.bsk...rkoeckuc25
https://bsky.app/profile/yossigozlan.bsk...rm2kyna323

With that trade, Cleveland is projected to save 70 million against their payroll
and the luxury tax projection for next season.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/juliapoe.bsky.s...riixv7tc2n

The Bulls' involvement in this 3-team trade

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/YossiGozlan/status/2017817...10767?s=20


Dennis Schroder has now been traded 8 times.

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
The Atlanta Hawks are trading guard Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers for Duop Reath and two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. Krejci has averaged 9 points and 2.2 3-pointers made per game on 42.3% shooting, which ranks top 20 in the NBA.

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
The Atlanta Hawks are trading guard Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers for Duop Reath and two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. Krejci has averaged 9 points and 2.2 3-pointers made per game on 42.3% shooting, which ranks top 20 in the NBA.

@JakeLFischer
Atlanta is trading their own 2027 second-round pick plus a 2030 New York second-rounder to Portland, source says, in exchange for trading Vit Krejci to the Trail Blazers for Duop Reath.

Correction from Jake: Apologies, Portland is trading the Blazers’ own 2027 second and New York’s 2030 second to Atlanta, sources say.

[Smitty]

@KeithSmithNBA
Interesting trade between the Blazers and Hawks.

Krejci is a helpful player, but had been replaced in Atlanta by Corey Kispert in the same role. Reath is out for the season, so Atlanta likely waives him to create a roster spot. Christian Koloko conversion eventually?

No salary or roster relief for Portland in this. Still need to create a couple of roster spots to convert Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love.

[omahen]

In the absence of bigger deals, this Portland-Atlanta one is interesting.

Atlanta did it for SRP and to open a roster spot, everything clear here.

Portland part is more interesting. They added a rotation wing, which they already have plenty of. They also want to open two roster spots according to several writers. Previously they have been mentioned in some JRue trades, but his large salary is more likely to bring more players in than sending them out.

One path could be Thybulle and R.Williams. Thybulle is injured again and out indefinitely. Would they just cut him to open a roster spot? Williams was in rotation, but also plays less than 20 mpg. I guess these two guys are not in their long term plans.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Krejci is the type of player I wouldn’t mind having for a meager return like that. 6’8” guy that can really shoot it. Of course, we don’t have a treasure trove of second round picks since Nico gave them away.

[Smitty]

@All_Things_Mavs
Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) reports that Dallas does NOT want to trade Naji Marshall or Max Christie.

They are taking trade calls on Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson & D’Angelo Russell.

All that and much more here: open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/…

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Thanks for the update.

Gafford possibilities are intriguing. I'd rather have a 1st than Mathurin personally.

I don't think those other three guys are getting moved for anything we're going to like.

[Smitty]

@All_Things_Mavs
Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) reports that Dallas does NOT want to trade Naji Marshall or Max Christie.

They are taking trade calls on Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson & D’Angelo Russell.

All that and much more here: open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/…

@NationMffl
Stein adds the Milwaukee Bucks showed interest in DLO “if he were willing to decline his $6 million player option for next season to instead come back to the Bucks next season on a veteran minimum instead. Word is that Russell balked at that idea.”

[Smitty]

With the latest from Stein and TMac on Naji, it sounds like Mavs aren’t getting that FRP offer they’ve set as the price. I still feel like the Mavs need to “sell high” with him. He won’t get the same usage next season and will want to get an extension this summer after a “career year”. I don’t want to be the one paying ~$15M+ to Naji in his 30’s… if it’s 3 or 4 SRP’s, I’m still pulling the trigger.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

@NationMffl
Stein adds the Milwaukee Bucks showed interest in DLO “if he were willing to decline his $6 million player option for next season to instead come back to the Bucks next season on a veteran minimum instead. Word is that Russell balked at that idea.”

LMAO

The entire Dangelo Russell Mavs saga is so funny to me. Mavs fans talking him up like he was going to save our season is like Lakers fans talking about how good Deandre Aytons numbers look in the box score. Dude is a certified bum. We need PG play more than any team in the league and our head coach is an ex genius PG and yet Dlo can't get on the court.

With the latest from Stein and TMac on Naji, it sounds like Mavs aren’t getting that FRP offer they’ve set as the price. I still feel like the Mavs need to “sell high” with him. He won’t get the same usage next season and will want to get an extension this summer after a “career year”. I don’t want to be the one paying ~$15M+ to Naji in his 30’s… if it’s 3 or 4 SRP’s, I’m still pulling the trigger.

That's a tough decision.  Late 2nd rd picks from a good team seem close to worthless.  I also never thought he'd fetch a 1st.  So yeah whatever...keep him around for all I care.

[Smitty]

That's a tough decision.  Late 2nd rd picks from a good team seem close to worthless.  I also never thought he'd fetch a 1st.  So yeah whatever...keep him around for all I care.

Probably/hopefully posturing. But I probably lean “whatever” in the end also.

[loki]

With the latest from Stein and TMac on Naji, it sounds like Mavs aren’t getting that FRP offer they’ve set as the price. I still feel like the Mavs need to “sell high” with him. He won’t get the same usage next season and will want to get an extension this summer after a “career year”. I don’t want to be the one paying ~$15M+ to Naji in his 30’s… if it’s 3 or 4 SRP’s, I’m still pulling the trigger.

That would be a solid deal. It helps the Mavs stay under the 2nd apron next year, gives them a few 2nds to put in future trades, and maximizes the tank. I'd want a better shooter taking Naji's place next year anyway with Kyrie back at full strength.

[mvossman]

@NationMffl
Stein adds the Milwaukee Bucks showed interest in DLO “if he were willing to decline his $6 million player option for next season to instead come back to the Bucks next season on a veteran minimum instead. Word is that Russell balked at that idea.”

LOL, why would he do that?  I guess the argument is that they are offering him playing time while Kidd has him burried on the bench.

[KillerLeft]

That's a tough decision.  Late 2nd rd picks from a good team seem close to worthless.  I also never thought he'd fetch a 1st.  So yeah whatever...keep him around for all I care.

I mean...they seem to be ok for getting guys like Naji Marshall, right? Only hopefully a future example who fits better with Flagg? Not saying I'd pull the trigger...just saying.

[Chicagojk]

Stein doing his thing.

Not crazy with all the leaks "if true" for the Mavs with the interim front office.

[Chicagojk]

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.

Ha.   

Hunter is a mystery.  Came from a good college who won the national championship.   Ideal size.  Good skills.  Seems to be a solid guy (sort of guessing here), but it just hasn't worked out.   Cavs had a dire need for him to fill.  It just didn't work. 

If I am a Cavs fan, I don't know I would give two thoughts on Hunter.   I hate teams paying for a mistake they made less than a year ago by getting off Shroeder.   Just terrible management.   The Kings might be the most depressing franchise imo.    Can you imagine actually having to watch a team with older veterans in Westbrook, Lavine, Derozan, and Sabonis....and then you trade for a 28 year old journeyman?  Depressing.

I will be interesting to see how the Cavs look.  I am not sure if Ellis will be a big factor in a playoff series.   Do the Cavs really like him or is it the contract coming off the book this summer?   Schroeder is a nut but played a backup role well in Detroit last year.   With Garland's injuries he could be a nice stop gap or bench player.