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

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

How about a non-AD trade with ATL? The Hawks really need added talent, and have both extra picks and some cap flexibility in the long run.

Maybe something like this:
Klay, Gafford, Martin, Russell
FOR
Porzingis, Risacher, Wallace, 2026 CLE 1st, another later 1st

I admire your persistence.

hey Atlanta, you want to take our garbage and give us a bunch of stuff for it?

[Mavs2021]

I can´t believe how much time I waste on the TDL and FA, when the biggest things happening outside of a 24 hours deadline window are some dumb Kings trades and free agent signings in the summer.

[Chicagojk]

I think I am more interested in the Eastern conference teams like Boston, Charlotte. Orlando, and Philadelphia this trade deadline than some of the other teams we heard non stop.

Boston just doesn't miss. They always seem to find good value. If they could land a solid, good center for this year and the future, they are positioned maybe better than any team in the East again. It is quite amazing they made such huge roster moves this summer and seem to be right back in it (pending what Tatum looks like).

It is probably a little too early for Charlotte and they probably don't want to use any draft capital at this stage. They do have expirings. Not sure that is enough to get a desirable front court player, but they are a team to watch.

Orlando has to do something to shake things up. While their talent may not match perfectly, they have too much talent to a be a .500 team. Going all in with Bane was their big swing, but with that big investment they may look to be aggressive to try to make a run the second half of the season.

Not sure what Philly can do. Morey is always looking to get better and doesn't turn down star power. it wouldn't surprise me to see them make a medium move. Can Grimes be moved? If so, that sounds like the typical Morey move.

[Chicagojk]

I am confused by the Timberwolves supposed push for Giannis. First, they have no draft capital. McDaniels is a player that everyone wants and Randle has been having a real good season. Would I move both for Giannis? Probably, but doesn't that eliminate some of the stuff that makes the Wolves good? If it is just one, how many teams would give good draft capital for Gobert or Naz? If I am MIL, that doesn't interest me as players. They would need to get draft assets. I just don't see the fit for MINN to make it happen. Their GM is really good though. So far, the Kentucky point guard has been one of his few misses...so far.

[Chicagojk]

Is Portland a sneaky threat for Giannis? They have Portland draft capital in the future. They have a former high pick in Scoot who has been hurt and hasn't really hit yet, but he is still young. Maybe Jrue can get a pick back. Not sure there is enough there with other picks or younger players, but I wonder if they are a sneaky threat.

[vfromlmf]

Giannis --> MINN

AD --> TOR

RJB + KP + truckload of FRP --> MIL

Randle --> ATL

Quickley + McDaniels --> DAL

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Is Portland a sneaky threat for Giannis?  They have Portland draft capital in the future.  They have a former high pick in Scoot who has been hurt and hasn't really hit yet, but he is still young.  Maybe Jrue can get a pick back.  Not sure there is enough there with other picks or younger players, but I wonder if they are a sneaky threat.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1q...he_scenes/

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Prediction:
2 separate trades for cap purposes

1. Celtics get Klay, Martin and Exum

Mavs get Simons

2. Celtics get Gafford (into a TPE)

Mavs get 2026 1st and 2nd

This gets the Mavs out of the tax repeater and gets them a second 1st

If they can get another 1st for Naji in this draft, I think they'll be set up to build around Cooper. I hear the voices of those saying they don't want 3 rookies next year, but I think if there's a year to do it, it's this draft. Plus, that doesn't necessarily mean you pick three players. It's just allows for flexibility.

(Note: the Celtics would have to waive a player)

[mvossman]

How about a non-AD trade with ATL? The Hawks really need added talent, and have both extra picks and some cap flexibility in the long run.

Maybe something like this:
Klay, Gafford, Martin, Russell
FOR
Porzingis, Risacher, Wallace, 2026 CLE 1st, another later 1st

If we could simply trade Klay, Martin, Russell for KP I would do it.  That gets us off 30 mil in cap.  I don't think Alanta does it, but if we could find a team desperate for shooting that has that much expiring cap, I would consider it a successful offseason.  

That leaves Gafford for Risacher + two firsts.  I don't think Atlanta does Gafford for Risacher straight up.

[mvossman]

Prediction:
2 separate trades for cap purposes

1. Celtics get Klay, Martin and Exum

Mavs get Simons

2. Celtics get Gafford (into a TPE)

Mavs get 2026 1st and 2nd

This gets the Mavs out of the tax repeater and gets them a second 1st

If they can get another 1st for Naji in this draft, I think they'll be set up to build around Cooper. I hear the voices of those saying they don't want 3 rookies next year, but I think if there's a year to do it, it's this draft. Plus, that doesn't necessarily mean you pick three players. It's just allows for flexibility.

(Note: the Celtics would have to waive a player)

I just suggested a similar trade using Klay to get off Martin (and potentially Dlo).  I would do the Gafford trade too.  I have no issues with multiple picks in this draft and see what hits.  Those trades would leave Mavs with a ton of flexibility including potentially the full MLE.

[Tyler]

Chris Mannix Sources: James Harden–Darius Garland Trade in Advanced Talks

https://www.si.com/nba/trade-deadline/ch...nced-talks

[loki]

I'm crossing my fingers that the Giannis trade reaches a conclusion soon. The Mavs really need that domino to fall if they want any hope of moving AD. I do think they'll make at least one trade (either Naji or Gaff), but clearing AD's two remaining years would do wonders for their ability to build a roster around Flagg.

AD for expirings takes them from likely above the 2nd apron next season to far enough below the 1st apron that they could explore sign and trades. I'd love to see them pursue a Peyton Waton or Tari Eason type forward who can really shoot it as a long term compliment to Flagg on the wing. They could move any combination of PJ, Klay, Naji, Gafford or the LAL 29 1st to make that happen. Add in a Peterson, Flemings, or Wagler in the draft and you've got a pretty incredible young core of players.

[Mavs03]

There was talk about a Gafford for Mathurin trade. For what it's worth, Mathurin has played well for the Pacers since coming back from his injury.

Would you rather trade Gafford to a team for an expiring and a 1st round pick or Gafford for Mathurin and an expiring knowing that Mathurin is due a large payday?

I would do it for Mathurin and an expiring player. Mathurin fits in the timeline with Flagg, Christie and Lively.

[mvossman]

There was talk about a Gafford for Mathurin trade.  For what it's worth, Mathurin has played well for the Pacers since coming back from his injury.

Would you rather trade Gafford to a team for an expiring and a 1st round pick or Gafford for Mathurin and an expiring knowing that Mathurin is due a large payday?

I would do it for Mathurin and an expiring player.  Mathurin fits in the timeline with Flagg, Christie and Lively.

The problem is it will be really hard to shed enough cap to pay Mathurin without going into the tax if they are not trading AD at the TDL.

[Tyler]

I just have a tough time seeing Dallas trading assets for a pending FA due a big raise before they have a permanent GM in place who can confirm he plans to pay him.

[mvossman]

I just have a tough time seeing Dallas trading assets for a pending FA due a big raise before they have a permanent GM in place who can confirm he plans to pay him.

Agreed.  That's why I like the Klay + Martin + Dlo dump if they can get it done.  That move does not commit them to any direction and cleans up the cap sheet for the new GM.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Chris Mannix Sources: James Harden–Darius Garland Trade in Advanced Talks

https://www.si.com/nba/trade-deadline/ch...nced-talks

whoa

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Flomm] Harden wanted an extension, Clippers didn’t want to pay him. This is pretty straightforward as far as NBA things go and A Harden-Mitchell-Mobley-Allen core is probably one of the top 2-3 teams in the East.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Flomm] Harden wanted an extension, Clippers didn’t want to pay him. This is pretty straightforward as far as NBA things go and A Harden-Mitchell-Mobley-Allen core is probably one of the top 2-3 teams in the East.

Harden always seems to wear out his welcome where ever he goes.

[Chicagojk]

Well that came out of nowhere. Still seems like there are plenty of loose ends. Cavs wanting draft equity. I am typically in the lane of that you play out your contract and we will decide what happens speaking of a team. It doesn't always work out that way in real life and this may be one of those examples. We will see. I wonder if this is a three team trade where Harden winds somewhere else? I know the Cavs are in a win now mode, but turning to Harden to get over playoff disappointments? Seems strange.

Extension for Harden is also concerning. He has been good as he is in most years. The defense is rough. Although, I would want to see him prove it in a big playoff moment. He is also getting at the age where those extensions can be dangerous. Is he willing to take a team friendly extension. With this CBA, I think you can't pay these guys the money they have expected in the past.