Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Smitty]

Speaking of Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027, we were working through the possible Gafford teams on Discord earlier and came up with these...

CHA: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Josh Green (expiring) + Pick #18

ATL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Corey Kispert + Pick #23

LAL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jake LaRavia (expiring) + Dalton Knecht (expiring) + Pick #25

TOR: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jakob Poeltl + Pick #19 + Future FRP


I can't think of any other teams that have expressed interest in trading for Gafford. I have them in order of preference for me.

[mvossman]

I think your concerns, criticisms and worries are valid, but he and Coop worked really well together when they were both asked to do way more than anyone could have expected to start the season.  I think Naji is an ideal sixth man because he can create great opportunities for himself and his versatility let's him spot start when other players miss time.  If he's looking for 20M a year, I don't think we should pay that and I don't think anyone else would either.  He's tough and durable and wants to be here and I'll never take for granted someone who wants to be on our team.

I'm not sure a player shooting under 30% from 3 works really well next to Flagg.  I don't want to read too much into lineup numbers in a lost season, but Flagg/Naji were -8.6 net rating together and both were significantly better when the other was off the court.

[mvossman]

Speaking of Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027, we were working through the possible Gafford teams on Discord earlier and came up with these...

CHA: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Josh Green (expiring) + Pick #18

ATL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Corey Kispert + Pick #23

LAL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jake LaRavia (expiring) + Dalton Knecht (expiring) + Pick #25

TOR: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jakob Poeltl + Pick #19 + Future FRP


I can't think of any other teams that have expressed interest in trading for Gafford. I have them in order of preference for me.

Would love that Charlotte deal.

[dirkfansince1998]

Speaking of Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027, we were working through the possible Gafford teams on Discord earlier and came up with these...

CHA: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Josh Green (expiring) + Pick #18

ATL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Corey Kispert + Pick #23

LAL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jake LaRavia (expiring) + Dalton Knecht (expiring) + Pick #25

TOR: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jakob Poeltl + Pick #19 + Future FRP


I can't think of any other teams that have expressed interest in trading for Gafford. I have them in order of preference for me.

Only issue with proposals like this is that teams like the Lakers will probably try their luck in free agency before they consider a trade for someone like Gafford. More of a backup plan if they miss out on an MLE range target like Robinson.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Speaking of Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027, we were working through the possible Gafford teams on Discord earlier and came up with these...

ATL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Corey Kispert + Pick #23

CHA: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Josh Green (expiring) + Pick #18

LAL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jake LaRavia (expiring) + Dalton Knecht (expiring) + Pick #25

TOR: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jakob Poeltl + Pick #19 + Future FRP

Order and emphasis

[KillerLeft]

Speaking of Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027, we were working through the possible Gafford teams on Discord earlier and came up with these...

CHA: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Josh Green (expiring) + Pick #18

ATL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Corey Kispert + Pick #23

LAL: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jake LaRavia (expiring) + Dalton Knecht (expiring) + Pick #25

TOR: Daniel Gafford
DAL: Jakob Poeltl + Pick #19 + Future FRP


I can't think of any other teams that have expressed interest in trading for Gafford. I have them in order of preference for me.

I hated Gafford's fit here last season and think he should have been sign-and-traded last summer. Now that we're here, I suppose I'd really want to hear the coach's new plan for how the team will play, because there's a world in which he might fit here again, offensively. However, on the defensive end I struggle to see how he'll ever be a positive in the playoffs. That would be fine if he weren't paid so much all of a sudden, but at his extension salary level, you really can't afford to carry him as a regular season only piece. Then again, I doubt the Mavs will have to worry about such a distinction next season. 

In the end, balancing all factors, I suppose I'd be in favor of any of the deals above that include expiring contracts (minimal commitment/deadline ammo). Under NO circumstances do I want any part of Poeltl. I mean, I guess there's a number of future picks that could convince me, but one ain't that number.

[dirkfansince1998]

I hated Gafford's fit here last season and think he should have been sign-and-traded last summer. Now that we're here, I suppose I'd really want to hear the coach's new plan for how the team will play, because there's a world in which he might fit here again, offensively. However, on the defensive end I struggle to see how he'll ever be a positive in the playoffs. That would be fine if he weren't paid so much all of a sudden, but at his extension salary level, you really can't afford to carry him as a regular season only piece. Then again, I doubt the Mavs will have to worry about such a distinction next season. 

In the end, balancing all factors, I suppose I'd be in favor of any of the deals above that include expiring contracts (minimal commitment/deadline ammo). Under NO circumstances do I want any part of Poeltl. I mean, I guess there's a number of future picks that could convince me, but one ain't that number.

Shifting away from the rim running/drop defense big should be a priority this summer. One of the biggest league wide trends is the reduced pick and roll volume/efficiency. Teams have figured out the traditional 1-5 pick and roll and players like Gafford aren't getting as many open looks.
Not to even mention the fit next to Flagg. Gafford was perfect next to a pick and roll wizard like Luka. Flagg isn't that kind of player. Mavs did not have the center options to even try it last season but I would love to see him in a 5-out scheme.

[cow]

I'm not sure a player shooting under 30% from 3 works really well next to Flagg.  I don't want to read too much into lineup numbers in a lost season, but Flagg/Naji were -8.6 net rating together and both were significantly better when the other was off the court.

They had good chemistry and played well off of each other, knew how to feed the hot hand to keep each other rolling.  The eye test is more important to me than metrics in a 26 win season.  And I'm not picking on you here and no disrespect to Dirk/Luka, but I'm a little exhausted about reading fit next to Flagg.  The wonderful thing about Flagg being a two way player is that he should be able to compliment anyone more easily than our previous foundational pieces that both had defensive issues.  Ideally Naji is spending more time on the court without Flagg than with him, but I do think they've shown they can play well together.

[KillerLeft]

Shifting away from the rim running/drop defense big should be a priority this summer. One of the biggest league wide trends is the reduced pick and roll volume/efficiency. Teams have figured out the traditional 1-5 pick and roll and players like Gafford aren't getting as many open looks.
Not to even mention the fit next to Flagg. Gafford was perfect next to a pick and roll wizard like Luka. Flagg isn't that kind of player. Mavs did not have the center options to even try it last season but I would love to see him in a 5-out scheme.

I was trying to give both sides of the balance sheet a fair shake in my analysis, but you make a compelling case here and I obviously agree.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Hornets had exploratory trade talks surrounding Domantas Sabonis, league sources told HoopsHype. One framework loosely kicked around included Charlotte’s Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and a potential first-round draft pick going to Sacramento in exchange for Sabonis, sources said. Charlotte has two first-round selections in the upcoming draft, including the 14th and 18th picks. However, Charlotte has been resistant to including one of those first-round picks thus far in a trade package involving Sabonis.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Tim Reynolds: Not much to add on Giannis Watch, Day 5,206, but I can tell you this ... There is a growing belief in some corners that the Giannis trade -- if it happens, of course -- will also include Bobby Portis.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Brian Windhorst: There'd be quite a few teams that would be interested in Kel'el Ware if he got shipped to Milwaukee and they were willing to flip him. Tim MacMahon: He's a rim-running floor stretching big. Windhorst: If I were the Lakers and Kel'el Ware got shipped to Milwaukee, I would be on the phone because Kel'el Ware package of talent is not that different from Dereck Lively.

YouTube

[Chicagojk]

The Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Hornets had exploratory trade talks surrounding Domantas Sabonis, league sources told HoopsHype. One framework loosely kicked around included Charlotte’s Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and a potential first-round draft pick going to Sacramento in exchange for Sabonis, sources said. Charlotte has two first-round selections in the upcoming draft, including the 14th and 18th picks. However, Charlotte has been resistant to including one of those first-round picks thus far in a trade package involving Sabonis.

HoopsHype

As I have said previously, I think Charlotte is one of the more fascintating teams this offseason.  They can go in many different directions and have several paths to really make a jump next year.

I don't think that is Sabonis though.   I think Sacramento is going to think they deserve more via trade and Charlotte won't match it imo.