Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

Lakers missing out on Robinson and Williams III is the most likely scenario but who knows apparently they entered the Duren conversation.

I agree the Lakers are possibly the most obvious team to focus on, only to your point, it sure seems like they keep looking around for better options every time it seems like Gafford is the next logical choice. And honestly, are we sure Pelinka couldn't have somehow gotten Gafford in an adjustment of the Luka deal if he had wanted to? 

I'm honestly starting to wonder whether they even like Gafford. I know Luka does, but the other centers LA has chased don't really remind one of Gafford.

[Smitty]

Hey man, I'll be THRILLED if they can get a 1st. 

My thing is that we need to stop with this whole "it's ok, maybe someone will offer something better at the deadline" mindset. And then at the deadline, it's "they'll get better offers over the summer." And on and on it goes. 

I can see the thinking with Kyrie (or with Lively, if you're on the team that wants rid of him) but the rest of these guys' value are only decreasing from here on out. If the new coach/front office has a plan to use them, that's one thing, but if not...

I get that we all debate things on here every day, but in the end, it doesn't matter what we think. It matters what they think. I've always tried to approach it that way. Rarely do I come on here and give bold opinions or absolutes about your above statements. I think it's important to keep in mind that we don't know everything about what they're thinking. Hell, we don't know anything. I have no problem with people saying what you have in quotations there. To each their own.

Our biggest differences are usually centered around PJ and Lively. More recently, Flagg and old school position labels. I like those types of debates. Not player trade value ones.

[dirkfansince1998]

I agree the Lakers are possibly the most obvious team to focus on, only to your point, it sure seems like they keep looking around for better options every time it seems like Gafford is the next logical choice. And honestly, are we sure Pelinka couldn't have somehow gotten Gafford in an adjustment of the Luka deal if he had wanted to? 

I'm honestly starting to wonder whether they even like Gafford. I know Luka does, but the other centers LA has chased don't really remind one of Gafford.

In lockstep with you. Gafford is more of a fallback after they missed out on all other viable options. As of now I still think that Robinson ends up in LA. Full MLE and a starting role is more than most teams can offer.

[Smitty]

@TheDunkCentral
The Nets have interest in stealing Mitchell Robinson away from the Knicks, per @TheSteinLine

“The Stein Line has learned that the Nets have legitimate interest in trying to sign big man Mitchell Robinson away from the team across the East River that just won its first NBA championship in more than 50 years.”

[KillerLeft]

I get that we all debate things on here every day, but in the end, it doesn't matter what we think. It matters what they think. I've always tried to approach it that way. Rarely do I come on here and give bold opinions or absolutes about your above statements. I think it's important to keep in mind that we don't know everything about what they're thinking. Hell, we don't know anything. I have no problem with people saying what you have in quotations there. To each their own.

Obviously. I don't know what you're trying to communicate here. 

Is it that you think my pushback against certain opinions equates to me having "a problem" with those who offer those opinions? As you said, that's what this place is here for - to offer opinions. 

I guess I just don't understand the point of the above, sorry. Over my head.

[KillerLeft]

In lockstep with you. Gafford is more of a fallback after they missed out on all other viable options. As of now I still think that Robinson ends up in LA. Full MLE and a starting role is more than most teams can offer.

I don't know how realistic that is (not saying it's not - I literally just don't have a sense of it). I do think that's a GOOD option for LA if it's possible. Can Robinson play increased minutes effectively? Would he need to?

[Smitty]

Mavs Film Room (@MavsFilmRoom)
Today on the DLLS Mavs podcast, Marc Stein mentioned that there has been at least “exploratory interest” from teams in Dereck Lively.

In an unrelated interview with D Magazine, Tim MacMahon said he wouldn’t expect the Mavericks to trade him this summer.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

This board survives because it's a community. People come for all sorts reasons.

This... We might not agree, but I would hope we respect each other's opinions.

[dirkfansince1998]

I don't know how realistic that is (not saying it's not - I literally just don't have a sense of it). I do think that's a GOOD option for LA if it's possible. Can Robinson play increased minutes effectively? Would he need to?

Personally I hate the player type but it's the high end drop defense/rim runner option on the market. He used to start for the Knicks before they added Towns but can be played off the floor when opposing teams start to hack him. Lakers would still need a solid backup. Maybe they bring back Hayes. Or even Ayton (don't think he has a market).

[SleepingHero]

@MavsFilmRoom

In an interview with D Magazine, Tim MacMahon says that in conversations with Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz, they don’t feel “panic” to completely reshape the roster this summer.

They are taking a long term approach to building a championship contender around Cooper Flagg.

[KillerLeft]

Personally I hate the player type but it's the high end drop defense/rim runner option on the market. He used to start for the Knicks before they added Towns but can be played off the floor when opposing teams start to hack him. Lakers would still need a solid backup. Maybe they bring back Hayes. Or even Ayton (don't think he has a market).

Yeah, I'm just trying to get a sense of whether I think Robinson is/isn't actually a better option for LA than Gafford. Obviously, Robinson is the better defender, but I seem to remember him having a major issue with dumb fouls back when they were trying to make him a big minute starter. Both are great roll-centers, but I haven't watched Robinson enough to know who I like better there. I'm tempted to give the edge to Gafford, though. And Gafford is ELITE as an offensive rebounder, which is another thing that sneakily helps with a Luka pairing because it helps to counterbalance how difficult it is for Luka's teams to be good in defensive transition. How is Robinson as a defensive rebounder?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Emphasis on that. 

Even as an offensive player, Ball is empty stats. He produces, but MIN isn't going anywhere with this deal. If they had any sort of good assets left I'd be interested in a PJ trade but they are really empty.

Yessir, they're tapped out. Won't have their own 1st until 2033, I believe.

[dirkfansince1998]

Yeah, I'm just trying to get a sense of whether I think Robinson is/isn't actually a better option for LA than Gafford. Obviously, Robinson is the better defender, but I seem to remember him having a major issue with dumb fouls back when they were trying to make him a big minute starter. Both are great roll-centers, but I haven't watched Robinson enough to know who I like better there. I'm tempted to give the edge to Gafford, though. And Gafford is ELITE as an offensive rebounder, which is another thing that sneakily helps with a Luka pairing because it helps to counterbalance how difficult it is for Luka's teams to be good in defensive transition. How is Robinson as a defensive rebounder?

Robinson is clearly a better rebounder than Gafford. Especially on the offensive board. Obviously a way better rim protector Would agree that Gafford is a better pick and roll player. Honestly the only thing he is doing at an elite level. Timing as the roll man is great. His screens aren't bad. He generates a higher offensive volume (screen assists and FGA) with his pick and roll game than Robinson.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Yeah, I'm just trying to get a sense of whether I think Robinson is/isn't actually a better option for LA than Gafford. Obviously, Robinson is the better defender, but I seem to remember him having a major issue with dumb fouls back when they were trying to make him a big minute starter. Both are great roll-centers, but I haven't watched Robinson enough to know who I like better there. I'm tempted to give the edge to Gafford, though. And Gafford is ELITE as an offensive rebounder, which is another thing that sneakily helps with a Luka pairing because it helps to counterbalance how difficult it is for Luka's teams to be good in defensive transition. How is Robinson as a defensive rebounder?

Robinson is a good defensive rebounder and a better offensive rebounder than Gafford, IMO. He and Steven Adams.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Tim MacMahon: "It was almost unanimously that the Charlotte Hornets were the biggest winners. There is a lot of respect for Tim Connelly. People call him a riverboat gambler. I had some people say I didn't like the Rudy Gobert deal, and that worked out great for the Timberwolves. So, with those caveats, the almost consensus opinion of the people I talked to around the league was LaMelo Ball had next to no value a year ago. Jeff Peterson, the Charlotte Hornets general manager, cleaned him up and as soon as he had value, pounced on the opportunity to move him."

YouTube

[KillerLeft]

Robinson is a good defensive rebounder and a better offensive rebounder than Gafford, IMO. He and Steven Adams.

Ok, so essentially this is a younger, probably superior version of Gafford LA thinks they can get on a better contract than Gafford's. Got it.

[Chicagojk]

@TheDunkCentral
The Nets have interest in stealing Mitchell Robinson away from the Knicks, per @TheSteinLine

“The Stein Line has learned that the Nets have legitimate interest in trying to sign big man Mitchell Robinson away from the team across the East River that just won its first NBA championship in more than 50 years.”

Well he wouldn’t have to move.  Let’s be honest though, if the lakers are interested and money is close it is an easy decision.  Play with Luka in LAL or play with the third most popular professional basketball team in NYC.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Timberwolves explored multiple avenues to add another star next to Edwards in the days leading up to landing Ball. There were discussions with the Chicago Bulls about Josh Giddey. They had talks with the Boston Celtics about Jaylen Brown, a team source said, but the Celtics were looking for a package including Gobert, Reid and similar pick compensation that went to Charlotte for Ball, team sources said. That was just too much for the Wolves to pay for a soon-to-be 30-year-old forward who, while being a better overall player than Ball, wasn’t as clean a fit next to Edwards. The Timberwolves explored multiple avenues to add another star next to Edwards in the days leading up to landing Ball. There were discussions with the Chicago Bulls about Josh Giddey. They had talks with the Boston Celtics about Jaylen Brown, a team source said, but the Celtics were looking for a package including Gobert, Reid, and similar pick compensation that went to Charlotte for Ball, team sources said. That was just too much for the Wolves to pay for a soon-to-be 30-year-old forward who, while being a better overall player than Ball, wasn’t as clean a fit next to Edwards.
Lore and Rodriguez looked at the offer — former Sixth Man of the Year and Timberwolves cult hero Naz Reid, an unprotected first-round pick in 2033 and three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033) to Charlotte for Ball and swingman Josh Green — and immediately gave the green light, team sources said.




New York Times

[Scott41theMavs]

Think it was cow who suggested Grimes. Given the dearth of options, that might be the move in SNT.

[Chicagojk]

Robinson is clearly a better rebounder than Gafford. Especially on the offensive board. Obviously a way better rim protector Would agree that Gafford is a better pick and roll player. Honestly the only thing he is doing at an elite level. Timing as the roll man is great. His screens aren't bad. He generates a higher offensive volume (screen assists and FGA) with his pick and roll game than Robinson.

I think they are pretty close as players.  Some teams would like Robinson better others would have Gafford.  Both can be strong factors in the right environment.  Robinson has had injury concerns.  Gafford didn’t but that changed a year and a half ago, so health may be the determining factor. 

I know Gafford always plays hard and is a good teammate. Don’t know Robinson enough to say the same.