Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[SleepingHero]

ShamsCharania
Hartenstein and his reps, Andrew Morrison and Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports, worked with the Thunder on an agreement that brings $75 million in new money over the next three years -- plus a maximum 15% trade kicker and a unique mutual option that allows both parties to rework the agreement again in 2028 prior to the final season.

[SleepingHero]

@ChrisBHaynes
New Orleans Pelicans are expected to decline the $8M team option on veteran center Kevon Looney, making the 3-time NBA champ an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell me.

[SleepingHero]

@MavsPlsWin
“The belief among league sources before the NBA Draft was that the Mavericks were willing to trade Gafford to acquire another high draft pick inside the top 20. Now, it's unclear whether the Mavs would trade him this summer or wait until the trade deadline.”

-
@BrettSiegelNBA

[SleepingHero]

ShamsCharania
Hartenstein and his reps, Andrew Morrison and Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports, worked with the Thunder on an agreement that brings $75 million in new money over the next three years -- plus a maximum 15% trade kicker and a unique mutual option that allows both parties to rework the agreement again in 2028 prior to the final season.

This does not seem much of a discount at all.

[cow]

Speaking of… the new FO vision… how is PJ Washington not part of that? A switchable Wing/Forward with size, length. Some say he’s a terrible shooter (I disagree entirely), but even so, that would be the exact Masai type, no?

To play devil's advocate, does he provide enough offense given his contract size?  He'll also often share the floor with teammates that are offensively limited.

[Scott41theMavs]

@MavsPlsWin
“The belief among league sources before the NBA Draft was that the Mavericks were willing to trade Gafford to acquire another high draft pick inside the top 20. Now, it's unclear whether the Mavs would trade him this summer or wait until the trade deadline.”

-
@BrettSiegelNBA

Should have expanded it to top 25. Would have been nice to grab De Larrea with that pick and then pick Evans at 30, both for purposes of having shooting available and making Coop happy. I would have loved Philon, since he slipped so ridiculously far, but he's the poster child for "not a Masai player."

[Scott41theMavs]

To play devil's advocate, does he provide enough offense given his contract size?  He'll also often share the floor with teammates that are offensively limited.

Once again, Cooper is plenty of creation in the frontcourt, as long as you have two decent guards on the court (which I acknowledge is the problem now).

[Smitty]

Should have expanded it to top 25. Would have been nice to grab De Larrea with that pick and then pick Evans at 30, both for purposes of having shooting available and making Coop happy. I would have loved Philon, since he slipped so ridiculously far, but he's the poster child for "not a Masai player."

I don’t know what you personally think Gafford is “worth”, but it cost 2 SRP’s to trade up to 25. If you think Gafford is worth matching salary from X + 2 SRP’s then carry on.

From the reporting it seems that the Mavs FO thought he was worth a top-20 pick in this loaded draft. 

Obviously the teams in the top 20 didn’t value him the same.

Next up Free Agency. Trade season.

[F Gump]

ShamsCharania
Hartenstein and his reps, Andrew Morrison and Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports, worked with the Thunder on an agreement that brings $75 million in new money over the next three years -- plus a maximum 15% trade kicker and a unique mutual option that allows both parties to rework the agreement again in 2028 prior to the final season.

The decline-and-re-sign was expected and something we have been talking about already. But I am shocked at the price (25M/yr, which is not much of a reduction from the 28M he was set to get on the TO). 

Assuming they decline Dort's TO (or trade him for a pick), their project to duck under A2 is done.

[SleepingHero]

Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass)
The Nets have legitimate interest in stealing Mitchell Robinson away from the Knicks, per @TheSteinLine

[Jmaciscool]

Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass)
The Nets have legitimate interest in stealing Mitchell Robinson away from the Knicks, per @TheSteinLine

I too have a legitimate interest in the Nets stealing Mitchell Robinson away from the Knicks (to keep him away from the Lakers).

[F Gump]

Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass)
The Nets have legitimate interest in stealing Mitchell Robinson away from the Knicks, per @TheSteinLine

If NY is truly limited to A2 spending, they have $0 left to pay Robinson without a trade of a starter. So the idea that BKN and NY are competing for Robinson feels like agent whispers to try to create bidding in a non-existent market.

[SleepingHero]

Here's a random name.

If Bradley Beal declines his player option. Do you sign him to a 2/20 year deal using the MLE?

[KillerLeft]

Here's a random name.

If Bradley Beal declines his player option. Do you sign him to a 2/20 year deal using the MLE?

Probably not, but it might be worth talking about. 

Could it be a team option in year 2?

[SleepingHero]

Probably not, but it might be worth talking about. 

Could it be a team option in year 2?

I chose 2/20 specifically because it's double what he'd make if he accepted his 5.2 mil player option.

So 10mil guaranteed and another year at a bargain for the Mavs taking the risk I think is fair. 

Beal ideally fills the need for shooting, scoring, AND playmaking. Around 5.5 apg when he was healthy. Big emphasis on *when*

[cow]

Here's a random name.

If Bradley Beal declines his player option. Do you sign him to a 2/20 year deal using the MLE?

He played 56 games last season and will be 33 in a few days.  No idea how he is the locker room, but I've always thought he and Donovan Mitchell give really thoughtful interviews.  He'd be a break glass in case of emergency for me as I'd still rather have Grimes and/or Monk.  I'd also prefer a 1-year deal for a little more money or TO on the second year.

[Scott41theMavs]

There seems to be universal agreement that we need to come away from the next couple of weeks with at least too more guards.

How about Mr. Exum? He has great positional size!!!

I’m almost serious. I really liked his game and contribution when (rarely) healthy. He should be very cheap and very available.

[Smitty]

@MavsFilmRoom
The Hawks are pursuing a big man, with Daniel Gafford having been a past pursuit, per @TheSteinLine

[SleepingHero]

@MavsFilmRoom
The Hawks are pursuing a big man, with Daniel Gafford having been a past pursuit, per @TheSteinLine

Interesting.

If the Hawks had ANY realistic guards that were expendable I'd be more intrigued. So far the only guy(s) that I care about are Risacher, Newell, and maybe Buddy Hield. 

Simplest deal would be Gafford for Risacher + a protected FRP. 

Adds to our ever growing list of 6'8 forwards. 

Depth chart would be:

Kyrie/De Larrea/Nemby
Christie/Klay/AJ Johnson
Risacher/Naji/Martin/Lawal
Cooper/PJ/Ischenchko
Lively/Morez/Cisse(?) 

Number of guys over 6'7: 10

[JamesConway816]

I struggle to keep buying into any Gafford rumor at this point. Atlanta (and Indiana before) have been linked for a while now and nothing ever materializes.

With the Lively news in mind it makes a trade even less likely.

But I am more curious to see what they intend to do with Marshall. I hope it does not end with him walking in UFA next summer.