Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Knutsen]

So in looking forward to the Mavs' likely activities in the next couple of weeks, the overall sense seems to be that team improvement is going to come from trades, possibly involving the TPE. There seems to be a board consensus that it's in their best interest not to spend the MLE. So, I'm fine with using our player assets (e.g. Klay, Gafford et al.) to improve the team. I have to admit I'm leery of using the TPE, because the target is either 1) a player who the other team is relieved to get rid of because they have an albatross contract, or 2) will be a player who might be slightly overpaid, but whom the Mavs will have to send substantial future draft capital to get.

It's far more the latter that concerns me. I know that dumbass Nico put us in this position. But our draft capital cupboard is just about naked as is. I'd hate to see them trade away more of it.

Wouldn’t the better alternative to not spending the MLE at all be throwing a couple of darts at enticing restricted free agents and see, if there‘s a good deal to be made with a player fitting our timeline?

Mathurin could be an idea, or maybe even Peyton Watson for the full MLE if Denver stays cheap as usual, but there may be a couple of lesser known guys that could be developed by May as well, I don’t know.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Trail Blazers All-Star forward Deni Avdija was not on the table in trade talks for Antetokounmpo, and he remains off the table in Brown discussions as of now, league sources told HoopsHype. Portland’s other young players, such as Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, are considered available. With Boston considering center upgrades and needing to replace Brown’s position if he’s traded, Portland’s Donovan Clingan and 2025 All-Defensive forward Toumani Camara would both be coveted by Boston. However, neither has been put on the table at this time.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Heading into the upcoming season, Herro is on an expiring $33 million deal and is expected to continue to draw trade interest, with many executives around the league curious if Milwaukee will eventually trend more towards a full rebuild or maintain a competitive team with the players acquired for Antetokounmpo.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

With that said, the Pistons have maintained a strong desire to keep their 22-year-old, All-NBA center. Fellow All-NBA selection, Cade Cunningham, also wants Duren back, according to league sources. Within league circles, there’s a belief that Duren is seeking close to $40 million annually, or roughly 25 percent of the NBA’s salary cap. Ultimately, multiple NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype project Duren to remain with the Pistons and land somewhere around the mid-30s annually once the smoke clears from negotiations.

HoopsHype

[Smitty]

Mavericks free agency intel: Marvin Bagley and Brandon Williams

After being acquired in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade, Marvin Bagley III made the most of his opportunities with Dallas, averaging 11.0 points on 60.6 percent shooting from the field and 48.5 percent beyond the arc with 6.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game.

Bagley, 27, is expected to draw interest from several teams and command an average annual salary in the taxpayer mid-level exception range or slightly higher.

While in Portland, new Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz joined the Trail Blazers as an assistant general manager months after the team gave current Mavericks guard Brandon Williams his first opportunity to be an NBA player during the 2021-22 season. Four years later, Schmitz is beginning his tenure as Mavericks general manager, and Williams is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 13.0 points and 3.9 assists in 66 games, including 15 starts, for Dallas last season.

Several teams are expected to show interest in signing Williams as an unrestricted free agent, including the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and the Mavericks, who want to retain him, league sources told HoopsHype. Dallas has Early Bird Rights on Williams entering free agency this summer.

Per MICHAEL SCOTTO, HOOPSHYPE

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon was considered among the contingency plans for the Heat if the franchise didn’t land Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade, league sources told HoopsHype. Similarly, the Portland Trail Blazers have expressed trade interest in Gordon should they not land Jaylen Brown, their preferred target, HoopsHype has learned. Ironically, the Celtics have also kept tabs on Gordon from afar. Meanwhile, as the Nuggets navigate getting below the second apron, sharpshooting forward Cam Johnson has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Orlando Magic, league sources told HoopsHype. The 30-year-old forward shot career-highs from the field (.480) and beyond the arc (.430) and is on an expiring $23.06 million contract for the upcoming season.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade is expected to have various suitors in free agency, including the Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told HoopsHype. Meanwhile, as the Cavaliers navigate James Harden’s return and Wade’s free agency, Cleveland’s Max Strus and Dennis Schroeder have been mentioned in trade talks with the franchise currently projected over the second apron.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marvin Bagley is expected to earn at least the taxpayer MLE. Bagley, 27, is expected to draw interest from several teams and command an average annual salary in the taxpayer mid-level exception range or slightly higher.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Saddiq Bey is coming off the best season of his career with the New Orleans Pelicans and now both sides are interested in an extension, league sources told HoopsHype. He is eligible to sign one as early as July 11. After a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 season, the 27-year-old forward averaged career highs in points (17.7) and field goal percentage (.451), while starting 64 of 72 games played. Bey was drafted in Detroit by current Pelicans executive Troy Weaver, who also traded for the 6-foot-8 forward upon joining the front office in New Orleans.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Landale, 30, is expected to have a strong market, including interest from the Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told HoopsHype. Expect the Australian center to command offers north of the bi-annual exception in free agency.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Furthermore, Pistons guard Marcus Sasser is said to be available on the trade market, according to NBA executives around the league who’ve spoken with HoopsHype. Sasser, a career 38.6 percent 3-point shooter, has a $5.20 million salary for the upcoming season and will then be eligible for restricted free agency the following year.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

With that in mind, after finding Jaylon Tyson in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft to give themselves a young, cheaper rotation option, the Cavaliers appear to feel equally bullish about rookie Meleek Thomas, who turns 20 on August 6th. Thomas, who was selected 34th overall in the second round of the draft, is expected to agree to a standard NBA contract with the second-round exception, HoopsHype has learned.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

With Isaiah Hartenstein back in the fold, the Thunder now projects to be: $10.2M over the tax, $2.2M over the first apron, $10.8M under the second apron. This is without Lu Dort or Kenrich Williams but does count both first-round draft picks.

x.com

[speedkilz88]

Marc Stein
@TheSteinLine
·
23h
Lonnie Walker IV is a candidate to return to the NBA this summer, league sources say, after the scoring guard played in the EuroLeague last season.

The seven-year NBA vet (10.0 PPG) has an NBA out in his Maccabi Tel Aviv contract until July 15 and is expected to draw interest.

[speedkilz88]

Jake Fischer
@JakeLFischer
·
16h
The Orlando Magic have waived Jonathan Isaac, according to league sources.


Jake Fischer
@JakeLFischer
·
16h
Isaac had $8 million of his $14.5 million salary guaranteed for 2026-27. It would have become fully guaranteed tomorrow.

[Scott41theMavs]

Murray has played 31 and then 14 games in the last 2 seasons. He's already 30 this upcoming season. He's owed 63.5M over the next 2 seasons. I can do the what-if game if any of those was not true. But they all are. 

So I would not.

Well, obviously we couldn't use the TPE to get him. But just think, that contract would be expiring in the summer of 2028...

Other thing is, he should not only be dirt cheap, but maybe you could get the Pels to send their '27 first with him unprotected. You know, if you negotiate like Masai can negotiate.

[mvossman]

Marvin Bagley is expected to earn at least the taxpayer MLE. Bagley, 27, is expected to draw interest from several teams and command an average annual salary in the taxpayer mid-level exception range or slightly higher.

HoopsHype

Let him walk. Don’t want to pay that for Bagley, especially after drafting Rez.

[Smitty]

Let him walk. Don’t want to pay that for Bagley, especially after drafting Rez.

Surprising. I assumed you’d think that was good value for Bagley. He misses a lot of games, but the TPMLE of ~$6M is about where I thought he’d be in the market. You think he’s a VetMin only guy?

[Scott41theMavs]

Mavericks free agency intel: Marvin Bagley and Brandon Williams

After being acquired in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade, Marvin Bagley III made the most of his opportunities with Dallas, averaging 11.0 points on 60.6 percent shooting from the field and 48.5 percent beyond the arc with 6.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game.

Bagley, 27, is expected to draw interest from several teams and command an average annual salary in the taxpayer mid-level exception range or slightly higher.

While in Portland, new Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz joined the Trail Blazers as an assistant general manager months after the team gave current Mavericks guard Brandon Williams his first opportunity to be an NBA player during the 2021-22 season. Four years later, Schmitz is beginning his tenure as Mavericks general manager, and Williams is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 13.0 points and 3.9 assists in 66 games, including 15 starts, for Dallas last season.

Several teams are expected to show interest in signing Williams as an unrestricted free agent, including the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and the Mavericks, who want to retain him, league sources told HoopsHype. Dallas has Early Bird Rights on Williams entering free agency this summer.

Per MICHAEL SCOTTO, HOOPSHYPE

The issue with Bagley is defense. I would hope May would have a long sit-down with Bagley to discuss his willingness to work his hind end off to transfigure himself defensively before Masai spends a penny on him.

Mavs fans: "Who the hell's gonna play guard besides Kyrie?" Masai (reading Donnie script): "We love our boys in blue - even the ones you thought we didn't love."

What if there are no further roster changes after the draft aside from bringing back all five free agents???

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The issue with Bagley is defense. I would hope May would have a long sit-down with Bagley to discuss his willingness to work his hind end off to transfigure himself defensively before Masai spends a penny on him.

Mavs fans: "Who the hell's gonna play guard besides Kyrie?" Masai (reading Donnie script): "We love our boys in blue - even the ones you thought we didn't love."

What if there are no further roster changes after the draft aside from bringing back all five free agents???

I'm pretty sure Masai has something up his sleeve. F Agency starts on Tuesday.