Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

My sources might be a little dated, but I'm hearing that Kawhi will sign with the clippers if they can find a way to trade for Paul George.

POTD FOR SURE

[Torielp10]

We find out today at 4pm if Mavs pick up nembhard team option. I really hope they do

[Chicagojk]

So the athletic and Stein are reporting opposite things with Leonard?

Until proven otherwise, I am going to assume no one has intel on the mavs side. It is either educated guessing or non mavs sources.

Pj washington instagram story

https://www.instagram.com/stories/pjwashington/3929918225667281845?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=djJpZDQyaGZkbml3

[Winter]

"Following up on a series of Kawhi Leonard rumors that surfaced after they reported on trade talks between the Clippers and Raptors earlier in the day on Sunday, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) suggest that Dallas isn’t considered a viable landing spot for Leonard at this point, even though the Mavericks have expressed some level of interest in the star forward."

Well this is the latest this Monday morning. I'll hopefully go with this.

The fact that this thought was even entertained scares me a little.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

https://youtu.be/3RdHl9F7wok?t=342

Nick and Slightly Biased discuss Kawhi. It's weird how aligned I am with SB on every topic.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Woike] According to team and league sources, the belief is that the Rockets will be the team most likely to land Marcus Smart once free agency opens on June 30 thanks to a multi-year deal.

- MacMahon emphasized Lakers promised Luka before he signed extension last summer that this summer was it, and that especially because of cap hold with Reaves extension, Lakers absolutely have to make it happen this summer

- “the last few days” the Lakers have actively discussed trades to absorb wing defenders into their cap space.

- Lakers may sign a FA center “on Monday”. I assume he meant Tuesday, but point being that signing a center is imminent. Windy name name dropped Rob Williams, Mitchell Robinson, and Jusuf Nurkic.

- so, plan seems to be trading for wing(s) and signing a center outright. Both moves sound very close to happening when FA opens

[Knutsen]

https://youtu.be/3RdHl9F7wok?t=342

Nick and Slightly Biased discuss Kawhi.  It's weird how aligned I am with SB on every topic.

Maybe it’s because you are him, SlightlyBiasedsGhost? 

Jokes aside, shouldn’t these Mavs talking heads be in here in some way, shape or form? Show yourselves!

[HoosierDaddyKid]

If Robinson does, in fact, depart New York amid the Knicks' well-chronicled financial constraints as the dreaded second apron closes in, sources say that the newly crowned champions are expected to try to bring on a veteran center with plenty of playoff experience: Former Warriors big man Kevon Looney.

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

There are plenty of moving parts and some contradictory information circulating, but two sources close to the situation I spoke with on Sunday confirmed that the Raptors have discussed a possible trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that would bring the 2026 second-team All-NBA selection back to Toronto. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer first reported the Raptors' interest in Leonard. Dialogue between the teams continued Sunday, league sources say, with the Clippers naturally trying to extract more than has been offered if they indeed are parting with their Face of the Franchise, while the Raptors remain adamant about trying to build a deal — which also would naturally include a level of draft capital — around scoring forward Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick rather than Canadian-born swingman RJ Barrett. Sources say that Leonard's willingness to sign an extension with the Raptors were he to be traded back to Toronto, as The Stein Line also reported Thursday, has opened the door for a trade to progress to completion. If the Clippers, that is, can ultimately bear to move on from The Kawhi Era. It's believed that the Clippers, furthermore, would have interest in Toronto's offer because adding Ingram — who earned All-Star status last season — should be able to help keep LA sufficiently competitive in the West as it gradually shifts into a youth movement that features the likes of recently acquired Darius Garland and No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler.

marcstein.substack.com

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

.. and I almost always agree with Isaac.
Nick to me seems like the most casual of the 3. He seems to point out the obvious. Go with the flow type of thinking.

[DanSchwartzgan]

 
The fact that this thought was even entertained scares me a little.

Did we learn some things even if it doesn't happen?  Clearly it was talked about even if a total lowball offer.  

What I find interesting is the idea Klay and PJ were the outgoing.  No mention of Gafford.  Is that package being offered around?  If we've expressed interest in Cam Johnson, is PJ in that deal?  If not Kawhi, are their other big dollar guys we are considering?

Since Masai has done this before with no expectation of resigning Leonard, does the fact that he is expiring play a role here.  Recall that at this point we don't know what else is in the proposal.  It might be AJ Johnson and that crap GSW pick.  BTW, if you take PJ off of the 27/28 salary, we are down to 115MM for 8 players plus whatever you pay Marshall and Lively and any Free Agents this summer.  There would be ways of arranging your roster for next summer that would be well below the $173mm cap.

[Chicagojk]

[Woike] According to team and league sources, the belief is that the Rockets will be the team most likely to land Marcus Smart once free agency opens on June 30 thanks to a multi-year deal.

- MacMahon emphasized Lakers promised Luka before he signed extension last summer that this summer was it, and that especially because of cap hold with Reaves extension, Lakers absolutely have to make it happen this summer

- “the last few days” the Lakers have actively discussed trades to absorb wing defenders into their cap space.

- Lakers may sign a FA center “on Monday”. I assume he meant Tuesday, but point being that signing a center is imminent. Windy name name dropped Rob Williams, Mitchell Robinson, and Jusuf Nurkic.

- so, plan seems to be trading for wing(s) and signing a center outright. Both moves sound very close to happening when FA opens

The Lakers offseason will be interesting.  They are a good team with a super star.  I feel like they got the most out of the team last year (injuries withstanding).  It is tricky to do what they are trying to do though...even with a desirable location.   With what they did last offseason they had success but now there is limited solid ground with the guys they signed who are now open to look at new locations.   With limited free agency this also causes some concern.   I assume they will be able to build a roster like last year or better, but will they be able to build a true contender.  I think the pieces have to be added soon imo.

Smart was pretty good last year.  I thought it could go either way, but he had a solid season.  The injuries have to be factored in though.    What can the Rockets offer.   If it is 5-6 million-ish that is something the Lakers will probably have no problem matching.   Can they get higher and multiple years?   That may be more challenging.   I read they could look to move DFS to create more room.  Not sure if that is accurate.   

For the Rockets, I get the appeal of Smart but man that team has enough problems scoring as is.   While Smart could help, he could also be another DFS miss if he can't stay healthy.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

David Lee: stars tend to suppress their teammates' PPG, but they pair that scoring usage with hyper-efficiency (Giannis/prime Joel), influence high-quality shots (Wemby), and/or suppress TOs (Luka). In contrast, a jump in Jaylen Brown's scoring output leads to diminishing returns for BOS? No player in the NBA lowers the points that his teammates score while on the court with him more than Jaylen Brown. He lops off 4 points per 100 from each of the 4 teammates that share the court with him. x.com

I don't get all this negativity concerning Jaylen Brown. One of the best players in the league, Finals MVP, won a title. Is he a bad teammate?

[DanSchwartzgan]

It's believed that the Clippers, furthermore, would have interest in Toronto's offer because adding Ingram — who earned All-Star status last season — should be able to help keep LA sufficiently competitive in the West as it gradually shifts into a youth movement that features the likes of recently acquired Darius Garland and No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler.

marcstein.substack.com

Ingram has a PO for $41.9mm for 27/28 and can become a FA just like Leonard if he wishes.  Dick is RFA next season.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

The Lakers offseason will be interesting.  They are a good team with a super star.  I feel like they got the most out of the team last year (injuries withstanding).  It is tricky to do what they are trying to do though...even with a desirable location.   With what they did last offseason they had success but now there is limited solid ground with the guys they signed who are now open to look at new locations.   With limited free agency this also causes some concern.   I assume they will be able to build a roster like last year or better, but will they be able to build a true contender.  I think the pieces have to be added soon imo.

Smart was pretty good last year.  I thought it could go either way, but he had a solid season.  The injuries have to be factored in though.    What can the Rockets offer.   If it is 5-6 million-ish that is something the Lakers will probably have no problem matching.   Can they get higher and multiple years?   That may be more challenging.   I read they could look to move DFS to create more room.  Not sure if that is accurate.   

For the Rockets, I get the appeal of Smart but man that team has enough problems scoring as is.   While Smart could help, he could also be another DFS miss if he can't stay healthy.

Feels like the Lakers best case scenario is Lu Dort and Mitchell Robinson.  They both fit but not sure it makes them a contender.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Sources say the Heat had interest in Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant before the Giannis deal, but there is not much expectation that he will get bought out. In fact, league sources expect Morant to be traded this week.

Yahoo! Sports

[HoosierDaddyKid]

League sources say multiple teams have put two first-round picks on the table for Murphy. Pelicans general manager Joe Dumars has been pushing for three firsts in discussions so far, and there is still a chance he gets there. But for now, teams appear to be holding firm at two.

Yahoo! Sports

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: The Atlanta Hawks will fully guarantee the $9.66 million salary for Buddy Hield; league sources told @Hoopshype. Hield is a career 39.5 percent 3-point shooter.
With Buddy Hield on the books at his full $9.6M salary, the Atlanta Hawks are roughly $7.1M under the luxury tax and $15.1M under the first apron. The Hawks have one open roster spot. This factors in the Aaron Wiggins trade, plus both first-round draft picks.
x.com

[Chicagojk]

Feels like the Lakers best case scenario is Lu Dort and Mitchell Robinson.  They both fit but not sure it makes them a contender.

I think Robinson could be a good signing at a reasonable price.  He too has injury concerns and the free throw percentage is awful.   I would consider him someone best as a tandem.  Maybe 20-25 minutes a night.  But he can be a weapon in that time.   I thought the Lakers had bigger eyes for higher tier players.  Those players may be hard to get though.

Dort would fill in nicely in Smart's spot.   He is younger and probably the better player...i think.  Not sure why the Thunder would do that though.  Lakers have limited assets and they would probably prefer to send him to a non competitor.  They should have some options.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

League sources say the Heat have shopped Nikola Jović in an attempt to cut salary to open flexibility for Powell. But Jović is entering the first year of a four-year, $62 million contract that already looks like an albatross by role player standards given his lack of development at 23 years old. Miami would have to attach draft capital to Jović’s contract to dump him, but the front office only has a 2029 first and swaps in 2028 and 2032 to dangle.

Yahoo! Sports