Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[SleepingHero]

It's an interesting thing to think about, with points for and against...which is why I think it might actually be something they're looking at. 

Karalla's exact words to Stein were "go ahead and tell me I'm right. Tell me you've heard the same thing."

I think getting a FRP for Klay is great GMing. 

But Jovic’s contract is worth more than just a first, and Klay is still good enough to play 20+mpg if needed 

If they ate Martin and Klay for Jovic then I’d be more interested, but there really isn’t a feasible way for that to happen.

[BigDirk41]

Lakers will definitely be better than the Mavs next year. But if the Mavs get 1 competent guard I’d argue the Mavs are better built for the future. Can’t expect to win much with Reaves and Kessler eating 80mil of your cap.

Ironically if Luka came back this team is the perfect team 1-5 for him. And we’d be a favorite to win.

Yeah I'm only talking about right now. I don't know what we are going to do yet this summer, but I've liked all the moves so far so I like our future for sure. Just saying we are years away from the Lakers, but I'll take out ceiling over theirs in the long run.

[SleepingHero]

Holy Geez, Oubre is still in the NBA?

Barely!

[BigDirk41]

Circling back to the Middleton/Miami talk I tried to get going a few minutes ago...

Karalla just suggested on DLLS Mavs that Dallas might trade Klay Thompson to Miami for Jovic and a 1st round pick. It seems plausible, because we all know Miami is trying to get off of Jovic.

Are there any Jovic fans here? Would there be any chance of him becoming a positive, or would the only possible value be draft capital? The contract is LONG...

The kid's 23. Sign me up if he comes with a #1. May can coach him up. That would be a nice return for Klay and we need draft capital.

[KillerLeft]

I think getting a FRP for Klay is great GMing. 

But Jovic’s contract is worth more than just a first, and Klay is still good enough to play 20+mpg if needed 

If they ate Martin and Klay for Jovic then I’d be more interested, but there really isn’t a feasible way for that to happen.

Yeah, I don't think they do it unless Ujiri/Schmitz LIKE Jovic, at least a little. If they do, he also checks the "young with developmental upside" angle they're pretty clearly playing right now, based on the Sasser stuff.

I agree the contract is long, but would be easier to eat IF either PJW, Gafford or BOTH are traded, too (eventually). Those are the only two longish contracts the team has right now. 

I don't even know how I'd feel about this deal just yet, but I do know MIA needs to move Jovic to move forward with their VERY win now team, so when it was mentioned today, and with quite a bit of confidence, my ears perked up.

Jovic seems a LITTLE like Ament in terms of rare size and mobility, nay?

[KillerLeft]

Timpf is on ALL NBA suggesting RJ Barrett for PJ Washington. Kind of off the cuff as an idea, meant to help Toronto reshape their roster.

Anyone interested in pulling that thread?

[FireNicoHarrison]

Timpf is on ALL NBA suggesting RJ Barrett for PJ Washington. Kind of off the cuff as an idea, meant to help Toronto reshape their roster.

Anyone interested in pulling that thread?

RJ learned to shoot?

[FireNicoHarrison]

Jovis has potential, he is not a bad player

[Luka77]

Circling back to the Middleton/Miami talk I tried to get going a few minutes ago...

Karalla just suggested on DLLS Mavs that Dallas might trade Klay Thompson to Miami for Jovic and a 1st round pick. It seems plausible, because we all know Miami is trying to get off of Jovic.

Are there any Jovic fans here? Would there be any chance of him becoming a positive, or would the only possible value be draft capital? The contract is LONG...

Does Miami even have a first-round pick to trade?

[cow]

Timpf is on ALL NBA suggesting RJ Barrett for PJ Washington. Kind of off the cuff as an idea, meant to help Toronto reshape their roster.

Anyone interested in pulling that thread?

How many picks are we getting from Toronto?

[Smitty]

Timpf is on ALL NBA suggesting RJ Barrett for PJ Washington. Kind of off the cuff as an idea, meant to help Toronto reshape their roster.

Anyone interested in pulling that thread?

Wasn't Barrett off limits in the KL trade?

[KillerLeft]

Wasn't Barrett off limits in the KL trade?

Yeah, I remember something about that, too, but I think it was more about them preferring to jettison Ingram's money in that big deal, while they had the chance. 

Could be wrong, though, and I don't really have an opinion about this one - nor do I think it's likely. Just trying to drum up conversation.

[ThisIStheYear]

A contrary view for this board but checking out the analytics for the players the Lakers picked up today, who I hadn’t really thought much about before, except for Grimes a little bit: they’re all excellent in the spreadsheets. The Lakers did some good. They’re not going to beat the Spurs or Thunder, but they’re the clear #3 in the West. Carr was an outstanding draft pick too, the last of the good players in what was a deep draft. Unfortunately for Luka, they’re mostly locked in to their team now and out of ammo. Maybe they have one move left to take that atrocious PJ contract off our hands for Dalton and Vando. Getting off that terrible contract should be the Mavs top priority.

[KillerLeft]

A contrary view for this board but checking out the analytics for the players the Lakers picked up today, who I hadn’t really thought much about before, except for Grimes a little bit: they’re all excellent in the spreadsheets. The Lakers did some good. They’re not going to beat the Spurs or Thunder, but they’re the clear #3 in the West. Carr was an outstanding draft pick too, the last of the good players in what was a deep draft.  Unfortunately for Luka, they’re mostly locked in to their team now and out of ammo.  Maybe they have one move left to take that atrocious PJ contract off our hands for Dalton and Vando. Getting off that terrible contract should be the Mavs top priority.

Well, but...THAT (the emboldened portion) IS kind of the consensus of the board.

[Mavs2021]

Yeah, I don't think they do it unless Ujiri/Schmitz LIKE Jovic, at least a little. If they do, he also checks the "young with developmental upside" angle they're pretty clearly playing right now, based on the Sasser stuff.

I agree the contract is long, but would be easier to eat IF either PJW, Gafford or BOTH are traded, too (eventually). Those are the only two longish contracts the team has right now. 

I don't even know how I'd feel about this deal just yet, but I do know MIA needs to move Jovic to move forward with their VERY win now team, so when it was mentioned today, and with quite a bit of confidence, my ears perked up.

Jovic seems a LITTLE like Ament in terms of rare size and mobility, nay?

As we learned you can get good players in the 6-10M range on short deals. So to commit to Jovic at a full 62/4, you have to be really really convinced by his upside as a player. Miami can trade 2028 + 2032 swaps and 2029 outright. Even if 2029 was unprotected (instead of lottery protected), you figure Bam and Giannis will still make this a somewhat mediocre pick. Klay´s contract is expiring,too. I´d probably pass. 

We talked about Braun. 12/5/3 on 52/30/82 shooting last year for 25M. Holy cow. Sexton, Kennard and Oubre do that in their sleep. Maybe Braun´s numbers jump back to his peak year 15/5/3 on 58/40/83. It´s still a big number. I´d rather have Poulakidas for the minimum, who is two years younger and can probably give me the same PPG on similar shooting efficiency. Maybe not as good a rebounder, passer or defender, but 22-23M worse salary cap-wise?

[Smitty]

Tim MacMahon (@BannedMacMahon)
Source: The Jazz are signing former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes to a two-year, $12 million deal. The second season is a team option.

[KillerLeft]

As we learned you can get good players in the 6-10M range on short deals. So to commit to Jovic at a full 62/4, you have to be really really convinced by his upside as a player. Miami can trade 2028 + 2032 swaps and 2029 outright. Even if 2029 was unprotected (instead of lottery protected), you figure Bam and Giannis will still make this a somewhat mediocre pick. Klay´s contract is expiring,too. I´d probably pass. 

We talked about Braun. 12/5/3 on 52/30/82 shooting last year for 25M. Holy cow. Sexton, Kennard and Oubre do that in their sleep. Maybe Braun´s numbers jump back to his peak year 15/5/3 on 58/40/83. It´s still a big number. I´d rather have Poulakidas for the minimum, who is two years younger and can probably give me the same PPG on similar shooting efficiency. Maybe not as good a rebounder, passer or defender, but 22-23M worse salary cap-wise?

Thanks for the thoughtful analysis. The only thing I don't agree with (necessarily) is your conclusion on the likelihood of an unprotected MIA '29 1st becoming significant. I think the chances are better than you do, but it's obviously not a given.

[KillerLeft]

Tim MacMahon (@BannedMacMahon)
Source: The Jazz are signing former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes to a two-year, $12 million deal. The second season is a team option.

WOW!!!

So...definitely not taking Ayton back in the Kessler deal, then, and it kind of seems like the Lakers need him, honestly.

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Free agent forward Tobias Harris has agreed to a two-year, $31 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN. Harris exits the Pistons after helping lead a franchise turnaround and now joins a young contending team in the Western Conference.

[KillerLeft]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Free agent forward Tobias Harris has agreed to a two-year, $31 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN. Harris exits the Pistons after helping lead a franchise turnaround and now joins a young contending team in the Western Conference.

I don't love Harris, but I like his fit with SA. They need spacing for Wembenyama.