Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: The Denver Nuggets signed Trevon Brazile to a 4-year, $9.3 million deal, which includes the first two seasons fully guaranteed, league sources told @hoopshype . Brazile was the 35th pick of the 2026 NBA Draft out of Arkansas. He was acquired in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs.

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[DanSchwartzgan]

Stein apparently reported Milwaukee has interest in Watson.  They have a $25mm TPE from the Giannis trade (similar to what many estimate Watson will get).  They also have plenty of smaller contracts they could send back to Denver.  They also have plenty of pick equity to send if they decide to do so.

One issue is how close the Bucks are to the LT.  They are about $11mm under and I'm not sure they want to pay tax.  So, that would preclude the outgoing being someone cheap like Jaquez and would make it more likely to be someone like expiring LeVert.  The issue there is whether LaVert at nearly $15mm is cheap enough to keep Denver under the second apron...he isn't.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: The Golden State Warriors signed Charles Bassey to a one-year, $2.85 million deal, which is partially guaranteed for $1.4 million, league sources told @hoopshype . Bassey helps fill the void of Quinten Post, who recently signed with the Grizzlies. ESPN first reported an agreement.

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[omahen]

Stein apparently reported Milwaukee has interest in Watson.  They have a $25mm TPE from the Giannis trade (similar to what many estimate Watson will get).  They also have plenty of smaller contracts they could send back to Denver.  They also have plenty of pick equity to send if they decide to do so.

One issue is how close the Bucks are to the LT.  They are about $11mm under and I'm not sure they want to pay tax.  So, that would preclude the outgoing being someone cheap like Jaquez and would make it more likely to be someone like expiring LeVert.  The issue there is whether LaVert at nearly $15mm is cheap enough to keep Denver under the second apron...he isn't.

Denver has more or less stood pat so far. Predictably let Val walk and signed a couple of vet min deals. They have 12 players on the roster and are 5 mil below the second apron, but they likely still wish to resign Spencer Jones, who is also a RFA. 

I think their plan is try to sell high on Watson. Perhaps get a cheap rotation player (5 mil contract or so) and as much draft capital as possible. After that we might see more moves like selling one of their overpriced wings (Cam, Braun perhaps even Gordon) with gained draft capital for more quality rotation players, as they seriously lack depth. Who are potential takers for those wings able to offer quality rotation players?

[DanSchwartzgan]

As someone who has been in the Mathur-in camp, I'm hoping Watson lands with the Clippers.  Part of me wonders if getting Watson isn't a prerequisite for a willingness tosign and trade Mathurin.

One issue I've had with him here has been my view of Larry as the secondary creater who sits behind Christie on the depth chart.  If I move Larry to PG behind Kyrie, and assume Klay is bought out (so we are far enough under the tax to use the TPE), then Mathurin starts to make more sense:

Flagg/Naji/Biberovic
Christie/Mathurin/Sasser
Irving/Larry/Nembhard

[omahen]

As someone who has been in the Mathur-in camp, I'm hoping Watson lands with the Clippers.  Part of me wonders if getting Watson isn't a prerequisite for a willingness tosign and trade Mathurin.

One issue I've had with him here has been my view of Larry as the secondary creater who sits behind Christie on the depth chart.  If I move Larry to PG behind Kyrie, and assume Klay is bought out (so we are far enough under the tax to use the TPE), then Mathurin starts to make more sense:

Flagg/Naji/Biberovic
Christie/Mathurin/Sasser
Irving/Larry/Nembhard

Clippers have huge space left under the first apron, almost 50 mil if Kawhi deal goes through. I think their plan is to bring in Watson and keep Mathurin. Since everything has been totally quiet on the Mathurin front, I would assume they already have an agreed deal, just waiting for the other dominos to fall. 

They are weak at center position though, so I could also see your idea about Gafford for Mathurin as possible. Although I would expect Clippers to demand additional draft compensation in such a scenario. They do have a lot of mid range salaries though and they could very easily construct another deal for a center (Lopez, DJJ, Jackson). Or they might just go with Lopez and Niederhauser again and improve later, if needed.

[omahen]

Looking at potential trade partners for Denver's overpriced wings and I actually see Dallas as a very good potential partner, as they do have a lot of rotation players. Braun or Cam for Naji and Christie, for example. Add draft capital from Denver. The deal could also be expanded by Denver adding Nnaji and Mavs adding Martin.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

As someone who has been in the Mathur-in camp, I'm hoping Watson lands with the Clippers.  Part of me wonders if getting Watson isn't a prerequisite for a willingness tosign and trade Mathurin.

One issue I've had with him here has been my view of Larry as the secondary creater who sits behind Christie on the depth chart.  If I move Larry to PG behind Kyrie, and assume Klay is bought out (so we are far enough under the tax to use the TPE), then Mathurin starts to make more sense:

Flagg/Naji/Biberovic
Christie/Mathurin/Sasser
Irving/Larry/Nembhard

I don't want to sound dumb and uninformed, but who is Larry?

[omahen]

I don't want to sound dumb and uninformed, but who is Larry?

DeLarea

[HoosierDaddyKid]

DeLarea

Oh, ok. Beats saying DeLarea is guess..   

[mvossman]

Oh, ok. Beats saying DeLarea is guess..   

Apparently its his current/existing nickname.  Same as Rez for Morez.

[Smitty]

As someone who has been in the Mathur-in camp, I'm hoping Watson lands with the Clippers.  Part of me wonders if getting Watson isn't a prerequisite for a willingness tosign and trade Mathurin.

One issue I've had with him here has been my view of Larry as the secondary creater who sits behind Christie on the depth chart.  If I move Larry to PG behind Kyrie, and assume Klay is bought out (so we are far enough under the tax to use the TPE), then Mathurin starts to make more sense:

Flagg/Naji/Biberovic
Christie/Mathurin/Sasser
Irving/Larry/Nembhard

So, you think the TPE is used in a hypothetical SnT for Mathurin and not Gafford as the outgoing?

This depth chart can be moved around like this right now... Except it's Klay instead of Mathurin. Obviously, I prefer Mathurin to Klay as well, but at what cost?

One thing of note -- Sergio is showing to be a real threat as a PnR ball-handler. Sasser is good in that area also. Either/both in the second unit with Gafford or Lively gives you a real weapon there. Something BWill and Nemby just aren't/weren't great at.

[Chicagojk]

Looking at potential trade partners for Denver's overpriced wings and I actually see Dallas as a very good potential partner, as they do have a lot of rotation players. Braun or Cam for Naji and Christie, for example. Add draft capital from Denver. The deal could also be expanded by Denver adding Nnaji and Mavs adding Martin.

I don't see the fit.  Johnson is a player that can help a lot of teams but that salary makes it tricky.  Add to the fact, that Denver really has to reduce money if they want to retain Watson.  A few teams have TPE available to match his contract, but tax may be a factor with these teams as well.  It will be interesting to see if he is moved.  He should be easier to move than Braun, but I don't know where.   

I would stay away from Braun.   I think he can have a bounce back, but that contract was signed above his peak level of play imo.  So if he bounces back, he could get close to that contract.    Although if he doesn't...ouch.    Mavs have worked so hard to get a clean cap, that I would hate to muddy that water with that Braun contract.   Although, you could argue that they need to be careful if they have interest in a Max or Naji extension for the same reason.  


I just see little reason to help out Denver right now with their limited draft assets and young players.     I don't see the fit currently imo.  I am more open to a a Naji trade than others, but it needs to be a win for dallas.  Otherwise I hold on to him and our other assets and revisit when other teams find out they don't like their teams during the season.

[Chicagojk]

I don't want to sound dumb and uninformed, but who is Larry?

I hope it doesn't stick, I like Sergio better.   Obviously you have Larry Bird, but when I hear just Larry I think of some guy playing pick up the Y.   I think for the flair of his game, Sergio fits better than Larry.  LOL

[mvossman]

As someone who has been in the Mathur-in camp, I'm hoping Watson lands with the Clippers.  Part of me wonders if getting Watson isn't a prerequisite for a willingness tosign and trade Mathurin.

One issue I've had with him here has been my view of Larry as the secondary creater who sits behind Christie on the depth chart.  If I move Larry to PG behind Kyrie, and assume Klay is bought out (so we are far enough under the tax to use the TPE), then Mathurin starts to make more sense:

Flagg/Naji/Biberovic
Christie/Mathurin/Sasser
Irving/Larry/Nembhard

I think Larry will play at both guard spots and Mathurin would eat heavily into his minutes.  At this point I think I would rather watch Larry develop.

[Chicagojk]

Lakers signed Ziaire Williams who played for Nets last season for vet min. Still young(ish), can play defense and shoot a little. Interesting thing - this is at least third move this season for a player who is represented by Aaron Mintz (Kessler and Sexton are also).

These are the type of gambles I always like.  Most don't work out though.  Omax is similar as was Kessler Edwards with the Mavs a few years ago.   Williams was a higher draft pick then either.   

Williams failed in Memphis and they gave up on him.  He went to Brooklyn who are irrelevant and continued the grind.  Maybe regained some confidence.   Now he is at a make or break.  Push through and be a reserve for several years in the NBA or hit a wall and wind up overseas next season

Development will be so important for the Lakers.  They really need to hit on some of these low cost guys.

[omahen]

These are the type of gambles I always like.  Most don't work out though.  Omax is similar as was Kessler Edwards with the Mavs a few years ago.   Williams was a higher draft pick then either.   

Williams failed in Memphis and they gave up on him.  He went to Brooklyn who are irrelevant and continued the grind.  Maybe regained some confidence.   Now he is at a make or break.  Push through and be a reserve for several years in the NBA or hit a wall and wind up overseas next season

Development will be so important for the Lakers.  They really need to hit on some of these low cost guys.

I think their moves around the margins have been solid this season. Their recent rookies Carr and Thiero look like they have potential (although Thiero is still very raw), Looney and Williams can be productive vet min players. I think also LaRavia was a decent signing for the money, he just had an awfully down year on offense and hopefully he can bounce back. 

I am less enthusiastic about the mid level contracts they gave this season. I think Grimes is on a higher level of what he is worth and I think Mamu is (way?) overpaid. Not a fan at all of his deal, as I think he is a player that is nice to have at roughly vet min, but is not better than a 8th or 9th rotation guy on a serious team. I guess they see way more in him than I do. 

I am really surprised by the total overhaul they are doing. Currently there are only 7 players left from last season and other than Luka and AR they are all from the back-end of their rotation. And I will not be surprised at all if another 3 (Vando, Bronny and Knecht) will be gone this summer. Like there is someone else making moves now, having a much different criteria about who is good or not. It seems strange that Pelinka would just let literally all of the guys he brought to the team go. Last season was quite decent and one would expect to build on that, not to completely overhaul it.

[omahen]

I don't see the fit.  Johnson is a player that can help a lot of teams but that salary makes it tricky.  Add to the fact, that Denver really has to reduce money if they want to retain Watson.  A few teams have TPE available to match his contract, but tax may be a factor with these teams as well.  It will be interesting to see if he is moved.  He should be easier to move than Braun, but I don't know where.   

I would stay away from Braun.   I think he can have a bounce back, but that contract was signed above his peak level of play imo.  So if he bounces back, he could get close to that contract.    Although if he doesn't...ouch.    Mavs have worked so hard to get a clean cap, that I would hate to muddy that water with that Braun contract.   Although, you could argue that they need to be careful if they have interest in a Max or Naji extension for the same reason.  


I just see little reason to help out Denver right now with their limited draft assets and young players.     I don't see the fit currently imo.  I am more open to a a Naji trade than others, but it needs to be a win for dallas.  Otherwise I hold on to him and our other assets and revisit when other teams find out they don't like their teams during the season.

The post you were replying to is connected to another one about Denver (sorry for all the posts, but I have too much time to think about hobbies  ). I assume Denver will first trade Watson for air and draft assets and then try to upgrade one or more of their wings to more rotation players using those draft assets. They have been mostly standing pat so far and I will be really surprised if their offseason would basically be just letting Walker go for some draft capital while not trying to improve.

[michaeltex]

FWIW, Luka + 4 of the 7 Dwarves would be competitive, nevermind a couple of decent players.

That said, I think lack of depth is going to kill LALs this season. It's Luka+Reaves+Kessler+PuPu Platter. That's not going very far.

Is an SnT for LBJ off the table since they renounced their rights?

[FireNicoHarrison]

FWIW, Luka + 4 of the 7 Dwarves would be competitive, nevermind a couple of decent players.

That said, I think lack of depth is going to kill LALs this season. It's Luka+Reaves+Kessler+PuPu Platter. That's not going very far.

Is an SnT for LBJ off the table since they renounced their rights?

Luka-Reaves-Kessler healthy worth 50W for sure.