Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Dusty May just said Cooper Flagg will play anywhere from 1-4 this season. "Last year, Coop played a lot at the point, and that expedited his growth, where he's playmaking, and the balls in his hands...I think he'll shoot more 3-pointers. We gotta get him more space."

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Pat Riley on dealing away young players and draft picks to land Giannis: "I wish them nothing but the best. They're great young players. But we're about now." Spo on Giannis: "On any given day, he's already done it twice in his career where he's been the best on the planet...and that's what we're looking forward to moving forward. No pressure on that"

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: The NBA is probing the signed $64 million free-agent deal for Gary Trent Jr. with the Milwaukee Bucks, per a league spokesperson.

bsky.app

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Stein: The Lakers have again broadened their search for perimeter defense, league sources say, registering interest this week in free agent Matisse Thybulle. They have already added Ziaire Williams while also continuing to pursue Jonathan Kuminga. More NBA: tinyurl.com/y2a9b8p6

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Does Karl-Anthony Towns get an extension with the Knicks? If yes, how much will that extension be for? — Troy M. My educated guess is that New York will offer Towns an extension. The question is: will the Knicks offer him the max deal that they can offer him: four years, $272 million? That’s where I pause slightly. Towns came here and, within two years, helped New York reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in a quarter century, then turned around and helped the franchise end a 53-year championship drought. He’s done his part.

New York Times

[Smitty]

NBA insider Jake Fischer revealed that the Nuggets are searching for a new big man addition this offseason following Valanciunas' exit. "Denver needs another potential backup center after losing Jonas Valanciunas," Fischer said on Bleacher Report. "They waived him by their own decision, and he just officially signed in Lithuania. "They brought in Marvin Bagley to be a backup center, but I do still think there's some thought in Denver about finding some more frontcourt depth."

BasketNews

Wouldn't be surprised if they eventually offered Cisse a roster spot, forcing the Mavs to make a move. Denver has a lot to sort out. First domino is Watson of course.

[Chicagojk]

Wouldn't be surprised if they eventually offered Cisse a roster spot, forcing the Mavs to make a move. Denver has a lot to sort out. First domino is Watson of course.

Maybe he is not an NBA pro player yet, but I am sort of surprised that no one has offered him a contract.   I am sort of surprised the Mavs only offered him a two way.   Maybe that is some kind of wink, wink for later in the summer.    If true, I think Cisse playing in the summer league may have been a good idea if he didn't have some kind of an agreement with Dallas.   Him and Sergio would have been fun.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I will try my best to give a lay of the land...

Space below the Luxury Tax: $16,161,971
Space below A1 (Hard Cap): $23,404,386
MLE remaining: $12,044,000
AD TPE remaining: $21,080,154


Dan is pushing for a Mathurin deal.  

Thanks for tracking all of this.  I can't recall if this was before or after Spotrac changed Biberovic's number the a flat $3.0mm per year.

I'd say pushing for a Mathurin deal is one of several things I'm interested in.  It is more reading the needs of other teams and trying to see if there is an angle (I just think they need a center, more than they need someone who blocks Wagler's path to starting).  I don't think that thinking is all that different than what Masai has been doing.  We all laud the trades that landed Aldama and Sasser, but let's be real.  Those were casualties of other teams prioritizing something else.  Detroit needed more space and gave away players (not just Sasser) to get there.  Memphis didn't see a role for $17mm Aldama.  We didn't seek out star players.  We helped teams solve problems and took back guys that can be of some help...largely in bench roles.  The same wil be true of Strus or Moody (which I'd love) or even a Klay for Jovic deal.

I'm trying to add talent or the resources to get talent.  It isn't about the 26/27 season.  In fact, I think we spend too much time worrying about how things fit into the current depth chart.  The depth chart I'm interested in is what I'll call the "25 and Under" depth chart.  This is how I currently see it and Larry's recent play has changed my view from long term first guard off the bench to long term starting PG:

Lively/Cisse
Morez/Aldama
Flagg/Biberovic
    Christie
Larry/Sasser/Nembhard

I get that people have differing views of where Flagg should fit (and differing views as to whether this view of positions is even valid anymore).  Probably the most contraversial placement here is Morez.  I watch him hit that floater he hit in game one and the two mid-range shots he hit in the second game and see him taking guys off the dribble (not against close-outs, just flat one-on-one) and project the development of a three point shot and I see a PF as his highest and best use.  Sure, he can be a center and may get a lot of minutes there in the near term.  But he creates an advantage as a forward.  He thinks he's a four and I suspect Masai thinks he's a four given his history in Toronto.

I took a look at Kyrie's games here when Luka was out.  The thing to know is his assists don't go up when he's the PG.  His scoring goes up.  So, expect 5-6 assists from him this season.  He will draw attention and help others by sheer gravity, but creation may have to come from somewhere else.  Larry can play next to either Christie or Kyrie (while Kyrie is still here) and that will help with assist totals even off the bench.  

I put Christie in the middle (not starter and not sub) because I think we need more creation (even if it is self creation).  It could come in the form of a starter that pushes Christie to the bench.  It could also come in the form of a sixth man - intant offense type off the bench.

I really admired what Mathurin did in the NBA finals going off in a couple of games and showing great confidence.  But, he's not the only way to skin a cat.  I've tried to imagine ways to trade for Shaeden Sharpe and Payton Watson.  I liked Dosunmu until Minnesota locked him up.  I would definitely take Moody into the TPE if Lebron ends up in Golden State and would give up quite a bit to bring in Cason Wallace or Anthony Black if OKC or Orlando got scared of the money.  Is there a world where Atlanta trades us Dyson Daniels...maybe as part of a Kyrie deal at the TDL?  It isn't just Mathurin

None of these guys are finished products, but neither are Flagg, Morez and Larry.  But, unless we land a top two pick in the draft next summer or pry away a RFA in the summer of 28 using cap space, we are going to have to fill the role we need with somone with upside that most here aren't able to forecast.  That's OK.  Fans always see the upside on guys on their roster and downplay the upside of developmental guys on other rosters.

I'd love to see a consolidation trade that brings us another long term piece.  Don't we always want that "one more guy" this time every summer?  Stein's reporting seems to indicate a "willingness" to deal Gafford for an asset (first round pick), which probably means something less inspiring than a Mathurin S&T.  I don't see the team that would be willing to give up a long term piece for PJ.  Maybe that changes at the TDL.  I'm with Cow that the odds of someone giving something of value for Klay are really low (and recall there is value to a buyout as it moves us further under the tax and allows us to use more of the TPE than the $16mm we can currently use if a deal were to come about).  

Speaking of that, I wonder if the approach with Miami, if Lebron goes there, shouldn't be to trade Jovic into our TPE rather than trading for Klay.  Then we buyout Klay and he signs in Miami for the minimum.  Miami isn't that far under the First Apron and signing Lebron to the $8.9mm they have left of the MLE almost gets them there.  They need to make some money disappear to finish out the roster.  Trading Jovic into air (instead of for Klay) would allow them to unlock the BAE and a trade exception they have for a similar amount (expires 8/15) and do some minimum contracts with ring chasers.  I know people don't love Jovic, but he has upside if you are willing to look for it.  He's young and making basically the MLE.  His age 21 season was actually pretty encouraging.  He was .479 on corner 3's and handed out 4 assists per 36 against 2 turnovers.  He hits his FT's and had a TX% that season of .595.  That doesn't grow in trees.  I don't know what happened last season, but I'd be willing to take a chance on his upside if Miami was paying me some little something for doing so.

[mvossman]

Thanks for tracking all of this.  I can't recall if this was before or after Spotrac changed Biberovic's number the a flat $3.0mm per year.

I'd say pushing for a Mathurin deal is one of several things I'm interested in.  It is more reading the needs of other teams and trying to see if there is an angle (I just think they need a center, more than they need someone who blocks Wagler's path to starting).  I don't think that thinking is all that different than what Masai has been doing.  We all laud the trades that landed Aldama and Sasser, but let's be real.  Those were casualties of other teams prioritizing something else.  Detroit needed more space and gave away players (not just Sasser) to get there.  Memphis didn't see a role for $17mm Aldama.  We didn't seek out star players.  We helped teams solve problems and took back guys that can be of some help...largely in bench roles.  The same wil be true of Strus or Moody (which I'd love) or even a Klay for Jovic deal.

I'm trying to add talent or the resources to get talent.  It isn't about the 26/27 season.  In fact, I think we spend too much time worrying about how things fit into the current depth chart.  The depth chart I'm interested in is what I'll call the "25 and Under" depth chart.  This is how I currently see it and Larry's recent play has changed my view from long term first guard off the bench to long term starting PG:

Lively/Cisse
Morez/Aldama
Flagg/Biberovic
    Christie
Larry/Sasser/Nembhard

I get that people have differing views of where Flagg should fit (and differing views as to whether this view of positions is even valid anymore).  Probably the most contraversial placement here is Morez.  I watch him hit that floater he hit in game one and the two mid-range shots he hit in the second game and see him taking guys off the dribble (not against close-outs, just flat one-on-one) and project the development of a three point shot and I see a PF as his highest and best use.  Sure, he can be a center and may get a lot of minutes there in the near term.  But he creates an advantage as a forward.  He thinks he's a four and I suspect Masai thinks he's a four given his history in Toronto.

I took a look at Kyrie's games here when Luka was out.  The thing to know is his assists don't go up when he's the PG.  His scoring goes up.  So, expect 5-6 assists from him this season.  He will draw attention and help others by sheer gravity, but creation may have to come from somewhere else.  Larry can play next to either Christie or Kyrie (while Kyrie is still here) and that will help with assist totals even off the bench.  

I put Christie in the middle (not starter and not sub) because I think we need more creation (even if it is self creation).  It could come in the form of a starter that pushes Christie to the bench.  It could also come in the form of a sixth man - intant offense type off the bench.

I really admired what Mathurin did in the NBA finals going off in a couple of games and showing great confidence.  But, he's not the only way to skin a cat.  I've tried to imagine ways to trade for Shaeden Sharpe and Payton Watson.  I liked Dosunmu until Minnesota locked him up.  I would definitely take Moody into the TPE if Lebron ends up in Golden State and would give up quite a bit to bring in Cason Wallace or Anthony Black if OKC or Orlando got scared of the money.  Is there a world where Atlanta trades us Dyson Daniels...maybe as part of a Kyrie deal at the TDL?  It isn't just Mathurin

None of these guys are finished products, but neither are Flagg, Morez and Larry.  But, unless we land a top two pick in the draft next summer or pry away a RFA in the summer of 28 using cap space, we are going to have to fill the role we need with somone with upside that most here aren't able to forecast.  That's OK.  Fans always see the upside on guys on their roster and downplay the upside of developmental guys on other rosters.

I'd love to see a consolidation trade that brings us another long term piece.  Don't we always want that "one more guy" this time every summer?  Stein's reporting seems to indicate a "willingness" to deal Gafford for an asset (first round pick), which probably means something less inspiring than a Mathurin S&T.  I don't see the team that would be willing to give up a long term piece for PJ.  Maybe that changes at the TDL.  I'm with Cow that the odds of someone giving something of value for Klay are really low (and recall there is value to a buyout as it moves us further under the tax and allows us to use more of the TPE than the $16mm we can currently use if a deal were to come about).  

Speaking of that, I wonder if the approach with Miami, if Lebron goes there, shouldn't be to trade Jovic into our TPE rather than trading for Klay.  Then we buyout Klay and he signs in Miami for the minimum.  Miami isn't that far under the First Apron and signing Lebron to the $8.9mm they have left of the MLE almost gets them there.  They need to make some money disappear to finish out the roster.  Trading Jovic into air (instead of for Klay) would allow them to unlock the BAE and a trade exception they have for a similar amount (expires 8/15) and do some minimum contracts with ring chasers.  I know people don't love Jovic, but he has upside if you are willing to look for it.  He's young and making basically the MLE.  His age 21 season was actually pretty encouraging.  He was .479 on corner 3's and handed out 4 assists per 36 against 2 turnovers.  He hits his FT's and had a TX% that season of .595.  That doesn't grow in trees.  I don't know what happened last season, but I'd be willing to take a chance on his upside if Miami was paying me some little something for doing so.

Lots of thoughts on this ...

I agree that they should be focused on long term roster construction, but there is a reason to focus on upcoming season as well.  I think putting players in a position to succeed is a positive for development, and necessary if we are trying to raise some guys value for the TDL or next offseason.  

As for Morez ideal position, I think it will depend on what trait he develops more, rim protection or three point shooting.  As for what position he will play more long term, I think it will depend on how good of a center they have on the roster.  I think if Lively if can get healthy and play significant minutes then Morez will be playing a lot of 4.  

While I agree this FO took advantage of the situation in getting Aldama and Sasser, I don't think they are just random assets.  Aldama is the kind of player Schmitz loves: a big who can play like a guard (see Hanson, Yang).  Sasser brings a lot of things this team desperately needs (shooting, playmaking and point of attack defense).  I don't think they are looking to acquire assets just to get assets.  I think they are looking for players for the long term.

I'm not a fan of Jovic in general and I have no idea how you are going to get him minutes on this roster.  You already see Morez as a 4, and there is Aldama, PJ and Flagg.  There is no room even with some positional flexibility.

[F Gump]

Darin Green JR

Poulakidas

Seva

Tobi Lawal

So im guessing these are the 2 ways right?

I'm guessing the 2-way list (if there's not a trade to remix the 15-man roster) will be 
1 Cisse
2 Lawal
3 TBD, probably Poulakidis

I think Ishchenko ends up being Euro-stashed this season. 

I think some of the summer league players will get E10 deals to be Mavs' GL players (which comes with some guaranteed extra money beyond normal GL salary).

[michaeltex]

Lots of excellent points and observations. I like the factoid that Kyrie scores more rather than assists more when soloing. I think that could be important to understand the fit between him, Flagg and Sergio.

Do you consider Ishchenko as still too much of an unknown to include in the youth movement? He's only 21 and has had a positive SL.

[F Gump]

Do you consider Ishchenko as still too much of an unknown to include in the youth movement? He's only 21 and has had a positive SL.

I think Ishchenko is not ready for the NBA by a significant degree. I also think they knew this, and brought him to SL so that he could get a feel for what he needs to work on and how far away he is, with the hope that by next summer he can be more developed for NBA play.

In theory you can get the last finishing touches as a 2-way, but I think he's needing more work than that. There's also the reality that they have way too many players ahead of him in the pecking order for a roster slot of some sort, and for minutes. If you are only the 19th or 20th player in line, you have to get better by enough where the team HAS TO find a way to get you in the lineup. He's just not at that level imo.

In theory he could go to the GL, but I think Euro-ball offers higher caliber of competition and more pay. And if he can't cut it there, to get a good job and a good role, he certainly can't make it in the NBA.

[mvossman]

I think Ishchenko is not ready for the NBA by a significant degree. I also think they knew this, and brought him to SL so that he could get a feel for what he needs to work on and how far away he is, with the hope that by next summer he can be more developed for NBA play.

In theory you can get the last finishing touches as a 2-way, but I think he's needing more work than that. There's also the reality that they have way too many players ahead of him in the pecking order for a roster slot of some sort, and for minutes. If you are only the 19th or 20th player in line, you have to get better by enough where the team HAS TO find a way to get you in the lineup. He's just not at that level imo.

In theory he could go to the GL, but I think Euro-ball offers higher caliber of competition and more pay. And if he can't cut it there, to get a good job and a good role, he certainly can't make it in the NBA.

I'm not sure sending a Russian to Euro league is the right model.  Seems like you are setting him up for double the culture shock.  Also, if you stash him in Europe, how much control do you have over his development?  Honestly I saw more from Seva than I did from Lawal.  Given the amount of work Schmitz put into him, my guess is he will get the benefit of the doubt.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Lots of excellent points and observations. I like the factoid that Kyrie scores more rather than assists more when soloing. I think that could be important to understand the fit between him, Flagg and Sergio.

Do you consider Ishchenko as still too much of an unknown to include in the youth movement? He's only 21 and has had a positive SL.

My feeling coming into SL was that it was dependent on what happens in SL.  If he looked two years from being two years away, then Europe.  If he looked good, give him the two-way and develop him here.  I think it has been the latter.  We haven't even seen much of his 3 point shot, which is supposedly a strength (and looked good yesterday).

They went to some trouble to get him at 56 rather than trying to sign him outside of the draft system.  So, they have greater control of his rights than they would have had otherwise (and therefore more options).  I think the other thing that has a bearing on this is what happens with Cisse.  If Cisse gets a spot on the 15 man roster, it makes it easier to find a spot for Seve among the two-ways.

[Scott41theMavs]

I'm guessing the 2-way list (if there's not a trade to remix the 15-man roster) will be 
1 Cisse
2 Lawal
3 TBD, probably Poulakidis

I think Ishchenko ends up being Euro-stashed this season. 

I think some of the summer league players will get E10 deals to be Mavs' GL players (which comes with some guaranteed extra money beyond normal GL salary).

I don’t agree with your assessment of where Seva is at all, and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t get a spot on either the main roster or a 2-way.

[Smitty]

My feeling coming into SL was that it was dependent on what happens in SL.  If he looked two years from being two years away, then Europe.  If he looked good, give him the two-way and develop him here.  I think it has been the latter.  We haven't even seen much of his 3 point shot, which is supposedly a strength (and looked good yesterday).

They went to some trouble to get him at 56 rather than trying to sign him outside of the draft system.  So, they have greater control of his rights than they would have had otherwise (and therefore more options).  I think the other thing that has a bearing on this is what happens with Cisse.  If Cisse gets a spot on the 15 man roster, it makes it easier to find a spot for Seve among the two-ways.

Still some dominoes left to fall. My guess is we won't get much clarity until the Klay situation is sorted. Stay or go. Either way, I think that will have a major effect on what they end up doing (or not doing).

[BigDirk41]

I think Seva will be on the main roster next year, but I have no doubt he'll get a 2 way worse case. I liked what I saw from him.

[Smitty]

On the Ishchenko front. I find it very difficult to have a firm opinion either way. We're talking about the 18th player on the squad. I don't know that he's more deserving than anyone else that showed some flashes. I guess what I'm saying is I could make an argument for a number of guys. Ish included... But he's the new kid on the block, and a recent draft pick from the new MBT. He may have an edge for that alone.

[FireNicoHarrison]

I don’t agree with your assessment of where Seva is at all, and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t get a spot on either the main roster or a 2-way.

Me too.

Best 3 players in the SL for me:

Rez
Sergio
Ish

They can play basketball for sure.

[DanSchwartzgan]

  
While I agree this FO took advantage of the situation in getting Aldama and Sasser, I don't think they are just random assets.  Aldama is the kind of player Schmitz loves: a big who can play like a guard (see Hanson, Yang). 

I'm not a fan of Jovic in general and I have no idea how you are going to get him minutes on this roster.  You already see Morez as a 4, and there is Aldama, PJ and Flagg.  There is no room even with some positional flexibility.

First, we don’t know how crowded the roster is going to be because we don’t know what else is going to happen. 

What you say about Aldama about what Schmitz likes, is just as true about Jovic.  Both he and Aldama can floor the ball and drive and dish.  Both can sneak you a few minutes at center.  Jovic owns the best season of Assist% and the best season of 3% as well as the best season of TS%.  Aldama is the better per minute scorer and has better advanced stats.  Jovic is 2 years younger and based on last season is the worse contract - which is why you might get paid to take him.  I’m not saying Jovic is better than Aldama, but we don’t know what he’ll be two seasons from now.  I’d bet on the upside based on the best of what he’s shown in the NBA if I had an understanding of why last season was such a departure from what happened in prior seasons.