Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

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.

Agree with all of the above about Jovic, and at the beginning of the summer I would've been fine with them capitalizing on Miami needing rid of him. They'd have gotten an interesting, long forward who's unusually skilled with the ball in all the ways you mention, and perhaps a pretty decent pick, too.

My read of what's happened is that this was considered, discussed (probably with Miami), and that the Aldama trade signaled a choice made at a fork in the road. I really don't think you want both of those guys on the roster, even in the ideal roster balance, let alone with the other forwards they have ahead of them both. I would've been fine with either, but I can't imagine it wasn't "either/or," no matter how hard I try. I could be way off, of course, and I agree with your thinking that Schmitz doesn't look at Jovic and think "trash with a big contract." But, he does have a big contract, and I just don't see how he gets runway here, even only considering Aldama's presence and no one else.

EDIT: I didn't reply, but I'm totally on board with the general thinking you outlined earlier, and would love to add a Mathurin, Watson, Sharpe...all great ideas. I just don't feel like this particular target makes sense anymore.

[KillerLeft]

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.

Yeah...to your last point, I think it's really less about how "ready" he is and more about how "invest in the future" the Mavs are about to go. We all have that line drawn somewhere in our heads, but we don't know how where the Mavs have drawn it. 

I think he has shown more than flashes, but you're right - he IS pretty low on the pecking order around here unless some players are moved out. I know what I'd do, but things like how Ishenko is handled and whether De Larrea is solidly in the rotation right away will be super informative in the coming weeks and months.

[Smitty]

Yeah...to your last point, I think it's really less about how "ready" he is and more about how "invest in the future" the Mavs are about to go. We all have that line drawn somewhere in our heads, but we don't know how where the Mavs have drawn it. 

I think he has shown more than flashes, but you're right - he IS pretty low on the pecking order around here unless some players are moved out. I know what I'd do, but things like how Ishenko is handled and whether De Larrea is solidly in the rotation right away will be super informative in the coming weeks and months.

I can see a future role for him in the NBA. A Josh Green type. He's probably a better passer. Reluctant, but accurate 3PT shooter. Hustle guy. Can play some defense on the perimeter. Handle some at the next level. Rarely 'finish' a play... and have you wanting for more.

[windjc]

I find the conversations about the churn at the bottom of the roster infinitely less interesting than ones about how Dusty May could maximize the talent at the top of the roster. One will have 0% impact on next season and the other about 90% impact.

[mvossman]

I can see a future role for him in the NBA. A Josh Green type. He's probably a better passer. Reluctant, but accurate 3PT shooter. Hustle guy. Can play some defense on the perimeter. Handle some at the next level. Rarely 'finish' a play... and have you wanting for more.

Seems really early to be calling Seva Josh Green.  I imagine it takes these guys some time to adjust being over here, and my guess its even more so for a Russian.  I also don't think Summer League is a format for Euro's to shine.  Summer league as more of an AAU individual skills vibe where Europeans are way more about team basketball.  I will be very curious to see what he looks like in preseason after some adjustment time and a functioning roster.

[Smitty]

Seems really early to be calling Seva Josh Green.  I imagine it takes these guys some time to adjust being over here, and my guess its even more so for a Russian.  I also don't think Summer League is a format for Euro's to shine.  Summer league as more of an AAU individual skills vibe where Europeans are way more about team basketball.  I will be very curious to see what he looks like in preseason after some adjustment time and a functioning roster.

ROLE. That's all I ever use SL for. Is to try and see what role these guys might fill at the NBA level. He may never get a minute in the NBA. Never be as good as Josh Green. That wasn't really my point. I do envision a role player 'in that mold' for him though. After watching a whopping 4 SL games....

[F Gump]

Yeah...to your last point, I think it's really less about how "ready" he is and more about how "invest in the future" the Mavs are about to go. We all have that line drawn somewhere in our heads, but we don't know how where the Mavs have drawn it. 

I think he has shown more than flashes, but you're right - he IS pretty low on the pecking order around here unless some players are moved out. I know what I'd do, but things like how Ishenko is handled and whether De Larrea is solidly in the rotation right away will be super informative in the coming weeks and months.

One vital factor that the Mavs have to weigh is how far away the project player like Ishchenko is from being able to contribute at the rotation level (or better) in the NBA. Except for 1st rounders, once they "start the clock" they only have 3 years of control, and then he's up for grabs. 

On many players they don't have any options on when to start that clock, but on Ishy they do. It's to their advantage to keep his clock from starting as he is developing UNLESS he will be a needed contributor this season. I don't think he will. He's been playing at a relatively low level up until now, and in some ways is probably a bit overwhelmed. Let him get some seasoning at the next level (Europe somewhere) and then put him in the mix next summer, perhaps.

[Scott41theMavs]

One vital factor that the Mavs have to weigh is how far away the project player like Ishchenko is from being able to contribute at the rotation level (or better) in the NBA. Except for 1st rounders, once they "start the clock" they only have 3 years of control, and then he's up for grabs. 

On many players they don't have any options on when to start that clock, but on Ishy they do. It's to their advantage to keep his clock from starting as he is developing UNLESS he will be a needed contributor this season. I don't think he will. He's been playing at a relatively low level up until now, and in some ways is probably a bit overwhelmed. Let him get some seasoning at the next level (Europe somewhere) and then put him in the mix next summer, perhaps.

Sorry to be stubborn, but no no no no no no no no no no

[mvossman]

One vital factor that the Mavs have to weigh is how far away the project player like Ishchenko is from being able to contribute at the rotation level (or better) in the NBA. Except for 1st rounders, once they "start the clock" they only have 3 years of control, and then he's up for grabs. 

On many players they don't have any options on when to start that clock, but on Ishy they do. It's to their advantage to keep his clock from starting as he is developing UNLESS he will be a needed contributor this season. I don't think he will. He's been playing at a relatively low level up until now, and in some ways is probably a bit overwhelmed. Let him get some seasoning at the next level (Europe somewhere) and then put him in the mix next summer, perhaps.

Does that mean they could have him on two way contracts for 3 years and then sign him to a standard NBA contract?  Or would he have to be signed to the NBA contract in year 3?

[mvossman]

ROLE. That's all I ever use SL for. Is to try and see what role these guys might fill at the NBA level. He may never get a minute in the NBA. Never be as good as Josh Green. That wasn't really my point. I do envision a role player 'in that mold' for him though. After watching a whopping 4 SL games....

I agree on role, I'm just not ready to assume Josh Green level timidness you were implying based on a few summer league games.

[F Gump]

Sorry to be stubborn, but no no no no no no no no no no

Obviously it's not my decision anyhow. But in managing how to build and develop players, roster spots and minutes and roles and remaining team control are ALL factors that are going to come into play, whether we like it or not. 

Feel free to disagree with me all you want. But based on the roster right now, that's what I would do with Ishy -- I think he's too low in the pecking order to get enough minutes to make it worth burning a year of team control, when he could be getting more minutes and learn more by playing elsewhere for the next year. 

IMO the ability to stash him is WHY they bought a pick to draft him - so that they could keep his rights, without having to sign him as he develops at a higher level than he has yet experienced.

Blow up the current 15-man via a major trade that removes players higher in the pecking order, and opens up significant minutes, and I might think differently. But I don't really see that looming.

[Smitty]

I agree on role, I'm just not ready to assume Josh Green level timidness you were implying based on a few summer league games.

I'd love to be wrong. None of us know anything for sure. It's just what I've seen with my eyes so far... Today would be a great day for him to shoot 5+ from deep. In 28 mpg he's averaging 1 3PA/g. International stats say 1.5 3PA/g. Don't know how you could assume anything different at the moment.

[mvossman]

Obviously it's not my decision anyhow. But in managing how to build and develop players, roster spots and minutes and roles and remaining team control are ALL factors that are going to come into play, whether we like it or not. 

Feel free to disagree with me all you want. But based on the roster right now, that's what I would do with Ishy -- I think he's too low in the pecking order to get enough minutes to make it worth burning a year of team control, when he could be getting more minutes and learn more by playing elsewhere for the next year. 

IMO the ability to stash him is WHY they bought a pick to draft him - so that they could keep his rights, without having to sign him as he develops at a higher level than he has yet experienced.

Blow up the current 15-man via a major trade that removes players higher in the pecking order, and opens up significant minutes, and I might think differently. But I don't really see that looming.

His real competition is for a two way though.  Who are we more interested in giving a two way?  If Cisse will accept the offer than great, but I think he is hunting for a real contract.  Honestly based on age and what a saw in summer league, Seva is probably number two on my list.  If he spends two years splitting time between the G league and getting spot minutes on the team, I think they will know by then whether there is reason to invest long term.

[F Gump]

Does that mean they could have him on two way contracts for 3 years and then sign him to a standard NBA contract?  Or would he have to be signed to the NBA contract in year 3?

The 2-way rules have been ever evolving, but I think the current rule is you can only do 2 2-way years with a player (and it has to be in year 1, 2, or 3).  

But my point is broader. Once you sign a player to either 2-way or 15-man, you will have RFA rights (if you make a qualifying offer) when he is a FA at the end of the year if it's end of year 1, year 2, or year 3. That is your time of team control, during which you have an opportunity for developmental time at a minimum-salary-or-less cap cost. Once you start the 1st contract, the countdown clock is ticking. But after that 3 years, it's competitive bidding for his services so you'd better be able to have him ready to produce -- and you really need him to be very playable sooner than that, so you can get great value for your minimum-salary-or-less cap cost.

[mvossman]

I'd love to be wrong. None of us know anything for sure. It's just what I've seen with my eyes so far... Today would be a great day for him to shoot 5+ from deep. In 28 mpg he's averaging 1 3PA/g. Don't know how you could assume anything different at the moment.

I was going to argue his Russian stats are probably a better indicator than a few summer games, but I just got my hands on that and it seems he was hesitant to pull the trigger over there as well.  Actually looking at those numbers your Josh Green comp is looking fairly accurate.  Still, that would be a huge win at #56.

[dirkfansince1998]

I was going to argue his Russian stats are probably a better indicator than a few summer games, but I just got my hands on that and it seems he was hesitant to pull the trigger over there as well.  Actually looking at those numbers your Josh Green comp is looking fairly accurate.  Still, that would be a huge win at #56.

He is a reluctant shooter but compared to Green he seems to be more aggressive on drives. Finishing hasn't been great but he gets to the line. Don't remember Green ever drawing 3-4 shooting fouls in a game.

[Smitty]

I was going to argue his Russian stats are probably a better indicator than a few summer games, but I just got my hands on that and it seems he was hesitant to pull the trigger over there as well.  Actually looking at those numbers your Josh Green comp is looking fairly accurate.  Still, that would be a huge win at #56.

If he can play 7+ years in the NBA and/or earn $50m+ in his career it will be a Home Run pick!

[mvossman]

He is a reluctant shooter but compared to Green he seems to be more aggressive on drives. Finishing hasn't been great but he gets to the line. Don't remember Green ever drawing 3-4 shooting fouls in a game.

He only took 8 shots per 36 (which is very Josh Green like) but he did take 5.5 FTs per 36 which is way more than Josh.  I also wonder how much of that is coaching and style.  Maybe it will be easier for him to be more aggressive with the right encouragement than it is for Josh.

[Smitty]

Nitpicking more than anything... It wasn't meant to be an exact comparison. Just what came to mind after watching him. I want to like all of these guys as much as anybody.

Ish will need one pretty elite NBA skill to get on the floor. Right now, I don't know what that is. He does a lot of things well. So far, his handle is probably the best individual skill of his. Will likely need to be a very good defender at the next level to get any kind of playing time early in his career.

[Scott41theMavs]

Nitpicking more than anything... It wasn't meant to be an exact comparison. Just what came to mind after watching him. I want to like all of these guys as much as anybody.

Ish will need one pretty elite NBA skill to get on the floor. Right now, I don't know what that is. He does a lot of things well. So far, his handle is probably the best individual skill of his. Will likely need to be a very good defender at the next level to get any kind of playing time early in his career.

I thought he looked damned good defensively, tbh.