Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[SleepingHero]

@BrettSiegelNBA
The Mavs clearly want Moussa Cisse around, which isn’t a coincidence.

As we’ve been reporting on @ClutchPoints through the weeks, Dallas has been looking to move Daniel Gafford for value this offseason.

Based on talk in Vegas this past week, it’s likely he’ll be moved.

[SleepingHero]

Okay so lets take this report at face value.

Gafford I'd put at a more premium asset than others that we're looking to trade, and they are specifically looking for "value". That tells me that they aren't just moving Gaff to free up a roster spot (nor should they). It'd definitely be in a larger deal.

In terms of expendable salary, Martin+Klay is about 27 mil, with Klay being an expiring. That is very valuable for some team. If I was running the Mavs I'd try and use Gafford to offload Martin in any deal, and get some sort of SG back. Then we can theoretically buyout Klay.

I still think Beal is one of the best value signings out there if he can be had for less than 10 mil. Especially on a 2 year prove it deal. I know we've been focused on finding deals to use the AD trade exception, but that makes things more complicated than just using whats left of the MLE for value signings.

[KillerLeft]

@BrettSiegelNBA
The Mavs clearly want Moussa Cisse around, which isn’t a coincidence.

As we’ve been reporting on @ClutchPoints through the weeks, Dallas has been looking to move Daniel Gafford for value this offseason.

Based on talk in Vegas this past week, it’s likely he’ll be moved.

If this is true (huge IF), replacing him (essentially) with Cisse is a smart, pragmatic move for a team that views Morez Johnson as more 5 than 4. If they see things that way, they can move Gafford and STILL have "too much" talent at the 5...STILL be relatively insulated against Lively's injury recovery.

[SleepingHero]

One trade I've been playing around with is Gafford to UTA.

They don't have a starting center. Jaren Jackson isn't a center whatsoever, and Lauri is more of a 3 than a 5. The best center they have is Jusuf Nurkic or maybe Jaxon Hayes if you value youth.

They also have quite a bit of a glut at guard. Current depth chart:

Peterson/George/Collier
Bailey/Svi Mykhailiuk/Konchar/Okogie
Lauri/Sensabaugh/Cody Williams
Jaren/ Filipowski
Hayes/Nurkic/Bamba


They also have a ridiculous amount of firsts, some better than others. Gafford for Konchar+Cody Williams works and saves the Mavs 5.1 mil next season. Williams has fallen out of favor in UTA and has had quite a poor summer league showing. Getting him would solely be taking a flier, but an expensive one.

Konchar is a winner through and through. Great locker room guy and just does everything you need on the court (but is a bench player). So mavs are basically taking back subpar guards but gets one of Utah's myriad of FRPs (maybe some of Minnys or the Grizz??).

UTA gets their starting center and the Mavs free up quite a bit of space. Only issue is that this deal does not open up a roster space for Cisse, but does free up the TPE to be used. (Maybe that would be the Martin deal?).

[KillerLeft]

The remaining players on my radar, partially for the Mavericks, but mostly just out of general curiosity about what happens to them, are:

Trey Murphy - someone is going to trade for him. On the right team, he could be a big splash.

Peyton Watson - super intrigued by this guy. I think he's about to take off in a major way. How much will he get? Where will he end up?

Benedict Mathurin - I know, I know...everyone here thinks he sucks. I don't.

Zachary Risacher - see Benedict Mathurin

Shaedon Sharpe - I'm not convinced Portland even wants to move him, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do.

[Mavs2021]

Let´s just hope Spain win the World Cup, so we can get a decision on Monday or Tuedsay. If Messi wins, we probably have to wait another week, cause Bron won´t make a decision during Messi w*nkfest week.

[FireNicoHarrison]

So Gafford is out...

[Knutsen]

What are the ideal teams where Gafford fits the timeline and could make a difference?

He needs a top creator on the team to be at his best. And his hustle and rim defense should be a great asset that team doesn’t have in bunches.

For me the Nuggets come to mind, they are in win now mode and he would look great next to Jokic when they size up and play big.

The Suns could be an option to double down with Mark Williams.

The Rockets as well, when they want to play bigger and have Sengun as a 4.

And very clear fit are the Knicks, they tried to steal Cisse for a reason, because they lost a lot of rim protection that Drummond won’t provide.

Not the biggest of markets…
Did I forget a team?

[JamesConway816]

@BrettSiegelNBA
The Mavs clearly want Moussa Cisse around, which isn’t a coincidence.

As we’ve been reporting on @ClutchPoints through the weeks, Dallas has been looking to move Daniel Gafford for value this offseason.

Based on talk in Vegas this past week, it’s likely he’ll be moved.

Most of the FA market has dried up, the draft is also long behind us. Anybody who is still searching for a Center upgrade will most definetely look at Gafford now. I still hope they can get something meaningful for him. Doesnt have to be a player but the asset cup remains bare in terms of draft picks. 

With Aldama, Morez and now also Cisse being locked into the roster moving Gafford does not seem reckless anymore even with Lively‘s status next season being so hard to predict.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Masai mantra "no gift to anyone"... I like it.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Stein on Mavericks: Daniel Gafford- they're still fielding offers on him. We've also discussed that they'd rather trade Klay Thompson rather than buy Klay out. So, will we see some sort of trade that changes the roster, shuffles things further? I just think it'll be a lot easier to answer those questions when we know that the moves for the offseason are really done. And I just it makes little sense to me to proclaim them done. Like, at this point, there are still plenty of questions, obviously. Is Daniel Gafford going to be on this team by season's end? It's not an answerable question at this point. We know he's available. Is someone going to put an offer together that interests the Mavs, or are the Mavs going to keep holding out for a for a first round pick in exchange? Time will tell. I reported this on June 14th. Teams calling for Kyrie Irving are being told Kyrie's not available, but Gafford, Klay, and PJ are regarded as the most available of the Mavs vets. It's been more than a month. We've since established that Gafford and Klay are... That's where that list should start. But that doesn't guarantee a trade. Maybe a trade will materialize, but just because the Mavs have shown a willingness on Gafford and Klay, especially to listen to offers, it doesn't guarantee a move.

[Chicagojk]

A pretty easy match imo.    I wonder if Dallas played this cool and got a great deal when teams inquired about their intent to resign Cisse?

I love the fact they have Cisse for two years (partial guarantee this year, and non guaranteed next year) and Nembhard next year on a deal.   I would be open to extending both when the time comes.  It would not cost a lot and having youngish guys on minimum contracts is a good way to build the roster.   Especially at C and PG where Dallas has pretty big injury concerns.   
 
I get way into the weeds on these unproven guys, but I am sort of surprised a team like the Lakers did not make a play for Cisse.    There is no doubt that Looney has been the much better player, but as a third center I think a guy like Cisse fits Luka and Reaves better.    Especially with the perceived upside left in Cisse.

I will say this about Cisse, is he did it right.  Sort of followed the Powell book.  He played so hard everytime he stepped on the court.  I really think he may be one of the fastest bigs in the league.   I kept on waiting the moment to be to big for him when he got more minutes.   It probably would have come eventually, but it didn't happen really in his minutes.   He needs to finish better inside and his game is still really raw overall.  Although if you play hard and are a good teammate, teams are going to find a spot for you when you are a 6'11 freak of nature and give you a chance to develop.

[Smitty]

If I try to think of who might still want Gafford, and I narrow it down to those who might want him in a bigger role, befitting his salary, the ones that come to mind are LAC (which Dan has covered thoroughly), NOP and maybe Charlotte?

Anyone from those other two make sense? I know the Pelicans have a lot of people on the trade market at the moment. I think Trey Murphy is a little too sought after to be the prize of a Gafford trade...anything on Charlotte?

EDIT: Nevermind on NOP - forgot all about Queen (how could I?)

I keep coming back to TOR. I originally thought Poeltl would be the obvious outgoing, but looking at their roster, after the eventual KL trade…

IQ | Shead | Martin
Barrett | Walter
KL | CMB | Battle
Barnes | Graves | Anderson
Poeltl | Jackson-Davis

They need to keep Poeltl AND still add a good Center. We all know Poelt’s injury history by now. Even if he’s healthy, they have a major need for a serviceable bench Big. One that can start several games, if needed.

They also have roster spots open, so a 2 for 1 also makes sense. What about Barrett? I’m thinking something like Gafford+Klay?

It’s not one of my favorite fantasy trade ideas. Mostly because it doesn’t check every logical box, like some others. BUT I do think TOR still likes Gafford and has a major need IMO. Klay might even start there (with Barrett outgoing), or at least get tons of playing time (on a “contender”).

[Chicagojk]

I would guess the answer is Heck no, but any chance any of the contenders with a trade exception and free of the tax be open to taking Martin for air?   The player option next year complicates things.   He has been injured a lot, but if healthy he could be a rotation player.  His non shooting here sort of sticks out like a sore thumb.   There just isn't a role for him.  

I expect him to rot on the bench here for the next year or two, but I wonder if you could get any nibbles.   could you trade him for a similar guy at an expiring and then buyout that guy?

[DanSchwartzgan]

The remaining players on my radar, partially for the Mavericks, but mostly just out of general curiosity about what happens to them, are:

Trey Murphy - someone is going to trade for him. On the right team, he could be a big splash.

Peyton Watson - super intrigued by this guy. I think he's about to take off in a major way. How much will he get? Where will he end up?

Benedict Mathurin - I know, I know...everyone here thinks he sucks. I don't.

Zachary Risacher - see Benedict Mathurin

Shaedon Sharpe - I'm not convinced Portland even wants to move him, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do.

I like your list.  I think Watson is the prize, but figuring out how to get him and satisfy Denver is challenging.  I agree that I don’t see the Portland angle in dealing Sharpe to Dallas.

I’d add Moody to the list.  I get that he won’t be available this season, but I’d be willing to wait.  GS feels very incomplete to me.  Someone else I like (but suspect you won’t because his 3 point shooting fell off of a cliff last season) is Dyson Daniels.  Why would Atlanta trade him?  I have no idea.

I don’t like the idea of taking on Schroeder in some kind of LeBron to Cleveland deal…no matter the payment coming from Cleveland.  But, the tax math with Cisse on board may have taken us out of a Strus deal and leaves us having about the right amount of room for Schroeder.  

BTW, I keep doing these calculations of tax space for players coming into the TPE.  But the space under the tax could be eaten by someone coming into a trade match.  In fact, if Gafford is outgoing, it is likely the space under the tax becomes largely irrelevant.  It matters in a salary dump, but we don’t get anywhere near the tax if we are sending out players.

[Moviemavguy]

Woo!!!

Happy because I like Cisse, but even more intrigued because this just HAS to mean more moves are coming. What an interesting summer this has been!

We said that after the Aldama trade and crickets.  I hope it's just the Diva decision holding this stuff up.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I keep coming back to TOR. I originally thought Poeltl would be the obvious outgoing, but looking at their roster, after the eventual KL trade…

IQ | Shead | Martin
Barrett | Walter
KL | CMB | Battle
Barnes | Graves | Anderson
Poeltl | Jackson-Davis

They need to keep Poeltl AND still add a good Center. We all know Poelt’s injury history by now. Even if he’s healthy, they have a major need for a serviceable bench Big. One that can start several games, if needed.

They also have roster spots open, so a 2 for 1 also makes sense. What about Barrett? I’m thinking something like Gafford+Klay?

It’s not one of my favorite fantasy trade ideas. Mostly because it doesn’t check every logical box, like some others. BUT I do think TOR still likes Gafford and has a major need IMO. Klay might even start there (with Barrett outgoing), or at least get tons of playing time (on a “contender”).

If I were Toronto I’d want the deal to be Gafford plus Christie for RJ.  Still interested?

[Smitty]

If I were Toronto I’d want the deal to be Gafford plus Christie for RJ.  Still interested?

That was my original thought, mostly because of the financial impact for TOR with it being Klay. Then I thought about Naji. 

I think they still have a tradable ‘29 FRP after the KL deal. If Max was in it, I think I’d have to have that pick… But then, I don’t think TOR does it.

[SleepingHero]

If I were Toronto I’d want the deal to be Gafford plus Christie for RJ.  Still interested?

I'm absolutely interested in that deal.

Christie is a promising player and I like him, but Barrett has always been a blue chip talent with a knack to score. His entire career has always left you wanting a little bit more, but he's an expiring deal and plays a position of need.

Toronto never trades their picks in deals, but I'd want at least 1 first in this deal given the value being exchanged. 

If we don't want to worry about draft picks, Gafford+Martin for RJ works and I think is a fair deal with no draft picks exchanged.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm absolutely interested in that deal.

Christie is a promising player and I like him, but Barrett has always been a blue chip talent with a knack to score. His entire career has always left you wanting a little bit more, but he's an expiring deal and plays a position of need.

Toronto never trades their picks in deals, but I'd want at least 1 first in this deal given the value being exchanged. 

If we don't want to worry about draft picks, Gafford+Martin for RJ works and I think is a fair deal with no draft picks exchanged.

I just don’t think getting the pick is realistic.  The reason you want Barrett is he’s the best player in the deal.  He’s on an expiring contract, so it isn’t some albatross.  I just don’t see how we justify getting the best player and a pick.  I like the Gafford plus Martin idea, but I think we are the one adding pick equity to that deal (plus it leaves Toronto a little thin at SG).