Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[MFFLER est 01]

Issac Harris on a live feed just now with a bold quote:

"I just flat out think Moussa is going to be a better basketball player next year than Gafford...and if you think that, then why not pay $3 million for that player vs. the contract that Gafford's making right now?"

https://www.youtube.com/live/qEMg7V2qrSA?si=ERPwPmvA-A1DDp_y&t=3524

 I absolutely agree that the Moose will be better than Gaff this season

For me Flagg is about 25 years old - like 3-4 years before his absolute prime.

That means every player 3 or 4 years younger or alder than 25 is on his timeline.

This is exactly how I see things

[F Gump]

Why must they do anything now? 

They might be perfectly happy with their roster as is.

I am way behind the discussion but re your question, they have 16 guaranteed contracts now.

They have to do something. No rush, but another move WILL happen.

[OldMavsFan]

This trade isn't necessarily "the hill I'm going to die on" (I honestly don't care about it). but stating Yax, a 24 year old rookie, after one Summer League game, has All Star potential, is far more hyperbolic. 

Pre-Draft everyone was wanting a 1st for PJ, Gafford, Naji and Max EACH. And at least a 2nd for Klay. Now, suddenly, people are happy getting ONE 1st (Yaxel) for a combination of them while eating dead weight in one of Steph's few remaining seasons. 

Make it make sense.

Lets start off that all most all fans believe their player is worth a lot and so they think every team believes that PJ, Naji, Max and Gaff are worth at least a first round pick.

Then there is the fact that maybe some of them are worth a 1st round pick, but not a top 10 or 15 or even 20 but a first round pick.

Finally some fans and talking heads have absolutely no clue and they make no sense.  

Some teams move 1st rounders because of the salary cap or they have 3 or more and don't have the space to sign them.

The other thing is that what year a 1st is being offered and is the pick protected if it is top 2 on up.  

The thing I like about the new FO is no one has guessed their moves and so they have been able to get involved with a lot of multi team trades and I will guess that they aren't down making moves.

I am interested in what year they are they building for and at first glance it seems to be at least 3 years to be good and that would maybe be a good bet, but there is a lot of young high BBIQ players and who is the starters to start the season won't be the starters to end the season except for Cooer and probably Kyre.

Just looking at the roster Kyrie is the by far the team leader and that may be worth more than the talent he brings to the court and of course Flagg is the other leader, but I have been interested in Larry's goal to get with Kyrie to learn how to led.

[Knutsen]

Interesting. For me, he's 19.

Come on, Killer - show some fantasy and imagination!

He’s a transcendent player who’s much further developed than his age by numbers tells. 

Like Wemby and Luka you can win everything with him in his 3rd or 4th year in the league. 

A typical superstar like Dirk or Jokic were 27 or 28 when they reached MVP levels.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Sergio-Max-Risacher-Santi-Lively is a great bench.

[KillerLeft]

Come on, Killer - show some fantasy and imagination!

He’s a transcendent player who’s much further developed than his age by numbers tells. 

Like Wemby and Luka you can win everything with him in his 3rd or 4th year in the league. 

A typical superstar like Dirk or Jokic were 27 or 28 when they reached MVP levels.

I don't say this much around here, because this board has a way of jumping down people's throats for opinions they'd prefer didn't exist, but...I don't think Flagg is anywhere remotely close to transcendent as an offensive engine. Not yet, at least. I think his potential transcendent value lies in being an uncommonly effective player on both ends of the court, and sure...given enough time and runway I think his offensive role could be offensive engine, but very likely that will come with a lessening of what he offers on the other end. I'm not super thrilled about taking his career in that direction, and I'm hopeful that's not the way we're headed. 

But, even if that is where they're headed with him...think about how long it took guys like LeBron or Luka to hit their strides in roles like that. He's 19. I'm in no rush. 

I think it's very possible that the next great Mavs "offensive engine" isn't on the roster yet. I wouldn't bet my life on it or anything, but I'm just saying - Flagg doesn't scream "ready to win now" to me just yet. We'll see what he's figured out over the summer very soon, and it seems like he's going to have a lot more space in which to operate, which is obviously helpful.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Neither Wemba is an "offensive engine"...

[MFFLER est 01]

Sergio-Max-Risacher-Santi-Lively is a great bench.

Who are you starting at the 2?

[KillerLeft]

Neither Wemba is an "offensive engine"...

Nope, and that's my point, exactly! Look what an impact he has!

[JamesConway816]

I don't say this much around here, because this board has a way of jumping down people's throats for opinions they'd prefer didn't exist, but...I don't think Flagg is anywhere remotely close to transcendent as an offensive engine. Not yet, at least. I think his potential transcendent value lies in being an uncommonly effective player on both ends of the court, and sure...given enough time and runway I think his offensive role could be offensive engine, but very likely that will come with a lessening of what he offers on the other end. I'm not super thrilled about taking his career in that direction, and I'm hopeful that's not the way we're headed. 

But, even if that is where they're headed with him...think about how long it took guys like LeBron or Luka to hit their strides in roles like that. He's 19. I'm in no rush. 

I think it's very possible that the next great Mavs "offensive engine" isn't on the roster yet. I wouldn't bet my life on it or anything, but I'm just saying - Flagg doesn't scream "ready to win now" to me just yet. We'll see what he's figured out over the summer very soon, and it seems like he's going to have a lot more space in which to operate, which is obviously helpful.

Its a reasonable take. Also why - if they get there - probably wont get far in the playoffs where the game slows down even more drastically than in a close regular season crunch time. Having Kyrie back will help a lot but it wont be the same as in the short Kyrie and Luka era. Or Dirk obviously.

Coop will for sure put up insane numbers and at the very least make the allstar game. But I think it will be a while until he becomes the dump it to him he will get you over the line-type like Dirk / Luka. If he ever gets there. We have been insanely spoiled with those two in that regard. Guys like KG or AD never were that type of engine and still are viewed as alltime greats.

That’s why I hope SO SO much that they will find a way to salvage the relationship with Dirk and Luka and bring the latter home one day. Luka and Copper would the epitome of both worlds, a durable two way stud with an insane motor and the finesse late game wizard who can make every read / play / insane shot.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Who are you starting at the 2?

I hope there will be a trade... Otherwise Max or Biberovic.

[KillerLeft]

Its a reasonable take. Also why - if they get there - probably wont get far in the playoffs where the game slows down even more drastically than in a close regular season crunch time. Having Kyrie back will help a lot but it wont be the same as in the short Kyrie and Luka era. Or Dirk obviously.

Coop will for sure put up insane numbers and at the very least make the allstar game. But I think it will be a while until he becomes the dump it to him he will get you over the line-type like Dirk / Luka. If he ever gets there. We have been insanely spoiled with those two in that regard. Guys like KG or AD never were that type of engine and still are viewed as alltime greats.

That’s why I hope SO SO much that they will find a way to salvage the relationship with Dirk and Luka and bring the latter home one day. Luka and Copper would the epitome of both worlds, a durable two way stud with an insane motor and the finesse late game wizard who can make every read / play / insane shot.

I agree with this, but to be even more clear, I think he's already shown enough for me to believe he's going to be a great scorer. He won't play exactly like Dirk, obviously, but I think he will grow into being a very high level scorer like Dirk, only in his own way, and will very likely end up being one of the better "closers" of his era (which hasn't even started yet, really). 

What I'm talking about is the PG thing...or point forward, whatever. I'm still way not a believer in that approach, so far. For me, it's not even a matter of whether he can do it, it's more about whether that's the thing they should want him to do. I think he'll be a better, more impactful player if they put a more prominent ball-handling scorer with him for so many reasons. 

But, either way. I think he's 2-3 years away from being in any type of "face of a contending team" conversation, regardless of role. That's not a criticism, either - it's just how this stuff works, in my NBA following experience.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

You implied Atlanta bailed Presti out. 

And others have been constantly posting about how everything the man does is awesome all the time. It’s so tedious.

On paper the Mavs and Atlanta won this trade.

Although if Risacher becomes a player then Atlanta lost at life, failing to develop a #1 pick.

 
I implied no such thing. Where did I say Atlanta bailed him out? By saying he's actively been a trade partner with them?  Reading is fundamental. I haven't been cheerleading his every move. His MO is collecting picks to flip in other deals, and he's pretty good at it. He's a good GM. I think he's proved that. 
Sounds like to me, you have Presti Derangement Syndrome.

[windjc]

 
I implied no such thing. Where did I say Atlanta bailed him out? By saying he's actively been a trade partner with them?  Reading is fundamental. I haven't been cheerleading his every move. His MO is collecting picks to flip in other deals, and he's pretty good at it. He's a good GM. I think he's proved that. 
Sounds like to me, you have Presti Derangement Syndrome.

No. Lol. Presti IS a good GM. There are many good GMs. The Mavs have a good GM. Let me ask a questions though, which other good GMs get as much air time as Presti on this board?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

No. Lol. Presti IS a good GM. There are many good GMs. The Mavs have a good GM. Let me ask a questions though, which other good GMs get as much air time as Presti on this board?

 It hasn't been determined yet that the Mavs have a good GM has it? Sure Masai was good in Denver and won a chip with Toronto. We all assume the moves he made are different than the status quo that's been around here. But until we see incremental improvement with the team, the jury is still out. I get the feeling that you're targeting me as a Presti apologist which is totally off base.

[windjc]

 It hasn't been determined yet that the Mavs have a good GM has it? Sure Masai was good in Denver and won a chip with Toronto. We all assume the moves he made are different than the status quo that's been around here. But until we see incremental improvement with the team, the jury is still out. I get the feeling that you're targeting me as a Presti apologist which is totally off base.

You avoided my question.

[Knutsen]

I don't say this much around here, because this board has a way of jumping down people's throats for opinions they'd prefer didn't exist, but...I don't think Flagg is anywhere remotely close to transcendent as an offensive engine. Not yet, at least. I think his potential transcendent value lies in being an uncommonly effective player on both ends of the court, and sure...given enough time and runway I think his offensive role could be offensive engine, but very likely that will come with a lessening of what he offers on the other end. I'm not super thrilled about taking his career in that direction, and I'm hopeful that's not the way we're headed. 

But, even if that is where they're headed with him...think about how long it took guys like LeBron or Luka to hit their strides in roles like that. He's 19. I'm in no rush. 

I think it's very possible that the next great Mavs "offensive engine" isn't on the roster yet. I wouldn't bet my life on it or anything, but I'm just saying - Flagg doesn't scream "ready to win now" to me just yet. We'll see what he's figured out over the summer very soon, and it seems like he's going to have a lot more space in which to operate, which is obviously helpful.

I fully understand that take. But „transcendent“ doesn’t have to mean transcendent offensive engine.

My definition would be a top 10 player after just three or four years in the league. So not in the nominal prime between 27 or 32, but  way earlier, basically during the duration of the rookie contract. 

And top 10 player can be reached in different ways - you could be a top 3 offensive player and suck on defense like Luka, or you could be the best defensive player and be okay on offense like Wemby. 

Or you could be a top 25 player on defense and a top 25 player on offense at the same time. And that’s the most probable way for Flagg - if he is that in 2 or 3 years he’s good enough to win a title with him as your best player. 

That’s why I say trajectory and development wise he’s more like 25 than 19.

[mvossman]

I fully understand that take. But „transcendent“ doesn’t have to mean transcendent offensive engine.

My definition would be a top 10 player after just three or four years in the league. So not in the nominal prime between 27 or 32, but  way earlier, basically during the duration of the rookie contract. 

And top 10 player can be reached in different ways - you could be a top 3 offensive player and suck on defense like Luka, or you could be the best defensive player and be okay on offense like Wemby. 

Or you could be a top 25 player on defense and a top 25 player on offense at the same time. And that’s the most probable way for Flagg - if he is that in 2 or 3 years he’s good enough to win a title with him as your best player. 

That’s why I say trajectory and development wise he’s more like 25 than 19.

I'm not entirely sure that is good enough to be the best player on a champion.  It hasn't been in a long time.  Going back over the last 20 years plus the best player on each champion was a top 10 offensive player and more often than not a top 5 offensive player.  Flagg does not need to be the primary offensive engine, but he needs to be at least a top 10 (if not top 5) offensive player for this team to have a realistic chance to eventually win a title.

[myconsumerclub]

PG: Kyrie is here for 2 to 3 or more years and when that time is up Sergio and Sasser will be here plus I think Ishchenko looked good at PG the other day so he may be a candidate for developing into a big PG by then or he could be a backup at SG, SF, PF since he is a young 6'8" kid that we can train to do the job to play multiple positions. Kind of great we have him and Sergio both to develop into mini Luka's.

SG: Max is a 40% shooter from 3 and that is what we need more of if he will just start to play more aggressive and work on his craft more. I think that if Tarik can hit 45% or even just 40% (he was a throw in from the Santi Aldama trade so that is another winner winner chicken dinner) he might win the starting duty here and I would not be surprised by that but he is going to need to prove himself first. Klay should get traded off or bought out from what I'm hearing and JP is also a great 3 point shooter from the 3 two way guys. I expect Martin to ride the bench all year long unless he just goes into a game and hits a bunch of 3's to force us into looking at him again. Lots of our guys from other positions can move to SG if needed, especially the bigger PG's.

SF: Cooper is our #1 guy at SF no surprises there but he needs to improve his 3 pointer like most of the guys need to do, Risacher would be good to use as a backup SF and shooting his 3 better would be nice too. Naji was our 2nd leading scorer behind Cooper last season, that is if you only count guys still on the team because AD was the real number 2 when he was here but Naji needs to hit 3's at a better rate as well or he will find his name on the trade block as well.

I wonder! If Tarik hits 40 % on his threes he is 6'7" then maybe he needs to be the first off the bench behind Cooper if the other SF's cannot hit their 3's at the right % to earn their minutes.

PF: Santi should play at PF and the 5 and his size and ability to shoot 3's makes him a starter to help stretch the defense and help open up the middle for when Cooper is out there and Cooper could play the 4 as well. Morez is a rookie but he will be force fed minutes to develop his game because he is a potential star based on where we drafted him and he may hit 3's better than Santi when he gets more playing time under his belt. PJ may get traded if we can add a 1st round pick doing so but till then he needs to focus and get better with his 3 pointers. Lawal and Tyler are 2 ways guys we can play here and maybe they will be needed at PF if we trade off PJ, or if we need to play Santi and Morez more at the 5 due to injuries of a center. PJ may stay here all season and do well enough that we see him last another year in a mavs uni.

C: Lively supposedly 7-3 now should get healthy enough to play at the 5 sometime early in the season and hopefully he stays healthier this season since Gafford is likely getting traded when we can do that to secure a good pick in the first round. Cisse is probably going to be a better defensive option behind Lively due to the stats he posted last season. Santi and Morez could see time here as well to stretch the defense with 3 point shooting or to fill in due to an injury situation.

if trades happen to make this lineup possible this is the kind of roster I think the MBT want to develop:

PG:Kyrie 6-2 Sergio 6-7 Sasser 6-1 Ishchenko 6-8 {Naji 6-6 Cooper 6-9}
SG: Max 6-5 Tarik 6-7 {Ishchenko Naji Cooper Risacher 6-8 Sergio Kyrie}
SF: Cooper Risacher Naji {Ishchenko Tarik Sergio} MARTIN
PF: Santi 7-0 Morez 6-10 PJ 6-7 {Cooper}
C: Lively 7-3 Cisse 6-11 {Santi Morez}

2 ways: Lawal 6-8 John 6-6 Tyler 6-9

[Chicagojk]

My thoughts change, but I think the easiest outcome is a Gafford and Marshall trade and a Klay buyout. I don't think Dallas will be in any rush, but I think that is the most likely outcome. PJ stays as they try to put him in a better spot next year. Gafford and Marhshall moving on for a 2-1 with a guard returning just makes too much sense.

I think we hope to find a taker for Klay where we get a small asset. I am just not sure that is in the cards. I understand holding onto him until the deadline, but I think the Mavs do him right if they don't find a taker and they can agree on a price and let him go to a team of his choice. I just don't think there is minutes for him here currently.