Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

Two things:
1) Every thing the Mavs have done this offseason has crashed out into the open out of thin air, without warning. “No smoke,” for this front office is as good as smoke, tbh. Come on. You aren’t smarter than this - you’re *way* smarter than this.
2) You do look at this roster and see a dearth of guards, right? If not, then putting #1 and #2 together, I might consider a wellness check on you.

I agree the Mavs have worked under the radar.

I don't agree that Mathurin is what the Mavs need AT ALL. 
1 "He's a guard" is a fairly irrelevant reason to sign him, in and of itself, because the Mavs already have at least 6 guards on the 15-man. They're fully stocked.
2 Yes, the Mavs could perhaps use another player who creates offense for the team - a PG type, so to speak. Maybe. But Mathurin is very much NOT that guy. He's just a guard in general. Why in the world would they invest that kind of money in a player who is NOT addressing their needs?
3  What Mathurin could give the Mavs would be the addition of a younger THJ type who likes to shoot every time he has the ball (but Math doesn't shoot 3s at a high pct, whereas THJ is a good floor spacer). He wants to be a scorer, so he scores a lot, but he's not especially efficient. Streaky. His defense is spotty, often bad. He's not very team oriented on offense - he's looking for his own shot. I'm not all that impressed.
4  Mathurin's shot profile is similar to Naji - both can get shots, can score a lot, not that good on 3s. However Naji is actually a fairly efficient scorer, about 60% TS, better than Mathurin. Naji is probably a better defender. And Naji is not nearly as expensive cost on the limited payroll.
5 There's really not anything Mathurin does that makes me want to invest over $20M a season in him, rather than go with what the Mavs already have. Not worth it, in relation to Mavs.
....I think the contract issue is significant in other ways, not just the value. The idea of getting Mathurin is somewhat of a quest to use up the last bits of under-tax payroll space, and maybe even more. I see that as extremely short-sighted. As the raw talent they have starts to develop, new contracts will cost more money (as they get better) and the things we see with OKC (giving away usable talent) will be necessary. In light of what he would do to their payroll, I think he would have to be a game-changer for their team. And I don't think that's even borderline close.

A Mathurin chase feels to me like Mavs doing the same thing they did with Martin - a move that they really didn't need, which clogged the roster for YEARS, and didn't get a difference maker. 

HOWEVER -- I can't imagine the Mavs are even debating Mathurin. So many red flags. So contrary to what they are doing in general. So bad for the payroll.

[Scott41theMavs]

Gump, I liked every part of your post except the 6 guards argument. Kyrie, Max, Sasser, Sergio, Klay… looks like five to me, and one of those is likely getting waived if we can’t trade him (holding out hope). 

Unless of course you have intel that Seva will make the main roster. Still five. Factor in Kyrie’s 10-30 games missed and the guard rotation is a serious problem.

(Edit: unless you were just counting wrong, I would imagine you were counting some forward as a guard. To wit, Flagg, Aldama, Morez, PJ, Naji, Risacher, Tarik, and Martin are all forwards and listed as such.)

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Elsewhere, the Wizards will look to add a backup point guard behind Young to round out their roster, HoopsHype has learned.

HoopsHype

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Following the trade acquisition of Miles Bridges, the Suns hope to extend him long-term, league sources told HoopsHype. Currently, the 28-year-old forward is on an expiring $22.83 million contract for the upcoming season.

HoopsHype


Suns doing Kangz thangs...

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Numerous teams have called the Denver Nuggets hoping they’d be willing to dump forward Cameron Johnson, who’s owed $23.06 million in the final year of his contract, but those inquiries have been rebuffed, league sources told HoopsHype.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

By sending Dort to Atlanta, the Thunder opened up more playing time for rising young guards Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace, including a starting spot. Wallace, an All-Defensive Team selection, is extension eligible. Comparable guards to Wallace who’ve signed recent contract extensions include Dyson Daniels and Christian Braun, who both signed for $25 million per season, and Jalen Suggs, who signed for $30 million annually. Should Wallace enter restricted free agency next year, he’d be a highly coveted player. Various teams have called the Thunder through Wallace’s tenure to gauge what it would take to pry him from the franchise, as previously mentioned on HoopsHype.

[Chicagojk]

Following the trade acquisition of Miles Bridges, the Suns hope to extend him long-term, league sources told HoopsHype. Currently, the 28-year-old forward is on an expiring $22.83 million contract for the upcoming season.

HoopsHype


Suns doing Kangz thangs...

I have sort of liked the moves by the Suns.  They have sort of turned what I thought was a bottom tier West team into a playin type team.  I think for the most part they have made smart moves since the KD and Beal moves.    Bridges talent wise is a good get.   It is the off court issues that are tough to ignore.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I have sort of liked the moves by the Suns.  They have sort of turned what I thought was a bottom tier West team into a playin type team.  I think for the most part they have made smart moves since the KD and Beal moves.    Bridges talent wise is a good get.   It is the off court issues that are tough to ignore.

So you don't have a problem extending him? I mean he's decent offensively but is horrible on the other side of the ball.

[Chicagojk]

So you don't have a problem extending him? I mean he's decent offensively but is horrible on the other side of the ball.

You know I really couldn't tell you much about his defense, so maybe it is bad.  I liked Charlotte moving on from him.  Although from a pure basketball standpoint, I would not be against an extension if I got him at a discount.  He could be an innings eater and a short term fix the first few years of Peat and their other young forward.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Charlotte Hornets have been linked with interest in Dennis Schroder, league sources told HoopsHype. It’s worth noting that Hornets executive Jeff Peterson is said to still be a fan of Schroder dating back to their time together in Atlanta.

HoopsHype

[F Gump]

Gump, I liked every part of your post except the 6 guards argument. Kyrie, Max, Sasser, Sergio, Klay… looks like five to me, and one of those is likely getting waived if we can’t trade him (holding out hope). 

Unless of course you have intel that Seva will make the main roster. Still five. Factor in Kyrie’s 10-30 games missed and the guard rotation is a serious problem.

(Edit: unless you were just counting wrong, I would imagine you were counting some forward as a guard. To wit, Flagg, Aldama, Morez, PJ, Naji, Risacher, Tarik, and Martin are all forwards and listed as such.)

You're right.

My list was
PG- Kyrie, DeLarrea, Sasser
SG- Max, Klay, Tarik

I had listed Tarik as a SG. I never looked it up, I just watched his videos and that's what it looked like. You are correct that the Mavs have him as a F, and BR shows him as a SF, which would create an imbalance. Point taken.

So what does that mean? I'm still not seeing Mathurin as filling a need.

In theory they can "move" someone to be the 3rd SG as needed. (But these days aren't position labels kinda arbitrary and blurry anyhow?) Accepting they need players who can fill the needs, I'd rather Naji or Tarik or Risacher or Flagg play minutes at "SG" than find minutes to add Mathurin to the mix. Oh, and Poulakidas will also be available.

I don't think that leaves them badly needing Mathurin. It may mean they play some lineups that aren't standard, but then again, every team does that a lot these days. 

Re the question of "what if Kyrie gets injured," I guess we will find out if having 3 PGs is enough to fill their needs. Important point re Mathurin is his presence would not help that, if they need even more. They could have found another PG to add in a 3-way slot, but didn't, and they also gave up Nemby (for yet another SF, which they have tons of) -- so by their actions it sure feels like they feel they are fully stocked at PG, doncha think?

I would also think they see both Naji and Flagg as usable options for stints at PG as well as SG, certainly in an emergency but perhaps beyond.

[Scott41theMavs]

You're right.

My list was
PG- Kyrie, DeLarrea, Sasser
SG- Max, Klay, Tarik

I had listed Tarik as a SG. I never looked it up, I just watched his videos and that's what it looked like. You are correct that the Mavs have him as a F, and BR shows him as a SF, which would create an imbalance. Point taken.

So what does that mean? I'm still not seeing Mathurin as filling a need.

In theory they can "move" someone to be the 3rd SG as needed. (But these days aren't position labels kinda arbitrary and blurry anyhow?) Accepting they need players who can fill the needs, I'd rather Naji or Tarik or Risacher or Flagg play minutes at "SG" than find minutes to add Mathurin to the mix. Oh, and Poulakidas will also be available.

I don't think that leaves them badly needing Mathurin. It may mean they play some lineups that aren't standard, but then again, every team does that a lot these days. 

Re the question of "what if Kyrie gets injured," I guess we will find out if having 3 PGs is enough to fill their needs. Important point re Mathurin is his presence would not help that, if they need even more. They could have found another PG to add in a 3-way slot, but didn't, and they also gave up Nemby (for yet another SF, which they have tons of) -- so by their actions it sure feels like they feel they are fully stocked at PG, doncha think?

I would also think they see both Naji and Flagg as usable options for stints at PG as well as SG, certainly in an emergency but perhaps beyond.

I'm starting to get comfortable with the idea of the Mavs trading Klay into air or buying him out, and Seva replacing Poulakidas in the two-ways, and rolling. If they don't want Scoot (PJ for Scoot is right there; folks from Portland are even assuming that draft capital would probably have to be added from their end - from their end!), then I would imagine that that's what they'll do. I know you're a Seva doubter (yes, I believe his BBIQ, court vision, and defensive instincts make him ready to contribute in the 10-15 level of the roster right away, and probably as a point guard), but I think he's more skilled than Poulakidas.

Edit: the weirdest part of rolling with the current roster (aside from not enough creation) is the presence of Gafford. If they start the year with him, I believe they'll trade him when they believe Morez is ready to take over as the starter at center - or if Lively looks long-term healthy at a point in the mid-season. Taking that approach is probably best in terms of win-loss early in the season, if that is important to them (and I believe it probably will be).

Man, I still see the Kyrie IR guard corps of Sergio, Sasser, Max, and Seva as pretty thin.

[SleepingHero]

I personally don't want Luka back. He's a great player and I hated the trade, but I don't want to watch that style of basketball anymore. Flagg is too good of a player to be a Robin. It's his franchise now and I wish Luka the best.

I believe you've taken for granted the greatness of Luka. I wish he'd comeback. Him and Flagg would dominate.

[SleepingHero]

Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor)
Sources believe LeBron James is slow-playing his decision to see if any of his suitors can find a way to land Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving. The problem is that AD and Kyrie don't seem available for trade. More on LeBron's choices on @YahooSports: https://t.co/qYVdDqQQ4z

[Scott41theMavs]

I believe you've taken for granted the greatness of Luka. I wish he'd comeback. Him and Flagg would dominate.

As others have said, if Luka wanted to return, if I were Masai, I wouldn't just sign him - I would sit down with him and ask him if he's willing 1) to defer to Cooper *more* than he did to the self-proclaimed GOAT, 2) to learn to captain a ball-movement style, 3) to play some defense, and 4) to see a sports psychologist and view ref-barking as a life-management-wrecking addiction that he simply must overcome. If the answer to any of those is no, 2 and 4 most of all, then he would not be welcome back, in my book. If he answers yes to all, then I don't care a whit about the not showing up in shape stuff - he's absolutely welcome back.

[SleepingHero]

As others have said, if Luka wanted to return, if I were Masai, I wouldn't just sign him - I would sit down with him and ask him if he's willing 1) to defer to Cooper *more* than he did to the self-proclaimed GOAT, 2) to learn to captain a ball-movement style, 3) to play some defense, and 4) to see a sports psychologist and view ref-barking as a life-management-wrecking addiction that he simply must overcome. If the answer to any of those is no, 2 and 4 most of all, then he would not be welcome back, in my book. If he answers yes to all, then I don't care a whit about the not showing up in shape stuff - he's absolutely welcome back.

1) Luka deferred plenty to Kyrie while he was here, I don't see why we're even questioning if he'd defer to Cooper. 

2) He's played a ball movement style before when he was younger, but why would we not use arguably a top 3 offensive player of all time to the max? Why would we not want him to set up wide open looks for Coop? He rarely makes a poor choice with the ball, and we've seen when he's paired with good players we go to the finals. 

3) the defensive thing as always is over blown. He's not a great defender, he more than makes up for it in every other aspect on the court.

4) the ref barking thing is incredibly annoying but i've given up on Luka making that change. he's a passionate player that takes out his anger on the thing he thinks is causing him to not win. More than often its the refs. But we've seen him bark at players, fans, opposing coaches, opposing teams, and even children. That is who Luka is.

Again, it seems like there is collective amnesia here over just how good Luka Doncic was/is. We would be lucky if he returned.

[Tyler]

Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor)
Sources believe LeBron James is slow-playing his decision to see if any of his suitors can find a way to land Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving. The problem is that AD and Kyrie don't seem available for trade. More on LeBron's choices on @YahooSports: https://t.co/qYVdDqQQ4z

Does anyone doubt for a minute that LeBron would already be in Dallas with AD and Kyrie if Nico was still here?

[Scott41theMavs]

Does anyone doubt for a minute that LeBron would already be in Dallas with AD and Kyrie if Nico was still here?

Sure, but we dodged that bullet. Don't care.

[Scott41theMavs]

1) Luka deferred plenty to Kyrie while he was here, I don't see why we're even questioning if he'd defer to Cooper. 

2) He's played a ball movement style before when he was younger, but why would we not use arguably a top 3 offensive player of all time to the max? Why would we not want him to set up wide open looks for Coop? He rarely makes a poor choice with the ball, and we've seen when he's paired with good players we go to the finals. 

3) the defensive thing as always is over blown. He's not a great defender, he more than makes up for it in every other aspect on the court.

4) the ref barking thing is incredibly annoying but i've given up on Luka making that change. he's a passionate player that takes out his anger on the thing he thinks is causing him to not win. More than often its the refs. But we've seen him bark at players, fans, opposing coaches, opposing teams, and even children. That is who Luka is.

Again, it seems like there is collective amnesia here over just how good Luka Doncic was/is. We would be lucky if he returned.

Nah, not letting the ref-barking thing go. It lost the Lakers games last year.

[MaxiThreeba]

Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor)
Sources believe LeBron James is slow-playing his decision to see if any of his suitors can find a way to land Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving. The problem is that AD and Kyrie don't seem available for trade. More on LeBron's choices on @YahooSports: https://t.co/qYVdDqQQ4z

LeBron trying to LeGM one last time setting up the Kyrie for Maxey and Embiid for AD trades.