Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[DanSchwartzgan]

Not rally surprised.  There were reports that some of the new players wanted the number that Dwight has and they were told that number is already taken.  

I would put the odds that Powell is not back.   Although this tells me Dallas is still looking at 2-1, 3-1, 3-2 type of deals and are keeping their options open.   It appears they are very deliberate and keep doors open until they close.  Once they pick a path they are pretty aggressive but until then they are good keeping their cards.

Having Powell as your 14/15th man is not the worst thing.    I just think the odds are probably against him being back next year.

Note that it says Powell is keeping in touch with Dallas and not the other way around - although this is sometimes the kind of note where Stein will later come back and say "as we've been saying" as if that report was his way of saying be on the lookout for this possibility.  The number thing is interesting.

The issue I see is Powell may not be the highest priority for the 15th spot if there was a consolidation trade.  It would take a 3/1 deal to get us to the point where we can add back a 15th guy.  Would they prioritize Powell over Seva?  Of course, you have to get to the point of actually finding a 3/1 deal before you can talk about that.  

The only thing I see out there that might be palatable would be Butler for three to four of our guys.  Golden State has a ton of open roster spots and could help us restock the draft cupboard.  I think Gafford and Klay make sense there.  I'm not sure I see it with PJ if Draymond returns.  But, you need PJ's money in the deal unless you move this to a 4/1 or 4/2 type deal replacing PJ's money with Naji and Martin (and no, I don't see a world in which they send us Yaxel).

This is another one of those situations where something has to happen (for both teams really) and now that the Lebron thing is over, I'm not sure what else would be holding things up.  I'm in the camp that we will try to be competitive this season with the young guys having to fight for minutes.  But, trading this number of vets would change the outlook considerably.  The draft compensation would be the key here, but if Butler shows himself healthy at some point, there is a fairly good amount of things you could do with him later to extract additional value.  I wouldn't envision him around the team necessarily.  He lives in Houston if I'm not mistaken, so it would be easy enough for him to rehab there and check in with the team from time to time.

[Mavs2021]

Note that it says Powell is keeping in touch with Dallas and not the other way around - although this is sometimes the kind of note where Stein will later come back and say "as we've been saying" as if that report was his way of saying be on the lookout for this possibility.  The number thing is interesting.

The issue I see is Powell may not be the highest priority for the 15th spot if there was a consolidation trade.  It would take a 3/1 deal to get us to the point where we can add back a 15th guy.  Would they prioritize Powell over Seva?  Of course, you have to get to the point of actually finding a 3/1 deal before you can talk about that.  

The only thing I see out there that might be palatable would be Butler for three to four of our guys.  Golden State has a ton of open roster spots and could help us restock the draft cupboard.  I think Gafford and Klay make sense there.  I'm not sure I see it with PJ if Draymond returns.  But, you need PJ's money in the deal unless you move this to a 4/1 or 4/2 type deal replacing PJ's money with Naji and Martin (and no, I don't see a world in which they send us Yaxel).

This is another one of those situations where something has to happen (for both teams really) and now that the Lebron thing is over, I'm not sure what else would be holding things up.  I'm in the camp that we will try to be competitive this season with the young guys having to fight for minutes.  But, trading this number of vets would change the outlook considerably.  The draft compensation would be the key here, but if Butler shows himself healthy at some point, there is a fairly good amount of things you could do with him later to extract additional value.  I wouldn't envision him around the team necessarily.  He lives in Houston if I'm not mistaken, so it would be easy enough for him to rehab there and check in with the team from time to time.

Warriors are the most curious case. If they do nothing, I think they are a 9th/10th seed at best. They are so old and injury prone they could easily be in the lottery.

Steph/Richard
Podziemski/Melton
Lendeborg/Santos
Draymond/Bassey
Porzingis/Horford

Look at that squad and tell me they are not one 38 year old Steph injury away from being the worst team in the West. I don´t even know who this Richard guy is. Teams will chase Steph relentlessly, until his legs give out, cause there is nobody else on this team that is a threat. Their bench couldn´t even get on our bench.

For that reason alone, I´m asking for Lendeborg or two unprotected 1st round picks in any 3 for 1 Butler trade. You don´t wanna do it. Fine.

[Smitty]

Note that it says Powell is keeping in touch with Dallas and not the other way around - although this is sometimes the kind of note where Stein will later come back and say "as we've been saying" as if that report was his way of saying be on the lookout for this possibility.  The number thing is interesting.

The issue I see is Powell may not be the highest priority for the 15th spot if there was a consolidation trade.  It would take a 3/1 deal to get us to the point where we can add back a 15th guy.  Would they prioritize Powell over Seva?  Of course, you have to get to the point of actually finding a 3/1 deal before you can talk about that.  

The only thing I see out there that might be palatable would be Butler for three to four of our guys.  Golden State has a ton of open roster spots and could help us restock the draft cupboard.  I think Gafford and Klay make sense there.  I'm not sure I see it with PJ if Draymond returns.  But, you need PJ's money in the deal unless you move this to a 4/1 or 4/2 type deal replacing PJ's money with Naji and Martin (and no, I don't see a world in which they send us Yaxel).

This is another one of those situations where something has to happen (for both teams really) and now that the Lebron thing is over, I'm not sure what else would be holding things up.  I'm in the camp that we will try to be competitive this season with the young guys having to fight for minutes.  But, trading this number of vets would change the outlook considerably.  The draft compensation would be the key here, but if Butler shows himself healthy at some point, there is a fairly good amount of things you could do with him later to extract additional value.  I wouldn't envision him around the team necessarily.  He lives in Houston if I'm not mistaken, so it would be easy enough for him to rehab there and check in with the team from time to time.

The Warriors are at 11 roster spots with the Melton signing. They're reportedly bringing back Green at ~$28M. That would get them to 12 of the minimum 14 and only ~$8M below A2.

Curry | Melton
Podz | Richard | Moody
Yaxel | Santos | Butler
KP | Horford
Green | Bassey

They need a miracle to be competitive. A consolidation trade with good players for their injured ones would need to include significant draft capital...

PJ+Gafford+Klay+Martin for Butler adds $7.7M to GS cap, keeping them just below A2 once they resign Green, and getting them to 15 roster spots.

Curry | Melton | Richard
Podz | Klay | Moody
Yaxel | Martin | Santos
KP | PJW | Horford
Green | Gafford | Bassey


The Mavs free up money this year and beyond, while clearing 3 roster spots. Leaving 2 for Seva and Powell?

Kyrie | Sergio | Sasser
Max | Risacher | Seva
Flagg | Naji | Tarik
Morez | Aldama | Butler
Lively | Cisse | Powell

[DanSchwartzgan]

Their bench couldn´t even get on our bench.

For that reason alone, I´m asking for Lendeborg or two unprotected 1st round picks in any 3 for 1 Butler trade. You don´t wanna do it. Fine.

Yeah, this trade takes them from non-competitive to at least having a chance.

I was thinking unprotected in 2027 and one of the out years once Curry is gone.  They are going to be really bad as things currently stand.  I don't believe they would include Yaxel, but his trade restriction comes off this week - which could explain why this isn't done already.

[DanSchwartzgan]

PJ+Gafford+Klay+Martin for Butler adds $7.7M to GS cap, keeping them just below A2 once they resign Green, and getting them to 15 roster spots.

The math of that is interesting for them.  Thanks for putting it all together.  

It puts us $10mm under the tax line (and better able to use most of the $12mm left in the MLE) this year and removes $49mm in salary from our cap sheet next year.  We see giving them all of these competitive vets as valuable and deserving of a certain amount of compensation.  I wonder if they see removing nearly $50mm of salary from our cap sheet as more of an offset in the real world than us fans take into account?

[Hooper21]

Ah yes, the old autodefenestration induced by the retention of the Canadian Ambassador of Facial Self-Flagellation.

https://youtu.be/eOklKK90hpk?si=_3ya7gY7hj2L4GFe

[Smitty]

I wonder if they see removing nearly $50mm of salary from our cap sheet as more of an offset in the real world than us fans take into account?

Oh, I'm sure it counts for something. A lot more than I'm probably giving it credit for. 

Would you do the same deal above, except Yaxel is part of it? The money this year is closer. Only +$1.6M to the Warriors side. It means you only add one of Seva/Powell to the 15-man. Does May want another Michigan guy? Is their 2027 FRP(?) and Yaxel fair compensation?

[mvossman]

The math of that is interesting for them.  Thanks for putting it all together.  

It puts us $10mm under the tax line (and better able to use most of the $12mm left in the MLE) this year and removes $49mm in salary from our cap sheet next year.  We see giving them all of these competitive vets as valuable and deserving of a certain amount of compensation.  I wonder if they see removing nearly $50mm of salary from our cap sheet as more of an offset in the real world than us fans take into account?

Yep.  They clear our cap sheet including taking on Martin in that deal.  We might even be able to turn Butler around for something at the TDL.  I don't see them sending back Yaxel or an unprotected first in that deal.  I'm not even sure how much sense it makes for them to have Draymond, Yaxel and PJ on the roster together, and PJ is the best asset we would be sending them.

[numnuts23]

Can't see anyway GS moves Yaxel

[mvossman]

Oh, I'm sure it counts for something. A lot more than I'm probably giving it credit for. 

Would you do the same deal above, except Yaxel is part of it? The money this year is closer. Only +$1.6M to the Warriors side. It means you only add one of Seva/Powell to the 15-man. Does May want another Michigan guy? Is their 2027 FRP(?) and Yaxel fair compensation?

It's way too much.  Yaxel is worth way more than PJ due to age and contract.  Gafford + Klay is just to pay for Martin dump and Butler is a potential expiring asset at the deadline.  Maybe they can get the 27 with that deal.

[Smitty]

It's way too much.  Yaxel is worth way more than PJ due to age and contract.  Gafford + Klay is just to pay for Martin dump and Butler is a potential expiring asset at the deadline.  Maybe they can get the 27 with that deal.

Well, between here and Discord I've now seen there's no way they include Yaxel. 
There's no way they include significant draft capital. 
That they must include Yaxel and/or multiple first round picks. 

[mvossman]

Well, between here and Discord I've now seen there's no way they include Yaxel. 
There's no way they include significant draft capital. 
That they must include Yaxel and/or multiple first round picks. 

The way of message boards.  There is obviously a homeristic component to message boards so truth probably leans closer to the negative views.

[cow]

Oh, I'm sure it counts for something. A lot more than I'm probably giving it credit for. 

Would you do the same deal above, except Yaxel is part of it? The money this year is closer. Only +$1.6M to the Warriors side. It means you only add one of Seva/Powell to the 15-man. Does May want another Michigan guy? Is their 2027 FRP(?) and Yaxel fair compensation?

I don't think GSW would do it, but I'd be all over it if Yaxel were included.  Yaxel, Rez, and Flagg is a really nice core.  I might even consider it by adding in draft compensation from us.

[Chicagojk]

Golden State appears stuck.  I have no idea how they change their current situation.   It feels like a situation that to get to .500 Curry is going to need to be superman.  He can certainly do that but as a late 30's player you just don't think it is sustainable.   Draymond is probably best served as a playoff player.  Asking him to carry a heavy load during the regular season is probably not his strong suit.   There name pops up in most near 30 and above star.  Not sure this type of player changes their timeline either.  Maybe it helps with Curry's final years.

The big question is does Curry go the way of Dirk or does he force things?   There was already rumors the Warriors owner is looking to build for post Curry last week.   Something to monitor.  That owner may be very good, but he comes off as a mr know it all.    The Warriors made some great moves along the way, but the biggest was Curry being what he is and a cap spike year for KD.  Neither was really genius moves by the front office/ownership.

There were rumors for years about Curry having a retirement tour in Charlotte. I never took that seriously as thought he was a lifer in GS. Although with Charlotte becoming smart and good now, maybe there is something there if things deteriorate in SF.

[F Gump]

On a side note, let’s say the Mavs managed before camp to do trades that cleared two roster spots. I would expect the prior regimes to resign Powell instead of Seva. If M&M were to do that, I might Tommen myself.

I don't know what that means, but when it happens, I hope it doesn't hurt!!

[Chicagojk]

The Philadelphia 76ers have been looking for a trade for Johni Broome. If they can’t find one, the team may waive and stretch Broome’s salary. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope won't clear waivers until tomorrow. The Sixers have time to work out the move to clear room to sign KCP.  In a corresponding move, Philadelphia waived Dalen Terry to clear salary below the first apron hard cap to sign James. Philadelphia is $2,012,784 below the first apron. This does not include Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1 year veteran exception= $2,449,421

x.com

The Broome Second round pick was the pick we sent in the Grimes/Martin trade.  Broome was fabulous in college, but so far looks like he can't play in the NBA.  Rare Morey miss on talent.    I haven't seen him play.   The concern was him is he is an old school big who battered smaller college players, but is limited athletically and not suited to play away from the basket in the NBA.  So far those concerns are legit.

[BigDirk41]

It's way too much.  Yaxel is worth way more than PJ due to age and contract.  Gafford + Klay is just to pay for Martin dump and Butler is a potential expiring asset at the deadline.  Maybe they can get the 27 with that deal.

They definitely aren't including Yaxel.

[F Gump]

Any potential for a Miami three team trade where they wind up with both Klay and Martin?  I assume we are stuck with Martin.  Maybe one of the teams that would gamble on him is Miami.  He played well there before and Miami needs bodies.  Maybe Martin is just a body now, but maybe Miami can work their magic again

I have wondered the same but the MIA outgoing possibilities are hard to make work. That combo makes 27M (17,10) so MIA would have to send out similar salary. 

Here's what I've seen when trying to figure out a fit with the Heat.

Wiggins at 30M fits for MIA and would make it the 2-for-1 DAL needs, but puts DAL over the tax line. 
Jovic at 16.2M would only serve to match either Klay or Martin in a 1-for-1, and has a really bad contract (4 yr 62M) for a player who has been very iffy on the court.
They probably wouldn't consider Portis (14.5) or Mitchell (12.4). 
The other salaries are small. 

They just don't have the right sized salary pieces.

[Chicagojk]

Looks like Kuminga and his agent screwed up again. FA money has dried up. Cleveland went for Hezonja and is now less likely to pursue Kuminga.

Kuminga can realistically only get paid through SnT. However, SnT requires a three year deal and no one is giving Kuminga 20+ per for three years and Kuminga is not enthusiastic to sign a small deal for three years. All this than gets further complicated by Atlanta side of things.

Atlanta is only 5 mil under the tax line which they are unlikely to cross. They also have 17 players on the roster already. So it is not realistic to expect Atlanta would be taking back serious salary. Neither will they offer Kuminga serious salary if they want to keep him. Milwaukee, who was also rumored to be interested, also has 17 players on the roster and is only 8 mil below the tax line. So realistically most of the deals would need to be sending salary to a third team to offer Kuminga anything north of 10 mil.

Lakers could have a path that would make sense for both teams. Atlanta has a bad Hield contract (a bit under 10 mil per for two years), who is redundant after they traded for Kispert. Lakers could send Vando to Atlanta (26 mil over 2 years) for Hield (20 mil over two years) and include Kuminga SnT up to 11.5 mil in first year. Atlanta only eats 6 mil of additional money over two years and stays below tax. Poor assets Lakers have would be enough to compensate that difference. Atlanta could use Vando more than Buddy and Lakers could use Buddy more than Vando.

It doesn't look good for the agent.   Above someone posted that he has costed other players money too.

Not sure what to make of the Kuminga thing.   I think the restricted free agent thing really hurt him.   He didn't want Golden State, They didn't want him, but they also wanted to hold on to him to get a big upgrade that was never going to come.   So, it was a staring contest with everyone knowing what the ending would be.    Kuminga probably didn't do his part though to play the role GS needed, so I blame him for that.

I believe he was pretty positive in Atlanta though.    He sort of fizzled out in the playoffs though.    ATL was also another weird situation for him.  They would have liked to keep him but they had a deep team and still want to be flexible.    This sort of limited some of his options.

I guess my advice to him is he got 22 million last year.    His last year of contract was not picked up.  That money probably wasn't going to be there now.  Pick a spot at the 12-15 million range where it is a good opportunity for playing time.    See if you can find a home with a lot of opportunity.

I think some of the issue with Kumiga is the saga in GS went on for so long that people are tired of talking about him.     It is sort of crazy that he is about the same age as Yaxel.

[DanSchwartzgan]

 
The only thing I see out there that might be palatable would be Butler for three to four of our guys.  Golden State has a ton of open roster spots and could help us restock the draft cupboard.  I think Gafford and Klay make sense there.  I'm not sure I see it with PJ if Draymond returns.  But, you need PJ's money in the deal  

One way of solving my concern about PJ's fit in GSW is to send him to NOP and Murphy to Golden State.  Murphy/Gafford/Klay make much more sense for the Warriors.

I'd want to add Martin to the outgoing PJ and take back expiring  Jordan Hawkins (another reclamation project on a short term deal?).  GSW gets Klay, Gafford and Murphy and NO gets PJ, Martin and unfortunately most of the outgoing draft compensation from GSW.  So, Dallas gets two expiring contracts (though, I could also see Hawkins to GSW and Moody to Dallas).