Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gave back $3.9 million in his buyout agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources told @hoopshype. It’s the same salary KCP will make when he officially signs his new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Twitter

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Chris Mannix ON Tom Dundon: "He has some wild ideas. Somebody told me recently that he was asking some personnel about why Christian Wood was no longer in the NBA. Because he looks at the numbers that Christian Wood has put up and sees like a guy that could potentially, you know, in Dallas he was like nearly a double-double guy. He will give you numbers. But the reality is, as you and I both know, Christian Wood is just proven to be not a winning player. That is the kind of stuff where you need people in your front office that kind of tell you like, nah, that ain't it."

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: "My understanding is Kyrie Irving's rehab has gone amazingly. There was a sense during last season that, you know, if the Mavericks were playing at a very competitive level, like Kyrie Irving could have potentially come back in December or January but given the way the season was going. It obviously didn't make sense for the Mavericks to rush Kyrie Irving back onto the floor either. But from my understanding, he's fully recovered, 100% with that ACL tear from a couple seasons ago. He's been fully entrenched in the Mavericks' plans this offseason. He and Dusty May have spoken; he and Masai Ujiri, the new president, have spoken; Mike Schmitz, their new general manager, has spoken with Kyrie Irving as well. So, they're entering next season, Patrick Dumont, the owner, he really wants to see Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg in this team next season and how that duo looks because, you know, Kyrie Irving is the elder statesman of this team."

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Stein: Told today that Dallas has held some early stage talks with Dereck Lively II on a possible contract extension. Lively, 22, is eligible for a new deal until Opening Night Eve but played in just seven games in 2025-26 before foot surgery.

x.com

[omahen]

I have low-key been wondering lately if we might be headed for a curry trade pretty soon. Sacrilegious, I know, but they just don’t seem interested in building another team around him. They are holding onto those future draft picks like gold nuggets.

I think the GSW situation is pretty much the reality of a team with an aging team legend. They are in same situation as Mavs were with Dirk or Lakers were with Kobe. Curry can still be great, but he is more like a top20 player at this stage than a true contender centerpiece. GSW will continue to honor their legend and pay him max for as long as he wants, but they imho can't realistically build a true contender around him at this stage. They are not just a couple of role players away from contending. 

GSW golden opportunity was the 2020 draft where they had the #2 pick, but they missed with Wiseman. Since the only players (LaMelo and Maxey) that came after #2 in that draft and became stars play same position as Curry, the correct move would be to trade that pick for a surefire star at the time. But of course it is easy to be smart several years after. 

I think the owner at this stage is making the right decision. Try to be semi competitive without sacrificing the future. It would be a huge long-shot to become a true contender even if they put all their assets on the table. Best move for Curry is probably to stay for as long as he feels like and retire as a team legend. One of a kind for GSW.

[omahen]

NBA cap system is designed in a way that is almost impossible to dominate for years. 8 different champions in last 8 years are the biggest proof of that. There are always several teams that have a good chance to go all the way and than you have to be lucky that everything goes right.

The first step in creating a dynasty is to hit right in several drafts in row. Worked out for some (OKC, SA, GSW), didn't work out for a much larger number of other teams (Philly, Washington, Utah,...). Mavs had a misfortune that Luka was "too good too soon". It would be probably much better in a long-term to tank a couple of more seasons and slowly build around him.

In order to become a champion, a team usually spends most of their assets to build a right team. Once you succeed and win it all, than everyone starts to get paid and becomes difficult to keep the team together. Happened for example to Denver. Other teams stole some key pieces on unrealistically high deals (first Brown, than KCP) while Denver had to (over)pay other role players like MPj and Braun, even Gordon to an extent. As soon as you don't win it again, all these contracts become negative value. From then on, you are basically on a downward spiral which is probably not possible to get out of unless you do a soft rebuild by tanking a season or two. That is of course not easy with your star in his prime. Happened to Milwaukee and is now happening to Denver.

Previous CBA offered a cheat code if the owner was willing to overpay for the team, which was a strategy GSW was using for years. But first they still needed to do the things right by putting together the cheap core in prime Curry, Klay and Draymond. This cheat code is gone with the apron system.

Wemby introduced the other possible cheat code - taking less money to allow team more ability to build around him on a long-term. Of course this strategy comes with significant risks. If SA dominates for years and wins several chips, Wemby will be forever hailed as one of the greatest. But if things don't go right, which is always possible, Wemby will just lose significant money.

OKC is the one example where most of the things went right for them. They managed to gather their young core. No one expected SGA will become this good when they traded for him. They got a great player in Chet with a high pick and struck gold with JDub. They were also extremely smartly capitalizing on their cap strategy in the tanking seasons. They gathered assets for taking on what were seemed like bad contracts, revitalized the players and then sold them for more assets. Many teams try this strategy, but OKC is the one team that actually made it work to perfection. I guess they did a lot of things right in the personnel part of the team - coach and his staff, analytics. Obviously something that is not easy to do, since everyone understands the idea but not many succeed in implementing it. Accumulated assets will allow OKC to rotate role players around their core trio SGA, Chet and JDub for a long time. But there is of course no guarantee, they will be good enough to win more chips.

While SA is also doing a lot of things right, they were also extremely lucky. They got a number one pick in a draft with out of the world talent in Wemby, which they patiently followed by two more tanking seasons where they also hit on top5 picks in Castle and Harper.

NY is the one team that basically put their team together by trading. They identified the right pieces and managed to get them together. Didn't look like they have a real championship potential, but everything just clicked together at a right time for them. We will see if they will manage to stay at the level they finished.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Nuggets have offered Watson, a restricted free agent, $70 million over five seasons, according to league sources who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity because the deal is not final. The Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers are also interested in acquiring Watson through potential sign-and-trade opportunities, the league sources said. Thus begins a balancing act for the Nuggets, who have long stated they highly value Watson, and for Watson, who is in line for a second contract. The Nuggets’ payroll is in the second apron because they decided to match Oklahoma City’s offer sheet for Jones. Denver is attempting to move a contract or two to get back under the second apron and clear enough money to retain Watson, the league sources said.

New York Times

[HoosierDaddyKid]

After the publication of this story, The Stein Line heard from two sources that our Intel needed to be updated because the Pelicans — as they did before the trade deadline — have indeed shown recent interest in Mathurin as well as an unnamed second suitor. League sources relayed that there has been recent dialogue between New Orleans and Mathurin's camp. I'll have more thoughts on this. But in a hypothetical Mathurin sign-and-trade that sends Herb to the Clippers, the Pelicans would be severely downgrading in terms of guys who impact winning. Herb's 3-year RAPM is +3.2, Mathurin's is -2.9. The difference is equal to adding a star

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

What's clear in Cleveland: Even after the signing of Mario Hezonja, sources with knowledge of the Cavaliers' thinking insisted Monday that they continue to maintain interest in Kuminga. The problem: Cleveland's lack of available salary-cap space means it would require a sign-and-trade to add Kuminga. And sources say that the Cavaliers, because they are already hard-capped at the first apron, have found it challenging to assemble a trade construction that Atlanta would find suitable.

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Matisse Thybulle (@MatisseThybulle) will wear No. 26 for the #Lakers. Number last worn by Spencer Dinwiddie in 2024. #NBA

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: Longtime NBA coach Dave Joerger has agreed on a deal to become the lead assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets on head coach David Adelman's staff, sources tell ESPN.

x.com

[Chicagojk]

Saw this on Reddit.    Some thinking it is a loophole to get out of a contract in Europe and sign somewhere else.   Not sure how accurate this is.

The news surrounding Mario Hezonja (31 years old, 2.06 m) seems to have no end, as a crazy scenario from the USA comes to complicate the situation.
Specifically, there is a rumor circulating on the other side of the Atlantic that the Cavs signed the Croatian forward , but will release him immediately.
If this is confirmed, the data will be overturned and an alarm will be raised in Europe.
https://www.sport24.gr/basket/trelo-senario-apo-tis-ipa-anaferei-pos-oi-kavaliers-ipegrapsan-kai-apodesmevoun-ton-xezonia/

[DanSchwartzgan]

I decided to play around a little more with the consolidation trade with GSW.

1.  I think it makes sense for Murphy to end up with the Warriors
2.  I think it makes more sense to send Klay to Miami
3.  Jovic makes more sense here (can play 4 or 5) if Gafford and PJ are gone

I'm not going to try to define draft equity as no one has any idea really.  I'm also trying to be mindful of Golden State's motivations here.  Yeah, they need to do something, but I'm not sure they are going to bankrupt their future unless the deal keeps them competitive after Curry and Draymond are gone.  Can they build around Podz/Moody/Murphy/Yaxel/Gafford in the early stages of the next phase?  Is it worth giving up some draft equity in service of Curry's remaining years and in service to the years immediatly afterwards?

In its simplest form, here is what teams end up with:

GSW: Murphy, Gafford, Martin
DAL:  Butler, Jovic
MIA:  Klay
NOP:  PJ

Admittedly, I liked the versions yesterday where Yaxel was included - at least partially because it created a need to wait until 8/1 to do the deal.  This one doesn't include anyone subject to that restriction.  BTW, in this construct, would Yaxel go to NOP or DAL?  Even with the inclusion of Jovic, Dallas ends up with substantial cap space in 2027 if they choose to go that route.  BTW, I'm not sure I'm buying this free agency is dead argument.  No one from the Lively draft class other than Wemby has an extension yet.  And, we might have Duren, Matherin and Watson all playing for their QO this season.

[mvossman]

I decided to play around a little more with the consolidation trade with GSW.

1.  I think it makes sense for Murphy to end up with the Warriors
2.  I think it makes more sense to send Klay to Miami
3.  Jovic makes more sense here (can play 4 or 5) if Gafford and PJ are gone

I'm not going to try to define draft equity as no one has any idea really.  I'm also trying to be mindful of Golden State's motivations here.  Yeah, they need to do something, but I'm not sure they are going to bankrupt their future unless the deal keeps them competitive after Curry and Draymond are gone.  Can they build around Podz/Moody/Murphy/Yaxel/Gafford in the early stages of the next phase?  Is it worth giving up some draft equity in service of Curry's remaining years and in service to the years immediatly afterwards?

In its simplest form, here is what teams end up with:

GSW: Murphy, Gafford, Martin
DAL:  Butler, Jovic
MIA:  Klay
NOP:  PJ

Admittedly, I liked the versions yesterday where Yaxel was included - at least partially because it created a need to wait until 8/1 to do the deal.  This one doesn't include anyone subject to that restriction.  BTW, in this construct, would Yaxel go to NOP or DAL?  Even with the inclusion of Jovic, Dallas ends up with substantial cap space in 2027 if they choose to go that route.  BTW, I'm not sure I'm buying this free agency is dead argument.  No one from the Lively draft class other than Wemby has an extension yet.  And, we might have Duren, Matherin and Watson all playing for their QO this season.

There would need to be serious draft capital coming back as that Jovic contract is a negative asset.

[OldMavsFan]

Todays big rumor is that Curry may ask to be traded to the Heat and they would be all in on it.  They would send out half their team to match salaries and send out 1st rounders like candy.  Now we are talking rumor, but now that the dream of Curry, LBJ and Green going for the ring one more time has passed, are they going to make poor old Steph play out his time on a lottery team.

The trade goes through and I wonder if anyone will want Klay and will sure scramble the talking heads at ESPN.

May be time to focus on what the Mavs can do with the Kings, they still have Lavine 50 million dollar expiring contract to use to reshape the roster.

[F Gump]

I decided to play around a little more with the consolidation trade with GSW.

1.  I think it makes sense for Murphy to end up with the Warriors
2.  I think it makes more sense to send Klay to Miami
3.  Jovic makes more sense here (can play 4 or 5) if Gafford and PJ are gone

I'm not going to try to define draft equity as no one has any idea really.  I'm also trying to be mindful of Golden State's motivations here.  Yeah, they need to do something, but I'm not sure they are going to bankrupt their future unless the deal keeps them competitive after Curry and Draymond are gone.  Can they build around Podz/Moody/Murphy/Yaxel/Gafford in the early stages of the next phase?  Is it worth giving up some draft equity in service of Curry's remaining years and in service to the years immediatly afterwards?

In its simplest form, here is what teams end up with:

GSW: Murphy, Gafford, Martin
DAL:  Butler, Jovic
MIA:  Klay
NOP:  PJ

Admittedly, I liked the versions yesterday where Yaxel was included - at least partially because it created a need to wait until 8/1 to do the deal.  This one doesn't include anyone subject to that restriction.  BTW, in this construct, would Yaxel go to NOP or DAL?  Even with the inclusion of Jovic, Dallas ends up with substantial cap space in 2027 if they choose to go that route.  BTW, I'm not sure I'm buying this free agency is dead argument.  No one from the Lively draft class other than Wemby has an extension yet.  And, we might have Duren, Matherin and Watson all playing for their QO this season.

Wow, that is so much WORSE for the Mavs than all the various iterations of deals with Klay.

Sure, it's better for GS, they make put like a bandit. Give up nothing, get everything. I have no doubt that 3 GMs would object.

But there's no value for the Mavs - one perma-injured guy who probably will eat up 56M and never be able to play, and a giant bloated bad contract (the same kind of deal as the one that brought Martin, where PHI was eager to find some way to get out from under the deal, and stupid Nico gave up assets to them to get the contract). I don’t want any of this.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Todays big rumor is that Curry may ask to be traded to the Heat and they would be all in on it.  They would send out half their team to match salaries and send out 1st rounders like candy.  Now we are talking rumor, but now that the dream of Curry, LBJ and Green going for the ring one more time has passed, are they going to make poor old Steph play out his time on a lottery team.

The trade goes through and I wonder if anyone will want Klay and will sure scramble the talking heads at ESPN.

May be time to focus on what the Mavs can do with the Kings, they still have Lavine 50 million dollar expiring contract to use to reshape the roster.

I wouldn't feed Lavine with a 10-foot spoon. He's not a winning player, doesn't play a lick of defense, and is the consummate stat-padder.

[mvossman]

Wow, that is so much WORSE for the Mavs than all the various iterations of deals with Klay.

Sure, it's better for GS, they make put like a bandit. Give up nothing, get everything. I have no doubt that 3 GMs would object.

But there's no value for the Mavs - one perma-injured guy who probably will eat up 56M and never be able to play, and a giant bloated bad contract (the same kind of deal as the one that brought Martin, where PHI was eager to find some way to get out from under the deal, and stupid Nico gave up assets to them to get the contract). I don’t want any of this.

Seems like you are ignoring his comment that he is not going to try to define the draft equity.  There is a level of draft compensation that makes this a good deal for Mavs (its a lot).  He is simply coming up with a structure that makes sense for all parties.

[Smitty]

GS is now above the first apron, so all of the fantasy deals with GS are essentially dead. They can't take back more salary than they send out. Which doesn't help the Mavs. Green would have to be the last part of business for them, not the first. They also can't sign Klay if he gets bought out.

[Mavs2021]

I wouldn't feed Lavine with a 10-foot spoon. He's not a winning player, doesn't play a lick of defense, and is the consummate stat-padder.

Eh this is so boring. We heard the same sh*t about Wiggins, KAT and Lavine in Minnesota. Now they have two championships. How many does Jimmy "The Winner" Butler have?  See how easy that was.

There is literally not an All-Star in this league that is a losing player, cause you don´t get to the NBA All-Star level without being very good at basketball. They are all good players, but sometimes they need to be slotted into the correct roles. Lavine is not a winning player as a #1 option, probably not even a #2 option, but look at the current market. Zach Lavine will be 32 years old next summer. He´s always been near the top of the food chain of chronically bad franchises or do we blame the last two decades of the Bulls and Kings on him? He´s actually a perfect trade candidate, cause he´s expiring, but if the Mavs make the win now moves next summer, then he´ll be asked to be the 3rd or 4th option for the first time in his career. At age 32 he´ll likely have to accept the MLE, cause he is a loser after all. It´s all about timing.