Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[mvossman]

He's obviously shot reasonably well from deep in smaller sample sizes, like his stint with Indy before the trade, and his second NBA season. He's also seemingly capable of quite good POA on ball defense (which his frame and atheltic ability should allow him to be), which he did for the Clippers, but gets lost off ball, which causes his defensive metrics to fall off.

I wouldn't be anymore excited for the move as I was (wasn't) for Risacher, even if they gave up fairly little for him, but I do feel like the tools for both shooting and defense are there, and may be a matter of something clicking with experience and maturity. The guy apparently mentioned in an interview how much help he was getting from some of the Clippers guys on refining his defense and how he wanted to be a great two way guy. Doesn't mean much, but at least his head is pointed in that direction. It's a flier on a guy with plenty of holes, but I feel like this type of profile is a little better to take the risk on than the guy with the clearly broken shot, who doesn't have the length, strength or athletic ability to ever be a decent defender. His ability to get to the line obviously gives him an efficiency buffer to work from even if he isn't shooting the ball well, which is why he has a decent 57% career TS.

Happy for this to never eventuate, and just focus on smaller asset acquisition moves, but I also see a path to it paying off if it is real just because of the specific traits he has. Would obviously be preferring to give up the likes of Klay and Martin in a deal like this rather than Gaff and definitely not PJ.

Risacher is not a bad comp from a flyer standpoint.  The difference is they are only on the hook for one year at 14 mil and get to see Risacher for all of training camp and preseason before making a decision on one more year at 17 mil.  Mathurin will require a much longer more expensive commitment and potentially cost more assets than a second round pick and a player they were likely going to cut anyways.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I would love to take a flyer on Mathurin.  3-4 years at the type of money to match Gafford's contract is not a flier.  That's a commitment.

edit:  should've kept reading

[Jakeospikez]

Not saying Mathurin is great or anything like that, but knocking him because Rick Carlisle couldn't get him developed in a few years shouldn't be a reason for it. Prob his biggest flaw as a coach is developing young players and overplaying vets so that young players don't even get any experience at all. Kidd developed most of the young guys that were here that had some potential. Carlisle very hit or miss, lots of misses in Dallas. Developed Andrew Nembhard, but big whiffs on Jarace Walker & Mathurin in Indy. Carlisle seems better at developing late picks/undrafted guys into clear defined roles like DFS.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: Free-agent forward Jeremy Sochan has agreed to a one-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, agent Deirunas Visockas of Gersh Sports tells ESPN. Sochan -- who has averaged 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists entering his fifth NBA season -- finished the 2025-26 season with the championship Knicks. I’m told this is a non-guaranteed deal. Sochan will be with the Blazers in training camp and compete for a roster spot.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Anthony Slater: Gary Payton II returns for a seventh season with the Warriors. He’s become an organizational mainstay, valued by coaches/star teammates. Had a healthy season last year - 73 games as a unique bench weapon. GSW front office continues to bring back its veteran core.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant said Saturday that LeBron James and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers have the offensive firepower to compete for the 2027 NBA championship. What's more, Durant evoked his two Golden State Warriors championship teams, which also featured Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, when praising the combined scoring prowess of Philadelphia's James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. "The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the [Warriors] team I was on," Durant said at a USA Basketball event Saturday. "[The 76ers] have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they're going to be a contender. They're going to be a fun team to watch. It's going to be League Pass-worthy."

ESPN

[mvossman]

Not saying Mathurin is great or anything like that, but knocking him because Rick Carlisle couldn't get him developed in a few years shouldn't be a reason for it. Prob his biggest flaw as a coach is developing young players and overplaying vets so that young players don't even get any experience at all. Kidd developed most of the young guys that were here that had some potential. Carlisle very hit or miss, lots of misses in Dallas. Developed Andrew Nembhard, but big whiffs on Jarace Walker & Mathurin in Indy. Carlisle seems better at developing late picks/undrafted guys into clear defined roles like DFS.

Whatever issues Rick might have had developing Mathurin, it was not lack of minutes.  He played 29 minutes a game as a rookie and got 4th in ROY voting.

[Dirknows]

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant said Saturday that LeBron James and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers have the offensive firepower to compete for the 2027 NBA championship. What's more, Durant evoked his two Golden State Warriors championship teams, which also featured Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, when praising the combined scoring prowess of Philadelphia's James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. "The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the [Warriors] team I was on," Durant said at a USA Basketball event Saturday. "[The 76ers] have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they're going to be a contender. They're going to be a fun team to watch. It's going to be League Pass-worthy."

ESPN

I mean the maybe 30 games they’ll get out of Embiid will be fun. But the guy is 32, never in shape and has a lengthy injury history. The Sixers will go as far as Embiid will take them. If he’s healthy they’re definitely the favorite to win it all, IMO.

[SleepingHero]

Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine)
The Mavericks say they have signed Naji Marshall to a contract extension

[SleepingHero]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall has signed a three-year, $52.2 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The fully guaranteed deal takes Marshall through the 2029-30 season in Dallas.

[SleepingHero]

Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine)
Dallas has consistently resisted trade interest in Naji Marshall and now reaffirms its desire to keep the versatile swingman in place alongside Cooper Flagg by re-signing him to a multiyear deal.

[DallasMaverick]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall has signed a three-year, $52.2 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The fully guaranteed deal takes Marshall through the 2029-30 season in Dallas.

Solid.

[mvossman]

One bonus from this extension means it’s less likely they go after Mathurin.

[windjc]

Cow will be over the moon.

[SleepingHero]

One bonus from this extension means it’s less likely they go after Mathurin.

One more locked down forward hasn't deterred Masai from targeting more forwards (even though Mathurin is a SG).

[DallasMaverick]

One more locked down forward hasn't deterred Masai from targeting more forwards (even though Mathurin is a SG).

Clearly, Masai is an idiot and the worst GM ever.

Bring back Nico!

[FireNicoHarrison]

Clearly, Masai is an idiot and the worst GM ever.

Bring back Nico!

And fire him again!

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marshall's extension means somebody has to go. They still have a glut of forwards. Wonder who will it be?

[SkenfromLMF]

Ca-Leb
Mar-tin
Clap, Clap - Clap clap clap

[MFFLER est 01]

Marshall's extension means somebody has to go. They still have a glut of forwards. Wonder who will it be?

They're going to move Klay and move forward with the roster they have as they should. 

Im glad our FO values Naji unlike some people here lol. He fits and I expected this extension. Let's go KNIFE!