Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[cow]

I don't think they will shut the door on endorsement deals (which can widely vary, cause that's life) - why would they stop outside companies from giving up their own money to enrich NBA athletes? It doesn't come out of NBA pockets. It's ideal for the NBA universe itself.

The NCAA screwed themselves by trying to prevent that. It doesn't come out of your pocket. Let idiots give you and your guys free money. Say thank you.

Agreed but maybe you need the "pornography" rule when it comes to egregious abuse which the KL situation seems to be a clear example of.

[F Gump]

Agreed but maybe you need the "pornography" rule when it comes to egregious abuse which the KL situation seems to be a clear example of.

A company (or several of them) apparently has chosen to give KL money, for whatever reason. The "why" is fuzzy.

But UNLESS that's coming from LAC or Ballmer (which makes it an NBA issue), not sure the NBA cares. I don't see the NBA really desiring to stop the stupidity of (in the immortal lyrics) Money for Nothing. In fact, to the extent it makes the stars eager to embrace the NBA and its setup, they may see it as a positive.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Jacob] There is a growing belief now, with reporting that the investigation is in fact over and the league is sifting through its findings, that the main delay will now stem from trying to find a punishment Ballmer will accept.

We are living in a funny world.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

[Jacob] There is a growing belief now, with reporting that the investigation is in fact over and the league is sifting through its findings, that the main delay will now stem from trying to find a punishment Ballmer will accept.

We are living in a funny world.

Chicken vs The Egg

Do y'all think it’s the present environment of the league that makes Silver so weak, or is it that he's personally just a weak commissioner?

Either way, Stern is rolling in his grave.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Sources tell cleveland.com the Cavs continue to discuss various trade packages involving Schroder, seeing if there is an opportunity to slightly reconfigure the roster or gain financial flexibility, which would help their pursuit of free agents Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

[Chicagojk]

With the Leonard trade still being held up, it appears this is the dead period of the offseason.  Probably the time when most people in the organization take vacations.   So it is likely that the next few weeks are pretty slow.   Maybe something picks up then, but we are getting pretty close to the stage where teams have their teams set or the start of the season.

[Razzmatazz_Hopskidillydoo]

It's not just the Leonard thing, IMHO, teams are waiting for recently traded players can be traded again.
That's when things would pick up.

I'm betting that's who the Mavs would get in exchange for Gafford, Klay or PJ.
Who are these guys eligible for trade in September?

[F Gump]

It's not just the Leonard thing, IMHO, teams are waiting for recently traded players can be traded again.
That's when things would pick up.

I'm betting that's who the Mavs would get in exchange for Gafford, Klay or PJ.
Who are these guys eligible for trade in September?

FWIW it works both ways, ie the newly-eligibles that could theoretically be waiting to be included in a deal can include Aldama, Sasser, Tarik, Morez, DeLarrea, Risacher.

[Scott41theMavs]

FWIW it works both ways, ie the newly-eligibles that could theoretically be waiting to be included in a deal can include Aldama, Sasser, Tarik, Morez, DeLarrea, Risacher.

I would hope that those six players have zero to do with any waiting that M&M are doing, unless the return was something very, very eye-popping.

[Chicagojk]

From the Athletic.  I thought the Thunder had a little drop back this offseason.  Although on the other hand I think they are still the best team in the league and in reality didn't give up a top 5 player.  So maybe that counts as a win.   I don wonder what happens next summer.    Things will continue to get tricky for them.   On a separate matter, I hope by the time of the Flagg extension the cap is changed a bit.    



********************

Speaking of OKC, the Thunder are facing their own financial crunch.

GM Sam Presti is unquestionably the best at simultaneously building a roster and maximizing the accumulation of assets. We always note how many future first-round picks they have and how much they can pivot even by losing key players. Even this summer, they’ve had to say goodbye to Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe in trades. That was to get under the second apron. The issue is not going anywhere.

Just with the contracts of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, OKC has roughly $143 million committed this coming season, $149.5 million in 2027-28, $161 million in 2028-29, $172.5 million in 2029-30 and $184 million in 2030-31. The good news is they have three incredible players locked up for five years (SGA has a player option in that last season). The bad news is this isn’t a three-on-three league.

Cason Wallace is extension eligible and has made comments about wanting to get paid. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein are on team-friendly deals for the next couple of seasons but might become second-apron casualties. Ajay Mitchell, Jaylin Williams and Jared McCain are extension eligible in a year. The second apron is rearing its ugly head with OKC in real time and will continue to do so as long as the Thunder keep that big three together. They might have to make a big-time decision soon. If Holmgren continues to struggle against Victor Wembanyama when it matters most, then maybe that decision becomes easier.