Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

@ShamsCharania
Porzingis is on a trade-flexible contract for $20 million this season and a small partial next year, serving as essentially an expiring deal that the Warriors can utilize, potentially with their pool of assets. He first revealed his POTS diagnosis last year and has had ups and and downs with the issue. If there is no breakthrough in recovery, stepping away from basketball -- for good -- is possible.

Ok...that's better. I didn't know about the partial guarantee next season. 

Still, though. This has to be so deflating for folks hoping to make Curry's last couple of seasons matter.

[KillerLeft]

I'm probably traumatized by KP's tenure here, well, we probably all are, but I can't wrap my head around the contracts he continued to get after the deal he signed with us ran out.  Even when he is healthy, I get irrationally angry watching him play basketball.

Yeah, agreed. He had that ONE season that was fairly effective in a reduced role (contributing to routing the Mavs in the Finals, ironically), but I don't get it, either. He honestly hasn't been a very good player since the injuries started in NY. I was surprised he got that deal this summer even when I thought there was a chance he'd play.

[SkenfromLMF]

Caleb Martin for KP, make it happen!!

[Chicagojk]

Caleb Martin for KP, make it happen!!

Would you trade Gafford or PJ for him?

[KillerLeft]

Would you trade Gafford or PJ for him?

If I get one of those bad ass, coveted GS future 1sts, YES!!!

But GS won't cough one up to fix their next couple of seasons, I don't think. They've made that pretty clear. 

So, if it's just to use KP's shorter deal to get off of one of those contracts...nah. I think the Mavs can do better.

[Smitty]

@TheSteinLine
Walter Clayton Jr. is scheduled to clear waivers today at 5 PM ET.

Teams interested in Clayton — barring an unexpected claim on his $4.2 million salary for 2026-27 — project 2025’s No. 18 overall pick to join Dallas on a two-way pact after clearing.

[SkenfromLMF]

I could be convinced to do Martin and Lively for him and a pick swap. I wouldn't LIKE it, but I could understand the thinking.
Reduce future commitment and run a flyer at Dallas being better than GS in a given year.
The biggest part for me is that it could open a roster slot if we had a target player we really liked.

[KillerLeft]

I could be convinced to do Martin and Lively for him and a pick swap. I wouldn't LIKE it, but I could understand the thinking.
Reduce future commitment and run a flyer at Dallas being better than GS in a given year.
The biggest part for me is that it could open a roster slot if we had a target player we really liked.

I'd probably consider something like that, too, but I'd want the pick straight up. Honestly, there's not much I wouldn't do to get my hands on one of those GS 1sts.

[SkenfromLMF]

Honestly, there's not much I wouldn't do to get my hands on one of those GS 1sts.

I hear you, BUT does it have to be straight up???
Nah man we just need to leverage a pick swap against the San Antonio or OKC pick swaps we have outstanding.

[KillerLeft]

I hear you, BUT does it have to be straight up???
Nah man we just need to leverage a pick swap against the San Antonio or OKC pick swaps we have outstanding.

For me, yes. In that specific version of the idea, at least. 

I get that The GS draft position is the biggest prize, but I ALSO want as much draft capital as I can get, even the less valuable ones matter to me. 

In a version that cleans a bigger, long term deal off the books I could be talked into a swap, maybe. 

At the end of the day, I just have the sense that GS has already decided not to jeopardize those picks for any reason at all. They've faced public criticism for not using them to improve the team for the past few years and never budge. They've had much better opportunities to use them on actual good, difference making players and not pulled the trigger, so I doubt changing Porzingis into something usable in the short term is going to see very enticing to them, personally. I think it's more likely they just look at Steph and say "sorry, my guy - we tried."

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
Guard Walter Clayton Jr. has agreed on a two-way NBA deal with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN.

[Scott41theMavs]

@ShamsCharania
Guard Walter Clayton Jr. has agreed on a two-way NBA deal with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN.

Well done, M&M!!

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Javon Small is on a two-way contract in Memphis, but I think it’s quite possible that he is the best two-way player in the league. He currently has a crowd in front of him for point guard minutes, but at some point in an NBA season, opportunity opens up. When it does, I think he’s ready to stake his claim as a rotation-caliber NBA point guard, and that he moves up to a standard contract by the end of the season.

New York Times

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Ian Begley: Knicks are among the teams with interest in former Laker Dalton Knecht, per league sources familiar with Knecth’s market. Knecht was waived prior to regular season. He’s eligible to sign a two-way deal. @TheSteinLine said earlier MIN had interest in Knecht

x.com

[SleepingHero]

KP has POTS.

He can play if its well controlled, but he's never going to be the same player and honestly should medically retire. POTS needs careful managing and if he has bad flares, he basically cannot stand up without having a ridiculously high heart rate.

Unfortunate for the former Mav. But I won't be too eager to be trading for KP regardless (unless of course its for unprotected FRPs).


We got to start packaging our one dimensional offensive dudes for guys that can do at least 2 things on that end. Max is definitely a guy I'm dangling for an upgrade. Same with any of our wings.

[Smitty]

Would you trade Gafford or PJ for him?

Trading Gafford for KP and draft compensation isn’t the worst idea. It adds about $2M to the Mavs payroll this year. Staying below the tax line. The Mavs could then waive KP and add Powell back to the 15-man. Still, keeping them well below the tax line.

GS gets a legit Big and saves some $$ this season while doing so.

[mvossman]

Trading Gafford for KP and draft compensation isn’t the worst idea. It adds about $2M to the Mavs payroll this year. Staying below the tax line. The Mavs could then waive KP and add Powell back to the 15-man. Still, keeping them well below the tax line.

GS gets a legit Big and saves some $$ this season while doing so.

I would do it for seconds.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I would be willing to trade PJ, Gafford, and Naji for "air" aka nothing other than expiring contracts and some random made up 2nd rd draft picks. My biggest worry about the Mavs is we are stuck with those three.

[KillerLeft]

I would be willing to trade PJ, Gafford, and Naji for "air" aka nothing other than expiring contracts and some random made up 2nd rd draft picks.  My biggest worry about the Mavs is we are stuck with those three.

Meaning no disrespect, I'm curious about this. I was pretty vocal about moving at least (any) two of those three over the summer for this exact reason, in part. And, not for air - I never once suggested they should be given away, I was hoping they'd be used at least semi-productively. 

You were...pretty hard on me for those takes, I seem to remember. What has changed your mind?

[SkenfromLMF]

I loved both of those guys as trade targets before the Mavs acquired them. I thought they were instrumental in helping Dallas make a finals run...
But things are not the same in Dallas.
Unfortunately for PJ he is a difficult fit next to Flagg, not an impossible fit, but there really cannot be many weaknesses around them. Ultimately, he really needs strong PG play to be his most effective.
Unfortunately for Gafford, he was at his best playing next to Luka. his production, health and his confidence have been negatively impacted since Luka left. these indicators are not really his fault as a player, just a set of circumstances in which he cannot be as we know he can.

I truly believe a highly competent PG that can distribute and get teammates positive looks would help both of these players more than anyone else on the roster.

Naji, I can't put my finger on what his fit is. A more dominant ball handler takes away part of his game, but I also don't want a 5 forward lineup with him as the primary. He is a secondary creator who might actually pair with Kyrie better than another type of guard. But Dallas does not have many options at this point regarding ball handlers so he is kind of an odd duck who can do some the needed tasks, just less efficiently.

You know if this roster had Grimes instead of Caleb Martin...