Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[DanSchwartzgan]

Davis is 32 and injured. His salary is 54 million, which is not easy to match.  

Atlanta: would take something like at least KP and Kennard to match the salary (I think they have some exception and room under the apron). Are they really so much better than to pay 4 picks for Davis?
 
Chicago: it would take something like Vucevic (or Collins), Williams and Huerter. They don't have 4 FRP to trade
 
Detroit: could be an option. They could put together the salaries without gutting the team and have the picks
 
San Antonio: are they ready for a total all-in move? Barnes, Johnson and Olynik gets them there salary wise and they have the picks. Davis would be a great fit with Wemby 

I appreciate the effort.  Doing this in-season would be really difficult.  Not only do you have the cap rules and the apron rules to contend with, you also have to keep roster limits in mind.  Many of the trades one might do involve at least 3 players coming to Dallas and we just don't have many small salaries to send back or send out alongside AD.  Oh, and then you have to try to find something that meets the needs of both teams...on court and financially.  Its tough.

I'm not sure I want all of the compensation to be future picks.  I'd be fine with a good younger player instead of multiple fake firsts or late firsts.   If Atlanta or San Antonio was impatient enough to try to pair AD with KP or Wemby, I'd be just as happy with a younger guy off of their roster as I would be with some of their picks.  I don't know what Ivey is going to be, but I'd want him in any package with Detroit.  Even with his pending unrestricted free agency, I'd want Coby White in any Chicago deal.

Personally, I don't see it.  AD needs to be maximized, not Porzingized.  I think it much more likely that Klay (or Klay and Gafford) are the outgoing.