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

[Smitty]

That is absolutely possible, but it isn't their nature.  They have paid it once in the last 15 years and in 11/12 their payment was $670,000.  It isn't so much the tax as it is missing out on the tax distribution (estimated to be $14mm this year).

I think it could also present a bargaining obstacle for Dallas getting what they want (he who defines the debate wins).  Dallas, if you want us to do ________ which puts us into the tax, then we have to take __________ off the table.

For sure! I get it, and if I'm the Mavs, I need to be the one dipping under the tax line this TDL. Tanking teams don't need to be paying LT. It's fascinating either way. I think it's absolutely part of the negotiation/motivation for each side and why it's not as simple as "What is AD's value". There's a lot more to it...