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

[mvossman]

Spotrac salary total for ATL is 180,866,975. 
ESPN (trade machine) has the exact same number. 

That puts them a hair more than 7.0M below the 187,895,000 tax line, yes?

Obviously the trade must include AD on one side, and KP-Risacher-Kennard on the other to get the deal close, and then the Mavs add 2 players (or less) whose salaries won't take ATL over the tax line. The amount that can fit in there is about 6.225M.

IMO the best choice for the Mavs to fill that space is Hardy. That also helps next year payroll. The Powell-Exum combo is a way to fit in 2 players, but is worse for DAL because they then have no one left to waive for Nemby, and must cut much more salary (and a better player) instead. And there may be potential value available in offering to swap Kennard and/or KP to a contending team at the TDL (or sooner) for an expiring contract and a pick.

NO #1, later FRP, KP-R-Kennard
AD, Hardy

I think the picks are fantasy land, but agree with the rest.  I'm thinking it might be D'lo instead.