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

[KillerLeft]

The thing with trading Gafford and Klay is not just about cap relief.  The idea is that you are also getting assets back.  Gump was willing to give up a late first to clear 17 mil now (assuming clearing the repeater tax was a goal).  How much will it cost to clear 27 in the offseason?

Gafford is a poor fit on this roster right now with no P&R PG and two other starting centers.  Klay is going to turn 37 next season.  I think the hit to losing those guys is relatively small in the short term, and near zero in the long.

I don't think this organization is ready to dump AD for cap relief.  Not only would the optics be terrible, but it would be truly selling low.  You know I am skeptical that they will ever be able to sell high on AD, but I understand not pulling that trigger now.

Agree about Gafford's lack of fit here now. I've written often about that. I just wouldn't expect significant cap relief AND "getting assets back." That's my worry. I think whatever method they choose to acquire cap relief, said cap relief will be viewed by all parties as part of the return value, and perhaps a significant part. In other words, I worry you'd be significantly lowering your talent in the exchange, not just your team's age and salary. Maybe you'd get a small something else, but not nearly as much, I don't think, as you would if you were willing to take salary back that extends past this summer. Under those circumstances, you could get better young player(s)...better pick(s), whatever. 

With an AD trade for mostly expirings, all your financial issues just disappear with one, quick nose-pinch of a stinky bite. I don't love that, either, and to be clear I'm not sure it's the way to go, but I do think I'd be considering it if the decision was mine to make. If nothing else, it would concretely clear the way for Gafford/Marshall/PJW/Thompson, whomever, to be dealt for on court basketball reasons, exclusively.