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

[mvossman]

Prediction:
2 separate trades for cap purposes

1. Celtics get Klay, Martin and Exum

Mavs get Simons

2. Celtics get Gafford (into a TPE)

Mavs get 2026 1st and 2nd

This gets the Mavs out of the tax repeater and gets them a second 1st

If they can get another 1st for Naji in this draft, I think they'll be set up to build around Cooper. I hear the voices of those saying they don't want 3 rookies next year, but I think if there's a year to do it, it's this draft. Plus, that doesn't necessarily mean you pick three players. It's just allows for flexibility.

(Note: the Celtics would have to waive a player)

I just suggested a similar trade using Klay to get off Martin (and potentially Dlo).  I would do the Gafford trade too.  I have no issues with multiple picks in this draft and see what hits.  Those trades would leave Mavs with a ton of flexibility including potentially the full MLE.