Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Smitty]

I listened to a little OKC content yesterday including some reacting to the PJ "rumors" (does this even qualifiy as a rumor or is it more of an internet creation).  You are right about Wallace.  One commentator had him 4th on the list of team priorities right behind the Big 3.  Caruso, McCain and Mitchell are the keeper guards behind Shai and Wallace and it is believed they will find a way to keep Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams.  

I don't think they will swap a current year pick for future draft capital.  They need to win now and have plenty of capital for later.  

Saving $6.5mm does matter to them as do the roster spots and they don't have to solve all of their issues in one trade.

With that said, they certainly don't have to use assets on PJ.  There are plenty of other opportunities around the league.  FWIW, one thing I listened to liked PJ a lot for OKC and didn't hesitate to give up Joe and Wiggins to better balance the roster.  They didn't think giving up 12 was too much for PJ and didn't think Dallas would do it without that pick.

Edit:  Just saw this from McMahon:

Fullcourtpass
@Fullcourtpass
The most likely candidates to be moved in a trade to rebalance the Thunder roster are Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, per
@BannedMacMahon

"PJ "rumors" (does this even qualifiy as a rumor or is it more of an internet creation)."
Internet creation for sure, but makes some sense for both teams, so worth talking about...

"They didn't think giving up 12 was too much for PJ and didn't think Dallas would do it without that pick."
Of course I'm not doing it without the Pick if I'm the Mavs. That is the "get". Joe and Wiggins are fine, but PJW is a much better player than both. 6'7 2-way Wings are much harder to find.



Playing it out with the suggested players selected at 9 & 12...

Kyrie | #9 Pick | Nembhard (Club Option 6/29)
Max | I. Joe | Klay
Naji | Wiggins | Martin
Flagg | #12 Pick | #30 Pick
Lively | Gafford

#48 Pick - TwoWay
Own UFA's: Middleton, Bagley, B-Will, Powell
Own RFA's: Cisse
Waive: AJJ
MLE
TPE
BAE

Flagg is a 3/4 so #12 can be a Wing like Carr/Lopez/Ament or a Big like M. Johnson/Steinbach.

In my perfect world I'd draft Brown Jr./Burries (9), MoJo/Ament (12), Zuby/Graves/Karaban (30), BPA (48)