Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[DallasMaverick]

According to Pelton's chart 10 for 12 & 24 valued at 420 for 375 & 200 which is roughly 73% return for the team trading up.
This year a trade of 9 for 12 & 17 is 445 for 375 + 285 which is just over 67% return for the trade up which seems to be short... (BTW 48 splits that difference to just over 71%) That said, Joe for 37 and the aforementioned 6 + 48/12+17 feels about as good a deal anyone could hope for dealing with Presti.

9 for 13 & 21 is 445 for 355 & 235 and returns 75.4% for the trade up 

The question regarding the return on 9 comes down to where someone believes the drop-offs occur.

I have a top 3; 4-5; 6-10; 11-15; 16-22 as tiers. Not close to expert level in this estimation admittedly, but dropping from 9 should be an expensive process this year because of that tiering.

https://wsb.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content...rves-6.pdf

Fascinating how the median value drops like a rock after the first 5 picks or so.

Perhaps the 2026 draft is unique in the expectations for the picks after 5. Maybe it's a flatter curve, possibly out to 12 or 15. More, even?

Maybe even 1984 or 1996?