Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Smitty]

Nailed it.

This is still possible before July 1…

I was looking into Denver and their situation earlier and found a unique way to make a deal on or before draft night by using the AD TPE this league year. Of course, the opinions on the players can be different, but a framework for an interesting deal involving the TPE and a poison pill contract (Braun) that works, thought I'd share....

DEN: Klay Thompson, Caleb Martin, TPE
DAL: Cam Johnson, Christian Braun, FRP Swaps

This saves the Nuggets ~$20M next year and gives them two useful players, with room to pay Watson (RFA). The Mavs would have to like Braun!! A buy-low candidate?

I get it... Braun had a really down year and is owed 5 years $125M. It's probably not a move I'd make, but I thought it was an interesting trade when you consider the use of the TPE & PPP.


*The Mavs AD TPE is $20,830,154, and Cam's salary this season is $21,057,065... BUT the Mavs are below A1, so they get a $250K buffer, which allows them to absorb Cam by just $23,089 this league year. Not possible July 1, of course, when his salary jumps to $23M (expiring).