Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

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).

Interesting idea. In essence, Mavs give up about 17M net in cap room this year, and assume longggggggg-term liability (Braun at AAV of over 22M for 4 more years after this one). The gain? Better players, hopefully, but not at primary area of need (PG/creating). Braun especially, who is a SG. And Braun regressed last season.

One obstacle I'd have to be satisfied would be that Braun's injury issues last year are solved.. He missed about half the season.

That's a good chunk of payroll, but if spent wisely, it is NOT putting Mavs in problem territory. Is it worth it, or does it gut Mavs ability to spend without actually fixing what needs to be fixed?

To me that's the bigger issue to weigh against what other options the Mavs have for using the TPE. If this is the only choice, that's one thing, but I would really hope there's some sort of move (even if it's one of this sort) that is yielding a credible solid PG type, rather than a SG.