Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Smitty]

I mentioned FVV's opt-in earlier.  My prediction around that is this:

PJ/Klay

for

FVV/Eason


FVV is a Masai guy and fills a need (and only has a year left and wipes PJ's salary for 2027).  

Eason will command too much money to be a backup in Houston.  He should be a starter somewhere and would fit very nicely next to Flagg (with Naji off the bench behind him).  He misses time every year, but his On Court numbers are really strong and he fits in well with the defensive presence we are building.  

Lively/Gafford/Cisse
Flagg/Morez/
Eason/Naji/Martin
Christie/de Larrea/AJ Johnson
Irving/FVV/Nembhard

It kind of explains why there aren't any real rumors.  FVV has not been trade eligible and Eason is RFA.  No need for a Sexton or a Simons type if we have a FVV rental for a year.

I guess I don’t hate it, but it feels more like a lateral move. I’d rather have PJ than Eason. People don’t like PJ’s fit because he’s a “poor shooter” next to Flagg. Eason is even worse. Plays fewer games. Worse offensively. Both are plus defenders, but PJ is the better rebounder and rim protector. I guess Eason is a year or two younger? 

FVV doesn’t move the needle for me either. Just feels like doing something to do something…