Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[SleepingHero]

So, here is an example:

We are $19.4mm under the tax line currently.  If we were to trade Gafford and Martin for Jordan Poole, it would eat up $6.8mm of our space under the tax.  Tarik would need to take $13mm instead of the $15mm MLE to keep Dallas under the tax...thus possibly the $2mm his people are talking about as being less than what he wants.  Basically, Dallas is prioritizing the deal for Poole and then Tarik gets whatever is left under the tax.

I know, even $13mm seems way more than we were thinking.  Just showing math at this point (though Gafford/Martin for Poole's expiring deal and positional need isn't a bad thought).

I know you're just coming up with examples of guys that fit the "distressed" asset pool (proud of myself for that one), but I think Poole is the antithesis of the type of player the Mavs have been targeting as of late. 

He's a score first flashy guard that makes some of the biggest bone-headed plays imaginable, akin to Caleb Marting going for a dunk instead of giving Coop his 50th point and the lead.

Hard to imagine that the FO who has been prioritizing flexibility and BBIQ be interested in Poole. But another guard on the Pels makes a lot of sense as well with Dejounte Murray. He's a better player than Poole, but he's also a shell of himself coming back from his achilles and has another year on the books at 30mil vs. Poole's expiring. That should depress his value. 

Another "out-there" idea, but how about Derrick White? He would cost more than both Poole, Mathurin, and Murray, but he is coming of a very down year and a playoff performance that had Celtic fans wondering if the Monstars took his talent (11ppg 32/27/84 splits). He has 2 more years after this one at 33 and 35, which I'm sure Boston isn't too thrilled about given his last year. Plus, Boston does need a center to pair with Mitchell Robinson given how he's made of glass. If it cost Gafford+Klay+2031 does that interest anyone?