Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[mvossman]

Thanks for tracking all of this.  I can't recall if this was before or after Spotrac changed Biberovic's number the a flat $3.0mm per year.

I'd say pushing for a Mathurin deal is one of several things I'm interested in.  It is more reading the needs of other teams and trying to see if there is an angle (I just think they need a center, more than they need someone who blocks Wagler's path to starting).  I don't think that thinking is all that different than what Masai has been doing.  We all laud the trades that landed Aldama and Sasser, but let's be real.  Those were casualties of other teams prioritizing something else.  Detroit needed more space and gave away players (not just Sasser) to get there.  Memphis didn't see a role for $17mm Aldama.  We didn't seek out star players.  We helped teams solve problems and took back guys that can be of some help...largely in bench roles.  The same wil be true of Strus or Moody (which I'd love) or even a Klay for Jovic deal.

I'm trying to add talent or the resources to get talent.  It isn't about the 26/27 season.  In fact, I think we spend too much time worrying about how things fit into the current depth chart.  The depth chart I'm interested in is what I'll call the "25 and Under" depth chart.  This is how I currently see it and Larry's recent play has changed my view from long term first guard off the bench to long term starting PG:

Lively/Cisse
Morez/Aldama
Flagg/Biberovic
    Christie
Larry/Sasser/Nembhard

I get that people have differing views of where Flagg should fit (and differing views as to whether this view of positions is even valid anymore).  Probably the most contraversial placement here is Morez.  I watch him hit that floater he hit in game one and the two mid-range shots he hit in the second game and see him taking guys off the dribble (not against close-outs, just flat one-on-one) and project the development of a three point shot and I see a PF as his highest and best use.  Sure, he can be a center and may get a lot of minutes there in the near term.  But he creates an advantage as a forward.  He thinks he's a four and I suspect Masai thinks he's a four given his history in Toronto.

I took a look at Kyrie's games here when Luka was out.  The thing to know is his assists don't go up when he's the PG.  His scoring goes up.  So, expect 5-6 assists from him this season.  He will draw attention and help others by sheer gravity, but creation may have to come from somewhere else.  Larry can play next to either Christie or Kyrie (while Kyrie is still here) and that will help with assist totals even off the bench.  

I put Christie in the middle (not starter and not sub) because I think we need more creation (even if it is self creation).  It could come in the form of a starter that pushes Christie to the bench.  It could also come in the form of a sixth man - intant offense type off the bench.

I really admired what Mathurin did in the NBA finals going off in a couple of games and showing great confidence.  But, he's not the only way to skin a cat.  I've tried to imagine ways to trade for Shaeden Sharpe and Payton Watson.  I liked Dosunmu until Minnesota locked him up.  I would definitely take Moody into the TPE if Lebron ends up in Golden State and would give up quite a bit to bring in Cason Wallace or Anthony Black if OKC or Orlando got scared of the money.  Is there a world where Atlanta trades us Dyson Daniels...maybe as part of a Kyrie deal at the TDL?  It isn't just Mathurin

None of these guys are finished products, but neither are Flagg, Morez and Larry.  But, unless we land a top two pick in the draft next summer or pry away a RFA in the summer of 28 using cap space, we are going to have to fill the role we need with somone with upside that most here aren't able to forecast.  That's OK.  Fans always see the upside on guys on their roster and downplay the upside of developmental guys on other rosters.

I'd love to see a consolidation trade that brings us another long term piece.  Don't we always want that "one more guy" this time every summer?  Stein's reporting seems to indicate a "willingness" to deal Gafford for an asset (first round pick), which probably means something less inspiring than a Mathurin S&T.  I don't see the team that would be willing to give up a long term piece for PJ.  Maybe that changes at the TDL.  I'm with Cow that the odds of someone giving something of value for Klay are really low (and recall there is value to a buyout as it moves us further under the tax and allows us to use more of the TPE than the $16mm we can currently use if a deal were to come about).  

Speaking of that, I wonder if the approach with Miami, if Lebron goes there, shouldn't be to trade Jovic into our TPE rather than trading for Klay.  Then we buyout Klay and he signs in Miami for the minimum.  Miami isn't that far under the First Apron and signing Lebron to the $8.9mm they have left of the MLE almost gets them there.  They need to make some money disappear to finish out the roster.  Trading Jovic into air (instead of for Klay) would allow them to unlock the BAE and a trade exception they have for a similar amount (expires 8/15) and do some minimum contracts with ring chasers.  I know people don't love Jovic, but he has upside if you are willing to look for it.  He's young and making basically the MLE.  His age 21 season was actually pretty encouraging.  He was .479 on corner 3's and handed out 4 assists per 36 against 2 turnovers.  He hits his FT's and had a TX% that season of .595.  That doesn't grow in trees.  I don't know what happened last season, but I'd be willing to take a chance on his upside if Miami was paying me some little something for doing so.

Lots of thoughts on this ...

I agree that they should be focused on long term roster construction, but there is a reason to focus on upcoming season as well.  I think putting players in a position to succeed is a positive for development, and necessary if we are trying to raise some guys value for the TDL or next offseason.  

As for Morez ideal position, I think it will depend on what trait he develops more, rim protection or three point shooting.  As for what position he will play more long term, I think it will depend on how good of a center they have on the roster.  I think if Lively if can get healthy and play significant minutes then Morez will be playing a lot of 4.  

While I agree this FO took advantage of the situation in getting Aldama and Sasser, I don't think they are just random assets.  Aldama is the kind of player Schmitz loves: a big who can play like a guard (see Hanson, Yang).  Sasser brings a lot of things this team desperately needs (shooting, playmaking and point of attack defense).  I don't think they are looking to acquire assets just to get assets.  I think they are looking for players for the long term.

I'm not a fan of Jovic in general and I have no idea how you are going to get him minutes on this roster.  You already see Morez as a 4, and there is Aldama, PJ and Flagg.  There is no room even with some positional flexibility.