Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

All appreciation your way for what you do here, FGump, but with  all due respect, your speculations are not necessarily M&M’s rules.

Very true. But some concepts are obvious, when we observe how the NBA operates with the harsh limits on extra spending, doncha agree?

Teams that are VERY competitive at the top level, with a title possible if a few things break right, MIGHT push the envelope around A2. Almost all avoid going over, and even shed talent to stay under. OKC. BOS. Maybe DEN. The finances get hard. 

Clear playoff teams might go up to A1 although many will decide to stay under tax line too. They want the ability, if opportunity arises, to add that last difference-making piece. And repeater tax is not fun, so they mostly stay under the tax line, since every year you can avoid tax is a win with long term benefits. 

OTOH the teams in the bottom half of the league, they stay below the tax line (and often FAR below it) to both try to be profitable, retain more cap flexibility, AND to preserve the tax years and extra contracts for when it matters. Sure, the Adelsons can afford tax, but as a business under NBA rules, it is not smart to go there. I trust MU is smart to pick his spots wisely and discriminately.

I dont argue that in theory, there can be an exception. But I think the ideas being discussed are MILES away from that level, including the one proposed that was said to be "perfectly acceptable" despite jumping well over the tax line for a rent a player. No.

As I see it based on how NBA teams seem to be operating, the Mavs thinking on paying tax MIGHT change for a move that would definitely elevate them to instant contender status, or assure a huge change in long term trajectory. But rent a players or randos whose purpose is mostly to solve a roster crunch or somewhat bolster a weaker position is not that.

The time WILL COME when they begin to be TRULY competitive, and opportunity arises to add a key, core, ongoing piece at a financial cost that might include tax. THEN is the time (which isnt likely to arise for 2-3 years as they develop) to consider a bit of tax, and one hit on the repeater tax board, as "reasonable." But certainly not now.