Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[mvossman]

I decided to play around a little more with the consolidation trade with GSW.

1.  I think it makes sense for Murphy to end up with the Warriors
2.  I think it makes more sense to send Klay to Miami
3.  Jovic makes more sense here (can play 4 or 5) if Gafford and PJ are gone

I'm not going to try to define draft equity as no one has any idea really.  I'm also trying to be mindful of Golden State's motivations here.  Yeah, they need to do something, but I'm not sure they are going to bankrupt their future unless the deal keeps them competitive after Curry and Draymond are gone.  Can they build around Podz/Moody/Murphy/Yaxel/Gafford in the early stages of the next phase?  Is it worth giving up some draft equity in service of Curry's remaining years and in service to the years immediatly afterwards?

In its simplest form, here is what teams end up with:

GSW: Murphy, Gafford, Martin
DAL:  Butler, Jovic
MIA:  Klay
NOP:  PJ

Admittedly, I liked the versions yesterday where Yaxel was included - at least partially because it created a need to wait until 8/1 to do the deal.  This one doesn't include anyone subject to that restriction.  BTW, in this construct, would Yaxel go to NOP or DAL?  Even with the inclusion of Jovic, Dallas ends up with substantial cap space in 2027 if they choose to go that route.  BTW, I'm not sure I'm buying this free agency is dead argument.  No one from the Lively draft class other than Wemby has an extension yet.  And, we might have Duren, Matherin and Watson all playing for their QO this season.

There would need to be serious draft capital coming back as that Jovic contract is a negative asset.