Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Scott41theMavs]

I like Cisse also and want him on the roster.  But part of his charm is depth in a scenario where Gafford isn't on the roster.  If Gafford is here, we have Lively, Gafford, Aldama and Rez who can all log minutes at center without getting to someone whose play at center would be qualified as 'small-ball'.  The flexibility of a $17mm expiring deal at the TDL is more valuable longer term than Cisse IMHO.  

To Chicago's point, we haven't spent anything on Cisse and we do have (air quotes) 'deadlines' after which we've burned some space under the tax.  Some of the early reporting was that we've already spent that first million, but Spotrac says no.  

I could actually see LAC as a potential home for Jovic and they have the TPE to absorb him (but not large enough to absorb Klay).  But, it doesn't appear they are going to do anything anytime soon until the Kawhi thing is resolved.  In addition to the TPE they have, there is room to take back over $15mm of unused trade match capability in the Kawhi deal and they are far enough under the tax to use that capacity and the full TPE.  So, I  tend to agree that Kawhi may be holding up some things - whether for Dallas or not is another question.

What would royally stink about cutting Cisse is that then we *have* to keep Gafford.