Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[omahen]

Even in the current aprons era, teams don't hesitate to allocate 12% of the cap to their fourth or fifth-best player; 

On paper, the Mavs have a crowded frontcourt, but that assumes Lively is healthy and ready to play. Until then, there is plenty of room for both veterans and young talents:

20 Gafford, 20 Aldama, 5 Morez, 3 PJ
27 PJ, 15 Morez, 4 Aldama, 2 Flagg
24 Flagg, 24 Marshall
24 Christie, 24 Risacher
30 Irving, 12 De Larrea, 6 Flagg

Please provide examples of teams not hesitating to spend 20 mil for their fourt or fifth best player. I don't see many around and have provided plenty of examples to the contrary.

Yes, with Lively out there are minutes available. But with Lively in, that chart you provided gets wrong. You also put zero minutes for Sasser and Biberovic, both this years acquisitions.