Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[Dirknows]

The Charlotte more.

Getting our 27 first back would be huge.

[FireNicoHarrison]

More than one team said no. Tons of smoke about the MIL conversations, and depending on who you believe, Harrison tried to talk to Minnesota, too. 

Ultimately, it's predictable they'd both say no, honestly. Again, there's no chance Luka would've stayed in either place for very long.

Sorry Killer, i don't trust in those leaks... Harrison himself told that he wanted AD and talked only with the Lakers.

GMs never said anything about that.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Do we have any Lamello Ball believers left around here? I have an unhealthy bias against his whole family, and have always found his style pretty off-putting, so I wrote him off years ago, but there are many smart national NBA observers who seem to still be buying land on Lamello island.

That solves some things from the Dallas perspective.  His contract is large enough that it is easy enough to match salaries simply by adding expiring Connaughton.  In fact, we could send back some salary into Charlotte's exception helping our apron situation going forward and not hurt them.  I think controlling our 2027 draft would also be valuable.  And given his size, I think he can easily play alongside Kyrie.  So, check, check, check.

But, I just don't see AD fitting with the kids they are developing.  Before Ball got his new contract there was some talk that HE didn't fit the timeline.  So, AD certainly doesn't.  They just gave him long term money, so if LaMelo is outgoing, you have to believe they signed him just to maintain control and try to get value in exchange.  I don't see AD as that value.  What I might could see is AD going to some third team, Charlotte getting something that fits their timeline and some picks.  They would want to be mindful of length of contract because without Ball, they would have an absolute ton of cap space in 27/28.

[BigDirk41]

Do we have any Lamello Ball believers left around here? I have an unhealthy bias against his whole family, and have always found his style pretty off-putting, so I wrote him off years ago, but there are many smart national NBA observers who seem to still be buying land on Lamello island.

Sign me up. I think Lamello is super talented. I think he can become great around other great players. It's hard when you playing for a losing franchise and asked to be their savior. He has some bad habits for sure, but the talent and size are there. I can't stand his Dad, but I can't hold that against him. In the end, his annoying Dad raised 3 super successful kids..lol. Like others have said, he's a poor man's Luka this team is built to succeed with him. Cooper would thrive with the pace we could play with imo.

[BigDirk41]

What I find so over the top hilarious right about now is that if the Mavs had just admitted they needed to trade one of the bigs (would've been so easy to move Gafford productively) this summer for an impactful ball-handler, we/they might not even be in this situation.

Like...it isn't as bad as it has looked. They just can't play offense, even passably. But, that's not because the pieces suck, it's because they don't fit together in any sort of logical way.

But from here, I am confronted more and more with the reality that AD, Thompson and (I think) Kyrie all need to go.

I might even include the next age bracket down in the exodus (PJW, Gafford, Marshall, etc). I wouldn't be looking to move those guys with any urgency, really, but I'd damn sure be listening to offers.

This won't be popular, but I think they should consider moving PJ if they don't bring back a high level guard that makes things easier on PJ. To me, PJ is an ELITE role player, but all his percentages drop when asked to do things on his own. Basically if we are going to be a quality playoff team, keep him, if we are rebuilding AND we can get a really good value for him, I would entertain that. I love PJ as a player, but I think his value will go down unless he's surrounded by better players. Similar to how Gafford and Lively don't look as good now without Luka. Honestly anyone not named Cooper should be available if it improves the team somehow. Cooper, PJ and Christie are the guys I can see them wanting to keep long term.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Any of these interest you?

https://www.theringer.com/2025/11/12/nba...-mavericks

Most of those are BAD.

Probably Charlotte, but the picks have to include 2026,2027 and 2028, which they can do. And the 2026 has to be the highest of their multiple picks. 

If all you're getting in a deal is someone like Zach Lavine and a pick in 2027, which isn't as good of a draft as 2026, then just keep AD.  Much of those players aren't difference makers. Lavine, RJ Barrett, etc aren't building blocks. On the other hand, in any of those 5 trades, AD instantly becomes their best player. 

And, NO, distant picks in 2029 are no bueno. This team and the fans need something NOW. Get a pick that lands in the next draft. It gives the fans something to root for now, and it nets the team a player on Cooper's timeline.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I think you'd have to make it a 3 team trade - with various pieces moving.  I agree, Memphis and AD aren't a fit.  

However, with Ja running point, Kyrie coming back and could play SG - you'd have plenty of offense.  The spacing would create a lot more easy looks for Christie, Flagg and PJ....which should help the shooting.  Might even look to get a 3/D player thrown into the trade as well.

Sounds good in theory, but that's a very small backcourt that's going to get punished on the defensive end.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

If he can mature, sure.  Lonzo did, but Mello is behind Lonzo's curve in that area.

LaMelo is also a sieve on defense. He's a far cry from Lonzo when healthy is one of the best defensive guards in the league. LaMelo is the better scorer however.

[KillerLeft]

Sorry Killer, i don't trust in those leaks... Harrison himself told that he wanted AD and talked only with the Lakers.

GMs never said anything about that.

That's ok - I do trust them.

[soog]

Man, good to be back here. I couldn’t get excited about the Mavs again until yesterday!

Like the Bulls and Charlotte deals. I don’t have any interest in Ball though.


Full disclosure that I am terrible at trade scenarios but I keep coming back to Boston. In the past they thrived with an active big (KP/Horford). They are missing that component now and picked up Simons when offloading Holiday whom they tried to ship back out but couldn’t. Would they be interested in something like this:

Mavs receives: Derrick White and Anfernee Simons + 2026 FRP + 2027 FRP
Boston Receives: AD

White is having a bad start to the year and no one wants Simons on his contract. Dallas hopes White returns to previous form but the primary get would be another top pick this year in a strong draft.

Boston then has a big 3 of Tatum/Brown/AD for the next few years which would be a formidable crew.

Am I crazy? Would Boston do this? Is this a good enough return for the Mavs?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Man, good to be back here. I couldn’t get excited about the Mavs again until yesterday!

Like the Bulls and Charlotte deals. I don’t have any interest in Ball though.


Full disclosure that I am terrible at trade scenarios but I keep coming back to Boston. In the past they thrived with an active big (KP/Horford). They are missing that component now and picked up Simons when offloading Holiday whom they tried to ship back out but couldn’t. Would they be interested in something like this:

Mavs receives: Derrick White and Anfernee Simons + 2026 FRP + 2027 FRP
Boston Receives: AD

White is having a bad start to the year and no one wants Simons on his contract. Dallas hopes White returns to previous form but the primary get would be another top pick this year in a strong draft.

Boston then has a big 3 of Tatum/Brown/AD for the next few years which would be a formidable crew.

Am I crazy? Would Boston do this? Is this a good enough return for the Mavs?

Sounds good, but I'm inclined to believe Boston's not giving up White for an off injured AD. That's KP all over again. For 2 1st's and Simons? That's a lot. White does a little bit of everything well. I don't see it.

[mvossman]

Man, good to be back here. I couldn’t get excited about the Mavs again until yesterday!

Like the Bulls and Charlotte deals. I don’t have any interest in Ball though.


Full disclosure that I am terrible at trade scenarios but I keep coming back to Boston. In the past they thrived with an active big (KP/Horford). They are missing that component now and picked up Simons when offloading Holiday whom they tried to ship back out but couldn’t. Would they be interested in something like this:

Mavs receives: Derrick White and Anfernee Simons + 2026 FRP + 2027 FRP
Boston Receives: AD

White is having a bad start to the year and no one wants Simons on his contract. Dallas hopes White returns to previous form but the primary get would be another top pick this year in a strong draft.

Boston then has a big 3 of Tatum/Brown/AD for the next few years which would be a formidable crew.

Am I crazy? Would Boston do this? Is this a good enough return for the Mavs?

I doubt Boston is ready to move on from White after 12 games.  He was my top target when we were planning on competing, but does he make sense if we are trading away AD in a rebuild?

[FireNicoHarrison]

I like White, he is a terrific all around player... But he doesn't fit out timeline . 31yo. I'll pass.

[Dirknows]

So I know everyone wants to deal AD. But I think we need to talk about PJ. High level role player, definitely worth a first. But he doesn't really fit with no primary ball handler or creator to get him his corner 3's. I don't think they will go full tear down unless they can somehow manage to get their 27 first back.

[Kidnova]

So I know everyone wants to deal AD. But I think we need to talk about PJ. High level role player, definitely worth a first. But he doesn't really fit with no primary ball handler or creator to get him his corner 3's. I don't think they will go full tear down unless they can somehow manage to get their 27 first back.

Nothing personal, but I despise this idea.  He's young, talented, and on a reasonable contract.  He's a perfect guy to keep around and play next to CF for years to come.  Fix the problem by bringing in a creator, not by dumping young talent. If I had to make a list of the guys I'd least want to trade on this team, PJ would be #2 behind CF.

[KillerLeft]

So I know everyone wants to deal AD. But I think we need to talk about PJ. High level role player, definitely worth a first. But he doesn't really fit with no primary ball handler or creator to get him his corner 3's. I don't think they will go full tear down unless they can somehow manage to get their 27 first back.

I don’t think this is a crazy take, but I also don’t think PJW can be traded this year, due to his extension.

[KillerLeft]

Nothing personal, but I despise this idea.  He's young, talented, and on a reasonable contract.  He's a perfect guy to keep around and play next to CF for years to come.  Fix the problem by bringing in a creator, not by dumping young talent.  If I had to make a list of the guys I'd least want to trade on this team, PJ would be #2 behind CF.

To be honest, I think there is maybe a little too much overlap between PJW and Flagg. It’s not a terrible fit, and in a perfect world, they could continue playing together for sure. It really just comes down to what they need to accomplish. I feel the same way about the forwards right now as I did about the centers over the summer. The best way to get good players is by giving up good players, unfortunately.

[Kidnova]

To be honest, I think there is maybe a little too much overlap between PJW and Flagg. It’s not a terrible fit, and in a perfect world, they could continue playing together for sure. It really just comes down to what they need to accomplish. I feel the same way about the forwards right now as I did about the centers over the summer. The best way to get good players is by giving up good players, unfortunately.

I think that overlap is exacerbated right now because the "play big" lineupe and lack of dynamic guard play, but on a more balance roster I think they fit very well together.  We'll see how it plays out.

[KillerLeft]

I think that overlap is exacerbated right now because the "play big" lineupe and lack of dynamic guard play, but on a more balance roster I think they fit very well together.  We'll see how it plays out.

Oh, for sure!

Don’t get me wrong, some overlap is just fine. I just mean that between Flagg, PJW and Marshall, that’s another area of plenty, and they are deficient at that 1-3 range.

[Mavs2021]

Bulls getting killed by Pistons B-Team, four losses in a row. Memphis getting blown out left and right apart from Dallas game. Warriors and Clippers showing their age. No Pick Pelicans losing again. At least the trade market for AD is shaping up very nicely after a rough start when all the potential partners were winning.