Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

Today's the day RFA's can officially sign their deals, I believe, so I'd imagine we'll get a version of this about all of them soon. Unless LeBron manages to successfully grind everything to a halt one more time.

At 11:01 am Dallas time, everything can happen. RFA's can sign an offer sheet with a new team to start the clock running on their old team matching. But everything else will start being made official also, that has been negotiated over the last week. FA's can sign, trades can be submitted, and so on. 

We tend to see most of that in the first 24-48 hours. 

But sometimes a more complex trade with many teams can take longer, or the last FA or 2 to fill a roster can take longer. And sometimes a team has to get their transactions done in a certain sequence for cap purposes, so there's a delay as they wait to get the various pieces lined up to submit them in just the right order. If your team ends up in that loop, it can feel frustrating as you wait for a while, like Christmas delayed.

[Chicagojk]

I do agree that the Mathurin talk is easy to connect. Portland is the easier one imo. They have three guys and you can make a case for any of them. I think at least one is moved.

Maybe none of them with Mathurin are ideal, but I am having trouble finding a lot of names that make sense. Worth one of the Mavs assets, worthy of their contract and someone who has a clear route for minutes.

[Smitty]

Murray/Sasser/Nembhard
Irving/Christie/Sergio
Flagg/Naji/Biber 
PJ/Aldama/Klay
Lively/Morez/Cisse

I kind of like this.  What do the extensions for Christie and Naji look like if both are coming off the bench?  A little thin at Center if we don’t have Lively back.

What is being traded (outgoing) here? Murray is the type of player the Mavs are missing, in theory, but at this point he's probably a shell of himself and definitely a negative value contract, no? He's getting $30m+ the next 2 years, a trade bonus, some other incentives. All while playing, 14 games last year and 31 the season before. Shooting 30% from 3 on 5 attempts per game. ROUGH! The positive is he'd be ~20 months removed from the achilles injury, which is more than enough time to get back to 'yourself' on the court...

Mathurin for half the cost is more desirable to me. Jrue Holiday as well. I'd have to do a lot of mental gymnastics to get excited about Murray, especially if they send anything of actual value. I bet if he were a Maverick instead of a Pelican the last two years, this board would be talking about having to attach assets to get off his contract…

[Winter]

In regards to Jrue and his age: While I completely agree that he doesn't fit the timeline, he will have a player option next year, and may not be difficult to move. He is also one of those special players who you want to give minutes to because he can still be effective, but at the same time he won't demand minutes. He can be a positive mentor with a championship pedigree, and is special in the way that Kyrie is special. He adds something to the culture being developed in the lockeroom. And there is a need at his position even if it's not a big need.

In other words, if the Mavs traded for him, I could see the angle.

[Smitty]

Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA)
The NBA Moratorium ends at 12 noon ET today. That means agreed-to trades and signings can start being made official this afternoon.

Best way to know a move is official: When the teams post about it on social media.

At this point, we’ll see the agreed-to moves completed. Then, most anything else is probably holding until LeBron James makes his decision. A handful of teams have told me they have stuff ready to go whenever James decides.

[Winter]

At this point, we’ll see the agreed-to moves completed. Then, most anything else is probably holding until LeBron James makes his decision. A handful of teams have told me they have stuff ready to go whenever James decides.

Just one more reason to be irritated at LeBron.

[Smitty]

Thinking about this some more... Is there something there with POR, who have way too many guards and no Wings. So many combinations that work between the two. I think something that makes sense for both is:

POR: Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson
DAL: Jrue Holiday

Sure, Jrue is 36. Same as Klay... but he fits here pretty well. This move saves the cheap owner in POR ~$8M and gives them two rotational Wings. If my math is right, you'd have ~$10m to offer Simons in Year 1 of any deal. Similar to what Sexton got.


Jrue | Sasser | Nemby
Kyrie | Simons | Sergio
Flagg | Max | Martin
PJW | Aldama
Gafford | Morez | Lively


I know most won't like any depth chart where Lively is 3rd, but my thinking there is that even IF he's healthy for 60+ games, I think he'll be a 15-16 mpg guy no matter what next season. Never play a b2b. It'd be malpractice to not limit his minutes in an 82-game season. Anyway, I think the POA defense with Jrue and Sasser works. The bench scoring in the backcourt from Simons is a plus. More depth at the "PG" spot for when players inevitably miss games. All of Jrue, Sasser, Nemby, Kyrie, Simons, and Sergio can play the Point... It's not my absolute favorite trade possibility with POR, but one that makes a lot of sense for both...

Just replace Simons with Tarik and it's the same thing. ~$10m to offer him Year 1. Jrue probably fits the loose definition of "star player" for some.

Jrue | Sasser | Nemby
Kyrie | Max | Sergio
Flagg | Tarik | Martin
PJW | Aldama
Gafford | Morez | Lively



POR ends up with:

Morant | Scoot | Vit
Lillard | Sharpe
Deni | Klay | Cissoko
Camara | Naji
Clingan | Williams III | Hansen | Carlson

And opens up the full NTMLE of $15m to add 1 more, while staying under the tax.

[F Gump]

I do agree that the Mathurin talk is easy to connect.    Portland is the easier one imo.  They have three guys and you can make a case for any of them.  I think at least one is moved. 

Maybe none of them with Mathurin are ideal, but I am having trouble finding a lot of names that make sense.  Worth one of the Mavs assets, worthy of their contract and someone who has a clear route for minutes.

I agree with the idea that the names being discussed really don't fit with the Mavs. I don't think these Mathurin and Payton and Portland PG and Murray ideas add up to enough impact for them to spend assets on. To my thinking, it's mostly just trade ideas for the sake of trades.

From that, I am inclined to think that 1 of 2 things is in the works:
1 basically nothing more (of any importance) than what we already know about, or
2 some big move from way outside the box

FWIW I think Masai tends to be very patient and limited, until there's something that might offer major impact. I don't think he will force things (and what's being discussed seems like moves being forced, with no clear benefit in view.)

[DanSchwartzgan]

What is being traded (outgoing) here? Murray is the type of player the Mavs are missing, in theory, but at this point he's probably a shell of himself and definitely a negative value contract, no? He's getting $30m+ the next 2 years, a trade bonus, some other incentives. All while playing, 14 games last year and 31 the season before. Shooting 30% from 3 on 5 attempts per game. ROUGH! The positive is he'd be ~20 months removed from the achilles injury, which is more than enough time to get back to 'yourself' on the court...

Mathurin for half the cost is more desirable to me. Jrue Holiday as well. I'd have to do a lot of mental gymnastics to get excited about Murray, especially if they send anything of actual value. I bet if he were a Maverick instead of a Pelican the last two years, this board would be talking about having to attach assets to get off his contract…

Gafford and Martin.

Murray missed 18 games at the start of 24/25 with hand surgery.  Later that same season he tore his achilles which accounted for the bulk of the games missed in both seasons.  Prior to that, he had been relatively healthy for six of the last seven seasons (he missed 18/19 with a torn ACL).  He came back for 14 games at the end of 2026 and looked healthy to me before they shut him down for the final five games.

I'm not married to this idea, but I see him starting next to Kyrie much easier than I see it with Mathurin.  I see Mathurin as a sixth man gunner off the bench who is seeking out shots and drawing fouls (and converting those foul shots at a very high rate).  I also like that Murray expires after two seasons and would wipe Gafford and Martin's salaries off the books for the summer of 2028.  If Mathurin requires three full years guaranteed, then that takes away some flexibility (I really have no idea what it will take to sign Mathurin given what Simons got).

Portland players get a lot of discussion, but I don't see either Gafford or Washington fitting there.  So, I've tended to avoid the Sharpe, Scoot or Jrue discussions (thought I'd love to have Jrue here).

[Dundalis]

I agree with the idea that the names being discussed really don't fit with the Mavs. I don't think these Mathurin and Payton and Portland PG and Murray ideas add up to enough impact for them to spend assets on. To my thinking, it's mostly just trade ideas for the sake of trades.

From that, I am inclined to think that 1 of 2 things is in the works:
1 basically nothing more (of any importance) than what we already know about, or
2 some big move from way outside the box

FWIW I think Masai tends to be very patient and limited, until there's something that might offer major impact. I don't think he will force things (and what's being discussed seems like moves being forced, with no clear benefit in view.)

I guess if you believe the hold up for Tarik is on moves yet to occur, then it would rule out option 1. You'd think there would be a move of some importance if they really want him but can't come to a deal specifically due to a move yet to be made.

[F Gump]

I guess if you believe the hold up for Tarik is on moves yet to occur, then it would rule out option 1. You'd think there would be a move of some importance if they really want him but can't come to a deal specifically due to a move yet to be made.

As I have said before, I'm skeptical on most of the Tarik "reporting" (which begins with a Euro-based paragraph or two, then the desirable parts get plucked, somewhat mistated or exaggerated, and then the final version gets treated as a gospel account of exactly what the Mavs are working on). 

The Euro guy has no real clue, nor does Tarik or his agent, as to who else the Mavs are chasing (if anyone). It could just be an expression by the Mavs of a need to retain flexibility.

As I said, I think a closer-to-reality version on Tarik is that he has simply asked for more than the Mavs want to pay him. They said no, we need money for other players we are working on, but here's our offer if you want it. I don’t at all think they have ever intended or promised him they will come back later and give him all they can. He wants more, they want to pay less. Maybe at some point the 2 sides find a deal because 1 or the other moved off their position, maybe not. 

A star? I don't think anything like that was said.

[Winter]

As I have said before, I'm skeptical on most of the Tarik "reporting" (which begins with a Euro-based paragraph or two, then the desirable parts get plucked, somewhat mistated or exaggerated, and then the final version gets treated as a gospel account of exactly what the Mavs are working on). 

The Euro guy has no real clue, nor does Tarik or his agent, as to who else the Mavs are chasing (if anyone). It could just be an expression by the Mavs of a need to retain flexibility.

As I said, I think a closer-to-reality version on Tarik is that he has simply asked for more than the Mavs want to pay him. They said no, we need money for other players we are working on, but here's our offer if you want it. I don’t at all think they have ever intended or promised him they will come back later and give him all they can. He wants more, they want to pay less. Maybe at some point the 2 sides find a deal because 1 or the other moved off their position, maybe not. 

A star? I don't think anything like that was said.

Agree that "star" is ambiguous and probably misleading. 

However, if Biberovik turns this down, it does not seem likely he'll ever find his way to the NBA (he's 25 years old). If he's truly considering his future, I would think this would be the year you make the jump - and I'm guessing he knows that. 

So I have no idea what decision he'll make, but I'm guessing he understands the gravity of this year. A new city, promising roster, European ties and players should be clear in his head. If he doesn't make the jump, I see no reason to keep asking.

This article doesn't make any predictions on Biberovik, but it's a good discussion of the pro and cons of a European player making the move to the NBA.

https://basketballsphere.com/en/tarik-bi...-analysis/

[F Gump]

I am also cautious about Tarik because I don't buy into the assumption his game will necessarily translate to the NBA.

Just because he can make 3s in another league does not mean he will shoot well in the NBA. Or get/make enough shots to matter. Or be able to do the other things to even get on the floor. He's only averaging 11 ppg over THERE despite his lofty 3 pt pct, which isnt a lot of impact (in a much lesser league).

I saw a mention of Ryan Broekhoff, and he's a comparative player with a cautionary story. A great shooter from overseas. Even shot 40% from 3 in the NBA!! But he didnt play much, and didn't last long in the NBA. He didn’t have other skills to justify minutes.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors are expected to start contract extension talks this week in Toronto after his trade becomes official -- and the two-time Finals MVP will do so with new representation. Leonard has hired Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports as his new agent to oversee negotiations, sources told ESPN. Three key reasons Leonard was open to this deal to Toronto, according to sources: Familiarity with a Toronto organization that has the majority of its front office structure in place, now led by executive vice president Bobby Webster. Leonard also likes the city of Toronto and believes the Raptors can contend in the Eastern Conference. Leonard envisions ending his career in Toronto, sources said. Leonard will now be eligible to sign up to a two-year, $123.7 million extension with his new team, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.



ESPN

[Winter]

He's only averaging 11 ppg over THERE despite his lofty 3 pt pct, which isnt a lot of impact (in a much lesser league).

I wouldn't make much of that though. There's 8 more minutes in an American NBA game than in Europe. The year Doncic was drafted, he was averaging only 12 ppg and only averaged more than that once before he was drafted. Most of his Real Madrid years he was averaging in single digits.

[Smitty]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Restricted free agent Quinten Post is signing a three-year, $30 million contract offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies, sources tell ESPN. The Golden State Warriors have until 11:59pm ET on Tuesday to match.

[Smitty]

@KeithSmithNBA
Quinten Post's offer sheet will come out of the Non-Taxpayer MLE for the Grizzlies, if the Warriors don't match.

That means that Memphis will likely tie the Isaiah Stewart acquisition into the Santi Aldama trade. Expect that one to ultimately be a four- or five-team deal.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

One Lakers team source believes the franchise, which for decades was known for catering to its stars, didn't do enough for James. "Honestly, I don't know if we did enough to acknowledge the sacrifices he made in being willing to give the keys over to Luka and AR this year," the staffer conceded. "Of course, he has a big ego, and people can say what they want about that. But he's also the No. 1 scorer in the history of basketball and he really tried to do what was best for the team to win." Customized pillows and blankets were designed and presented to Reaves. Steaks were ordered in. His favorite country music was played. Soon afterward, he agreed to a new four-year, $185 million deal. LeBron James didn't want any of that. After the season, sources close to James said the most important factor in him re-signing would be how the Lakers approached him. He might have been willing to take a pay cut from the $52.6 million he'd made the season before, sources said, if the Lakers explained how they planned to reallocate the money. They never did, and James never made himself available to meet. He had been a priority enough times in his career to know when he wasn't one. Even if they offered $10 million to $15 million more than any other team, James could still see their offer as a pay cut if another team was offering the most it was allowed to offer him, one team source explained. It was the curse of incumbency. How could they present that to James without him taking it as a sign of disrespect? For weeks they held internal discussions on the matter. Still, despite their deliberations, James saw through it. Like he has so often done on the court, he read the play before it happened. He broke up with the Lakers before they could break up with him.

ESPN

[HoosierDaddyKid]

“Agreed to terms" becomes terms today at 12:01 p.m. in NBA at end of signing moratorium. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis become Heat today, as does Tim Hardaway Jr., while Herro, Ware, Jakucionis, Jaquez and Powell become ex-Heat.

x.com

[F Gump]

“Agreed to terms" becomes terms today at 12:01 p.m. in NBA at end of signing moratorium. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis become Heat today, as does Tim Hardaway Jr., while Herro, Ware, Jakucionis, Jaquez and Powell become ex-Heat.

x.com

Should change that wording from "become(s)" to "can become" at 12:01.

Nothing is a deal until it is submitted to the NBA for approval, and deal submittal for things already agreed on can be delayed for any number of reasons. Just saying. 

(It happens often.)