Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Scott41theMavs]

Since I wrote that, I can clear it up. 

I'm totally on board with that! Trading Klay for something of value makes total sense. I just pointed out that if they need an extra roster spot for a guy like Cisse, I think Dallas would be more likely to waive Nemby than Klay. Klay's expiring is valuable enough (even for a deal exactly like you suggest) to not waste before you explore all trade options. Teams normally don't give up on that before the TDL.

Thanks! I'm saying that, presuming they get a guy like Mathurin, they're still thin at point guard and can't really afford to cut Nemby at all given the resulting roster construction, so I would prefer they shop Klay hard now to avoid doing that. Far better would be to trade for Wallace, Scoot, Black, Jrue, or Murray so there is no such worry. Would far prefer one of those guys (yes, even the aged Jrue or the oft-injured Murray) to Mathurin. Of course, if they were to figure out a way to do both (and of course leave one of them disgruntled since they wouldn't be starting...) then even better.

[Scott41theMavs]

Following Stein's speculation, I suspect they're mainly in the mindset of stacking future trade assets regardless of positional fit. In that case, I think Kuminga at the right price would be worth a flier. The complication to me is that we know he can be a problem when he doesn't get the playing time he wants, and Dallas is pretty crowded at forward. So it's not without risk. But I can see it, especially if we trade away someone like PJ and/or Naji.

Thing with Kuminga is that the right ***low*** price is key. If he "doesn't work out" here, his value is only going to drop even more, and being extremely economical will be the crux of any trade value he would have left.

[mvossman]

Following Stein's speculation, I suspect they're mainly in the mindset of stacking future trade assets regardless of positional fit. In that case, I think Kuminga at the right price would be worth a flier. The complication to me is that we know he can be a problem when he doesn't get the playing time he wants, and Dallas is pretty crowded at forward. So it's not without risk. But I can see it, especially if we trade away someone like PJ and/or Naji.

Given Kuminga desire for minutes and how stacked this roster already is at his position, I'm not sure why he would want to come here.

[Mavs2021]

Given Kuminga desire for minutes and how stacked this roster already is at his position, I'm not sure why he would want to come here.

If we assume LeBron goes to the Cavs, they´ll be forced to dump at least one of Schroeder and Strus, maybe even both. That could be another use of the MLE.

[Smitty]

Given Kuminga desire for minutes and how stacked this roster already is at his position, I'm not sure why he would want to come here.

Playing devils advocate a bit. If I remember correctly, you view Flagg as a PF, at least defensively. Not sure what your opinion was there on the offensive side. But let's leave him out of it for this one... You've been consistent on the Morez take... That you see him more as a 5. Who else is a PF on the roster in your opinion? For me it's clearly PJ and Aldama. All it takes is one trade of PJ and he's your starting 4 here? Would you rather have Kuminga at say $10m/yr for 2 years. Or PJ at $22m AAV for 4 years? I ask because I can't remember what your thoughts are on PJ.

My guess is that it would have to look something like that to make sense at least. PJ outgoing. With a deal already in place, if there's an agreement with free agent Kuminga? Hurts the spacing/shooting we've been talking about but gets you younger and cheaper in the front court. Also hurts rebounding and rim protection. But who's counting...

[F Gump]

For whatever reason I can't get into the Discord. It tries to get me to prove I'm me, but then the verification link, over and over again is bad.

Anyway, the guys over there are saying, generally speaking, that if the Mavs do a deal that puts us at 15 guys on roster and want to sign Cisse to the full roster (they are presuming Gafford is gone, which would make Cisse sine qua non rather than redundant), the Mavs should cut Nembhard and keep Klay at least until the deadline instead of waiving him. Uh, how about neither? Surely there is a team *now* who would accept Klay in trade for a second or two. We have acquired a bunch of shooters (presuming our moves actually end up happening...), but are currently relying on Sasser (hopefully) and Sergio to backup the "non-PG" Kyrie. That's a little thin for a platoon, whereas it works more or less with Nembhard in there. Priorities.

I think there's a significant likelihood Cisse ends up as a 2-way, rather than using up a roster slot. 

While I've been waiting for a trade for a PG, I wonder if MMM share that concern. Their current PG lineup as I see it looks fairly full, and with a variety of strengths to pick from:
Kyrie, DeLarrea, Sasser, Nemby -- and with Flagg also chipping in more creation from a F slot

While we think they need more, it's possible they see Kyrie as their star PG, with DeLarrea and Nemby as the future guys to develop, and the position already sufficiently manned.

As for Klay, I'm not sure if SG is their weakest/thinnest position (Max, Klay, Tarik) or not. Any one of those guys might bloom - or none of them might be the answer. It's hard to know.

[mvossman]

If we assume LeBron goes to the Cavs, they´ll be forced to dump at least one of Schroeder and Strus, maybe even both. That could be another use of the MLE.

I'm really getting the impression they are not interested in that kind of player.

[KillerLeft]

Thanks! I'm saying that, presuming they get a guy like Mathurin, they're still thin at point guard and can't really afford to cut Nemby at all given the resulting roster construction, so I would prefer they shop Klay hard now to avoid doing that. Far better would be to trade for Wallace, Scoot, Black, Jrue, or Murray so there is no such worry. Would far prefer one of those guys (yes, even the aged Jrue or the oft-injured Murray) to Mathurin. Of course, if they were to figure out a way to do both (and of course leave one of them disgruntled since they wouldn't be starting...) then even better.

Whatever we think about Mathurin, he is an on-ball, creator type of player. So in a very real way, he brings a lot of what those of us wanting to address "PG" this summer think is missing here. In fact, the downside to adding him is that he kind of needs the ball in his hands to make an impact(similar to other guys we don't love around here, like Kuminga). And, Mathurin is pretty squarely in that 2 slot, positionally, whether you want to call him a "big guard" or a "wing."

Now, we can debate for hours whether what he's shown to this point leads us to believe he's going to improve in the right circumstances...whether he makes the team better or worse...whatever. But, he IS a fit for what the Mavs need, positionally, at least in theory. A good fit, actually. He can play next to Kyrie, Sasser, Nembhard and De Larrea. Probably not next to Christie much, but maybe a little bit in weird situations. 

And he's still 24, with a load of confidence and a load of talent. It certainly wouldn't be the outcome I hoped for in my wildest dreams before the summer, but I do think he's kind of a PJ Washington, Naji Marshal, Daniel Gafford - level player at ball-handling guard position, meaning he could look a lot better if he lands in the right situation with the right teammates and the right role, just like those guys.

[DanSchwartzgan]

If we've preserved the full MLE, like we're assuming. Do we think they'd be in on adding Kuminga? I wouldn't, to be clear. But... they were in on Rui, which was very unexpected... Anyway, he's probably the last realistic UFA that could command close to that number? Fits the size, length, age, versatility profile...

Lebron?

Is it crazy for him to come to play with Kyrie and Klay?

We'd probably need to find a new home for PJ, but one or two years of Lebron instead of PJ does help the cap situation in 2028.  Not advocating.  Just noticing the possibility if we have indeed preserved the MLE.

[Mavs2021]

I'm really getting the impression they are not interested in that kind of player.

....but maybe in the compensation that comes with it. Of course it could also cost two 2nd round picks.

[Smitty]

Mavs Film Room (@MavsFilmRoom)
Tarik Biberovic turned down “much more lucrative NIL interest” to pursue the opportunity with the Mavericks, per @TheSteinLine

[Chicagojk]

What? So he could play college as a drafted 25 year old playing professional basketball in Europe? If so, the Russian we drafted should definitely go to college next year.

https://x.com/mavsfilmroom/status/207454...02546?s=46

[Scott41theMavs]

Whatever we think about Mathurin, he is an on-ball, creator type of player. So in a very real way, he brings a lot of what those of us wanting to address "PG" this summer think is missing here. In fact, the downside to adding him is that he kind of needs the ball in his hands to make an impact(similar to other guys we don't love around here, like Kuminga). And, Mathurin is pretty squarely in that 2 slot, positionally, whether you want to call him a "big guard" or a "wing."

Now, we can debate for hours whether what he's shown to this point leads us to believe he's going to improve in the right circumstances...whether he makes the team better or worse...whatever. But, he IS a fit for what the Mavs need, positionally, at least in theory. A good fit, actually. He can play next to Kyrie, Sasser, Nembhard and De Larrea. Probably not next to Christie much, but maybe a little bit in weird situations. 

And he's still 24, with a load of confidence and a load of talent. It certainly wouldn't be the outcome I hoped for in my wildest dreams before the summer, but I do think he's kind of a PJ Washington, Naji Marshal, Daniel Gafford - level player at ball-handling guard position, meaning he could look a lot better if he lands in the right situation with the right teammates and the right role, just like those guys.

Excellent food for thought as always! Makes me more sanguine about such an add.

[Mavs2021]

Mavs Film Room (@MavsFilmRoom)
Tarik Biberovic turned down “much more lucrative NIL interest” to pursue the opportunity with the Mavericks, per @TheSteinLine

Honestly, if it is 6/2 plus paying $1.1M buyout, it´s really a bad deal for him. Not even sure that´s more than he makes in Europe. I buy that he really wanted to play in the NBA, if the reported numbers are accurate.

[Knutsen]

Given Kuminga desire for minutes and how stacked this roster already is at his position, I'm not sure why he would want to come here.

From a Mavs „talent accumulation and rising the value of the roster“ perspective he fits - him being only 23 years old fits, him being African and Ujiri being an ambassador of African basketball fits.

Most importantly I don’t think we’re full at his position, because following that 4-5 switchable forwards and positional size script there’s no clear one position for him - and lots of minutes. 

So if other full MLE options close and the price gets right - let’s go for it!

[KillerLeft]

Excellent food for thought as always! Makes me more sanguine about such an add.

I've always liked him, and wondered why he didn't take off, especially after his rookie year when he looked so promising. I think wherever he lands next is going to be his big chance, and while I won't vouch for him the way I did confidently with PJW, I can certainly see a possibility where he comes here and is an amazing fit. 

And, offensive, on-ball talent is tough to get, especially in a young player with good size like that. That's just how it is.

[mvossman]

Whatever we think about Mathurin, he is an on-ball, creator type of player. So in a very real way, he brings a lot of what those of us wanting to address "PG" this summer think is missing here. In fact, the downside to adding him is that he kind of needs the ball in his hands to make an impact(similar to other guys we don't love around here, like Kuminga). And, Mathurin is pretty squarely in that 2 slot, positionally, whether you want to call him a "big guard" or a "wing."

Now, we can debate for hours whether what he's shown to this point leads us to believe he's going to improve in the right circumstances...whether he makes the team better or worse...whatever. But, he IS a fit for what the Mavs need, positionally, at least in theory. A good fit, actually. He can play next to Kyrie, Sasser, Nembhard and De Larrea. Probably not next to Christie much, but maybe a little bit in weird situations. 

And he's still 24, with a load of confidence and a load of talent. It certainly wouldn't be the outcome I hoped for in my wildest dreams before the summer, but I do think he's kind of a PJ Washington, Naji Marshal, Daniel Gafford - level player at ball-handling guard position, meaning he could look a lot better if he lands in the right situation with the right teammates and the right role, just like those guys.

I guess I just don't see it.  He is a guy that can create for himself, but he doesn't create for others.  That doesn't seem like the kind of guy they are targeting.  Its a red flag that Rick allowed him to be dumped.  Its another red flag that he has all the physical tools but is still a bad defender.  He seems like a guy more focused on getting his than winning.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Bobby Marks: Mentioned this with @ZachLowe_NBA Change to the 35% max rule * Player is eligible to still receive 35% of the salary cap if 10 years of service (Donovan Mitchell) or has reached the All-NBA criteria (Tatum SGA, Brown) * However, if the player was drafted or traded within the first 4 years in the NBA (SGA for example), only 30% of the salary applies to the cap. * In the case of Jaylen Brown, $48.9M this season and not $57M applies The rule is a bigger version of what applies already with the veteran minimum exception. A player with 10 years of service + signs a contract for $3.9M. However, for cap purposes only $2.45M applies (2 years of service)

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[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Whatever we think about Mathurin, he is an on-ball, creator type of player. 

Maybe we have different ideas when we think about the term "creator."

Ben Mathurin creates offense for himself.  He does not create offense for others.  A good creator has an assist percentage around 30%.  Ben Mathurin is around 10%.  That's a similar percentage as Klay Thompson and THJ.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: New York Knicks Finals MVP Jalen Brunson is undergoing surgery on his left wrist and is expected to return to basketball activities later this summer, sources tell ESPN. Jalen Brunson played through discomfort in his left wrist/forearm area during the playoffs and NBA Finals. The injury will be surgically repaired. He’ll be rehabbing/recovering for at least 2 months

x.com