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

[Chicagojk]

With the amount of money at stake on AD’s extension, an injury sure would apply maximum pressure on Dallas to take the best deal available, and trade AD someplace he can get his $275 million.

I never believed the $275 million.  That was all agent driven.  Fact, no one was going to give him $275 million extension before the latest injury.  Now?  I don't think any team touches extensions talks for at least a year and see how his health is.  He has 2.5 years left on his current deal.  He won't find extension talks from teams any time soon.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2lI7IzMl3s

[DanSchwartzgan]

Well for all those in the “trade AD in the summer crowd” aren’t too upset. 

They probably should be upset because that is now the only option.  The argument was predicated on the idea AD would bring more value in the summer.  ‘Don’t trade for a poor return now when we can get more later’.  It was always a faulty argument to me.  It was an easy argument to make against an unprovable if AD was traded in-season.  If the pick is bad or ZR is a dud, it will always be easy to criticize versus the idealized version of what might have been.  Not any more.

One bit of good news, at least we will presumably have a GM in place by then.

[Mavs2021]

Still a chance they´ll use the injury as an excuse to justify dumping AD for KP + Kennard, because they could not find a better offer for Luka. LOL.

[Chicagojk]

They probably should be upset because that is now the only option.  The argument was predicated on the idea AD would bring more value in the summer.  ‘Don’t trade for a poor return now when we can get more later’.  It was always a faulty argument to me.  It was an easy argument to make against an unprovable if AD was traded in-season.  If the pick is bad or ZR is a dud, it will always be easy to criticize versus the idealized version of what might have been.  Not any more.

One bit of good news, at least we will presumably have a GM in place by then.

It is not ideal and maybe not good, but who says you have to trade him?  Maybe his body is broken down, but again if Dallas gets lucky and gets a good pick and start building a better fitting roster is it the worst thing to have AD on the roster next season?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Mavs should still be active even if AD is out. Trade Naji, Gafford, Klay if you can get any positive assets that might help you in the future.

PJ can't be traded until the offseason, correct?

[Chicagojk]

Mavs should still be active even if AD is out.  Trade Naji, Gafford, Klay if you can get any positive assets that might help you in the future. 

PJ can't be traded until the offseason, correct?

That is true about PJ.

Klay needs to find a better spot.  That should be a priority.   Gafford and Naji are good players and fit the timeline.  Although, probably at least one will be moved (including PJ this summer) to put together a better fitting roster.    I would look at similar level players as them, but maybe a little better fitting.  No idea of the type of players though.    Smart players though.  Not empty stats guys.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

That could be the next discussion. I know we dont have our own pick in 2027. I know Flagg looks like he's already pretty good. But do those things mean Gafford, Naji, and PJ type players (27-28yr old role players) should be held on to? aka are on the right timeline.

I dunno. My first reaction is to say I'd want to prioritize guys in the 24 and under range. Mathurin, Risacher, etc. Id rather build something than care about how many wins next season. I dont want the sunk cost of not having our draft pick to influence our decision.

[Dirknows]

That is true about PJ.

Klay needs to find a better spot.  That should be a priority.   Gafford and Naji are good players and fit the timeline.  Although, probably at least one will be moved (including PJ this summer) to put together a better fitting roster.    I would look at similar level players as them, but maybe a little better fitting.  No idea of the type of players though.    Smart players though.  Not empty stats guys.

I like Naji over PJ, but Naji only has a year left on his contract and then will need a new one. Everyone says Gafford needs a PG to throw him lobs so he’s not a fit? I don’t want to depend on AD and Lively availability next year. Klay should be sent to a team of his choice, or at least a contender.

[Chicagojk]

I like Naji over PJ, but Naji only has a year left on his contract and then will need a new one. Everyone says Gafford needs a PG to throw him lobs so he’s not a fit? I don’t want to depend on AD and Lively availability next year. Klay should be sent to a team of his choice, or at least a contender.

I think Mavs need to do right by Klay.  He needs to approve of the teams he wants to go to.  Prioritize clearing his number off the books over assets.  If more teams are interested, maybe you can get a small asset back.

This team needs to start treating players better.  Good chance to start with Klay.

[Dirknows]

So…that Toronto deal look so bad now?

[Dirknows]

They probably should be upset because that is now the only option.  The argument was predicated on the idea AD would bring more value in the summer.  ‘Don’t trade for a poor return now when we can get more later’.  It was always a faulty argument to me.  It was an easy argument to make against an unprovable if AD was traded in-season.  If the pick is bad or ZR is a dud, it will always be easy to criticize versus the idealized version of what might have been.  Not any more.

One bit of good news, at least we will presumably have a GM in place by then.

Definitely need a good GM. There is a lot of talent on the roster, just poor fitting talent. A good GM that can get maximum value out of Gafford, Naji if they’re still here and then possibly PJ and AD in the summer would be a big step in the rebuild. I’m not saying trade all of them (unless you get a crazy good deal) but we need a GM with an actual vision for our future and how to be successful without our draft picks the next 4 years. Which all starts with tanking as hard as possible this year to give our GM a good draft pick.

[vfromlmf]

What Dumont and maybe others in the front office don't seem to understand is no one wants AD here anymore. His face is a constant reminder of the Luka trade. Obviously there's also the injury history but truth be told I just don't like his game. He seems overweight and lumbers around and wants to play on the wing and falls down too much AND complains too much. He loafs around like a prima donna and is part of the prior generation of entitled superfriends who care more about their brand and next contract than winning.

I'm probably totally off base. But that's what he reminds me of and I want him off this team. If the Mavs truly backed out of a deal (ANY DEAL) with Atlanta two days ago it was another massive mistake.

[Knutsen]

What Dumont and maybe others in the front office don't seem to understand is no one wants AD here anymore. His face is a constant reminder of the Luka trade. Obviously there's also the injury history but truth be told I just don't like his game. He seems overweight and lumbers around and wants to play on the wing and falls down too much AND complains too much. He loafs around like a prima donna and is part of the prior generation of entitled superfriends who care more about their brand and next contract than winning.

I'm probably totally off base. But that's what he reminds me of and I want him off this team. If the Mavs truly backed out of a deal (ANY DEAL) with Atlanta two days ago it was another massive mistake.

It’s so ironic that Nico traded Doncic for him, isn’t it? 
I mean for a true warrior and athletic freak like Giannis you could make a case.
But not for Davis, especially not at that stage of his career.

[loki]

That could be the next discussion.  I know we dont have our own pick in 2027.  I know Flagg looks like he's already pretty good.  But do those things mean Gafford, Naji, and PJ type players (27-28yr old role players) should be held on to?  aka are on the right timeline.

I dunno.  My first reaction is to say I'd want to prioritize guys in the 24 and under range.  Mathurin, Risacher, etc.  Id rather build something than care about how many wins next season.  I dont want the sunk cost of not having our draft pick to influence our decision.

This is where I'm at. The 27 pick is gone (well, with 98% certainty). Sending the 3rd pick to Charlotte wouldn't feel good, but I'm fine with it as long as they spend the year developing their core group of young players.

[Chicagojk]

How about Klay to the spurs for Olynyk? He is expiring. Gets the spurs a playoff guy and shooter. Maybe you can get a second or two?

[KillerLeft]

How about Klay to the spurs for Olynyk?  He is expiring.  Gets the spurs a playoff guy and shooter.  Maybe you can get a second or two?

You know, I'd be right there with you on this "gotta do Thompson a solid" train of thought, only...there doesn't actually seem to be any indication he's unhappy here, so far. I expected him to be with the way the season started and him losing his starting spot and all, but if he is, he's not showing it and nobody is talking about it.

[Chicagojk]

You know, I'd be right there with you on this "gotta do Thompson a solid" train of thought, only...there doesn't actually seem to be any indication he's unhappy here, so far. I expected him to be with the way the season started and him losing his starting spot and all, but if he is, he's not showing it and nobody is talking about it.

Yes, he has been great as a teammate from what I have seen.  Getting his salary off the books next year is important though.  I would think he would welcome competing for a championship.  His wishlist is probably pretty small though.

[KillerLeft]

Yes, he has been great as a teammate from what I have seen.  Getting his salary off the books next year is important though.  I would think he would welcome competing for a championship.  His wishlist is probably pretty small though.

I mean, sure. Salary reduction is absolutely important in basically every scenario. And, I know the news of today has sucked a lot of wind out of our collective sails. But hear me out...Other than our feeling that a deadline deal involving AD is less likely now, what has actually changed today?

Next year, the Mavs COULD have a healthy AD, a healthy Kyrie and a healthy Lively. It's possible, no matter how defeated we all feel today. Feelings end, and circumstances change quickly. Hell, if even two of those guys are healthy and in shape going into training camp, I like the chances of this being a much better team next year (as long as one of the healthy ones is Kyrie). We already know Flagg is going to be better. 

Just saying, at this specific point in time, I'm not sure one of the only guys on the team who can shoot would be my top choice as a salary dump. But, if he asks to be sent somewhere I think they probably should oblige because of who he is and how different this played out than what he thought he was signing up for.

[Smitty]

Yes, he has been great as a teammate from what I have seen.  Getting his salary off the books next year is important though.  I would think he would welcome competing for a championship.  His wishlist is probably pretty small though.

Earlier today I came up with a way to get him back to GSW. It makes sense for all parties. At least with the reports we’ve heard.

GSW: Klay+Gafford [-$665k Cap]
CHI: Kuminga+Hield  [+$750k Cap]
DAL: C. White+Z.Collins [-$83k Cap]