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

[mvossman]

The Hawks have no need for Kennard with the addition of Kispert. Would they give up Asa in a deal? Would they just do Kennard and the CLE pick for Gafford? Do the Mavs prefer the pick or Asa?

Probably the pick.  If Asa were any position other than PF it might be different.  I would do that trade.

[Smitty]

Probably the pick.  If Asa were any position other than PF it might be different.  I would do that trade.

If we’re ranking the Gafford trade ideas with the reported teams. The value from each:

IND: Mathurin? (RFA)
ATL: Asa Newell or CLE FRP (currently #17)
BOS: ‘26 FRP (currently #23) or ‘27 FRP

[KillerLeft]

If we’re ranking the Gafford trade ideas with the reported teams. The value from each:

IND: Mathurin? (RFA)
ATL: Asa Newell or CLE FRP (currently #17)
BOS: ‘26 FRP (currently #23) or ‘27 FRP

I'm 100% convinced that IND wants Gafford because he's perfect for them. I'm not super convinced that deal gets you Mathurin. I'd probably do any of those deals, frankly. In the ATL deal I'd much prefer the pick. In the Boston deal I'd prefer the '27 over the '26. Both are likely to be bad picks, but the '27 solves some potential issues caused by not having a pick that year, I think. I know Dan's always looking for ways to get a '27 first.

[KillerLeft]

I'm going to hope for KP/Kennard/RISACHER until about 2 hours after the deadline, probably. Fair warning, everyone.

[Dirknows]

If we’re ranking the Gafford trade ideas with the reported teams. The value from each:

IND: Mathurin? (RFA)
ATL: Asa Newell or CLE FRP (currently #17)
BOS: ‘26 FRP (currently #23) or ‘27 FRP

Ideally, a multiple team bidding war and take the best offer.

IND: Mathurin
ATL: ASA and CLE FRP
BOS: '26 FRP, and '27 FRP ( likely has some protection on it.)

[ThisIStheYear]

See, I expected more people to think THIS way, judging by the recent tone of the board. I'm surprised some of those who are most vocally depressed about the situation haven't gotten here yet. 

If you 1) don't think there's any hope of AD contributing to a truly competitive Mavs team, 2) don't think there's any hope of the Mavs getting even a modest return for him in trade and 3) are completely dejected over his presence here because it's both a financial barrier to productive team building and a constant bummer of a reminder about how a finals team was destroyed, then I don't know why you wouldn't be on this mindset.

It's pretty interesting to me. I don't mean this as an admonishment to anyone, or even a sarcastic dig. I just think people are currently hopeless and it's doing some interesting things to morale. I think the fact that more people wouldn't do something like this kind of PROVES the situation might not be as bad as it seems right now, and that deep down people know that.

Number 1 is certainly true. I haven’t given up on number 2, but at some point soon the Mavs need to cut their losses regardless. And even if the Mavs salvage something in a trade, it’s at best worth a late 1st or a couple of 2nds, nothing major. As for 3, I’m not dejected, the Mavs have a path, a single path to contention. That path involves hitting on all star caliber players with this year’s draft pick and with a free agent signing or trade sometime in the next two years. Davis’ contract is only a detriment to this path.