Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[mvossman]

One more locked down forward hasn't deterred Masai from targeting more forwards (even though Mathurin is a SG).

It's more about there being a limit to how many players you want to invest in who primarily operate inside the arc.

[KillerLeft]

I don’t love the Marshall extension. I probably wouldn’t have extended him at all, but I’m even more distressed that he will now be paid at the same level as PJW and Gafford, neither of whom are exactly burning up the trade markets, value wise. This is probably the first move of the summer I don’t like.

I hope I am wrong.

[mvossman]

I don’t love the Marshall extension. I probably wouldn’t have extended him at all, but I’m even more distressed that he will now be paid at the same level as PJW and Gafford, neither of whom are exactly burning up the trade markets, value wise. This is probably the first move of the summer I don’t like.

I hope I am wrong.

It's a better contract than Gafford's as its smaller (given inflation) and descending, and significantly less than PJs.  I'm surprised they did this, but I don't hate it.

[KillerLeft]

It's a better contract than Gafford's as its smaller (given inflation) and descending, and significantly less than PJs.  I'm surprised they did this, but I don't hate it.

I mean, they now have three guys (very niche guys, honestly) in that "north of the MLE but just south of $20 mil AAV" range that teams seem specifically not to want right now (unless they're expiring). Not one of those three is what I'd call a good fit with Flagg, and Marshall is probably the worst fit of the three. 

I'm trying to find a way to be positive about it, but I'm struggling. 

They got all this shooting over the summer, and should've, because Flagg needs space as the coach said recently, only...I'm starting to wonder if any of that shooting is going to be on the court enough for the team to actually play differently.

[dirkfansince1998]

Really comes down to his role. Is he a starter, 6th man or just another rotation player. And that probably comes down to his ability to shoot. Unless he significantly improves his fit next to other ballhandlers will always be questionable.
Right now I don't really see it. Killerleft made a valid point. Are all the new shooters just fringe rotation players and we will still see lineups that feature multiple non shooters?

[mvossman]

I mean, they now have three guys (very niche guys, honestly) in that "north of the MLE but just south of $20 mil AAV" range that teams seem specifically not to want right now (unless they're expiring). Not one of those three is what I'd call a good fit with Flagg, and Marshall is probably the worst fit of the three. 

I'm trying to find a way to be positive about it, but I'm struggling. 

They got all this shooting over the summer, and should've, because Flagg needs space as the coach said recently, only...I'm starting to wonder if any of that shooting is going to be on the court enough for the team to actually play differently.

Actually PJ is 22 AAV.  Your concern about that shooting getting on the court is a legit one.  I think there is a minutes crunch in general.  That is why I would be good with any kind of consolidation trade involving some combination Klay/Gafford/PJ that can bring back some assets.

EDIT: I think they can actually trade Naji now, so you could add him to that list.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I mean, they now have three guys (very niche guys, honestly) in that "north of the MLE but just south of $20 mil AAV" range that teams seem specifically not to want right now (unless they're expiring). Not one of those three is what I'd call a good fit with Flagg, and Marshall is probably the worst fit of the three. 

I think we talked about this earlier - likeing Naji as someone who largely plays when Flagg is off.  That kind of role fits well with Sasser and some of the new bench shooting we've acquired.  But, the minutes for that role, we thought, might hold down the pay to something in the $14-$15mm range (at least in my mind).

Naji could have started at a maximum of $19.7mm (140% of average salary) and gotten a total of $63.8 with 8% raises.  So, $52mm leaves about $11mm on the table compared to the most he could have gotten.  Christie is in the same boat.  I suspect, if he signs, it will be closer to that larger amount.  The larger raises (if included) would create a six month trade restriction, so whether he signs before or after August 11th could matter at the upcoming TDL as that contract would trigger a six month restriction.

Naji's agency represents a limited number of NBA players.  Julian Champagne is one.  He signed something similar on June 29th starting at $15.35mm and then declining to $15.0mm and then $14.65mm.

[loki]

Naji's agency represents a limited number of NBA players.  Julian Champagne is one.  He signed something similar on June 29th starting at $15.35mm and then declining to $15.0mm and then $14.65mm.

I mentioned Champagnie as a comp for Naji a while back. Based purely on the difference in their shooting ability I think nearly every team in the league would prefer Champagnie. Naji has some additional playmaking skills, but they aren't particularly valuable on a team that already has multiple high level shot creators. By that metric this is a clear overpay. 

The contract length is a problem too. No one wants a backup SF who can't shoot on a 4 year deal.

[loki]

Actually PJ is 22 AAV.  Your concern about that shooting getting on the court is a legit one.  I think there is a minutes crunch in general.  That is why I would be good with any kind of consolidation trade involving some combination Klay/Gafford/PJ that can bring back some assets. 

EDIT: I think they can actually trade Naji now, so you could add him to that list.

If Spotrac is correct the Mavs only have one 2nd available to trade. That won't be enough to move Naji.

[Knutsen]

If Spotrac is correct the Mavs only have one 2nd available to trade. That won't be enough to move Naji.

I’m pretty optimistic that May’s offensive system will let Naji shine, his skillset except shooting from distance should fit perfectly.

[mvossman]

If Spotrac is correct the Mavs only have one 2nd available to trade. That won't be enough to move Naji.

I think this is an overly harsh assessment of that contract.  The shooting is an issue, but honestly he was a better player than PJ or Gafford last season.  He is probably no longer an asset with that contract, but I don't think its a huge negative either.  My concern is more with his fit on the team than the contract.

[SleepingHero]

I think this is an overly harsh assessment of that contract.  The shooting is an issue, but honestly he was a better player than PJ or Gafford last season.  He is probably no longer an asset with that contract, but I don't think its a huge negative either.  My concern is more with his fit on the team than the contract.

Yeah the pendulum has swung, pretty violently. Not sure why. 

The 76ers wanted Naji for McCain and a FRP last year when he was an expiring deal. The extra years (and slightly more money) does not mean the Mavs now have to pay a 2nd to move him. 

I think the value is still there. Even if he can't shoot he is a high quality player many teams are looking for at their forward position. If he can shoot, then his deal becomes a steal.

[KillerLeft]

The 76ers wanted Naji for McCain and a FRP last year when he was an expiring deal.

First I've heard of THAT! 

I kind of doubt this, but if it's true that's a deal the Mavs should've taken, imo.

[KillerLeft]

I think we talked about this earlier - likeing Naji as someone who largely plays when Flagg is off.  That kind of role fits well with Sasser and some of the new bench shooting we've acquired.  But, the minutes for that role, we thought, might hold down the pay to something in the $14-$15mm range (at least in my mind).

Naji could have started at a maximum of $19.7mm (140% of average salary) and gotten a total of $63.8 with 8% raises.  So, $52mm leaves about $11mm on the table compared to the most he could have gotten.  Christie is in the same boat.  I suspect, if he signs, it will be closer to that larger amount.  The larger raises (if included) would create a six month trade restriction, so whether he signs before or after August 11th could matter at the upcoming TDL as that contract would trigger a six month restriction.

Naji's agency represents a limited number of NBA players.  Julian Champagne is one.  He signed something similar on June 29th starting at $15.35mm and then declining to $15.0mm and then $14.65mm.

So basically, Marshall is tradable immediately because he didn't get those raises built in, is that correct?

[DanSchwartzgan]

So basically, Marshall is tradable immediately because he didn't get those raises built in, is that correct?

Yes

[SleepingHero]

First I've heard of THAT! 

I kind of doubt this, but if it's true that's a deal the Mavs should've taken, imo.

https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi/ph...-marshall-


Was true, and from a Philly source as well. I agree it was silly not to make that move but hindsight is 20/20.

[BigDirk41]

https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi/ph...-marshall-


Was true, and from a Philly source as well. I agree it was silly not to make that move but hindsight is 20/20.

That doesn't sound very concrete. It's just a hypothetical of what a Naji trade might have looked like. I don't think that was a real offer. That's way too much for Naji. Had McCain and a first been offered, it would have been accepted immediately.

[SleepingHero]

That doesn't sound very concrete. It's just a hypothetical of what a Naji trade might have looked like. I don't think that was a real offer. That's way too much for Naji. Had McCain and a first been offered, it would have been accepted immediately.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...eorge-nba/

This is the OG source, and it listed every single player that Morey tried for his last TDL as a philly exec before getting the boot. And truthfully I remember a tweet linking the McCain+Naji deal but I can't find it at all. 

Regardless it doesn't matter. Naji is here to stay for at least a little bit.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

James Ham: "According to that source, the Kings have no thought of buying out Zach LaVine at this time. They also plan on him coming back and being ready to have a big year in what is a contract season for him. And according to that source, LaVine is aligned with this thinking. So again, at this point, the Kings and LaVine are tied to each other for the 2026-27 season."

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

It looks like Naji Marshall remains trade-eligible based on this structure. $18,195,000 is the most he can get within extend-and-trade limits, which is 120 percent of the estimated average salary. And the annual declines are all 5 percent or fewer. In announcing the deal, Dallas says Naji Marshall will switch from No. 13 to No. 3 this coming season.

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