Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Brad Rowland: The Hawks officially waived Devin Carter. Atlanta has a well-documented roster crunch and still has 16 players for 15 spots even after waiving Carter. In June, the Hawks received a 2033 second-round pick from SAC to take Carter’s ~$5.1M contract. ATL also waived Lamont Butler today. The Hawks will incur a $5.2 million dead cap hit for this season and decline his $7.4 million team option for next season. Devin Carter can sign with any team except the Kings. He still has two years of two-way eligibility remaining. Atlanta has a well-documented roster crunch and still has 16 for 15 spots even after waiving Carter. The Boston Celtics have shown interest in signing Devin Carter, sources say, once the Providence product clears waivers.

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Stein: UPDATE: Sources briefed on the situation tell @TheSteinLine that the Clippers and Raptors are free at any time to co-submit for NBA approval their agreed-in-June Kawhi Leonard trade. Obviously, both teams must want the trade call, but I’m told there is no holdup at the league level.

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will miss an extended period of time, sources tell ESPN. Williams suffered the injury in an offseason workout. "This is the time for him NOW." @StephenPG3 thinks Khaman Maluach is ready to step up in the absence of Mark Williams, who will miss extended time after shoulder surgery.

bsky.app

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Per league sources, Detroit’s last offer was a five-year deal in the $190 million range. Duren, who is eligible to receive a five-year, $287 million contract, is seeking at least $200 million. As is the case with any player’s contract negotiation, the use of player or team options in the deal significantly impacts the final number. That’s how long Jalen Duren has to decide whether to take the most extreme route available in his stalemate with the Detroit Pistons: the $9.6 million qualifying offer that has a current deadline of Oct. 1 (more on that later). For the 22-year-old All-NBA center, who league sources say is very seriously considering that route, the choice to force his way into unrestricted free agency next summer would reflect a relationship gone wrong with the only NBA franchise he’s ever known and a risky (but understandable) business decision. League sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks. There’s one team, in particular, that appears perfectly positioned to pluck Duren if he should be available next summer: the Sacramento Kings. As The Athletic reported in early July, when Duren began taking meetings with other teams as a restricted free agent and made it clear he was interested in playing elsewhere, the Kings were at the front of that line. Whether it was the Kings or any other team giving max money — and league sources say Duren has three very serious suitors in all — the financial numbers over the next five years would ultimately be very similar (approximately $6 million less based on current projections). That alone might be enough for Duren to decide to roll the dice.

New York Times

[Chicagojk]

Per league sources, Detroit’s last offer was a five-year deal in the $190 million range. Duren, who is eligible to receive a five-year, $287 million contract, is seeking at least $200 million. As is the case with any player’s contract negotiation, the use of player or team options in the deal significantly impacts the final number. That’s how long Jalen Duren has to decide whether to take the most extreme route available in his stalemate with the Detroit Pistons: the $9.6 million qualifying offer that has a current deadline of Oct. 1 (more on that later). For the 22-year-old All-NBA center, who league sources say is very seriously considering that route, the choice to force his way into unrestricted free agency next summer would reflect a relationship gone wrong with the only NBA franchise he’s ever known and a risky (but understandable) business decision. League sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks. There’s one team, in particular, that appears perfectly positioned to pluck Duren if he should be available next summer: the Sacramento Kings. As The Athletic reported in early July, when Duren began taking meetings with other teams as a restricted free agent and made it clear he was interested in playing elsewhere, the Kings were at the front of that line. Whether it was the Kings or any other team giving max money — and league sources say Duren has three very serious suitors in all — the financial numbers over the next five years would ultimately be very similar (approximately $6 million less based on current projections). That alone might be enough for Duren to decide to roll the dice.

New York Times

Seems sort of silly to threaten to use the qualifying offer over 10 million.  I always thought it was a bargaining chip to get a few extra million.  Maybe that has happened.  Maybe he wants a player option?  Just take the deal.  Get
Generational wealth, be a big part of a good team and leave in 4-5 years if you still feel under appreciated.  By then he will still be in his 20’s and could be in line for another massive payday.  I would not gamble that 200 million plus is waiting for me next year.  Now if they were offering 100 million that may be a different story.

[Chicagojk]

Shams Charania: Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will miss an extended period of time, sources tell ESPN. Williams suffered the injury in an offseason workout. "This is the time for him NOW." @StephenPG3 thinks Khaman Maluach is ready to step up in the absence of Mark Williams, who will miss extended time after shoulder surgery.

bsky.app

That hurts.  Malauch passes the eye test but tough to count on him so much for a team hoping to improve on last years surprise win total.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

At first, there were only rumors, then more tangible hints, until on June 25, Luka Dončić appeared in Rome and made it clear that he was part of the ownership or investment structure of BC Roma SPQR. This is a club that took over the competitive rights of Cremona, moved to the Italian capital, and will compete in Serie A and the EuroCup in the new season. [....] However, everything indicates that the formation of the playing staff is not yet complete. According to Italian media, former German international and Dončić's long-time teammate in Dallas and Los Angeles, Maxi Kleber, is also in talks for a possible move to Rome.

SportKlub.si

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Devin Carter is a member of the often underrated “possession maxxer that can’t shoot” mold. High orb rate, high steal + charge rate. It’s not really intuitive just how much of an impact floor those attributes can give a player. EPM and Darko both have him near neutral, predicting he’s ~4% better than the ghastly 50% TS he put up last year. However, I assume the Hawks have a mountain of internal shooting data on him, which gives them an edge in predicting just how poor his efficiency will look going forward. In any case, I think he’s worth picking up.

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Seems sort of silly to threaten to use the qualifying offer over 10 million.  I always thought it was a bargaining chip to get a few extra million.  Maybe that has happened.  Maybe he wants a player option?  Just take the deal.  Get
Generational wealth, be a big part of a good team and leave in 4-5 years if you still feel under appreciated.  By then he will still be in his 20’s and could be in line for another massive payday.  I would not gamble that 200 million plus is waiting for me next year.  Now if they were offering 100 million that may be a different story.

It doesn't make sense. Unless he thinks he's going to take a more massive leap than this past season, which I don't see happening. He's great at lobs, putbacks, and rim runs. He doesn't shoot the 3, and he has a limited post game. Also, we don't know which teams are going to have the space to offer him what he's looking for.

[F Gump]

It's hard to know if Duren is working from an analytical pov - what is his avenue to the best pay for the next 5 years - or from an emotional pov (you owe me because I'm a key player, it's my turn for a max deal, and it's not fair if I don't get it).

It is rare for a player to take the QO - trying to make up the difference from the QO pay at a relatively small number by getting a big bump the following year as a UFA is almost impossible. We have seen players over the years in similar situations, and the ones that go the QO route have tended to never get the money they want, and they become a bit of a vagabond after walking away from a place where they fit and can get paid for it. In DET he does have a team where he fits and they want him to be a key part and they will pay him a large number to stay for multiple years. But if he's been hurt right in the feelings ....

[SleepingHero]

Shams Charania: Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will miss an extended period of time, sources tell ESPN. Williams suffered the injury in an offseason workout. "This is the time for him NOW." @StephenPG3 thinks Khaman Maluach is ready to step up in the absence of Mark Williams, who will miss extended time after shoulder surgery.

bsky.app

I was really high on Maluach pre-draft. Thought he could be the next great center in the league like Gobert.

He's looked so raw during his rookie season, but the length and athleticism still intrigues me. Definitely his biggest opportunity yet.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: The Boston Celtics and Devin Carter have agreed to a deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Carter will compete for an NBA roster spot or a two-way spot in camp. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes during 38 games for the Sacramento Kings last season. Devin Carter's deal with the Boston Celtics is an Exhibit 10 contract, a league source told @spotrac. If Carter earns a regular-season spot, deal becomes a standard non-guaranteed contract. It can also be converted to a two-way deal. Or Carter can get a bonus for joining Maine.

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[Smitty]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Done deal: The LA Clippers and Raptors have both agreed to complete the trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-rounders, per ESPN sources. The sides will now schedule a trade call.

[Chicagojk]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Done deal: The LA Clippers and Raptors have both agreed to complete the trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-rounders, per ESPN sources. The sides will now schedule a trade call.

Raptors look good, but you got to ask if they are playing with the karma Gods a bit.

From 2-4 they are stacked and really good.   Whether than can rise to contender level will depend on their guards and center.   Center is really questionable, although they can play three wings in the front court.   This may be difficult in the playoffs though.    Poetl is such a red flag to me due to injury.   Point guard may be the bigger ?.   Quickley is not really a point guard.  Solid player though, but awful contract.    I like Shead as a backup.   Them getting good point guard play is going to be really important to get the most of the rest of the roster.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Keith Smith: Bennedict Mathurin's contract came in a bit lower than originally reported: 2026-27: $7.5M; 2027-28: $7.8M (player option). Pelicans have $7.5M of the Non-Taxpayer MLE remaining. New Orleans is $4M from the luxury tax with 15 players on standard contracts.

bsky.app

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Nuggets, I'm told, have emerged as a team to watch in pursuit of Cam Whitmore. Whitmore, selected 20th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, was recently waived by Cleveland after the Cavaliers acquired him as part of the five-team megatrade that landed Peyton Watson in Northeast Ohio.

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

John Konchar is one of the top free agents available and has drawn interest, league sources say, from Miami, New York, Orlando and Toronto.

marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Spears on Jalen Duren and Sacramento: "Scott Perry has a relationship with Jalen Duren dating back to when he was trying to get the Knicks to draft him, which they did, but they traded him to the Pistons...Duren likes Scott Perry a lot; he likes Sacramento a lot, but the Pistons, they're focused on bringing him back. They have some optimism, but it's complicated. I just hear that Jalen; it's not about money right now. He feels disrespected...there's a black cloud going into camp...they gotta try to fix it, and I don't know if they can in time"

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: After 17 NBA seasons, Taj Gibson is retiring and returning to the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach under Tiago Splitter to begin his coaching career.

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[DallasMaverick]

Marc Spears on Jalen Duren and Sacramento: "Scott Perry has a relationship with Jalen Duren dating back to when he was trying to get the Knicks to draft him, which they did, but they traded him to the Pistons...Duren likes Scott Perry a lot; he likes Sacramento a lot, but the Pistons, they're focused on bringing him back. They have some optimism, but it's complicated. I just hear that Jalen; it's not about money right now. He feels disrespected...there's a black cloud going into camp...they gotta try to fix it, and I don't know if they can in time"

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It helps to be humble, and not to have an overinflated perception of your value.