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

[Chicagojk]

What do you think the market is for Marshall?   Mavs need to be opportunistic.   Marshall is a good player and a good player in Dallas.  I just don't trust the shot.  With PJ and Cooper on the wing, I am not certain Marshall is the best fit to pair with them.   He has another year on his contract as a really great number.   I think he could be a sneaky guy to move to a contender.  I wonder what type of offers he would bring?

[mvossman]

What do you think the market is for Marshall?   Mavs need to be opportunistic.   Marshall is a good player and a good player in Dallas.  I just don't trust the shot.  With PJ and Cooper on the wing, I am not certain Marshall is the best fit to pair with them.   He has another year on his contract as a really great number.   I think he could be a sneaky guy to move to a contender.  I wonder what type of offers he would bring?

I like Naji, but if they can get a 26 first, even a late one, you probably need to pull that trigger.

[Dirknows]

I like Naji, but if they can get a 26 first, even a late one, you probably need to pull that trigger.

I could see a contender offering a first for Naji, so yeah pick in the 20’s.

[F Gump]

Naji for a low 1st? Let's take a closer look.

It's easy to romanticize what a low 1st would bring us, but if MEM came calling, would I trade Naji for OMax? Or would I trade him to CHA for Josh Green? Those are the Mavs recent low 1st rounders.

In fact, I think if you had a low 1st and it somehow became a Naji-caliber player, we would consider it a major win.

So why trade away a very useful player for a CHANCE (but no guarantee) to get a player like that? And based on past history, could very well be way worse?

I think it's a bad idea. I pass.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Naji for a low 1st? Let's take a closer look.

It's easy to romanticize what a low 1st would bring us, but if MEM came calling, would I trade Naji for OMax? Or would I trade him to CHA for Josh Green? Those are the Mavs recent low 1st rounders. 

In fact, I think if you had a low 1st and it somehow became a Naji-caliber player, we would consider it a major win.

So why trade away a very useful player for a CHANCE (but no guarantee) to get a player like that? And based on past history, could very well be way worse?

I think it's a bad idea. I pass.

Agree.

A low FRP is often trash.

[Mavs2021]

Pacers leading the Bulls. Was sneakily hoping for Hornets and Pacers wins tonight to increase the negative (Bulls) and positive (Hornets) pressure to make the move for AD. Maybe we actually can get two or three 1sts from from the Bulls. I find this more and more likely to happen. Whats the point for the Bulls to let Vucevic, White and Collins walk for nothing in free agency or keep Williams around.

[mvossman]

Naji for a low 1st? Let's take a closer look.

It's easy to romanticize what a low 1st would bring us, but if MEM came calling, would I trade Naji for OMax? Or would I trade him to CHA for Josh Green? Those are the Mavs recent low 1st rounders. 

In fact, I think if you had a low 1st and it somehow became a Naji-caliber player, we would consider it a major win.

So why trade away a very useful player for a CHANCE (but no guarantee) to get a player like that? And based on past history, could very well be way worse?

I think it's a bad idea. I pass.

To be fair, it was specifically a low first in the 26 draft, a historically good draft.  That matters.  As for the Josh Green example, Maxey was picked right after him and may folks wanted to pick Bane, two players significantly better than Naji.  I like Naji, but he is about to turn 28, has one year left on his contract and is not a starting quality player.  If I can trade that for a reasonable shot at a cost controlled Maxey or Bane on Flagg's timeline I am going to pull the trigger.  Maybe we will have better luck in the draft if we have a functioning FO instead of letting a gambler make the pick because our GM left the draft room in a hissy fit.

[SkenfromLMF]

The GM left when he was told the gambler was making the pick, just like when the previous GM was told he had no say in the Harris & Podkolzine picks.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Maybe we actually can get two or three 1sts from the Bulls. I find this more and more likely to happen. Whats the point for the Bulls to let Vucevic, White and Collins walk for nothing in free agency or keep Williams around.

I agree that Chicago should use its inventory of expiring contracts to try to do something on the trade market.  BTW, Huerter and Ayo are also expiring.  If I were them, I’d probably keep Vuc as a backup on something like what Boston gave Horford in recent years.  I’d also try to keep White as I think Giddy and White make good sense as an offensive backcourt pairing.  Buzelis would also be a building block.  That still leaves Collins, Huerter and Ayo as expiring contracts this summer.

I’m not in love with this, but I could totally see AD to Chicago, Ayo and picks and enough expiring contracts to Charlotte to get/keep Dallas and Chicago under the tax and Dallas gets Ball and its 2027 pick back (or at least make it lottery protected instead of top 2 protected).  There are a dozen ways to fill in the blanks.  You have to send Charlotte a PG, so either White of Ayo goes there.  Davis fits nicely in a Chicago big rotation with Vuc and Buzelis.  Ball, Kyrie and Max work as a guard rotation.  Since Charlotte is the one giving up a “star” player without getting one back, they get the bulk of the pick equity from Chicago.

It kind of makes sense for everyone if you assume Ball wants out.  I’m aware of Ball’s imperfections.  This is more prediction that something I’m hoping for.  The question with Ball (besides health) would be whether Kyrie could have a positive influence on his professionalism or not.  Ball has always been the best player anywhere he’s been.  If he were the 3rd best player, would he make better choices?  I guess PJ would be a good one to ask as to whether Ball is redeemable or not.  Sadly, I don’t see a ton of great alternatives.  If you are the Dallas brain trust, so you take Ball, control of your pick and control of your finances (you get under the tax), or would you hold onto Davis (and the impact that might have on the tank) and risk his next big injury happening before you can rehab his value?

[loki]

What do we think of an AD to Chicago trade based around Buzelis+unprotected 29 1st? Not sure if the Bulls would/should do this, but I'm feeling increasingly less enthusiastic about moving AD if they can't get at least one promising young player to pair with Flagg. My main concern is that Buzelis also needs to bulk up. Is he really the right long term fit next to CF? Maybe they could bring him off the bench for a year or two in favor of PJ while he develops. 

It wouldn’t be too hard to make a 4 for 4 swap work. I’m assuming they would want to offload Patrick Williams' contract (3 years at $18m per after this season) as part of the salary match. If so I’d also demand the Portland protected 26 1st as compensation.

AD+Russell+Naji+Powell for Buzelis+Williams+Collins+Huerter+picks.

Chicago stays under the tax and could even send one of their many backup guards (DLo, Carter, Ayo, Jones, Terry) to a 3rd team to balance their roster. It would need to be a forward on a similar contract. Maybe to Brooklyn for Highsmith.

Dallas would shed over $13M in salary and would only be about $3.6m over the tax. They could dodge the tax entirely with a trade of Hardy or Klay for a smaller contract.

[mvossman]

What do we think of an AD to Chicago trade based around Buzelis+unprotected 29 1st? Not sure if the Bulls would/should do this, but I'm feeling increasingly less enthusiastic about moving AD if they can't get at least one promising young player to pair with Flagg. My main concern is that Buzelis also needs to bulk up. Is he really the right long term fit next to CF? Maybe they could bring him off the bench for a year or two in favor of PJ while he develops. 

It wouldn’t be too hard to make a 4 for 4 swap work. I’m assuming they would want to offload Patrick Williams' contract (3 years at $18m per after this season) as part of the salary match. If so I’d also demand the Portland protected 26 1st as compensation.

AD+Russell+Naji+Powell for Buzelis+Williams+Collins+Huerter+picks.

Chicago stays under the tax and could even send one of their many backup guards (DLo, Carter, Ayo, Jones, Terry) to a 3rd team to balance their roster. It would need to be a forward on a similar contract. Maybe to Brooklyn for Highsmith.

Dallas would shed over $13M in salary and would only be about $3.6m over the tax. They could dodge the tax entirely with a trade of Hardy or Klay for a smaller contract.

From everything I have read, there is no chance Chicago is sending out Buzelis in an AD trade.  The best player you are likely to get from them is Coby White, and that is only because he is expiring and looking for a big contract (and they have already committed to Giddey).

The closest thing I have seen to getting quality young players near Flagg timeline is if Detroit want to go all in:

AD + Klay for Ivey + Harris + Holland + Stewart.

[loki]

From everything I have read, there is no chance Chicago is sending out Buzelis in an AD trade.  The best player you are likely to get from them is Coby White, and that is only because he is expiring and looking for a big contract (and they have already committed to Giddey).

The closest thing I have seen to getting quality young players near Flagg timeline is if Detroit want to go all in:

AD + Klay for Ivey + Harris + Holland + Stewart.

I've seen that sentiment from their fans. I think there's at least some chance the GM considers it if he values being competitive in the short term more than they do. Coby White would be a non-starter for me unless he's going to a 3rd team for something more interesting. The only thing more embarrassing than the Luka trade would be to follow it up by gift wrapping an All-NBA caliber player for a 6th man.

I could probably be talked into something based around Ivey, although I'm not that high on Holland. I've assumed Detroit wouldn't want AD due to potential spacing issues, but Klay could help with that if he's back on track.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

All aboard the Lamelo Ball train.

I kinda kid. I don't know if it would work, but at least this team would be far more entertaining to watch. PG that can playmake and throw alley oops to Flagg, Lively, and Gafford.

[Mavs2021]

Bulls are definitely the team.

Started 6-1, but 3-8 since. Two of the three wins came by a point, so they could easily be 1-10 in their last 11. Got all their picks, got all the expiring contracts to easily match AD´s contract. Home city, big city, don´t tank.

I´m still confident any AD trade you make with the Bulls they end up in the lottery. They might make the play-in, but they are not getting out of it. I actually think Charlotte will catch up with them, too.

[Jakeospikez]

Detroit seems like the most compatible trade partner atm. Logjam at wing, Ivey was hurt and they still did well without him, he has upside that would be good for the Mavs. Ivey is also expiring and RFA next year, so they'll have to do something with him soon anyway. I don't think they're trying to blow up their team so just taking Ivey + Harris + whatever other salary matching is needed, throw in a 3rd team or w/e if necessary, plus their 2026 & 2028 1sts. Can waive Tobias and let him go join another contender. Could go for Holland instead I guess if they prefer that type of player but Ivey makes more sense.

Lamelo is at least worth some consideration. He has the talent to be worth trading for.

Coby White doesn't have the upside of Ivey but if the Mavs really believe he can be the guy to eventually take over for Kyrie then go for it I guess. Would need high quality draft compensation to go along with it though for sure.

[Mavs2021]

Detroit seems like the most compatible trade partner atm. Logjam at wing, Ivey was hurt and they still did well without him, he has upside that would be good for the Mavs. Ivey is also expiring and RFA next year, so they'll have to do something with him soon anyway. I don't think they're trying to blow up their team so just taking Ivey + Harris + whatever other salary matching is needed, throw in a 3rd team or w/e if necessary, plus their 2026 & 2028 1sts. Can waive Tobias and let him go join another contender. Could go for Holland instead I guess if they prefer that type of player but Ivey makes more sense.

Lamelo is at least worth some consideration. He has the talent to be worth trading for.

Coby White doesn't have the upside of Ivey but if the Mavs really believe he can be the guy to eventually take over for Kyrie then go for it I guess. Would need high quality draft compensation to go along with it though for sure.

Only Bulls player I want is Essengue. White gets shipped out. All about the picks. Give me 2026 + 2028 unprotected.

Wolves
 
White
Hardy

Celtics
 
Gafford
Conley

Mavs

Simons
Dillingham
Wolves 1st
Celtics 1st

That´s four 1st round picks (in the top 20) for AD + Gafford plus two lottery picks in Essengue and Dillingham. Simons and Vucevic expiring contracts.