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

[DanSchwartzgan]

Here is my stab at a 3-way with Atl/Was/Dal. I did my best to try and not to make this too one sided for any 1 team.
 

I was hoping to dive into this a little deeper, but something has come up and that won't happen today.  So, I thought I'd quickly say that I like the creativity of bringing forward value from a future year as a way of getting a better draft asset in either 2026 or 2027. 

One of the Locked On guys did something similar the other day.  I believe ATL when they say the NO 2026 is off limits, but is it a little less off limits if you add something to the pot?  Certainly worth bringing up.  Even if reasonable people can't agree on AD's value, we can at least admire a bit of creativity.

[Chicagojk]

What matters is whether you have a future first round pick in a particular year.  It doesn't have to be your own.  

2027:  Dallas doesn't have a pick
2028:  Dallas has a swap with OKC (so it has a pick)
2029:  Dallas has LA's pick and a swap with Houston (so it has two picks)
2030:  Dallas has a swap with SA (so it has a pick)

So, if you ship out the 2028 pick, you have to get one back or at least make another swap with the existing 2028 (which is what I've been advocating).  Alternatively, if you don't end up with a pick in 2028, you have to end up with one in 2027 from somewhere.  It would have to be a guaranteed pick and not contingent on something conveying or not.  Note that Atlanta's 2027 (from NO or MIL) is top four protected.  If it falls in the top four it doesn't convey and therefore can't be counted as a way to fulfill the rule.

I don’t believe the 29 pick is a swap.  I think it is lost.  I think Houston will probably get it but I believe it is tricky with multiple teams involved.  We do have the Lakers pick though

[mvossman]

Can Newell play center or is he more of a 4 only?

Maybe some small ball.  He is not a great rebounder and doesn't really have the bulk to player center.  I think your original post that he is primarily a 4 which is not ideal was accurate.

[KillerLeft]

Maybe some small ball.  He is not a great rebounder and doesn't really have the bulk to player center.  I think your original post that he is primarily a 4 which is not ideal was accurate.

Not interested, then. Speaking for myself, anyway. 

Literally any other position would be preferred.

[Winter]

Not interested, then. Speaking for myself, anyway. 

Literally any other position would be preferred.

What you really want from Atlanta is Okongwu. It would make some sense in that we would be trading a center for a center.

But they aren't going to want to part with him. Still, you have to give up something in an AD trade.

[mvossman]

What you really want from Atlanta is Okongwu. It would make some sense in that we would be trading a center for a center.

But they aren't going to want to part with him. Still, you have to give up something in an AD trade.

I think we are already going to be trading a (oft injured) center for a (oft injured) center.  They can't give up their entire front court rotation for AD.  But I agree that Okongwu is the kind of player we will eventually want to get.  It seems like the most effective model is to have a quality rim protecting center and a center/PF that can space the floor (OKC, Boston, Bucks, etc.).

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Anyone else think Porzingis' ability to stretch the floor would benefit Cooper Flagg? I'm intrigued by how Flagg would look next to a stretch 5. (any stretch 5, not necessarily KP)

[loki]

Anyone else think Porzingis' ability to stretch the floor would benefit Cooper Flagg?    I'm intrigued by how Flagg would look next to a stretch 5.  (any stretch 5, not necessarily KP)

Definitely, I'd love to see what Coop could do with actual floor spacing. Right now he's trying to drive into a brick wall. I'd also be interested in Kispert for the same reason if this ends up being a 3 team deal with Washington.

[Dirknows]

You could probably get the best of both worlds for AD's value if Atl is willing to trade the NOP pick top 3? protected. They still have their chance at the 3 potential superstar players and also trade within this season for a playoff run this year in a weaker east. I think a lot of draft picks will be way less valuable once the lotto is done and they don't hit top 3 for offseason trades. I would do a trade based on that and have the Mavs get potentially 2 mid lottery picks next draft. Not sure what would happen if the pick landed top 3 though.

I think that’s why the Hawks may prefer to wait til the summer, so Atlanta knows exactly where the pick will land.

[Chicagojk]

I heard Shams talking about how Trae does not fit their core moving forward.  He specifically mentiioned Johnson, Daniels, Okongwu, and maybe one more.  Add a top pick this year and that is a solid nucleus.   What I found interesting is he did mention Richacher or Newell in this grouping.

[Chicagojk]

I think that’s why the Hawks may prefer to wait til the summer, so Atlanta knows exactly where the pick will land.

Yeah, you are not getting that pick now.   Although a potential of a top 3 pick is much more valuable than winding up with pick #7.    They can't trade that pick now.   I mean they could...but won't for someone like AD.

[Chicagojk]

Anyone else think Porzingis' ability to stretch the floor would benefit Cooper Flagg?    I'm intrigued by how Flagg would look next to a stretch 5.  (any stretch 5, not necessarily KP)

One of the things that sucks this year was Lively's injury.  I think he could be an excellent pairing with Coop.  Lets not talk about him shooting threes until we see it, but Coop played really well with Maluach this year.    one of the big issues with this years mavs team is the lack of perimeter shooting/creation around Coop.  I still think a guy running to the rim will eventually work really well with Cooper.

[mvossman]

I think that’s why the Hawks may prefer to wait til the summer, so Atlanta knows exactly where the pick will land.

Wait for what, an AD trade?  I'm not sure they can reasonably trade for him in the summer, especially if they are sending out Trae for expiring.

[windjc]

Yeah, you are not getting that pick now.   Although a potential of a top 3 pick is much more valuable than winding up with pick #7.    They can't trade that pick now.   I mean they could...but won't for someone like AD.

"Someone like AD." Lol.

That's ok. Happy to let him average 24/10 for us while playing All-Defense.

[Dirknows]

"Someone like AD." Lol.

That's ok. Happy to let him average 24/10 for us while playing All-Defense.

I mean I don't think AD is worth potentially the number 1 pick in the draft. There is a very small chance they might trade it with top-3 or 5 protection or something. I don't really care for Risacher to be honest, might rather try and get Newell.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I heard Shams talking about how Trae does not fit their core moving forward.  He specifically mentiioned Johnson, Daniels, Okongwu, and maybe one more.  Add a top pick this year and that is a solid nucleus.   What I found interesting is he did mention Richacher or Newell in this grouping.

did or did not?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Amick] league sources say Davis’ representatives do not believe there’s an extension agreement to be had with the Mavericks in the upcoming offseason. As such, … there is a strong desire from Davis’ camp to get him traded to a destination where they feel an extension would be more likely.


[Amick] Anthony Davis is believed to be open to a trade with the Hawks or Raptors, two teams who have shown legitimate interest recently
While the Hawks are in the process of trying to trade Trae Young, league sources say [Dallas] doesn't have an appetite to take back Youngs contracts in exchange for Davis.

[Chicagojk]

A few comments I saw from an Athletic article today


“League sources say (Rich) Paul has already encouraged the Mavericks to be more aggressive in assessing Davis’ current market.

Anthony Davis’ representatives do not believe there’s an extension agreement to be had with the Mavericks in the upcoming offseason and there is a “strong desire” to be traded where one is more likely, per
@sam_amick


Mentions both ATL and Toronto as options Davis is open too.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Amick]League sources say the Milwaukee Bucks (16-20; 11th in the East) are also among the teams that have registered interest in trading for Davis, though a deal appears unlikely. The Bucks have been aggressive in their search for more talent to put alongside superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and expressing interest in Davis falls in line with that pursuit. But their scarce asset base and lack of sizable contracts could limit the attractiveness of a potential trade package.

There is a belief in some NBA circles that the Mavericks won’t be able to find great value for Davis before Feb. 5 and will reengage in trade talks this summer. But the wide-open nature of the Eastern Conference is a variable that must be factored in as the trade deadline approaches.

“Every team in the East believes they’re an Anthony Davis away from making the finals,” one high-level league source said.

[FireNicoHarrison]

So i was right... Again.

I told you guys, a lot of teams want street clothes... Just keep calm and see this bidding war.

Popcorn.