Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4889...alen-duren


Re-signing Ayo Dosunmu could push out Donte DiVencenzo from the Wolves.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

If Christie was the 5th overall pick instead of the 35th and if Gafford was as good as Stewart (Killer thinks Stewart is better) and if 30 was 21, you’d be close.  

BTW, the most recent haul for Durant (and Capella) was Brooks (is that similar to Stewart?), Malachi (who only got 11 minutes a game in 4 playoff losses), Green (who people generally feel is overpaid) and some seconds.  Not exactly a kings ransom.

Funny how you characterize and shift goal posts to fit your narrative and strawman arguments. 

The Durant trade was for the 10th pick., not  Maluach as a known, established  NBAi commodity. The fact that the Suns chose Maluach, who underperformed, has nothing to do with the trade.at the time.

Yes, Holland WAS the 5th two plus years ago. So does he just get to keep that pedigree in perpetuity? I mean, Bagley WAS the 2nd pick. Does he keep that badge forever or, at some point, does a player become what he is?

You have to see how disingenuous you're being. You ignore a draft pick when it's traded before it's selected, but then act as if the Pistons would be trading the 5th pick in this trade.

Stop digging. It's a BAD trade.

[DallasMaverick]

That Detroit deal that was posted is honestly the only one that makes sense for both sides.  I wouldn't be upset at it.

Although if we go another year of Brandon Williams/Dante Exum/Dangelo Russell types at starting PG I might just be done with this team.  It's an entertainment business and I am not entertained.  I'm not waiting on some theoretical contending team 5 years from now.

You could swap loyalty and root for the Lakers.

…except I think they’re mired in mediocrity, and you’d be constantly disappointed.

San Antonio is still in Texas, and it looks they’ll be pretty good for awhile. Unless Wemby gets hurt. Then they have no chance.

Fandom is tough.

[Chicagojk]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4889...alen-duren


Re-signing Ayo Dosunmu could push out Donte DiVencenzo from the Wolves.

I mean saying it and doing it are two different things.  He has one year left at 12.5 million which isn't a bad contract and then he is a FA.   Although he will likely not play next year.  I would think if they want to move him (and not take salary back), it would need to be part of a bigger deal or they would need to give an asset to get off him, right?

[DallasMaverick]

I mean saying it and doing it are two different things.  He has one year left at 12.5 million which isn't a bad contract and then he is a FA.   Although he will likely not play next year.  I would think if they want to move him (and not take salary back), it would need to be part of a bigger deal or they would need to give an asset to get off him, right?

Absolutely. Any acquiring team will pay his remaining salary and receive no on-court contribution from him.

So there’s got to be compensation.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

If Christie was the 5th overall pick instead of the 35th and if Gafford was as good as Stewart (Killer thinks Stewart is better) and if 30 was 21, you’d be close.  

BTW, the most recent haul for Durant (and Capella) was Brooks (is that similar to Stewart?), Malachi (who only got 11 minutes a game in 4 playoff losses), Green (who people generally feel is overpaid) and some seconds.  Not exactly a kings ransom.

You're a smart guy, which is why it surprises me you'd make such a weak argument. 

Maximum Raynaud was drafted 42nd
Noa Essingue was drafted 12
Who has more value NOW?

Holland went 5th
Ajay Mitchell went 35th
Who has more value NOW?

Will Jalen Brunson always be the 33rd pick or, at some point, can our eyes see beyond that?

To be clear, I'm not arguing that Christie is a top end baller. It's just that defining a player by their draft selection is, well, something  someone does who can't discuss basketball on merit.

[KillerLeft]

Of course the team could make the playoffs with a healthy Kyrie! He is an all-star! So yes, with Kyrie, a successful draft and a more experienced Flagg and no tankathon, this team could easily make the playoffs. Thats not a reason to hold on to Kyrie forever though.

Wow, I wish I had your confidence about this. I simply don't feel that way.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Connelly mentioned Beringer as a part of their future core. If I had to guess they will try to move on out of Randle/Gobert. For the Mavs this only makes sense if a third team is involved. Not sure who is in need of a win now PF/C.

I wouldn't consider Randall a "win now" PF. 

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Last thing I'm going to say on this Detroit trade is, well, I'm going to list the Mavs pods who discussed it:

Locked on Mavs
6:17
https://youtu.be/m0LOdDamhSU

DLLS
8:22
https://www.youtube.com/live/-88w3krJA8s

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Wow, I wish I had your confidence about this. I simply don't feel that way.

Agreed. It's going to take a hell of a lot more than Kyrie and Cooper to be a playoff team in the rugged West. Masai has his work cut out for him. Let's see if he hasn't lost his magic like Joe Dumars has.

[mvossman]

Last thing I'm going to say on this Detroit trade is, well, I'm going to list the Mavs pods who discussed it:

Locked on Mavs
6:17
https://youtu.be/m0LOdDamhSU

DLLS
8:22
https://www.youtube.com/live/-88w3krJA8s

I have not listened to the DLLS one yet, but something needs to be understood about the Locked on Mavs one.  Isaac (like a lot of folks on this board) is a big Kyrie fan and does not want to trade him period (unless he wanted to go).  I think his views regarding building for the future are somewhat clouded by his fandom.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Kevin Durant was trade for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a 1st.  We're likely going to need to find a Kyrie trade where the money coming back is distressed/overpaid assets that no longer fit their current teams.  That trade ended up looking pretty good for the Suns.  So I am not 100% against a Kyrie trade.  I just don't think we're getting a trade right now with anything attractive coming back.  You'd be making that Detroit trade thinking Holland and Lavert can help here and Stewart is a legit starting center.  I can see that POV I guess.

[Chicagojk]

what about this?  saw this on Reddit.

Game Theory podcast recently floated the idea of a Kyrie for Kuminga, Rissacher, #23 pick

[KillerLeft]

You'd be making that Detroit trade thinking Holland and Lavert can help here and Stewart is a legit starting center.  I can see that POV I guess.

I am not really against your larger point here - I think it's a valid and accurate POV, and each of us have to decide where we land on it, probably with our opinions of Kyrie's actual utility here being the variable. It has become clear that some of us live in a world in which the Mavs have something to lose in the near future by moving him, which makes the visceral pushback over these ideas a little more understandable to me. 

But on this point above, I want to clarify that I'm not sure I see Stewart as "a legit, starting center," necessarily. I'd still have Lively ahead of him for sure. It's just that I think Stewart is a massive upgrade over Gafford, especially if the team is going to continue to drift farther away from pick and roll basketball. Stewart is actually a difference maker on the defensive end when he's on the floor, and in my estimation much more playable in the playoffs. 

It's ironic, but I suppose one argument AGAINST the trade might be this: Kyrie is NOT a pick and roll player, like AT ALL. So...if they trade him, I suppose there's a world in which the lead ball-handler next year (hopefully #9, but anyone else, really) IS a pick and roll guy, and in that case Gafford might potentially fit here again. 

It's all a big puzzle, for sure. Thank goodness there are actual basketball people in the room making these decisions, finally.

[KillerLeft]

what about this?  saw this on Reddit.

Game Theory podcast recently floated the idea of a Kyrie for Kuminga, Rissacher, #23 pick

Another one I'd do, but I bet many here wouldn't. 

I'm not really a Kuminga fan (once #9 is in the mix, I'd want basically every other addition to be a threat as a shooter), but the other two assets above intrigue me quite a bit, and (not to beat a dead horse) NEITHER IS IN THEIR MID-30'S.

[dirkfansince1998]

what about this?  saw this on Reddit.

Game Theory podcast recently floated the idea of a Kyrie for Kuminga, Rissacher, #23 pick

Follows the Pistons blue print. Combination of vet salary match, prospect with obvious flaws and a late 1st.

Kuminga vs Stewart
Rissacher vs Holland
23 vs 21

Don't think Levert offers any additional value. Personally I would take Rissacher over Holland. Stewart over Kuminga.

[mvossman]

what about this?  saw this on Reddit.

Game Theory podcast recently floated the idea of a Kyrie for Kuminga, Rissacher, #23 pick

My issues with Kuminga are the same issues I have with some of the guys folks want to draft.  If there is any type of player I wouldn't want to put next to Flagg, its a power forward that can't shoot.  If I could reroute him for another pick I would probably do it.  Given the Risacher hate on this board, I doubt this will be any more popular than the Detroit trade.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

what about this?  saw this on Reddit.

Game Theory podcast recently floated the idea of a Kyrie for Kuminga, Rissacher, #23 pick

I'm much more intrigued by this one than the Detroit one because there's more upside. 

I think Stewart and Levert are what they are. And Holland is a guard who can't shoot (25% from 3. Jeez!!!)

Whereas, Kuminga has shown flashes of having tools. It's possible he just didn't fit GS. Risacher is 6'8" and shot 38% from 3. That's at least a skill that's usable.

[FireNicoHarrison]

That Detroit deal that was posted is honestly the only one that makes sense for both sides.  I wouldn't be upset at it.

Although if we go another year of Brandon Williams/Dante Exum/Dangelo Russell types at starting PG I might just be done with this team.  It's an entertainment business and I am not entertained.  I'm not waiting on some theoretical contending team 5 years from now.

Agree.

I want a basketball team not some stupid collection of players.

Big lineups, small lineups or other bullshit.

I have faith in Masai, at least he is not sold to LA or NY.

[mvossman]

I'm much more intrigued by this one than the Detroit one because there's more upside. 

I think Stewart and Levert are what they are. And Holland is a guard who can't shoot (25% from 3. Jeez!!!)

Whereas, Kuminga has shown flashes of having tools. It's possible he just didn't fit GS. Risacher is 6'8" and shot 38% from 3. That's at least a skill that's usable.

Holland is a forward, a better defender, three years younger and less than half the cost of Kuminga.  Neither of them can shoot (although Holland is particularly bad).  I also worry Kuminga has some attitude issues.  If I were going to take a flyer on one of them, it would probably be Holland due to age and contract.  I do like Risacher better than both.