Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

Rival teams consistently point to Nuggets forward Cam Johnson, acquired last summer in a deal that sent away Michael Porter Jr., as the most likely candidate to be dealt, in large part because the 30-year-old has just one season left on his deal at $23 million. Miami and Dallas are believed to be among the many interested teams.

Now, THIS makes a little more sense. SHOOTING is something they need badly.

This one is more encouraging and got buried by the shiny sudden Kawhi Leonard talk.

[KillerLeft]

There are several ways trading for Johnson could make sense, I think. Since he has only a year left, this probably isn't the best way to use the Thompson chip, and I doubt that's what Denvier is looking to do, anyway.

Probably, Denver is asking for PJW, who is currently guaranteed to be on the books through 2030 (!!!). As long as you're not PAYING to get off of that contract (Denver is getting the better player, after all), I think I might pull the trigger. PJW's contract is the biggest obstacle to longterm flexibility, he has a TON of overlap with Flagg and Johnson provides a little of something they desperately, desperately need.

I never check the math on a first glance, but it also feels like Gafford works (not sure why Denver would do that, so not discussing), OR, if that last player option of Caleb Martin has you in a twist, it feels like maybe combining that with Marshall is a possibility here, too.

I will say though, when you go to the team's payroll and see it listed by years, all in one place...it's pretty easy to understand why we're starting to hear PJW's name come up in these rumors a lot recently. I really can see something like that happening with Denver.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I don’t see Denver being interested in PJ unless they trade Aaron Gordon.

[Amick] More specifically, league sources say, the Nuggets are on the lookout for another creative ballhandler.

[KillerLeft]

I don’t see Denver being interested in PJ unless they trade Aaron Gordon.

[Amick] More specifically, league sources say, the Nuggets are on the lookout for another creative ballhandler.

Well, the only thing that could remotely tie those two things together if Dallas is involved is Naji Marshall. I'm not sure that makes a heck of a lot of sense. You make a good point about Gordon, however.

[Chicagojk]

Let’s see the rumored package from Toronto is Ingram, dick and a protected one. Maybe with limited other options, would clippers want PJ and Klay plus a Toronto first? Not sure? If so maybe Dallas got a Ingram and dick? Any better? Not sure.

[KillerLeft]

I don’t see Denver being interested in PJ unless they trade Aaron Gordon.

[Amick] More specifically, league sources say, the Nuggets are on the lookout for another creative ballhandler.

Seems like if the trade was built around Naji Marshall, the Mavs could shoehorn in BOTH Caleb Martin AND AJ Johnson, which I find a little appealing.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I don’t see Denver being interested in PJ unless they trade Aaron Gordon.

[Amick] More specifically, league sources say, the Nuggets are on the lookout for another creative ballhandler.

I don't see Denver trading Gordon to sign PJ. Gordon is the better player IMO.

[Smitty]

> The Mavericks, who have a clearer path to creating an enticing package for Leonard, have yet to offer anything notable. Recent reports from The Athletic signal a package of PJ Washington, Klay Thompson, and draft picks being the assets in Dallas’ proposal to Los Angeles.
>
> Since Ballmer officially purchased the Clippers in 2014, he has never been one to take a major step back as an organization. He, along with Frank, have always operated with a level of aggressiveness both on the trade market and free agency to put the Clippers in a position to contend and not take a step back. That would be the organization's main goal in a possible Leonard trade.
>
> That is why any deal with the Mavs would likely need to include Dereck Lively II, a 22-year-old center who would be of interest to LA if he is healthy, sources said. Lively is entering the final year of his rookie contract after undergoing multiple right foot surgeries, resulting in him playing in just seven games during the 2025-26 season.

https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles...-inquiries

[cow]

PJ, Klay, the GS 2030 pick, the HOU 2029 2nd rd pick.

Boom done.

Don’t touch your 2031, 2032, 2033 picks.

I'd probably be okay with this.  I wonder what a KL extension would cost though.

[KillerLeft]

> That is why any deal with the Mavs would likely need to include Dereck Lively II, a 22-year-old center who would be of interest to LA if he is healthy, sources said. Lively is entering the final year of his rookie contract after undergoing multiple right foot surgeries, resulting in him playing in just seven games during the 2025-26 season.

Yep, that would do it. "It" being to undo any/all goodwill the summer's Mavs moves have built up with yours, truly: KillerLeft.

[Smitty]

Sounds like negotiating through the media. Clips want PJ+Klay+Lively and draft capital.

Obviously Lively is not a dealbreaker for me in any trade I like. I just don’t think Leonard is the one to do it on. Doesn’t matter what I think of course. Masai has no ties to any of these guys and probably loves KL.

[F Gump]

@TheSteinLine
League sources tell @JakeLFischer and me that Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mike Conley Jr. are expected to be priority targets in free agency for Miami after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.

That's just one item of MANY in our Sunday Best NBA Intel compilation: tinyurl.com/bd4jexes

Reading that note reminds me -- wouldn't veteran names like Conley or Kyle Lowry make some sense for the Mavs need at PG?

[F Gump]

I don't understand the narrative of what he "could be."  By advanced stats, he is a top 3-5 offensive difference maker in the league.  I bet Kon and Brandon Miller are less efficient next year and Ant and Jaden McDaniels are more efficient next year.

https://dunksandthrees.com/epm?m=off

One front office traded him.  I've seen mixed reactions online.  The consensus I've seen is this seems like a worthwhile gamble for MIN.  I dont think the trade or reaction to it "speaks volumes" at all.  If he plays/doesn't get injured, I imagine the Charlotte side of the trade will look awful.  The player's talent is not in question.

I think there's some level of CHA doing a reset on players (even talented ones) that create issues off the court, for one reason or another. Both Ball and Bridges got shipped out, once there was a market that would pay full value for them. This is CHA saying "We have enough talent to win without all the crap" - whether they are correct remains to be seen.

[Smitty]

Yep, that would do it. "It" being to undo any/all goodwill the summer's Mavs moves have built up with yours, truly: KillerLeft.

If Masai’s first moves are drafting Morez Johnson and trading Lively, doesn’t that tell us everything we need to know about Lively’s future outlook?

[Mavs2021]

> The Mavericks, who have a clearer path to creating an enticing package for Leonard, have yet to offer anything notable. Recent reports from The Athletic signal a package of PJ Washington, Klay Thompson, and draft picks being the assets in Dallas’ proposal to Los Angeles.

No interest at all in Kawhi. Could have just kept AD in that case. He only seems healthy, when he´s playing for his next contract and its shell companies.

[KillerLeft]

If Masai’s first moves are drafting Morez Johnson and trading Lively, doesn’t that tell us everything we need to know about Lively’s future outlook?

I can't sanction this logic, not without a new medical staff spending time with him first. 

It WOULD tell me there's no point in continuing on with the team as a fan. I'd make another serious attempt to flee, at that point. No idea if it would be more successful than past attempts. 

Don't get me wrong, I'd trade Lively in the right deal, probably. This one isn't it.

[windjc]

The decline-and-re-sign was expected and something we have been talking about already. But I am shocked at the price (25M/yr, which is not much of a reduction from the 28M he was set to get on the TO). 

Assuming they decline Dort's TO (or trade him for a pick), their project to duck under A2 is done.

Yes. They will lose again next season and their owner will have a firesell of epic proportions.

[Scott41theMavs]

OK, I throw my hat officially in the Stop the Kawhi Madness camp, if for no other reason than to not have KillerLeft leave us. He's one of the board's MVPs.

[F Gump]

 If Mavs targeted a guy like Mathurin in trade, then you are looking at your two guards at around  35-40 million moving forward.   is that a smart strategy?  Would either be good coming off the bench.   

Not sure how those would be your two guards, as neither is a PG. Mathurin is a "good player" in theory, but he's listed as a SF/SG. He was traded because he wanted a huge contract that Indy didn't think he's worth. And his ability to shoot - especially 3s - is suspect. 

I think at best he's an overlap with Max, and questionable whether he's as good of a fit. I'd pass.

[Scott41theMavs]

Someone posted a tweet in the Discord about Kawhi angling for the Clippers to get Kyrie because he wants to play for him. I would send them Kyrie if Wagler and some other positive stuff was in the return. Change the focus of the discussions (please!).