Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[vfromlmf]

This team is being built to look a whole lot like Michigan.

Floor General / Playmaker (Elliot Cadeau) : The team's engine. The PG in May's system must be an unselfish distributor who creates high-percentage shots for teammates.
- KYRIE - DE LARREA - NEMBHARDT

Two-Way Wing / 3-and-D (Nimari Burnett) : The SG in May's system operates as a spot-up shooter and perimeter defender. His main job is stretching the floor on offense while matching up against the opponent's best perimeter player on defense. 
- CHRISTIE - KLAY - BIBEROVICH

Point Forward / Versatile Playmaking Wing (Lendeborg) : Initiates offense, exploits mismatches inside, and handles the ball like a guard while maintaining frontcourt size
- FLAGG - NAJI

High Motor Rim Runner / Interior Anchor (Morez) : Brings intense physicality and high energy. Functions as a dominant offensive rebounder, an efficient dunker around the rim, and a mobile, lock-down swichable defender
- MOREZ - PJW

Rim protector / post playmaker (Mara) : True anchor of the defense. On offense, the C brings traditional European-style fluid passing and post skills, while on defense, acts as a primary shot-blocking deterrent
- LIVELY - GAFFORD

Bench specialty roles

Scoring guard
- SASSER

Stretch big:
- ALDAMA

[Scott41theMavs]

As the summer starts to wind down, I find that I'm still interested in the Mavs vets who have been in trade rumors, constantly. I can see clearly that the decision makers are in no rush to move off of anyone just for the sake of doing it, which has changed my thinking a little, as have other roster moves that were made.

For example, prior to the draft I thought Gafford was on his way out, and drafting Morez Johnson seemed to reinforce that, even. But, with all the shooting they've added, it's much easier for me to envision a positive role for him here in the short term.

Right now, if we look at the four vets, Gafford, PJW, Marshall and Klay Thompson, I think the ones who fit least for me are PJW and Marshall. I'm sure opinions vary on this, but that's how I see it. PJW is arguably at a lower point of value than he might be at the deadline, but I can't shake the feeling that he's just not in the right place and probably the most valuable of them all. Still, there's no burning rush to argue about that one.

I cringed a little when I saw Dan suggest he was likely to be the main bench creator earlier, not because I think he's wrong, but because I'm just not interested in going that direction. And, with his lack of utility as a shooter I'm not sure there is another role for him that makes any sense. I'm certainly not in favor of extending him, so...I'm struggling to imagine there isn't a deal out there that would motivate me to take action here. Better to trade him than let him walk, right?

I think Thompson does have a role here on this team, but similar to Marshall (probably even more so)...surely, we don't expect another contract here for him, do we?

With Thompson and Marshall in particular, I really struggle with the idea of keeping them around, just from an asset-management perspective. Smitty has made this point before, and I agree.

I'm going to be pretty confused if all four of those guys are still here on opening night, and strangely, Gafford has emerged as the one I'd be most in favor of keeping.

What if Marshall works with Dirk and gets up to being a 37% 3p shooter? 

If they don't trade anything for another creator, they will need Marshall's facilitation abilities, imho.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: Free agent center Mo Bamba has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN.

Twitter

How many centers do the Jazz need?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

A source told the Post the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around the framework of Jonathan Kuminga going to L.A. and the Hawks receiving Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap – the lone option the Lakers have of trading a first-round pick this summer. Kuminga’s contract would have to be for at least three or four seasons (not including option seasons), and the first season must be fully guaranteed, if the Lakers acquired him in a sign-and-trade. The Lakers have been willing to trade Vanderbilt, according to multiple sources who spoke with the Post who were granted anonymity so they could speak freely, as well as other players on the roster to create more roster-building optionality. The Cavaliers also have a strong interest in Kuminga, a source said. After the Hawks declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option on June 29, Lakers president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick met with Kuminga the following day. A part of the Lakers’ free-agency pitch to Kuminga, a source told the California Post, was the Lakers seeing Kuminga as a high-level, starting wing who would complete the vision of their roster reconstruction around superstar guard Luka Doncic.

New York Post

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: JUST IN: The Denver Nuggets are waiving center Jonas Valanciunas, league sources told @hoopshype. He had a fully guaranteed $10 million decision today. Denver will now owe Valanciunas $2 million for the 2026-27 season. He’s averaged 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in 14 NBA seasons.

Twitter

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Tony East: The Pacers plan to waive center Micah Potter, multiple league sources tell me.

bsky.app

[Smitty]

What if Marshall works with Dirk and gets up to being a 37% 3p shooter? 

If they don't trade anything for another creator, they will need Marshall's facilitation abilities, imho.

He did it once, right before becoming a Maverick. 38% from 3. Idk, for me it’s still less about the percentage and more about the willingness to shoot them. Especially when wide open. Naji is the worst of both worlds in that regard.

[Dundalis]

If there is one thing I am confident of given the inside info with May, its that they drafted the right Michigan guy.

Yeah, I don't regret the pick at all, but I wonder if Rez and Yaxel were neck and neck on the Mavs board, with possibly only projected improvement due to age being the slight edge that pushed him over, rather than Rez being just straight up clear ahead. Hope both go on to have good careers with Rez being better obviously. But just the road we look to be going down in terms of the type of players we seem to be targeting, and the way we look to be constructing the roster, essentially having another less talented version of Coop on the floor who can basically do just about everything on offense and defense to an above average or greater level seems to mesh with that direction really well of just loads of multi faceted, multi skilled and multi positional players.

[mvossman]

Yeah, I don't regret the pick at all, but I wonder if Rez and Yaxel were neck and neck on the Mavs board, with possibly only projected improvement due to age being the slight edge that pushed him over, rather than Rez being just straight up clear ahead. Hope both go on to have good careers with Rez being better obviously. But just the road we look to be going down in terms of the type of players we seem to be targeting, and the way we look to be constructing the roster, essentially having another less talented version of Coop on the floor who can basically do just about everything on offense and defense to an above average or greater level seems to mesh with that direction really well of just loads of multi faceted, multi skilled and multi positional players.

I just think the age difference is more than a slight edge.  The difference between 19 and 20 is a slight edge.  But 23 is kind of a big deal.  It doesn't just put in question his development ceiling, it puts into question his college performance.  How good would the rest of the lottery guys look if they were playing college at 23?  But getting back to my original statement, I can't imagine they didn't pick May's brain when it comes to drafting a Michigan player.  I would be willing to bet he picked Morez, and it I doubt it was due to his age.  I think mental makeup goes a long way with all involved and my guess is Morez was viewed as (much?) stronger in that area.

[KillerLeft]

I just think the age difference is more than a slight edge.  The difference between 19 and 20 is a slight edge.  But 23 is kind of a big deal.  It doesn't just put in question his development ceiling, it puts into question his college performance.  How good would the rest of the lottery guys look if they were playing college at 23?  But getting back to my original statement, I can't imagine they didn't pick May's brain when it comes to drafting a Michigan player.  I would be willing to bet he picked Morez, and it I doubt it was due to his age.  I think mental makeup goes a long way with all involved and my guess is Morez was viewed as (much?) stronger in that area.

Worse - 24, I think. 

Apparently, there's data out there to suggest that players who are that old when drafted are significantly less likely to become standout NBA players. I'm not sure I'd care much if the Mavs weren't building around a 19 year old, but they are, so the mix of both of those points is enough for me to want to pass. 

And, while this won't bother some, I become less enthusiastic about Lendeborg's personality and professionalism every time I hear him talk. 

The further we get away from the draft, the more I think the Mavs handled it perfectly, given how the dominos fell. I'd love to know which names they had above Johnson on their board, however, because I think Mikel Brown Jr is going to be amazing, and Flemings has looked pretty good, too. Oh, well.

[Dundalis]

I just think the age difference is more than a slight edge.  The difference between 19 and 20 is a slight edge.  But 23 is kind of a big deal.  It doesn't just put in question his development ceiling, it puts into question his college performance.  How good would the rest of the lottery guys look if they were playing college at 23?  But getting back to my original statement, I can't imagine they didn't pick May's brain when it comes to drafting a Michigan player.  I would be willing to bet he picked Morez, and it I doubt it was due to his age.  I think mental makeup goes a long way with all involved and my guess is Morez was viewed as (much?) stronger in that area.

I was more looking at this purely from a skillset perspective. Lot's of very good NBA players don't have the physical profile and all round skillset Yaxel has even 3-4 years+ older than he is. I think any speculation in terms of mental makeup or anything to do with May's perspective is all obviously speculation, you might be right, but it absolutely could be a matter of inches so to speak leaning in favor of one player over the other. It's not like Yaxel went 10 picks after Morez did, which typically speaks to some of the intangibles not being where NBA teams want it to be when they really drop.

Morez is a few years younger, but he also has a long way to go to develop anywhere near the offensive repertoire Yaxel has if he even does. Obviously there are some things he can do defensively that Yaxel can't. But ultimately Im not really looking to argue that Yaxel was the better pick, I'm very happy with Morez, I just have it in my mind that Yaxel's skillset really plugs in well with the direction Masai looks to be taking the team towards. Morez could develop into the Horford/Bam combo people are projecting and it's a slam dunk, there's no question asked here.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Same here. 

If we focus on Watson, what's the most likely path, do you think? He's going to be too big to fit into the TPE, obviously, and if Denver was willing to pay the tax bill for the matching salary, they'd probably just give him what he wants. Is there a smart way to find a fit between Dallas and Denver that I haven't thought of?

It is probably too unlikely to spend much time on it.

I think there are probably two ways to get to a number that works.  Last night I proposed Naji and the Laker 2029 for Watson at $21mm using the Dallas TPE.  I get that the estimates out there are more in the $23mm - $25mm range, but the that may not be the market.  Denver has done a cheaper/lesser version of the player it lost a couple of times now.  I think Naji (cheaper/lesser SF) and our 2029 Laker fits their history.

What is the alternative?  With the Detroit/Collins deal now closed, LAC would have to put Watson in the still open Kawhi trade.  They can take back Ingram and still have room for Watson at $23mm in the deal if they find a new home for Dick.  Is Dick and a Pick any better than Naji and a Pick?  I guess LAC could send Dick to a third team and just send a pick(s) or DJJ and a pick.  It is still basically the same as the Naji framework.

If you have to get to $23mm or more, then you have to solve the BYC issue without causing Denver to go over the 2nd Apron or take on more salary than being sent out as a 1st Apron team.  There are a couple of ways that work (possibly others) and both involve Denver sending back Zeke Nnaji.  One is Watson ($23mm)/Nnaji straight up for Klay.  The other is pairing Christie and Naji for Watson and Nnaji.  Both of those Dallas outgoing scenarios fit the sweet spot between what Watson counts as outgoing and what matches in the other direction.

[Knutsen]

It is probably too unlikely to spend much time on it.

I think there are probably two ways to get to a number that works.  Last night I proposed Naji and the Laker 2029 for Watson at $21mm using the Dallas TPE.  I get that the estimates out there are more in the $23mm - $25mm range, but the that may not be the market.  Denver has done a cheaper/lesser version of the player it lost a couple of times now.  I think Naji (cheaper/lesser SF) and our 2029 Laker fits their history.

What is the alternative?  With the Detroit/Collins deal now closed, LAC would have to put Watson in the still open Kawhi trade.  They can take back Ingram and still have room for Watson at $23mm in the deal if they find a new home for Dick.  Is Dick and a Pick any better than Naji and a Pick?  I guess LAC could send Dick to a third team and just send a pick(s) or DJJ and a pick.  It is still basically the same as the Naji framework.

If you have to get to $23mm or more, then you have to solve the BYC issue without causing Denver to go over the 2nd Apron or take on more salary than being sent out as a 1st Apron team.  There are a couple of ways that work (possibly others) and both involve Denver sending back Zeke Nnaji.  One is Watson ($23mm)/Nnaji straight up for Klay.  The other is pairing Christie and Naji for Watson and Nnaji.  Both of those Dallas outgoing scenarios fit the sweet spot between what Watson counts as outgoing and what matches in the other direction.

Just from a player perspective - wouldn’t PJ fit very well to the Nuggets, playing off of Jokic like he did with Doncic here?

[KillerLeft]

Just from a player perspective - wouldn’t PJ fit very well to the Nuggets, playing off of Jokic like he did with Doncic here?

He’d fit great with Jokić…but probably not with Aaron Gordon.

[Knutsen]

He’d fit great with Jokić…but probably not with Aaron Gordon.

Agreed on offense, even though Gordon made a big jump last season. 

But on defense that would be a lethal combination. 

Let’s see how the Watson free agency will go - especially if Denver were to get LeBron I think they won’t be able to afford him and a good deal could be struck.

[F Gump]

Nice discussion on Strus.  He is pretty good and can help teams.   Good thinking.

I just think the Mavs are thinking bigger.  They may not use the trade exception but they may be closer to making a big move than we think/hope.  I think they want to keep flexibility.  They have a good group of contract players in their 20's at market rate.  They have a few draft picks.    And they have flexibility.   I don't see them adding another mid teens player to get a swap.  I think they have bigger plans on their next move and will prioritize flexibility.   

Yep. On Strus -- what's the reward DAL would get for taking him off CLE payroll? And going over the tax line, which will create the Mavs own payroll issue, which would force a salary-cutting scramble (probably at a cost in assets) later in the year? Any pick swap with CLE would be of no real value, because it would convey nothing (since the Cavs would have a worse pick than the Mavs). Strus himself, with ongoing lack of availability stemming from a Jones fracture, and with other lineup priorities for the Mavs, isn't going to offer much (if any) oncourt value at all. Unless you land some CLE FRPs in the down-the-road years (2031 and 2033), I just don't see the point.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Strus and some picks is ok for me, otherwise Cleveland can find another suitor.

[KillerLeft]

This should go without saying, but obviously, you don't help Cleveland with their Strus problem unless:

A) you haven't found a better, more productive use of the TPE, even taking into account what seems likely to be possible with it at the deadline (this last part might be enough to scare some off of this, I know)

B) Cleveland is paying something fairly significant in the way of draft capital for your trouble. The idea probably dies right here, because while Dallas currently has 2-3 other players who can perform a similar role to what a healthy Strus brings to the table, my guess is that some other team will simply want him because they need a player like that, thereby reducing the cost Cleveland has to pay to move him. He only has one year left on his contract, after all.

C) You can make another small move to keep this one from putting you into the tax. It's certainly not worth getting that clock going prematurely.

That's probably too many stipulations for it to be likely...all I'm saying is that between the choice of staying under the tax by close to that exact amount, letting the TPE expire and doing nothing and picking up a tip to let him expire here, give me the latter. If they've got something better, I'm all about it. I hope they do! I'd much rather do a favor like this than take on Jovic, for example, especially in the post Aldama trade world. As always, I really don't want anything to do with Schroeder, personally.

[F Gump]

This should go without saying, but obviously, you don't help Cleveland with their Strus problem unless:

A) you haven't found a better, more productive use of the TPE, even taking into account what seems likely to be possible with it at the deadline (this last part might be enough to scare some off of this, I know)

B) Cleveland is paying something fairly significant in the way of draft capital for your trouble. The idea probably dies right here, because while Dallas currently has 2-3 other players who can perform a similar role to what a healthy Strus brings to the table, my guess is that some other team will simply want him because they need a player like that, thereby reducing the cost Cleveland has to pay to move him. He only has one year left on his contract, after all.

C) You can make another small move to keep this one from putting you into the tax. It's certainly not worth getting that clock going prematurely.

That's probably too many stipulations for it to be likely...all I'm saying is that between the choice of staying under the tax by close to that exact amount, letting the TPE expire and doing nothing and picking up a tip to let him expire here, give me the latter. If they've got something better, I'm all about it. I hope they do! I'd much rather do a favor like this than take on Jovic, for example, especially in the post Aldama trade world. As always, I really don't want anything to do with Schroeder, personally.

My observation is that there seems to be a desperation to use the TPE, and a sense that it would be a mistake if they don't. It seems to me to be on the level of a "move to make a move" rather than a desire for a trade that's chasing actual value.

If you can't play Strus, and don't have a role for him, and if you can't even be sure he will be healthy, you aren't trading him later. You're just warehousing dead money for a year. Makes no sense.

I would also suggest that having a Big MLE slot and a big TPE and room under the tax line to work with would not be a bad place to be at the TDL. I'd much rather have that, than have no wiggle room and trying to stay under the tax line and no flexibility. I think way more teams would be chasing cap help rather than chasing Strus's bloated contract as a rental. Just saying.

[Winter]

A will agree with the above, but with this caveat:

If a scenario developed where we acquire Strus, and buy out Klay (without a draft pick)- allowing him to go wherever he wants.... then I consider that. Strus is more useable than Klay.

However, there are some mitigating factors in all this. This is a close decision, and there may be contract issues that sway me one way or the other. So the entire concept better go in our favor in some substantial way.