Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Scott41theMavs]

Yeah, this is part of why there have to be more moves coming.

[FireNicoHarrison]

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed forward Tarik Biberović.

Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

https://www.nba.com/mavs/news/mavericks-...-biberovic


——————

Did anyone catch the actual contract terms?

Great.

We desperately need 3s.

[Smitty]

This is how I have the 15 categorized on my spreadsheet. FWIW

Core: Flagg, Christie, Morez, Lively?
All-Star level Vets: Kyrie
Sell High Vets: Gafford, Naji, Klay
Hold: PJW, Aldama, Sasser, Martin (contract)
Develop: Nemby, Sergio, Tarik

[Scott41theMavs]

This is how I have the 15 categorized on my spreadsheet. FWIW

Core: Flagg, Christie, Morez, Lively?
All-Star level Vets: Kyrie
Sell High Vets: Gafford, Naji, Klay
Hold: PJW, Aldama, Sasser, Martin (contract)
Develop: Nemby, Sergio, Tarik

Christie would have to improve quite a bit for me to consider him part of the core.

Masai is enough of a wizard and negotiator that I wouldn’t put it past him to find a way to get rid of Martin without stretch waiving him or having to throw in a first. I think everyone can agree that that would be a better outcome than buying out Klay. I believe they essentially need to clear out one spot in the main roster and one two-way. The easiest way forward though (the Donnie path, lol) would be to cut both Smith and Poulakidas and just slot Cisse and Seva into the two-ways. I have a feeling some far more interesting things are going to happen the rest of the way, though.

[Smitty]

Christie would have to improve quite a bit for me to consider him part of the core.

Masai is enough of a wizard and negotiator that I wouldn’t put it past him to find a way to get rid of Martin without stretch waiving him or having to throw in a first. I think everyone can agree that that would be a better outcome than buying out Klay. I believe they essentially need to clear out one spot in the main roster and one two-way. The easiest way forward though (the Donnie path, lol) would be to cut both Smith and Poulakidas and just slot Cisse and Seva into the two-ways. I have a feeling some far more interesting things are going to happen the rest of the way, though.

Maybe I’m starting to get to the point where I’m much higher on Poulakidas than the rest? How is he not exactly what they’ve been targeting?? Hell, he might be a better shooter than Tarik…

If Schmitz gets Martin off the team for free somehow, it’ll be HOF stuff. Although, I don’t think he’s useless. Just overpaid by $7m/yr or so.

[Winter]

This is how I have the 15 categorized on my spreadsheet. FWIW

Core: Flagg, Christie, Morez, Lively?
All-Star level Vets: Kyrie
Sell High Vets: Gafford, Naji, Klay
Hold: PJW, Aldama, Sasser, Martin (contract)
Develop: Nemby, Sergio, Tarik

I am now wondering whether the FO sees Lively as "ready" for the season opener. I think Gafford may be seen as necessary to the roster - at least for awhile.

I'm not certain about this. Maybe they have penciled in REZ as a part-time center. But I think Lively may just be too much of an unknown to part ways with Gafford now. In the same vein, I can imagine PJW as a player now that could be out-going in a trade. And maybe it's all about who is asking and the needs of a trading partner.

[Scott41theMavs]

Great.

We desperately need 3s.

Is he too old to participate in SL? Or is it too late to get him on the roster? My inner armchair GM (wink to windjc) needs to see how he does in that context now as opposed to three years ago to be able to pontificate with confidence about his role prior to training camp.

[Smitty]

I am now wondering whether the FO sees Lively as "ready" for the season opener. I think Gafford may be seen as necessary to the roster - at least for awhile.

That’s what we don’t know. I will continue to scream it from the rooftops... Even if Lively is healthy, how could anyone think he’s a 60+ game player at 25+ mpg. If the FO is thinking that way, from a roster building standpoint, I would be dumfounded.

[Scott41theMavs]

I am now wondering whether the FO sees Lively as "ready" for the season opener. I think Gafford may be seen as necessary to the roster - at least for awhile.

I'm not certain about this. Maybe they have penciled in REZ as a part-time center. But I think Lively may just be too much of an unknown to part ways with Gafford now. In the same vein, I can imagine PJW as a player now that could be out-going in a trade. And maybe it's all about who is asking and the needs of a trading partner.

I can see a world in which Gafford is traded for something we need more, Morez functions as the starting center (allowing Flagg to play all of his mpg at the four, which some folk brighter than me think is his ideal position - or if PJ is still here, to still have flexibility at the three), Cisse gets signed to the main roster as the backup, and they spot in Lively if/when he’s available. I don’t think that’s a terrible way forward at all.

[Smitty]

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed forward Tarik Biberović.

Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

https://www.nba.com/mavs/news/mavericks-...-biberovic


——————

Did anyone catch the actual contract terms?

Found it. Stein was all over it. 

Dallas officially signed Biberović on Friday without disclosing terms, but Dallas Hoops Journal has learned the deal runs two years, paying him $2,926,829 in 2026-27 and $3,073,171 in 2027-28 on a team option, with a restricted free agency cap hold near $4.0 million awaiting him in 2028-29.

[KillerLeft]

Found it. Stein was all over it. 

Dallas officially signed Biberović on Friday without disclosing terms, but Dallas Hoops Journal has learned the deal runs two years, paying him $2,926,829 in 2026-27 and $3,073,171 in 2027-28 on a team option, with a restricted free agency cap hold near $4.0 million awaiting him in 2028-29.

Great deal, imho. Happy to know the details, finally. 

I think this guy is going to be a fan favorite and in the rotation, possibly high in it.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Is he too old to participate in SL? Or is it too late to get him on the roster? My inner armchair GM (wink to windjc) needs to see how he does in that context now as opposed to three years ago to be able to pontificate with confidence about his role prior to training camp.

We signed him too late, i don't know if the SL roster is "editable"...

[Scott41theMavs]

As it stands on the roster now, it just feels like there are too many guys who need to eat at the four/five positions even if Lively has sadly played basketball for the last time.

Morez
Gafford
Aldama
PJ
(Coop relegated to full-time 3)

Not only is Cisse a lot more economical than Gaff, he would also be expected to play less minutes, which frees up minutes for Rez, PJ, and Aldama and perhaps even some time for Coop at the four.

I would hope Lively is available for something like at the very least 40 games 15 mpg. That creates even more reason to get rid of Gaff.

[Winter]

As it stands on the roster now, it just feels like there are too many guys who need to eat at the four/five positions even if Lively has sadly played basketball for the last time.

Morez
Gafford
Aldama
PJ
(Coop relegated to full-time 3)

Not only is Cisse a lot more economical than Gaff, he would also be expected to play less minutes, which frees up minutes for Rez, PJ, and Aldama and perhaps even some time for Coop at the four.

I would hope Lively is available for something like at the very least 40 games 15 mpg. That creates even more reason to get rid of Gaff.

This is why PJW seems more expendable to me.

BTW, the podcast from DLLS yesterday (where Stein is frequently featured) wanted to see a lineup of Rez, Aldama, and Cooper in the front court. Now that's not a lineup I originally pencilled in although I'm not sure why in retrospect. It seems like a perfectly awesome frontcourt.

[mvossman]

This is why PJW seems more expendable to me.

BTW, the podcast from DLLS yesterday (where Stein is frequently featured) wanted to see a lineup of Rez, Aldama, and Cooper in the front court. Now that's not a lineup I originally pencilled in although I'm not sure why in retrospect. It seems like a perfectly awesome frontcourt.

I think Gafford is the more likely casualty.  He is definitely the one rumored to be on the block the most.

[Winter]

I think Gafford is the more likely casualty.  He is definitely the one rumored to be on the block the most.

I don't disagree with that. I just wonder about the logic of losing Gafford with Lively still limping.

[Scott41theMavs]

I don't disagree with that. I just wonder about the logic of losing Gafford with Lively still limping.

Because there’s a logjam…

But I get the context of seeing PJ as the expendable one. I just tend to see Rez as more of a five than a four (and Santi is a great fit next to him), and Coop being better off splitting time at three/four than being a full time three.

I would just be strongly assertive that, the Lively issues notwithstanding, the roster doesn’t make sense without one of them outgoing.

[Smitty]

Because there’s a logjam…

But I get the context of seeing PJ as the expendable one. I just tend to see Rez as more of a five than a four (and Santi is a great fit next to him), and Coop being better off splitting time at three/four than being a full time three.

I would just be strongly assertive that, the Lively issues notwithstanding, the roster doesn’t make sense without one of them outgoing.

I don’t see a logjam in the front court at all. But nearly every player has position versatility, so it’s eye of the beholder there. 

PJ is a 4 offensively, 3 defensively. Flagg is the opposite. Aldama is a 4 that plays like a Wing/3 and has the size of a 5. Morez is a 5 that can play (4) next to one of the traditional Centers in Lively/Gafford.

May wants to be multiple and play different ways, depending on the opponent. IMO they have the perfect mix there. Why get rid of anyone right now?

[Winter]

Because there’s a logjam…

But I get the context of seeing PJ as the expendable one. I just tend to see Rez as more of a five than a four (and Santi is a great fit next to him), and Coop being better off splitting time at three/four than being a full time three.

I would just be strongly assertive that, the Lively issues notwithstanding, the roster doesn’t make sense without one of them outgoing.

Well yes, I suspect some frontcourt player is outgoing. At least I think so. If they did nothing, that would be OK, but I don't expect it.

Rez played the majority of the SL game at center, but I can't be certain what that means. When he was drafted, he didn't often play center at Michigan. Maybe they'd like to see him get some reps in the hopes that he can fit easily in either position.

Gafford is the most one-dimensional player in the frontcourt. There are certain things he just can't do. So there is logic to moving him. But there is also some logic in moving PJW - since's he a pretty versatile player and may be more in demand. And really, does anyone think he should start a game with Flagg? I can think of more lineups that make sense to me.

The Clippers problem with Watson (and their lack of center help), and the LeBron move to wherever would help move things along.

[windjc]

Well yes, I suspect some frontcourt player is outgoing. At least I think so. If they did nothing, that would be OK, but I don't expect it.

Rez played the majority of the SL game at center, but I can't be certain what that means. When he was drafted, he didn't often play center at Michigan. Maybe they'd like to see him get some reps in the hopes that he can fit easily in either position.

Gafford is the most one-dimensional player in the frontcourt. There are certain things he just can't do. So there is logic to moving him. But there is also some logic in moving PJW - since's he a pretty versatile player and may be more in demand. And really, does anyone think he should start a game with Flagg? I can think of more lineups that make sense to me.

The Clippers problem with Watson (and their lack of center help), and the LeBron move to wherever would help move things along.

With Larry we have the Luka/Gafford lob parade rescheduled for launch.