Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Luka77]

I don't think I want Luka back. You practically have to empty out the pantry to get him, and then when you get him you struggle to find good pieces to fit with him. And that takes how long?

I've chewed all the flavor out of that gum.

So are you saying that you wouldn’t want Luka back if he came to Dallas as a free agent in 2028?

This roster is currently being built perfectly for his skill set.  Moreover, Flagg would be the perfect costar to pair with Luka.

[BigDirk41]

So are you saying that you wouldn’t want Luka back if he came to Dallas as a free agent in 2028?

This roster is currently being built perfectly for his skill set.  Moreover, Flagg would be the perfect costar to pair with Luka.

I personally don't want Luka back. He's a great player and I hated the trade, but I don't want to watch that style of basketball anymore. Flagg is too good of a player to be a Robin. It's his franchise now and I wish Luka the best.

[cow]

Luka and Flagg would complement each other so well.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/UnderdogNBA/status/2079956461770182921

[OBX Maverick]

Its such a silly proposition all around.

The Lakers have zero assets remaining. They are totally locked into their roster unless Cam Carr becomes something.

I love that the Lakers have painted themselves into a corner as it stand. But I’m sure it won’t be too long before some bonehead GM (knowingly or unknowingly…I can think of at least one recently ) throws them a lifeline. I’ve just seen it happen too many times over the last 30 years. It’s truly uncanny.

[dirkfansince1998]

Pelicans so far...No draft pick. No trade. No free agent signed. I guess internal development is a thing but I don't think Fears, Queen and Missi are franchise changing talents. Running it back with a 26 win team.

[Moviemavguy]

Bennedict Mathurin has received sign-and-trade interest from multiple teams, but LA has been “hesitant” to make any significant roster decisions while the Kawhi Leonard trade is still up in the air, per @MikeAScotto

[Moviemavguy]

Bennedict Mathurin has received sign-and-trade interest from multiple teams, but LA has been “hesitant” to make any significant roster decisions while the Kawhi Leonard trade is still up in the air, per @MikeAScotto

So basically, Diva and Leonard will keep the Mavs from doing any deals anytime soon...

[Scott41theMavs]

So basically, Diva and Leonard will keep the Mavs from doing any deals anytime soon...

Yep.

[FireNicoHarrison]

So basically, Diva and Leonard will keep the Mavs from doing any deals anytime soon...

The entire league... But it's Silver dream this kind of "Decision".

[F Gump]

Bennedict Mathurin has received sign-and-trade interest from multiple teams, but LA has been “hesitant” to make any significant roster decisions while the Kawhi Leonard trade is still up in the air, per @MikeAScotto

I don’t see this as any real issue for the Mavs, because I don’t think they have any real interest in Mathurin at all in the first place. I don't see any particular fit oncourt, on the payroll, or to fix a significant need. 

Various proposals have been offered in this forum, and then ideas of how to make such a deal work to account for this obstacle or that. But what seems to be driving it is an exam of what is possible, with no real priority of what's truly needed. And I'm seeing no general NBA World mention of the Mavs pursuing him. 

Just because the Mavs could perhaps find a way to squeeze him onto the roster doesnt make it a good idea to do so. imo

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Various proposals have been offered in this forum, and then ideas of how to make such a deal work to account for this obstacle or that. But what seems to be driving it is an exam of what is possible, with no real priority of what's truly needed. 

This is deep.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Pelicans so far...No draft pick. No trade. No free agent signed. I guess internal development is a thing but I don't think Fears, Queen and Missi are franchise changing talents. Running it back with a 26 win team.

Teams like the Kings and Pelicans have no hope.

[KillerLeft]

So are you saying that you wouldn’t want Luka back if he came to Dallas as a free agent in 2028?

TBD, based on the following criteria:

Has Luka come into camp for the Lakers in shape for two straight seasons between now and then? Has he stayed in shape throughout those two seasons and been relatively healthy as a result, including being prepared to be excellent in the playoffs? 

Has Luka learned to let go of the ball a little earlier in possessions more often, making sure his teammates are more involved and more in rhythm? 

Has Luka cut back, at least somewhat, on arguing with refs for 2-3 straight possessions instead of engaging in transition defense (sometimes even half court defense) on behalf of his team? 

Do the Mavs have a good thing going on offense by then, wherein multiple people touch the ball, and does it feel like bringing Luka in might disrupt that?

[Luka77]

I personally don't want Luka back. He's a great player and I hated the trade, but I don't want to watch that style of basketball anymore. Flagg is too good of a player to be a Robin. It's his franchise now and I wish Luka the best.

I don’t think it would necessarily have to be anyone one persons team.  The Mavs would likely have two top 10 players in their prime at the same time, a first in franchise history and something necessary to go on a dynasty run. 

If it were to happen, Luka would be 29 yo and Flagg would be 21 yo, one in his prime and the other heading towards it.  That would allow Luka to be final shot taker for a couple of years while Flagg learns to take over that role and eventually becomes the primary offensive shot maker.

It could produce an iso heavy offense but I would like to think that Dusty May would have some impact on style.  Luka wouldn’t be running Kidds role the ball out there style offense either.

Moreover, for the first time in Lukas career he would playing with multiple players who could more than one thing.

[Scott41theMavs]

I don’t see this as any real issue for the Mavs, because I don’t think they have any real interest in Mathurin at all in the first place. I don't see any particular fit oncourt, on the payroll, or to fix a significant need. 

Various proposals have been offered in this forum, and then ideas of how to make such a deal work to account for this obstacle or that. But what seems to be driving it is an exam of what is possible, with no real priority of what's truly needed. And I'm seeing no general NBA World mention of the Mavs pursuing him. 

Just because the Mavs could perhaps find a way to squeeze him onto the roster doesnt make it a good idea to do so. imo

Two things:
1) Every thing the Mavs have done this offseason has crashed out into the open out of thin air, without warning. “No smoke,” for this front office is as good as smoke, tbh. Come on. You aren’t smarter than this - you’re *way* smarter than this.
2) You do look at this roster and see a dearth of guards, right? If not, then putting #1 and #2 together, I might consider a wellness check on you.

[BigDirk41]

I don’t think it would necessarily have to be anyone one persons team.  The Mavs would likely have two top 10 players in their prime at the same time, a first in franchise history and something necessary to go on a dynasty run. 

If it were to happen, Luka would be 29 yo and Flagg would be 21 yo, one in his prime and the other heading towards it.  That would allow Luka to be final shot taker for a couple of years while Flagg learns to take over that role and eventually becomes the primary offensive shot maker.

It could produce an iso heavy offense but I would like to think that Dusty May would have some impact on style.  Luka wouldn’t be running Kidds role the ball out there style offense either.

Moreover, for the first time in Lukas career he would playing with multiple players who could more than one thing.

Yeah that just doesn't interest me at all. I completely understand anyone that wants Luka back and to each their own, but ISO ball sucks to watch. Teammates lose interest the more they don't touch the ball. I'm all in on Flagg now and I don't want that to change. I don't think Luka takes a back seat to anyone on offense. I don't think the Mavs will even try to get him back, but I'd prefer him elsewhere.

[Luka77]

TBD, based on the following criteria:

Has Luka come into camp for the Lakers in shape for two straight seasons between now and then? Has he stayed in shape throughout those two seasons and been relatively healthy as a result, including being prepared to be excellent in the playoffs? 

Has Luka learned to let go of the ball a little earlier in possessions more often, making sure his teammates are more involved and more in rhythm? 

Has Luka cut back, at least somewhat, on arguing with refs for 2-3 straight possessions instead of engaging in transition defense (sometimes even half court defense) on behalf of his team? 

Do the Mavs have a good thing going on offense by then, wherein multiple people touch the ball, and does it feel like bringing Luka in might disrupt that?

These are good questions and likely need to be answered.  We will have a better idea this upcoming season.

[FireNicoHarrison]

If you put Luka in this roster we are contender from now.

Anyway i don't have and opinion right now about Luka, i loved him but i like so much this roster and our future.

[Chicagojk]

It is that part of the offseason where I watch highlights of Marshall, PJ and Gafford and think, maybe we can keep them.    Ha.   I think one of them will be traded.  Not sure which one.  Two may be more ideal with three (or 4) forwards added to the roster the last few weeks.    Although, I am not sure who I want back in return for any of them.    Ideally it is a guard, but I am having trouble finding players who I think fit the new leadership's vision.

Whether they are right or not is a different story, but I like how decisive they are in going after guys they like.  Even if it leaves the roster even more lopsided currently.   I think the old leadership would have been stuck waiting to trade a player before other moves were made.