Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[SleepingHero]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Jordan Clarkson is finalizing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN. Clarkson will target contending teams for his new home -- with interest from multiple playoff teams already expected.

Does this change our plans for DLo?

Is Clarkson a better fit than DLo? Is Clarkson a better fit than Exum?

[KillerLeft]

He's only extension eligible late August. Which means if by the end of training camp he hasn't signed, I expect PJ to be traded.

Right.

But, I bet both sides already have an idea of where it's headed. We have to wait to find out, but I bet THEY know already.

[Chicagojk]

I am wondering if we see more of these non star with big contracts bought out? With the new CBA it feels like teams would just rather cut the player and get the expiring (in most cases) than trying to get a meh return. I know there are buyouts every year, but I wonder if we will see more moving forward.

[omahen]

I am wondering if we see more of these non star with big contracts bought out?  With the new CBA it feels like teams would just rather cut the player and get the expiring (in most cases) than trying to get a meh return.    I know there are buyouts every year, but I wonder if we will see more moving forward.

I read somewhere Utah has (had before cutting Clarkson) 18 players under contract, which is why they probably decided to just buy out Clarkson. After receiving no trade interest, of course.

[KillerLeft]

Does this change our plans for DLo?

Is Clarkson a better fit than DLo? Is Clarkson a better fit than Exum?

I like Clarkson, and think he'd help here quite a bit. 

If I'm being honest, I think Russell's ability to play actual PG (when he's playing well) is a BETTER fit. He's actually way better at passing/facilitating than people here seem to believe.

[SleepingHero]

Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola)
Jason Kidd was the No. 1 target - and until the Knicks name a coach you can’t entirely rule him out - but Mike Brown is emerging as the front runner.

[SleepingHero]

I like Clarkson, and think he'd help here quite a bit. 

If I'm being honest, I think Russell's ability to play actual PG (when he's playing well) is a BETTER fit. He's actually way better at passing/facilitating than people here seem to believe.

I agree. I think Russell is 100% the better move today for this team.

But isn't Clarkson a way better guy to come off the bench than Exum? Wouldn't he be a much better version of Hardy?

[SleepingHero]

Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine)
Russell Westbrook has emerged as a potential free agent target for the Knicks and Al Horford is a top target for Golden State, league sources tell @JakeLFischer and me.

LOTS more here in this What We're Hearing compilation as the 6 PM ET bell draws near: https://t.co/bZDtCeAViL

[Chicagojk]

Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine)
Russell Westbrook has emerged as a potential free agent target for the Knicks and Al Horford is a top target for Golden State, league sources tell @JakeLFischer and me.

LOTS more here in this What We're Hearing compilation as the 6 PM ET bell draws near: https://t.co/bZDtCeAViL

Boston is really taking a gap year, huh?   Probably thought KP, Jrue and Horford won't be ideal in two years.   They are a smart front office, so I wonder how they plan to rebuild quite a few holes now for the following season.

[Knutsen]

Does this change our plans for DLo?

Is Clarkson a better fit than DLo? Is Clarkson a better fit than Exum?

Clarkson is the exact guy we want Hardy to be, which he’ll probably never be. Instant offense and not shy to take shots in big moments, a Jason Terry 2.0 or Nick van Exel 2.0 in Mavericks terms. 

Would love him on our team as a bench option!

[KillerLeft]

I agree. I think Russell is 100% the better move today for this team.

But isn't Clarkson a way better guy to come off the bench than Exum? Wouldn't he be a much better version of Hardy?

Maybe. You could talk me into that. 

However, Exum has been here. Knows the system, knows the role they'll want him to play. Exum is valuable on BOTH ends of the floor. Maybe most importantly, Exum will be a minimum signing. I have no idea what I expect Clarkson to get.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Ignoring the snark ....

IMO its less a case of trying to force Flagg to be something he's not, and instead recognize how he plays and what he has already been doing well..

He has been the PNR initiator on teams since he was young. This is not a new thing for him, its just at a different level. But thats how it is with EVERY kid who gets drafted.

As for how far the Mavs can go with him doing his thing in the lineup (which is what you are essentially objecting to), I dont think there's a ceiling. There's just a learning curve, but ALL who have been around him on every level.say he's a savant who absorbs next level thinking very fast.

Yes, kinda like that Luka guy.

Its obviously silly to argue over whether CF will start out to be what Luka is already, after 7 years in the NBA ... but I do not think its a stretch that he can be like Luka year 1 when people were still "unsure his best position, but he'll be good." Sounds like we are in the same place with CF.

To me the BEST approach is to let him do his thing, grow his game as fast as he can, and run with it. Skip the training wheels, accept the bumps and bruises, and win all we can. The goal will be to make the playoffs AND be way better in Apr than Oct because as the playoffs start, CF has become better and better, and Kyrie is now back at full speed and cooking alongside him. 

I think you will be surprised at how that will play out positively and add to wins overall, even in yr 1. But we will see how it plays out starting in SL. Give it an honest chance.

I know you are one of the most respected guy in this forum but this time you will dead wrong . Trust me.

Flagg as PG with that lineup is a suicide, it doesn't matter if he initiated the PNR in some college games.
Luka won the EL MVP and NT European Trophy playing PG and despite it he struggled a lit bit in the first year.

D-Lo will start the game at PG for sure, we need a floor general and he is the better option right now.

I don't know if Flagg will be better than Luka but for sure he is not ready like him.

[myconsumerclub]

If we get stuck with guys that we cannot trade then I could see us cutting ties with a few. Depends on how they proceed. Omax and Hardy are still young you can try to develop their game more. That means they could get showcased more in games once they improve at practice. They will need to demonstrate improved game for the mavs to convince anyone that they are ready to move up and contribute for others.

Martin was hurt a lot of last season so his down game would be expected to improve once healthy.

Powell contract is an expiring so all the tax paying teams with an interest to slash their salary will want to snag him.

Sucks but it may take more time and effort to move off of these guys.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Jordan Clarkson is finalizing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN. Clarkson will target contending teams for his new home -- with interest from multiple playoff teams already expected.

Lakers for sure...

[KillerLeft]

Boston is really taking a gap year, huh?   Probably thought KP, Jrue and Horford won't be ideal in two years.   They are a smart front office, so I wonder how they plan to rebuild quite a few holes now for the following season.

If they were so smart, you'd think they'd have seen this 2nd apron hell coming, nay? 

I have to say, the Dallas plan is looking better and better. Obviously, Cooper Flagg landing in your lap helps tremendously, but I agree with Cuban's point the other day about how the team is being built in a way where sustainability is at least plausible. As long as you can promise me Gafford will be tradable for the entirety of this new deal, they don't have much long term bloat yet.

[omahen]

From Stein (only relatively new stuff he seems very sure about):
- Jerome to Memphis
- Lakers could move to Melton if they lose DFS
- Clippers strong potential candidate for Capella
- Schroeder to Sacramento
- Miami, Chicago, Sacramento and NO are potential suitors for Kuminga, but nothing serious yet
- Tre Jones to resign with Chicago
- Bucks trying to trade Connaughton
- Washington checking market on Smart and Olynik

[myconsumerclub]

If we get stuck with guys that we cannot trade then I could see us cutting ties with a few. Depends on how they proceed.

Omax and Hardy are still young you can try to develop their game more. That means they could get showcased more in games once they improve at practice. They will need to demonstrate improved game for the mavs to convince anyone that they are ready to move up and contribute for anyone else though I still think each has a future in the league.

Martin was hurt a lot of last season so his down game would be expected to improve once healthy. I hate to judge a guy when he is injured but the stats last season did not look good. Would be great if he came back strong and developed a place in the rotation with some strong 3 and D game.

Powell. the $4 Million contract is an expiring one, so all the tax paying teams with an interest to slash their salary cap will want to snag him. Likely they would just cut him after doing the deal.

Sucks but it may take more time and effort to move off of these guys.

[Chicagojk]

From Stein (only relatively new stuff he seems very sure about):
- Jerome to Memphis
- Lakers could move to Melton if they lose DFS
- Clippers strong potential candidate for Capella
- Schroeder to Sacramento
- Miami, Chicago, Sacramento and NO are potential suitors for Kuminga, but nothing serious yet
- Tre Jones to resign with Chicago
- Bucks trying to trade Connaughton
- Washington checking market on Smart and Olynik

Jerome to Memphis is interesting.  I like their backup PG and they have Ja.   I would not have guessed that.

Poor Sacramento fans.    Nothing against Schroeder but just depressing they are at that stage.

Do the Bucks have anything up their sleeves to put a respectable team around Giannis.  Looking at their current roster is tough.

[Smitty]

@GrantAfseth

Ahead of free agency, league sources tell me these are some outcomes with building momentum:

Nickel Alexander-Walker to ATL
Caris LeVert to DET
Ty Jerome to MEM
D’Angelo Russell to DAL
Al Horford to GSW

Will have an article soon.

[omahen]

Jerome to Memphis is interesting.  I like their backup PG and they have Ja.   I would not have guessed that.

Poor Sacramento fans.    Nothing against Schroeder but just depressing they are at that stage.

Do the Bucks have anything up their sleeves to put a respectable team around Giannis.  Looking at their current roster is tough.

Scottie Pippen Jr. had a really great season. Not sure why they are after Jerome, since they are also still looking to trade/dump Anthony from the Orlando deal for Bane. 

I don't think Bucks can do anything that would make them significantly better than last season while Lillard is out. While I was convinced Giannis will ask out, it might be he will wait till next season when he has huge leverage as expiring.