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

[SleepingHero]

I agree, but I think they will. TDL is the new free agency, cause nobody has capspace in the summer anymore, which means players like White don´t have any leverage.

I am truly fascinated to see what ends up with his contract status. I think a team like the Nets could convince themselves they need a "vet" PG that can score to pair with their future rookies/MPJ

TDL is way more active than I expected it being though, so you may have a point.

[Mavs2021]

Also WAIT a minute. Whoa. Doesn´t this AD trade mean we are also now able to take back more salary in a one on one trade with the Warriors aka Klay for Kuminga straight up. 

Damn another potential cap cleaning move.

Also WAIT a minute. Whoa.   

How far under the cap can we actually get this summer.   

Remove Gafford and Klay we could legitimately sit on around 120-130M for next year.

Anybody good available?

[omahen]

I agree, but I think they will. TDL is the new free agency, cause nobody has capspace in the summer anymore, which means players like White don´t have any leverage.

The cap space thing is not really true for the 2026 summer. There will still be several teams with cap space this summer (just not so many left with max cap space). Lal, Atl, BKN, Detroit are just some of the teams with substantial cap space.

As for White specifically. I think the teams don't really value score first weak defender type small guards. And the summer FA market will be flooded with these types of guys. Simons, White, Sexton for example. Reaves on a bit higher end. Trae Young could also enter FA. I think the trades itself show how much value these guys have and how high salaries they can expect. I think White and Simons could easily enter MLE territory and Sexton even less.

[SleepingHero]

Also WAIT a minute. Whoa. Doesn´t this AD trade mean we are also now able to take back more salary in a one on one trade with the Warriors aka Klay for Kuminga straight up. 

Damn another potential cap cleaning move.

Also WAIT a minute. Whoa.   

How far under the cap can we actually get this summer.   

Remove Gafford and Klay we could legitimately sit on around 120-130M for next year.

Anybody good available?

That was actually where my mind first went after the AD trade.

Mavs have essentially set themselves up to be the next team to absorb a star that has run their course with their current team. My mind first went to the Cavs as they are knee deep in cap issues and Mitchell is already threatening an exit. A guy like Mobley makes a lot of sense here. 

Another guy is Franz Wagner or Paolo. ORL has to be motivated at some point to build an identity and neither of those guys really fit with each other. Paolo doesn't excite me that much, but Franz on the other hand....

And of course NYK has to be looking at changes. They have a bunch of guys. OG, Bridges, and hell I can even be convinced KAT could look good next to Cooper given his floor spacing ability.

[mvossman]

That was actually where my mind first went after the AD trade.

Mavs have essentially set themselves up to be the next team to absorb a star that has run their course with their current team. My mind first went to the Cavs as they are knee deep in cap issues and Mitchell is already threatening an exit. A guy like Mobley makes a lot of sense here. 

Another guy is Franz Wagner or Paolo. ORL has to be motivated at some point to build an identity and neither of those guys really fit with each other.  Paolo doesn't excite me that much, but Franz on the other hand....

And of course NYK has to be looking at changes. They have a bunch of guys. OG, Bridges, and hell I can even be convinced KAT could look good next to Cooper given his floor spacing ability.

You lost me with Kat.

[MaxiThreeba]

Never been this hyped about financial flexibility.

Not since the famous DUST chip

[SleepingHero]

You lost me with Kat.

Lost you right at the very end then. I consider that a win!

[F Gump]

I would hope the Mavs "shopping" will be focused rather than just looking for random bodies. To complement CF, they most need someone who can create offense (score efficiently, and run the show) and preferably also defend.

Of course the draft results will alter the mix in some way. Gotta keep that in mind too.

[F Gump]

Not since the famous DUST chip

That expectation was fun, and it landed the needed finishing piece to win a title (Tyson Chandler). It would be great if this go-round turns out to be as productive.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

We need a PG and a SF.

No need to just start making random trades.

[KillerLeft]

We need a PG and a SF.

No need to just start making random trades.

Agreed, although Christie is only a borderline starter for me (for sure a good rotation player), so I wouldn't turn down a good shot at a 2/3 type with some size. Would have to be a better player than Christie, obviously, so not the most likely thing in the world.

[Mavs2021]

We need a PG and a SF.

No need to just start making random trades.

Nothing random about it. Stirtz is 23 years old with 50/40/90 potential. He can be a back-up PG behind Kyrie next year. Plus we still have our own 1st. You need to forget this win now crap for next year. Next year will be another developmental season for a young core. Aim should be the lower play-in spots. 

You think taking bad money for 2-3 extra 1st rounders is random trades. Well let me throw in the premature ejaculation that was the Kristaps Porzingis trade. There is no veteran moves that can make the Mavs truly relevant next year, unless we get Dybantsa/Boozer/Peterson and they go apesh*t crazy with it.

[Smitty]

We need a PG and a SF.

No need to just start making random trades.

As the roster stands now and what it would look like after the draft:

G Kyrie | (Top-10 FRP) | Nembhard*
G Christie | Klay | Johnson
F Naji | Martin | (MLE/TPE) | Kelly*
F Flagg | PJW | (Late FRP)
C Lively | Gafford | (SRP) | Cisse*

UFA: BWill, Powell, Middleton, Bagley, Branham
* Currently Two-Ways

For me, I don’t like the Naji/Martin spot but the MLE/TPE trade could land a guy. Maybe Gafford for Mathurin solves that and you use the MLE/TPE for a backup Big to Lively? Would need to look at getting something for Naji then…

[mvossman]

Agreed, although Christie is only a borderline starter for me (for sure a good rotation player), so I wouldn't turn down a good shot at a 2/3 type with some size. Would have to be a better player than Christie, obviously, so not the most likely thing in the world.

Yep, and I wouldn't mind a center that can play defense and space the floor.  Having a rotational big that can space the floor can be really handy.

[KillerLeft]

Yep, and I wouldn't mind a center that can play defense and space the floor.  Having a rotational big that can space the floor can be really handy.

The next thing on the long term to do list, FOR SURE, is to decide what you've got in Lively. He needs to put together a full season, and if he does you're in pretty decent shape, all in all. If not, that position becomes just as big a problem as any, I suppose.

[Mavs2021]

As the roster stands now and what it would look like after the draft:

G Kyrie | (Top-10 FRP) | Nembhard*
G Christie | Klay | Johnson
F Naji | Martin | (MLE/TPE) | Kelly*
F Flagg | PJW | Late FRP
C Lively | Gafford | (SRP) | Cisse*

UFA: BWill, Powell, Middleton, Bagley, Branham
* Currently Two-Ways

For me, I don’t like the Naji/Martin spot but the MLE/TPE trade could land a guy. Maybe Gafford for Mathurin solves that and you use the MLE/TPE for a backup Big to Lively? Would need to look at getting something for Naji then…

What´s not to like about the Naji spot? He´ll be a great back-up to Dybantsa.  

Seriously Klay is a back-up SF, plus Naji is genuinely one of the best contracts in the league and a good fit with Flagg. You have to understand that maybe for the first time in the Mavs recent 30 years history, we´ll be a super fast-paced breaking offense. This somewhat reduces the need for half-court 3pt shooters, but increases the tempo pushers/ballhandlers need at the forward positions. Marshall and Flagg can rebound, push  and finish or dish to Kyrie and Christie.

[Dirknows]

As the roster stands now and what it would look like after the draft:

G Kyrie | (Top-10 FRP) | Nembhard*
G Christie | Klay | Johnson
F Naji | Martin | (MLE/TPE) | Kelly*
F Flagg | PJW | (Late FRP)
C Lively | Gafford | (SRP) | Cisse*

UFA: BWill, Powell, Middleton, Bagley, Branham
* Currently Two-Ways

For me, I don’t like the Naji/Martin spot but the MLE/TPE trade could land a guy. Maybe Gafford for Mathurin solves that and you use the MLE/TPE for a backup Big to Lively? Would need to look at getting something for Naji then…

I don't see the Mavs fielding 3 rookies next year but who knows. Also, think they get rid of either Naji or PJ at some point because of their redundancy with Flagg.

[SleepingHero]

Brad Rowland (@BTRowland)
No. Adding a minimum center doesn’t rule anything out at all for the Hawks.

Just grabbing a helpful piece for the cost of essentially nothing.

(Atlanta will have to waive someone)

[Dirknows]

Wonder what the Bulls plans are at the 5? They already had Gafford, albeit a much more raw version of what he is now. I'm just expecting a trade to come out of left field at this point.

[Scott41theMavs]

In talks between the teams this week, league sources say, Dallas has sought a first-round pick and Atlanta has countered with second-round compensation. The financial urgency for the Mavericks to make a move has passed now that they've made their Anthony Davis trade.

This is the bottom line. The Mavs just lost their urgency. If a team wants Gaff, it has to be worth Dallas's while. They gave up a good bit to get him in the first place.