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

[KillerLeft]

I just don't think a player like that is available, if they are, I don't know that I want to pay the cost. Sure, if we could swap AD for that guy, I'm all-in but it's not happening.

I also don't know that I want to put Lively in a box as a high PnR player only. I think he can develop an outside shot to some degree, and I want to see him used even more with DHO's. Either way, his value is on the defensive end. With Flagg, Kyrie, AD there's going to be a lot of ISO until Flagg shows that he can take advantage of defenses in the PnR.

They're not trading AD. We both know that, so that's a dead end. 

But, I think packages built around some combination of Gafford, PJW and Naji Marshall are VERY much in play this summer. I have no burning hole in my pocket to get rid of any of them, and like you, I struggle to identify a specific player who fills this need I'm describing, but then again, I have a high opinion of all three players mentioned, and I bet the league does, too. I'm not convinced a deal that makes sense isn't out there. I'll continue to hope they find it, because I think financially, both in terms of contract timing and salary structure, at least one of PJW/Gafford almost has to be moved, and I think Naji Marshall is very unlikely to have a role here next year (unless PJW is moved, maybe). 

Agree about Lively with the DHO stuff - I like that a lot. I have very little desire to see them use him as a spacer. I think that is the surest way to waste his talent. Working in some pick and pop, maybe, but that ALSO requires a player like what I'm describing.