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

[DanSchwartzgan]

Thanks for this! 

I ruled Mitchell out, mostly because I assumed A) Cleveland would prioritize him over Garland (an assumption based on nothing, really)  

Final tinfoil hait tidbit: Mitchell is CAA, Darius Garland is Rich Paul. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with LeBron (some of the rumors seem to suggest it did), but I found that part interesting. Even if is has nothing to do with LeBron (in the unlikely event this is anything at all), Dallas seems to be in the process of becoming a Klutch-friendly team.

I think Cleveland lives in constant fear of Mitchell leaving the next chance he gets.  That is two seasons away, but if you wait another year, you lose leverage.  So, that was part of why my mind went in that direction.

God, I hope this doesn't involve Lebron coming here.

I do find the Klutch thing to be persuasive.  I also like the timeline idea as it retains a Garland, Christie, Flagg and Lively young-ish core.  You don't need the next iteration all be 22 when the OG's go away.  Garland and even PJ would still be in their primes 3 years from now.  I'm in favor of almost anything that moves us on from Klay as long as we have adequate 3 point shooting from his replacement.  I find his fit on the new roster to be awkward.  A deal to Cleveland at least puts him on a contending team.