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

[ACMFFL]

I'm in the camp of we need to trade AD to get on the Flagg timeline, but I'm with F Gump on you don't just deal him to deal him. They need to hold their ground and someone will give in and meet our demands at some point. We got here because Nico didn't take the best deal for Luka or even try to find the best deal. AD is a game changer and can absolutely decide who comes out of the East this year. That has great value. Someone will offer us a crazy deal for AD. Just have to be patient.

Yeah, I totally agree. No reason to move him just for the sake of it. 

Risacher, NOP pick swap, and worst of 2027 MIL/NOP 1st is the bare minimum we should get from ATL, otherwise I don't any reason to trade AD for late 1sts and expiring.

And imho AD would definitely give Atlanta a legit shot to make it through the Finals.
Davis, JJ, Trae, Daniels, NAW, Okongwu, Kennard, that's a pretty strong core to compete in the East, and they still get a lottery pick cause Mavs would likely end up in the 8-10 range after moving AD.

Financially is a bit tricky for ATL, their 26/27 cap actually sits at 161M and AD in/Risacher out would add ~45M at their payroll (tax line projected to be at 201M), I don't know if they could afford AD without moving Trae but then it would make little sense to acquire Davis.