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

[Smitty]

Not sure if these are your numbers, but Spotrac shows the Mavs at 201,669,202 actual salary, which leaves an even smaller number to shed than 16,985,418 to get under the tax line.  (You may have been accounting for the cost to refill the emptied slot(s) to satisfy roster minimums).

Using that number, here's an intriguing (to me) salary-clearing trade idea. Would you? If so, what in assets (cash, picks) would you be willing to pay to do it)?

Simple trade concept:
Mavs send Martin, Russell, and (a "tip" for the help)
BKN sends (air)(only enough to technically make the trade possible)

It does put the Mavs under the tax line, with enough room to convert Nemby when the time comes. Probably also have enough room left to convert Cisse into the other emptied slot. But if no other moves, DAL is a taxpaying team again next season.

I would do that deal all day long, if the price being paid isn't too exorbitant. But what is worth it? How would Dumont answer that? It's all outgoing, it costs something in assets, with nothing of value incoming except a massive decrease in taxes being paid.

I think you're missing McGee and Omax in your numbers, which brings it to $204,748,448. Spotrac shows them being $16,985,418 over. So, Martin + Russell don't get you there in this?