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

[Smitty]

Which adds a significant layer of interest to this AD argument we've been having for weeks. The prospect of such immediate and "easy" salary relief is almost enough to move someone from one side of that war to the other

I think this is exactly what happened to me after digging into it today. Does Dumont even know what’s coming? Surely he has to?! Either way, I’m back on the AD to ATL train and I don’t know that I even need a FRP, if it’s Risacher in the deal. Sure, I’m all-in if ANY Pick is in the deal.

Adding a 20 year old 6’8 SF that looks like a fit next to Flagg, can shoot league average from three, while cleaning up your finances, to make additional moves this summer is enough for me to get there.

You’d have the full mid level at your disposal or you could bring back Porzingis on a 1 year deal, or a SnT, depending on other moves. You could look to package PJ+Gafford/Naji for a Max level player, and take back much more salary, now that you have so much space to work with.

It just gives you the freedom to do things this summer that you WANT to do instead of HAVING to make moves because you’re in the second apron and staring at a $100M+ tax bill.

Also, I think a starting 5 of Kyrie-Max-ZR-Flagg-Lively would be fun. 4 promising players 22 and under, plus one of the most entertaining basketball players to watch.