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

[omahen]

Those rules look like a deal-killer to me. The Cavs are apparently over 13M above A2, and unless they end a trade UNDER that line, they can't combine salaries to take back a bigger one. But DAL can't take back more than they send.

Can Cleveland even aggregate salaries before getting under the second apron as long as they end up under the second apron after the trade?

If yes, than perhaps a deal is a bit easier. Cleveland needs to send out at least 68 mil of salaries to get Giannis and be under the second apron after the deal. A bit more as they will need to get some more players to get to 14 players minimum. So lets say some 72 mil at least assuming they get a couple of vet min. 

If Mobley is the outgoing young player, it is a bit simpler. It basically takes Mobley, Allen and one of Ball, Merrill or Wade. For example, this trade works:
Mil: Mobley, Rui, Knecht, FRPs from LA and Cle
Cle: Giannis, 2 vet min
Brooklyn: Ball and some SRPs from Cleveland
LAL: Allen (this deal also works if one vet min from Milwaukee is going to LAL and one to Cle)

Cleveland could still do Garland for Harden.

If Garland is the outgoing, than it would take Allen and either two of Ball/Merill/Wade or Strus to get to at least 72 mil.