Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[loki]

I mean we have high level FO now.  They could turn several of the current players into younger longer term contracts.  I think there will be a ton of changes to this roster between now and 28 and they may not want to handcuff themselves trying to keep huge cap space available.

Sure, if they can pull that off. I suspect they'll have to buy low on someone who isn't performing right now. Otherwise there's no reason to donate a young building block to the Mavs for a player like PJ. 

Masai's MO has been to give everyone the bag and not trade them until it's too late. He arguably made bad or late decisions when handling Lowry, Anunoby, Siakam, Poeltl, Ingram, Powell, and Van Vleet. I haven't seen any indication that he knows how to successfully operate in the current CBA. I can give him a pass for free agency failures, but that won't be an excuse now that he's out of Canada.

The path to max cap space is probably something like: Flagg, #9, #30, and pick 3 of (Christie, Lively, PJ, Gafford, Marshall). Lots of variables at play, but I don't see keeping this in mind as a major hindrance. Of course if you can add a major piece that commits long term money you just do it and be happy.