Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Chicagojk]

The Gaff, PJ, Marshall (Max?) corundum is fascinating.  All are good players.   They can be really excellent role players in the right environments.   Each have enticing strengths and clear weaknesses.  They can either fit into the current team or stick out like a sore thumb.   They can either show clear upside in the future or be viewed as a poor contract (for the future with Marshall).    I think what is clear that at least one will be moved.   My guess is Max is good and it will be one of the first guys with Klay in a separate move or combined.   

I think it may be more important to consider current value than fit potentially.   That is why I come back to Marshall.   He was good last year and has a unique skill for this team.   He has a great contract and seems like a guy who can play in playoff games.  His lack of shooting sticks out on a team that can't shoot well too.   If so, why don't the Mavs keep him?  Maybe they do.   Although, they need to be ready to commit to him soon if they keep him.    What does he look like as a bench player who signs a 18 million dollar contract (in that range)?  Does he still have value  in that range moving forward?

PJ in theory fits the athletic, physical player that Masai has liked.   Although, he really doesn't fit the quick decision makers that has been mentioned by Schmitz.    Positionally versatility is also a question.   He can play small ball 5, but that may not be a huge need now.   I don't think he is best suited to chase the elite wings on the perimeter.   He is best served as a power forward and that group is pretty crowded.   PJ was not good last year for several reasons.    At his best, he is a player that most good teams would love to have playing off stars.   Even if he can leave you wanting more sometimes.    Is his contract viewed as about right or is he overpaid now?

Gafford is pretty clearly the name most think will be moved.    He too had a poor season.   Is there value there for him?   He is a good teammate and is best served in a rotation big.   He plays hard for 4-5 minutes and then comes out.    At his best, the team can feed off his energy.    Finding bigs who always play hard is harder than you think.   Gafford does that.   With Lively coming back from injury, the Mavs need a innings eater.  With him being a good teammate, do you try to make it work until a deal presents itself?

Then you get to Aldama. If you squint really hard you can say he makes any of the three players above redundant. On the other hand, you can say he fits with any of the three players with the current roster. It is tricky.