Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[DallasMaverick]

I’m all for a trade that nets an asset or two! I just have a hard time finding something that makes sense. All of MIA, CLE, GS types need to cut salary. If you’re trade matching, you’re probably getting longterm money on the books and a player that could also be a progress stopper. Klay is absolutely still an elite shooter. Different than even the ones they brought in. His quick release and gravity can’t be matched. Just for me, and what this team should look like next year, I’d rather have the young guys get playing time to see what you have. Develop. If I simply remove Klay from the roster with a waive/buyout I can add someone like Poulakidas to the 15-man. Open up a Two-way for Cisse. Waive Tyler Smith and add Ish. All of which opens up actual play time for Sergio, Tarik, Poulakidas. The last two being absolute snipers that will need PT.

Kyrie | Sasser | Nemby
Christie | Sergio | Poulakidas
Flagg | Naji | Tarik | (Ishchenko)
PJW | Aldama | Martin | (Lawal)
Morez | Gafford | Lively | (Cisse)


If I look at the roster like this. My plan would be to rehab Gafford’s value some and look to move him at the deadline. Convert Cisse to deal, like we did with Nemby last season. Much depends on what Morez shows and Lively’s health. But that would be my short term outlook anyway. 

Simply moving Klay for nothing in return really gives all of Sasser, Sergio, Tarik, Poulakidas more opportunity. Kyrie will miss games. That’s when Sergio will get a lot of on-ball minutes also.

Just how I see it at the moment anyway..

I can’t think of a reason to buy Klay out other than a roster spot.

The coach decides whether he’s a “stopper” for the development of the younger guys simply by allocating minutes. He doesn’t have to play him at all.

Unless Klay is willing to take a substantial discount off his remaining contract, the Mavs would be better off keeping him. Perhaps a contender will be willing to offer a bad player on an expiring contract plus a draft asset at the trade deadline.

Or maybe he’s just a big contributor, both on the court and off.

There’s no “addition by subtraction” here.