Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

I'm not sure where the sentiment comes from that there is no future for him here.  He's an expensive rotational guy that get create quality looks for himself, can spot start, is inexpensive and wants to be here.  This board's obsession with trading him FAR outweighs my like for Naji.  He's only 28 so there are a lot worse things we could do than extended him...like giving him away or trading him for a dinosaur.

I hear you, but don't see it. 

I know you want him back more than all these guys before I even bring this up, but the team is right up against the tax line right now, today, and taking Marshall completely out of it, they have the following who are extension eligible (right now, I think): Kyrie Irving, Max Christie and Derrick Lively II (I might be missing one, even). Thompson is a FA soon, but I don't expect him to be here much longer, of course. We now have to wonder how prominently Risacher factors into their thinking, and they have significant salary tied up (for now) into both Gafford and PJW. Aldama's financial future is a question, too. Not sure if he's extension eligible right now or not, but I'm pretty sure he's got either a team or player option for next season, too. 

They've added a lot of interesting players this summer, but there's potential for the overhead on this group to skyrocket if they're not careful. I don't like Marshall's chances of being here next year (as in '27-'28). So, unless they're ok with just allowing him to sign somewhere else next summer (maybe they are), kind of seems like sooner is better than later to cash in. Then again, maybe your'e right - maybe he'll be a huge priority. I kind of doubt it, given the ages of everyone brought in this summer.

EDIT: maybe they already plan confidently to be a taxpayer for the '27-'28 season. That's very possible.