Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Chicagojk]

They can take a big swing on a young guy that might have an albatross contract if he doesn't rebound from his poor play last year.

DAL: Braun + '29 FRP
DEN: Thompson

Denver owes a FRP to OKC next year. It's top-5 protected. But once it conveys (we all assume it will), that makes '29 or '30 tradeable. At least that's how I read their future draft pick situation. So, it will have to have some language, if they are to trade a first.

This move saves DEN $4M this year and gets off the long-term Braun money, that they can use to keep Watson?

Here's an old tweet from Mike: https://x.com/Mike_Schmitz/status/152438...93317?s=20

They would have to really like Braun...

Doesn't a first seem too much just to get Thompson?  I have no idea what Denver is doing so it is difficult to predict.  It appears they may be using the restricted FA to really corner Watson.    

I could see Braun bouncing back.   My issue is if he does bounce back, he is probably only slightly overpaid.     If he only improves a little or stays the same he is grossly overpaid.  I am not a fan of taking on contracts where the upside is he is only slightly overpaid.    So I would pass on this.    
I just don't know what Denver does though.