Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[DL2RimRocker]

All I can say to those who clamor for a Gafford trade to supposedly balance this thing out is be careful what you wish for.

[Mavs2021]

I was done with AD when he went golfing with a cigar in his mouth, while out with an abdominal injury. Dude probably has Zion´s work ethic with a better metabolism. But if you don´t work out, you get all these different injuries, cause you lack in core strength and stability. Poor leader, too. He´s basically Embiid with a LeBubble.

Lively has shown me so much with that hook shot and his already known passing ability, that the smart play is to dump AD. Mavs might stink this year and get a high pick, but they´ll be better for it next season.

Also you really want to give AD a 190/3 extension into his mid 30s? Then you have to trade Washington and possibly Gafford, too.

[DL2RimRocker]

I was done with AD when he went golfing with a cigar in his mouth, while out with an abdominal injury. Dude probably has Zion´s work ethic with a better metabolism. But if you don´t work out, you get all these different injuries, cause you lack in core strength and stability. Poor leader, too. He´s basically Embiid with a LeBubble.

Lively has shown me so much with that hook shot and his already known passing ability, that the smart play is to dump AD. Mavs might stink this year and get a high pick, but they´ll be better for it next season.

Also you really want to give AD a 190/3 extension into his mid 30s? Then you have to trade Washington and possibly Gafford, too.

If we have to trade a big he would be my first choice but it would be difficult matching salaries. Besides, there arent any GMs dumb enough to trade for him giving up someone of near equal value.

[mvossman]

Also you really want to give AD a 190/3 extension into his mid 30s? Then you have to trade Washington and possibly Gafford, too.

AD already has that extension.  He has a player option in three years for his age 34 season for 62 mil which he surely will take (who is going to have the cap and willingness to offer a 34 year old AD anywhere near 62 mil?).

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Houston agrees to a 2 yr 90 million extension with KD with a PO for the 27-28 season.

[SleepingHero]

@HoopsReference
It feels like a civil war is brewing in Orlando to determine whether it’s Paolo or Franz’s team…

[RGP1981]

Who says no? 

• Mavs get: Lauri Markkanen + Isaiah Collier + 2026 FRP (which will be a Top 1-5 pick)
  
• Jazz get: Cooper Flagg + any contracts the Mavs want to offload (Daniel Gafford + Caleb Martin?)
  

2025-26 Mavs: Kyrie/Exum/Collier, Klay/Christie, PJW/Naji, Lauri/AD, AD/Lively

Pros for the Mavs:

1. This will force AD to play Center, but in a way that he can not find fault with because Lauri is a top quality 7'0" PF.
   
2. Lauri spaces the floor and can score as a #1 option when required. Coop won't be able to do that for at least a couple of years. Lauri's mobility and defense is also much improved after he joined the Jazz. 
   
3. Collier is a 6'4" PG with good defense, who can push NoD'lo out of the rotation.
   
4. Mavs get another top pick in 2026, and a shot at Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa or Cam Boozer... who all project to be as good as or better than Flagg. Peterson would be an especially amazing get for the Mavs. He gives me Kobe/SGA vibes and plays in a position where the Mavs could use a big upgrade, i.e., at SG.
   
   - Kyrie, Peterson, PJW, Lauri and AD.
   

Another plus.... it's not the Mavs fault that the NBA rigged the 2025 draft lottery, but the Mavs can undo the bad karma coming their way. 

It seems like this trade could probably be the best bet for the Mavs to try and win the ring this year.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Who says no? 

• Mavs get: Lauri Markkanen + Isaiah Collier + 2026 FRP (which will be a Top 1-5 pick)
  
• Jazz get: Cooper Flagg + any contracts the Mavs want to offload (Daniel Gafford + Caleb Martin?)
  

Hell naw.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

I go to the Grizz and say they can have AD and the Mavs will do whatever is necessary contract-wise. I just want the Suns and Magic picks this year. That's it.

One definite lottery pick and one potential lotto to top 20 pick. The Magic look like ass.

So to potentially wind up with 3 lottery picks to build around with Cooper looks good to me.

[Chicagojk]

Well if there was every any doubt, I think we can put the Grimes trade in a bad move camp.   I was hopeful Martin would recapture his Heat run (they seldom do when leaving Miami) and at least be a solid asset.  It doesn't appear that is in the cards.

I saw a little of Grimes play in the first game.  He is good.   Quick decisions.   Gets into the paint.   Pretty good passes.  Good shooter.  Tries on D.   He may be a really nice bench piece, but he could be more if he keeps this level of play.  Him and Max would have been fine at the two guard.  Oh well.   I think it is a knockout that Morey took advantage of Nico.

[KillerLeft]

Well if there was every any doubt, I think we can put the Grimes trade in a bad move camp.   I was hopeful Martin would recapture his Heat run (they seldom do when leaving Miami) and at least be a solid asset.  It doesn't appear that is in the cards.

I saw a little of Grimes play in the first game.  He is good.   Quick decisions.   Gets into the paint.   Pretty good passes.  Good shooter.  Tries on D.   He may be a really nice bench piece, but he could be more if he keeps this level of play.  Him and Max would have been fine at the two guard.  Oh well.   I think it is a knockout that Morey took advantage of Nico.

See, but this drives me crazy. 

I'm not meaning to stick up for Harrison - really, I'm not. But...KIDD WASN'T PLAYING GRIMES, and there's no reason to think he was ever going to start. SO, who do we blame? 

There's definitely something not working right now, I'm just not 100% convinced we have it all figured out from our collective couches.

[mvossman]

See, but this drives me crazy. 

I'm not meaning to stick up for Harrison - really, I'm not. But...KIDD WASN'T PLAYING GRIMES, and there's no reason to think he was ever going to start. SO, who do we blame? 

There's definitely something not working right now, I'm just not 100% convinced we have it all figured out from our collective couches.

I think Kidd was not playing Grimes because he was redundant with Klay.  I had mentioned last offseason that I would rather have Grimes than Klay because of his youth and the belief that he would be better than Klay before that contract was up.  It looks like we have probably reached that point now, but who knows if that would be enough for Kidd to play him over Klay.  I know he would have looked way better in the starting lineup than Klay has but that is a very low bar.

[Jym]

Either way including that Philly second rounder was inexcusably stupid

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I kinda get (and defended) trading Grimes because they offered him a number they could fit under the apron/cap for the role they had for him and he wasn't willing to sign for that amount. He had the same issue with Philly.

But I think it's clear Grimes is a better player than Martin and also younger. And we gave up additional assets to make the trade happen.

[BigDirk41]

See, but this drives me crazy. 

I'm not meaning to stick up for Harrison - really, I'm not. But...KIDD WASN'T PLAYING GRIMES, and there's no reason to think he was ever going to start. SO, who do we blame? 

There's definitely something not working right now, I'm just not 100% convinced we have it all figured out from our collective couches.

Did Nico buy your account from you Killer?

[KillerLeft]

Did Nico buy your account from you Killer?

That's a negative, good sir. I am still the amazing-looking, charming guy you've always known and loved.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Seriously, Frank Zacchinelli, a LITERAL FREAKIN USED CAR SALESMAN, who was an interim GM, negotiated 5x better trade for a young, prime, 3rd year Jason Kidd (Finley, Sam Cassell and AC Green*) than Nico did for Luka.

The moment AD plays 5 straight games again, TRADE HIM. At this point, the Luka trade is a catastrophic sunk cost. What will crush this franchise is WHEN AD gets a severe injury (Achilles, ACL, etc). First, his lazy ass would never rehab like Kyrie. And his contract would be a massive anchor. Just get the best deal you can. He's a MASSIVE hot potato.

AD, on an open market, may not have 27 bidders. But it only takes one. You know those hot guys or gals you see who have drinking problems or criminal records and, invariably, there's that one person who's like, "I can fix 'em"? There's at least one team who will see him as their final piece that will give up a decent return. I'll happily take a Desmond Bane return.

I just can't live with the basketball anxiety of AL'S injury thing anymore. It's like being a Mavs fan back in the day with Roy Tarpley. You would marvel at a stat line, but knew you were one day away from a potential lifetime ban for a coke suspension.

*not that that deal was amazing considering Kidd's value.

[Mavs2021]

I´m really trying, but to find an AD trade is hard. I´m just looking at the potential packages, not whether it´s a three/four team trade.

Keep in mind Tom Hanks, I´m just trying to get close, not making an NBA legal trade.

Hawks:

1) Young + Kennard for AD 

2) Porzingis + Risacher + Kennard + 1st for AD

Celtics:

Can´t even get close with Simons as the base contract. No you are not getting Tatum or Brown.

Nets:

MPJ + Mann + Traore (any of their rookie PGs) + 1st for AD

Hornets:

Bridges + Sexton + Green +1st (hey look Grant Williams is still in Charlotte) for AD

Bulls:

Vucevic + Collins + White + 1st for AD

That is probably the pipedream trade. You get three expiring contracts and one is a guard you could potentially re-sign or shuffle along to Houston or Minnesota.

Cavs:

They not trading Mobley, Mitchell or Garland and after that it just becomes dumb.

Mavs:

If we could get rid of AD via 2-3 contracts, we´d have some major trade flexibility.

Nuggets:

Nope.

Pistons:

Ivey + Harris (expiring) + Stewart (one year, then team option) + 1st for AD

Probably another best case scenario. Young guard, one pick and salary relief. Maybe also the most realistic option the other team would consider, as Ivey probably wants to be a #1, AD is an upgrade over Harris and Stewart is meh. 

Warriors:

Can´t get there financially. Team is clicking too well. If they were struggling, they might have thrown Draymond in there with Kuminga as a last ditch effort.

Rockets:

I just throw in Russell + Klay for FVV. 

You don´t trade FVV + Adams + Smith Jr. + Capela for AD to be a 6th man.

Pacers:

Not trading Siakam or Haliburton.

Clippers:

I mean that is probably another realistic win now destination.

Collins + Bogdanovic + Lopez + 1st (do they have any?) for AD

Lakers:

Only realistic trade is Doncic + Kleber for AD + Christie + 1st.

Seriously LeBron for AD is the only deal that makes sense, if Bron wants out.

Grizzlies:

KCP + Aldama + Clarke + 1st and the Grizzlies 2026 draft board for AD

Heat:

Herro + Rozier +1st for AD.

Bucks:
Can´t get there. They not trading Giannis, also wtf is that roster. How are they 4-1?

Wolves:

Combinations of Gobert + Randle + Reid get you there. Obviously this would have to be a three-way trade.

Pelicans:

Sending AD back to the Pelicans would be hilarious. A great negotiator might be able to abuse win now dinosaur Dumars

Poole + Murphy + Jones for AD +  Klay

The better pipedream.

Knicks:

KAT for AD aka I got nothing here.

OKC:

Funny.

Magic:

Hmmm. Another give you pause team, but can´t get their with their salaries, since you not getting Franz or Paolo.

76ers:

PG 13 + McCain + 1st for AD. I doubt Morey does it, I would.

Suns:

Green + Brooks + 1st (do they have any?) or three 2nds for AD.

Blazers:

Grant + Thybulle + Williams + Henderson + 1st for AD + Klay. 

Depends whether the Blazers think they have a last win now obligation for Lillard, very unlikely.

Kings:

Lavine + Saric + 1st for AD.

Spurs:

Thought about Fox + Barnes, but that Fox contract is wow. They must intend to use that to pair Wembanyama with a younger high priced star.

Raptors:

Quickley + Poeltl + two 1sts for AD

Jazz:

Markkanen + Anderson

Obviously no way Utah does this straight up, but maybe somehow else gives them the compensation they seek (young players + picks).

Wizards:

Middleton + McCollum + 1st for AD + Klay

That´s where we are with this.


Now you can all tell me I´m crazy, but I truly believe the combination of archaic game, injury history, age, attitude and contract makes him undesireable for the large majority of the league.

[RGP1981]

I'm telling y'all... the move to make is Cooper Flagg to the Jazz for Lauri Markkanen, 2026 1st round pick (get a commitment from Danny Ainge that the Jazz will continue to tank hard this season and end up with one of the 3 worst records in the league), and other future 1sts (the Jazz have plenty of picks).

Cooper isn't the messiah. He's a really good SF prototype, who has good athleticism, plays hard and does a little bit of everything well with the ball but he's not a master of any particular skill. The reason why he will be invaluable to the Jazz is because of demographics. His presence on the Jazz roster will give the fanbase hope as not many stars want to stay in Utah.

This trade will also give the Mavs hope, because Markkanen could realistically help the Mavs win the title (provided Kyrie and AD are fit and healthy in the business end of the season). Then the Mavs will hopefully be able to draft Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa or Cam Boozer to continue having hope for the future.

[Mavs2021]

I'm telling y'all... the move to make is Cooper Flagg to the Jazz for Lauri Markkanen, 2026 1st round pick (get a commitment from Danny Ainge that the Jazz will continue to tank hard this season and end up with one of the 3 worst records in the league), and other future 1sts (the Jazz have plenty of picks).

Cooper isn't the messiah. He's a really good SF prototype, who has good athleticism, plays hard and does a little bit of everything well with the ball but he's not a master of any particular skill. The reason why he will be invaluable to the Jazz is because of demographics. His presence on the Jazz roster will give the fanbase hope as not many stars want to stay in Utah.

This trade will also give the Mavs hope, because Markkanen could realistically help the Mavs win the title (provided Kyrie and AD are fit and healthy in the business end of the season). Then the Mavs will hopefully be able to draft Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa or Cam Boozer to continue having hope for the future.

I don´t think Utah does this. I read Dybantsa (who I rate higher than Flagg) gets $7M to play at BYU after playing his final high school year in Utah. That´s basically all an advance to play for the Jazz. I also think Utah will send Markkanen to either Indiana/Atlanta/Memphis to get another top 10 pick (via the Pacers/Pelicans/Suns picks). So for the unlikely case this is not fixed, the Jazz can throw the kitchen sink at somebody to move up.