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

[mvossman]

I'm not sure you've made an argument for maximizing AD's value in an in-season trade.  It is universally accepted that Nico got fleeced on the Luka deal.  Miami didn't get young players (30 year old Wiggins and 27 year old Mitchell) or pick(s) (a protected 2025 that ended up in the 20's) for Butler.  

I will say that I admire the fact you are at least throwing things out there (your Charlotte idea) and not simply asserting things to be true.  I presume you mean Sexton instead of Claxton.  They aren't trading Knueppel.  To get to a legal trade, it will need to be Sexton and Miles Bridges or Sexton, Grant Williams and Josh Green once you remove Knueppel as a possibility (so let's presume it is Sexton and Bridges).  

They can take players into an exception, which makes it easier to trade match and then add things from the Dallas side to keep the rosters balanced (so, it could be Davis/Hardy in an exception for Sexton/Bridges).  And, they have stockpiled some picks.  The problem with Charlotte is they changed out management and aren't doing dumb Charlotte things like they used to.  I would agree they were a possibility under the old regime.  Nowadays it feels like they are being run by actual professionals.  With that said...if Charlotte would do it, would we be interested in Bridges, Sexton and our 2027 back for Davis/Hardy?  I wouldn't.  I think that would be the epitome of impatience

Its strange how much this feels like the KP situation.  I realize AD is a much better player, but he is also a lot older which exasperates the injury concerns.  We pulled the trigger on a KP trade at the TDL and got completely fleeced.  As you mentioned, it will be even harder to make an AD trade due to his age and contract size.  But just like KP there is a concern if we wait too long he could continue to get injured and his value tanks more.  It does not help that I have no faith in the medical staff and Kidd runs him into the ground when he does play.

[FireNicoHarrison]

I don't think dump street clothes like KP is a good move, we don't need to rush a trade. His value is all time low right now.

Wait for a stretch of good games or even next off season.

This year our target must be a top pick and developer Flagg, Max and Lively.

[khaled1987]

AD for KP + filler and Pelicans pick is my dream scenario. Charlotte can return our pick in a Gafford trade, which should happen if we decide to rebuild anyway.

But that is too optimistic

[Chicagojk]

I will be pretty surprised if AD is traded this year.  Even if Nico is fired.  

#1 for me is get him moving better.  He looked much slower than he was with the Lakers.   So, with the injury I am fine taking a longer range view of him.  Get him healthy and ramp up the conditioning.   Don't just throw him back out there.   This season already looks like a difficult one.  Don't make a short term decision.

I am in the mind that this GM spot would be a desirable job.   Now, maybe Dumont is really bad.  I just get the impression that he is mostly a silent owner, I think.   You already have the piece that almost every team wants to find (A young future strar).  You have a lot of good players on good contracts (but not reallly the ideal fit).   You have two high priced veterans who have injury concerns but not the type of players that would worry me as a new GM.    And you potentially have another lottery pick this year.   The Mavs don't control their picks but they are only -1 first round pick that they are missing.    I am not sure with Flagg that you should focus on long lottery wishes.   Get a lottery pick this year and things can turn around pretty quickly.  The west is brutal though so it will be an uphill battle.  I just don't think the roster is in a bad place if someone competant could make a few smart moves.

[Chicagojk]

I will be pretty surprised if AD is traded this year.  Even if Nico is fired.  

#1 for me is get him moving better.  He looked much slower than he was with the Lakers.   So, with the injury I am fine taking a longer range view of him.  Get him healthy and ramp up the conditioning.   Don't just throw him back out there.   This season already looks like a difficult one.  Don't make a short term decision.

I am in the mind that this GM spot would be a desirable job.   Now, maybe Dumont is really bad.  I just get the impression that he is mostly a silent owner, I think.   You already have the piece that almost every team wants to find (A young future strar).  You have a lot of good players on good contracts (but not reallly the ideal fit).   You have two high priced veterans who have injury concerns but not the type of players that would worry me as a new GM.    And you potentially have another lottery pick this year.   The Mavs don't control their picks but they are only -1 first round pick that they are missing.    I am not sure with Flagg that you should focus on long lottery wishes.   Get a lottery pick this year and things can turn around pretty quickly.  The west is brutal though so it will be an uphill battle.  I just don't think the roster is in a bad place if someone competant could make a few smart moves.

I would also like to hear more about AD wanting to play.  What is going on?  Do we not have a competant medical staff still?

[mvossman]

AD for KP + filler and Pelicans pick is my dream scenario. Charlotte can return our pick in a Gafford trade, which should happen if we decide to rebuild anyway.

But that is too optimistic

For a team desperate for creation and perimeter defense I'm not sure KP is the right target. He also does not fit Flagg timeline.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Since Jaden Ivey is injured it would be right on brand for Nico to trade Klay and a future 1st for him.

I don't see that happening. Ivey has been injured the last couple of years, and he's just 23. He was having a breakout year last season before he broke his leg.

[Nowitzki Way]

I want Davis off this team. His fit is terrible for this team. His timeline with Flagg is off. And he's not reliable.

I want to maximize his value while he still has it. But with all of that said. I don't see an in-season trade being advantageous for the Mavs. The off season will open up more teams and more opportunities. We also need Nico far away from this team and not making trades.

Either way, I struggle to find a trade match for him. I don't see many teams that can match his salary with good young players we want, plus the picks. I think i'd be open to a trade of a star for star trade involving Davis. If Giannis wanted out. That would be the only way.

For an in-season trade. Maybe if San Antonio stays hot and thinks that Davis next to Wemby is the key to putting them over the top. And if healthy, he could.

I know Barnes and Olynk have been mentioned to help fil salary and they are expiring. But what else can we get. I'm assuming Castle and Harper are off limits. Does Fox become expendable? We'd have to get Carter Bryant added for youth. Can we pry Vassell or Sochan in this. I feel like the Spurs could be the team. But others who are smarter could figure out legal trades, etc.

[vfromlmf]

Dropping this in the trade thread in anticipation of a post-Nico tear down. Look at Flagg's stats over 10 games and compare to Giddey's rookie year. I have no doubts Flagg will be a great player someday but it's going to take time. It's not the end of the world but it's time for a reality check. Flagg isn't good enough right now to play 30+ minutes and compete for a championship.

Unfortunately, this is the opposite of Luka. I distinctly remember Luka's first 10 games and thinking needed to be surrounded by better players immediately. He was ready to go. Flagg isn't. So you have to build for the future. No surprises below:

Five players you prioritize:
- Forward - Flagg: needs to play PF and be paired with guys who can shoot (which means Christie is a better fit than PJW)
- Wing - Christie: solid, smart, can take the culture mantle from Powell
- Forward - PJW: solid rotation player, beloved by fans, can be a Harrison Barnes who just plays the right way
- Center - Lively: young, still on rookie contract, but he has to play 65 games
- Guard - Kyrie: you only trade him if he asks to be moved

Must trade now
- Klay: You have to let him go. He'll play meaningful playoff minutes for someone.
- Gafford: You have to get a creator who can play next to Kyrie, even if you have to include PJW and/or swap Gafford for Lively

Trade deadline moves
- Naji: could net an asset from a contender
- AD: He has to play center while he's here and you hold on to him until you find the biggest haul you can get

No or negative trade value
- Russell
- Martin
- Exum
- Hardy
- Williams
- Powell

[KillerLeft]

I want Davis off this team. His fit is terrible for this team. His timeline with Flagg is off. And he's not reliable.

I want to maximize his value while he still has it. But with all of that said. I don't see an in-season trade being advantageous for the Mavs. The off season will open up more teams and more opportunities. We also need Nico far away from this team and not making trades.

Either way, I struggle to find a trade match for him. I don't see many teams that can match his salary with good young players we want, plus the picks. I think i'd be open to a trade of a star for star trade involving Davis. If Giannis wanted out. That would be the only way.

For an in-season trade. Maybe if San Antonio stays hot and thinks that Davis next to Wemby is the key to putting them over the top. And if healthy, he could.

I know Barnes and Olynk have been mentioned to help fil salary and they are expiring. But what else can we get. I'm assuming Castle and Harper are off limits. Does Fox become expendable? We'd have to get Carter Bryant added for youth. Can we pry Vassell or Sochan in this. I feel like the Spurs could be the team.  But others who are smarter could figure out legal trades, etc.

Several ways to look at this, imo. 

1) the "two timeline" conversation we had all summer seems to be dead, at least the way things sit today. For that reason, it's reasonable to entertain ideas on how to get what you can for AD, BUT...1-2 good moves, some improved morale and (I think) a better coach, and they could be right back in contention. They have some good players, after all. 

2) I still believe that there is a literal ton of stuff Flagg has to learn from a guy like AD. We're basically banking on the idea that Flagg will become the impactful defender Davis has always been, and in a very similar role, honestly. I think there is value there, precious value, even if the team is not in contention. 

So...

3) While I find myself much more open to the idea of moving Davis now that the bloom has (very quickly) faded from this season, I am nowhere near the point where I want them to "Porzingis" the guy. That move (the KP trade) was a GREAT decision. Addition by subtraction, and I'd argue that in the context of this team, the player they got during Dinwiddie's first stint here was better than the version of KP they sent out. Some people still claim not to like that deal, but I'd do again without hesitation if we were able to go back in time. I don't think such a move would be advisable with Davis. For one thing, he's 10x the player Porzingis ever was, and there's point #2 to consider. Also, there's very little chance of "addition by subtraction" in this case (though I could be wrong about that part). 

I think getting AD healthy and reminding the league what a defensive force he is might be the only reasonable way forward at this point, although I admit it is time to start looking for the opportune time to change direction. It seems more and more likely that the next move we can expect is a GM change. I'd like to hope that a move to get an actual NBA architect/tactician on the coaching staff will soon follow that step. At THAT point, I'm all for whatever changes they think necessary. 

I still can't believe they're THIS bad, and I'd like to believe some simple shakeups/reshuffling in some areas can jumpstart things.

[Nowitzki Way]

I think getting AD healthy and reminding the league what a defensive force he is might be the only reasonable way forward at this point, although I admit it is time to start looking for the opportune time to change direction. It seems more and more likely that the next move we can expect is a GM change. I'd like to hope that the second move would be to get an actual NBA architect/tactician on the coaching staff will soon follow that step. At THAT point, I'm all for whatever changes they think necessary. 

I'm with you. I just worry that a GM change will have a negative impact on AD more than anyone. He is Nico's guy. Nico risked his career and reputation on AD.  But AD is exactly who we all thought he was. Extremely talented but never on the court. 

So if we fire Nico does AD pretty much pull a  Kawhi on us? Just play when he wants to, which is never. Then his value continues to decrease. I'm starting to wonder if we pull the plug on AD sooner rather than later. if we hire a new GM that is.

[FireNicoHarrison]

They are not THIS bad, a lot of things go bad... But the 2 timeline narrative was stupid. It can't work. Never.

[KillerLeft]

I'm with you. I just worry that a GM change will have a negative impact on AD more than anyone. He is Nico's guy. Nico risked his career and reputation on AD.  But AD is exactly who we all thought he was. Extremely talented but never on the court. 

So if we fire Nico does AD pretty much pull a  Kawhi on us? Just play when he wants to, which is never. Then his value continues to decrease. I'm starting to wonder if we pull the plug on AD sooner rather than later. if we hire a new GM that is.

Hey, I expect that Harrison getting fired might have a negative impact on MANY of the Mavs players. He's obviously supported by AD and Kyrie, so I'd imagine that those guys will be on their way out almost immediately (they both have their contracts, so there's nothing really here to work for if the team isn't competing, anyway).  I'm not suggesting one or both would be traded the next day or week, but the new GM probably won't care about them the way Harrison does, or they him. 

PJW seems to like the dude quite a bit, too. Harrison has literally gotten this far in life because of relationships, and it's not going to make things better, from the locker room POV. Instead, it's going to bring home for them the severity of their losing situation and make it more real for them, bringing a lot of uncertainty with that realization. 

None of that matters though, because what's on the court is pathetic, so at some point losses have to be cut and the franchise has to get busy trying to fix this thing. If that means it has to get worse before it gets better, so be it.

[Nowitzki Way]

Hey, I expect that Harrison getting fired might have a negative impact on MANY of the Mavs players. He's obviously supported by AD and Kyrie, so I'd imagine that those guys will be on their way out almost immediately (they both have their contracts, so there's nothing really here to work for if the team isn't competing, anyway).  I'm not suggesting one or both would be traded the next day or week, but the new GM probably won't care about them the way Harrison does, or they him. 

PJW seems to like the dude quite a bit, too. Harrison has literally gotten this far in life because of relationships, and it's not going to make things better, from the locker room POV. Instead, it's going to bring home for them the severity of their losing situation and make it more real for them, bringing a lot of uncertainty with that realization. 

None of that matters though, because what's on the court is pathetic, so at some point losses have to be cut and the franchise has to get busy trying to fix this thing. If that means it has to get worse before it gets better, so be it.

P.J. is a Nico guy for sure. But you're right a new GM wont care. I'd prefer to have someone make basketball decisions and not relationship decisions.  Relationships do mattter in the NBA, but Nico's have ran their course

[Mavs2021]

Surprisingly the Kings have all their picks until 2030. I´d be willing to gamble that if we trade for 50/40/90 Lavine and DeRozan plus the Kings next three picks Street Clothes can sink that team to new lows. Let´s add Klay for Monk, too. Schroeder, Sabonis, Klay and AD should at least get you into the lottery.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Hey, I expect that Harrison getting fired might have a negative impact on MANY of the Mavs players. He's obviously supported by AD and Kyrie, so I'd imagine that those guys will be on their way out almost immediately (they both have their contracts, so there's nothing really here to work for if the team isn't competing, anyway).  I'm not suggesting one or both would be traded the next day or week, but the new GM probably won't care about them the way Harrison does, or they him. 

PJW seems to like the dude quite a bit, too. Harrison has literally gotten this far in life because of relationships, and it's not going to make things better, from the locker room POV. Instead, it's going to bring home for them the severity of their losing situation and make it more real for them, bringing a lot of uncertainty with that realization. 

None of that matters though, because what's on the court is pathetic, so at some point losses have to be cut and the franchise has to get busy trying to fix this thing. If that means it has to get worse before it gets better, so be it.

I think almost everybody will be fine after firing Nico... Someone because he ruined the of his career (Kyrie and Klay), someone because he destroyed the chances to win a ring, someone for the pressure on them (AD and Flagg) ecc ecc

We need good vibes and the fanbase come back before every move, this team is dead... Despite a lot of posters tried to write another narrative past months. Trust me.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Surprisingly the Kings have all their picks until 2030. I´d be willing to gamble that if we trade for 50/40/90 Lavine and DeRozan plus the Kings next three picks Street Clothes can sink that team to new lows. Let´s add Klay for Monk, too. Schroeder, Sabonis, Klay and AD should at least get you into the lottery.

Yeah, Kings are so dump historically so they can trade for street clothes.

[Mavs2021]

Yeah, Kings are so dump historically so they can trade for street clothes.

Oddly enough we might need Cuban for that trade, since it´s a sort of win now move, not a full tank or rebuild move.

Kyrie/Lavine
Christie/Monk
Flagg/DeRozan
Washington/Marshall
Lively/Gafford

Call me crazy, but that team is sneaky very good on paper. Add two first round picks (Mavs/Kings) in the 2026 draft that will have great depth.

[Hooper21]

Oddly enough we might need Cuban for that trade, since it´s a sort of win now move, not a full tank or rebuild move.

Kyrie/Lavine
Christie/Monk
Flagg/DeRozan
Washington/Marshall
Lively/Gafford

Call me crazy, but that team is sneaky very good on paper. Add two first round picks (Mavs/Kings) in the 2026 draft that will have great depth.

That lineup should fix our ailing offense...

[FireNicoHarrison]

Oddly enough we might need Cuban for that trade, since it´s a sort of win now move, not a full tank or rebuild move.

Kyrie/Lavine
Christie/Monk
Flagg/DeRozan
Washington/Marshall
Lively/Gafford

Call me crazy, but that team is sneaky very good on paper. Add two first round picks (Mavs/Kings) in the 2026 draft that will have great depth.

It's not a win now move for me.. this team is still maybe a play in squad.

I want a top pick next draft... Then win many games possible for Coop and other kids. They need win mentality.