Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Winter]

I like Ish, but there's a lot more background on Howard as an NBA player. Combine stats, analytics, interviews with teams, what he's been asked to work on, and how he's handled it, are all things the FO knows that we really don't. Maybe Howard has now actually turned into the guy they expected at pick #11, but Orlando has moved on and there's no room for him in the rotation.

This is Ish's first experience I think in an NBA environment. You can afford to let him play elsewhere.

It does seem like the Front Office is doing homework on players we don't see. The unexpected appeals to me right now, so my enthusiasm can switch gears easily.

[Kidnova]

I like to look at his splits (to make the sample size even smaller).  Last season he had 22 games where he got 10 minutes or less.  He was horrible shooting .283 from the field and .303 from three in those games.  

However, in the 33 games where he got more than 10 minutes, he was .449 from the field and .393 from three.  In those 33 games he averaged 3.4 attempts from three per game.

Maybe he's a rhythm guy who needs some flow to be effective.  BTW, Max Christie was similar last season.  In 35 games where he got 30+ minutes his 3% was .430.  In the 37 games he got 20-30 minutes his 3% was .384 and in the five games where he got under 10 minutes his 3% was .278.

I would assume the causation was the other way around.  When he was shooting and playing well he got more minutes and not the other way around.  I hope they dug deep and found gold, but every team in the league had access to the same stats and splits and no one was willing to offer him a min contract.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

So when a fan met Klay Thompson for an autograph signing event, the guy could only speak his mind and ask whether the 36-year-old wanted to return to the Warriors. "Are you going to go back to the Warriors anytime?" a fan asked Thompson. Thompson gave an honest reply that's got rumor mills buzzing. "Shoot I don't know," Thompson said. "I got one year on my deal. It'd be nice to end it in Golden State.”

USA Today Sports

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: The Atlanta Hawks and Jalen Wilson have agreed to a two-way deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Wilson averaged 7.4 points per game in three seasons with the Brooklyn Nets.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: The Los Angeles Lakers are signing F Arthur Kaluma to a two-way NBA deal, Todd Ramasar and Mike Simonetta of Life Sports Agency tell ESPN. Kaluma, who spent 2025-26 in the Lakers G League program, averaged nearly 19 points, 61% shooting and 50% on 3s in the Las Vegas summer league. Signing Kaluma will require the Lakers to waive one of their current two-way players. Chris Mañon, Peter Suder, or AK Okereke. The corresponding move will likely be one of the latter two undrafted two-way signees.

x.com

[FireNicoHarrison]

I like Ish, but there's a lot more background on Howard as an NBA player. Combine stats, analytics, interviews with teams, what he's been asked to work on, and how he's handled it, are all things the FO knows that we really don't. Maybe Howard has now actually turned into the guy they expected at pick #11, but Orlando has moved on and there's no room for him in the rotation.

This is Ish's first experience I think in an NBA environment. You can afford to let him play elsewhere.

It does seem like the Front Office is doing homework on players we don't see. The unexpected appeals to me right now, so my enthusiasm can switch gears easily.

Agree.

They are trying to find gems for cheap... Low risk high reward moves.

Not a bad way to operate.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

SiriusXM NBA Radio: "This is also because the Thunder want to extend Cason Wallace this summer and they want to extend Ajay Mitchell next summer." @TheSteinLine talks to @talkhoops about OKC trading Lu Dort to the Hawks. Hear Deals and Dunks weekdays at 1 PM ET sxm.app.link/DealsAndDunksL

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Indiana Pacers are waiving two-way guard Taelon Peter, league sources told @hoopshype. Peter averaged 4.5 points in 38 games played for Indiana last season after being the 54th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.

x.com

[Chicagojk]

Agree.

They are trying to find gems for cheap... Low risk high reward moves.

Not a bad way to operate.

I am a fan of these second draft guys.   Most are early second rounders or late firsts, but sometimes you get guys higher.   The NBA moves fast.   Either you don't get many chances or you don't do well in those chances and teams move on.  It is a lesson for a lot of younger players.   Just because you are young doesn't mean you have a ton of time to figure things out.   

I am in favor of picking the right kind of person and giving them a new chance.   Leave the spot where they are trying to live up to their pick range and just focus on basketball and development.  Maybe you find a diamond in the rough.  Probably not, but I like these gambles.  I wasn't as high on Howard as where he was drafted, but he is still a good sized athlete who was billed as a good shooter.

[Chicagojk]

Going back to Marshall, I think what is lost when I talk about potential trades with him is there is a better than average chance that all of Marshall, PJ and Gafford may not be in this teams long range plans.   So opinions can differ but we may wind up at the same spot with all three.   I do think there is at least 1 who will wind up fitting in and be here for the near/average term in all likelihood.  

Speaking of Morez, the Mavs picked the player they liked best and the roster is still in the early stages of being built, but if you switched out Johnson for Burries this roster would fit better currently.   Even factoring them still drafting Sergio.

[SleepingHero]

[Winter]

Speaking of Morez, the Mavs picked the player they liked best and the roster is still in the early stages of being built, but if you switched out Johnson for Burries this roster would fit better currently.   Even factoring them still drafting Sergio.

That's true, but that was always true wasn't it? The Burries pick was always the obvious pick to fix the spacing for next year's lineup.

The Front Office clearly was mapping out a long-term strategy. Their acquisitions now continue to surprise us probably because we don't see the same picture they do.

[hakeemfaan]

That's true, but that was always true wasn't it? The Burries pick was always the obvious pick to fix the spacing for next year's lineup.

The Front Office clearly was mapping out a long-term strategy. Their acquisitions now continue to surprise us probably because we don't see the same picture they do.

It might not necessarily mean that. They might have just gone with the best forward because none of the guards blew them away even though they knew they needed a guard.  Maybe it was a small thing such as Burries wingspan that caused them to not draft him. Who knows? 

Or maybe they really feel Morez can be special. 

Time will tell. 

One thing though. I can’t see Morez being a bust. He has very nice touch and movement around the rim and on defense he can absolutely switch on anyone. Even if Burries becomes a star, I would be very surprised if Rez doesn’t develop into a really solid piece himself that a lot of teams even in the future woukd love to pry away away from the Mavs.

[Chicagojk]

Why is everyone assuming Poulakidis is getting the other spot? Are the two-ways multi-year deals or something? Excuse my ignorance.

Short answer is we don't know.   Myself and others are maybe assuming he keeps his two way, but that can change quickly.  One of the Mavs twitter guys speculated this morning that there is a rumor he is exploring overseas opportunities.    I don't know if that guy has any sources.  It would be an odd decision if he turns down a two way.  Or maybe Mavs have told him they have other plans for his two way and are giving him time to find a landing spot.   Might be easier to have some negotiating power if you still have your two way???

I believe nothing is guaranteed with a two way.   So even though he signed a two year for last year and this year, the team can cut bait whenever they want.

[david75090]

It might not necessarily mean that. They might have just gone with the best forward because none of the guards blew them away even though they knew they needed a guard.  Maybe it was a small thing such as Burries wingspan that caused them to not draft him. Who knows? 

Always thought that, if two players were relatively equal, take the taller player, especially if there is a large difference in height.

[KillerLeft]

He's a fun story, but I'm not sure his one skill is enough to make up for his other deficiencies.

No I just meant like...does his two-way from last year still have another season on it?

[DallasMaverick]

Going back to Marshall, I think what is lost when I talk about potential trades with him is there is a better than average chance that all of Marshall, PJ and Gafford may not be in this teams long range plans.   So opinions can differ but we may wind up at the same spot with all three.   I do think there is at least 1 who will wind up fitting in and be here for the near/average term in all likelihood. 

Let’s face it: in 20 years, none of their current players fit into their long range plans.

The question they should be focusing on is whether players fit into their current plans, while still maintaining a path to being relevant in the future.

[JamesConway816]

Would be crazy to get this guy as well.

[Smitty]

All the Wings!

[FireNicoHarrison]

Always thought that, if two players were relatively equal, take the taller player, especially if there is a large difference in height.

And the 3p% is almost irrelevant in SL mostly if a player has only that skill...