Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[omahen]

At first I was also a bit surprised by "non activity", but I guess it makes sense. LeBron sweepstakes losers and other teams looking to improve are now competing for available players and it seems like there is more demand than supply. GSW and Cleveland are rumored to be after Hezonja. Lakers and Cleveland are rumored to be after Kuminga. Miami will probably sign Beal and DeRozan, but I guess there are ongoing negotiations how much over vet min can either get, as Miami still could offer a bit more than min.

Philly will very likely release Jabari Walker and Dalen Terry to make room for LeBron and KCP. Neither is particularly interesting.

Memphis currently has 19 players on contract. KCP and Russell will be bought out and I assume Taj Gibson will also be gone. The final "victim" will be one of AJ Johnson (I think most likely), Omax or Pippen. Or perhaps they get some assets for GG Jackson or Spencer. Memphis has quite a crowd at PF position with Boozer, Grant, Hendricks, Murray, Omax and GG Jackson.

[omahen]

@ShamsCharania
Denver restricted free agent Spencer Jones has agreed to a two-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Adam Godes of ADS Sports tells ESPN. Jones was a key contributor for the Nuggets last season, including an NBA-best 69% from 3-point range during the playoffs, and now is ready to conclude chapter in Denver to move onto OKC.

Very interesting. I guess the offer just keeps OKC under the second apron and they do have a roster spot. I guess Denver has to match, but they will get 14 mil over the first apron and into the second apron with this contract (before Watson). If they move Watson for picks only, they will still be over the first apron with 13 players on the roster.

[DanSchwartzgan]

@ShamsCharania
Denver restricted free agent Spencer Jones has agreed to a two-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Adam Godes of ADS Sports tells ESPN. Jones was a key contributor for the Nuggets last season, including an NBA-best 69% from 3-point range during the playoffs, and now is ready to conclude chapter in Denver to move onto OKC.

Jones would be OKC's 15th player and would take them really tight to the second apron (possibly over).

More interesting, matching on Jones would put Denver over the second apron and he would only be Denver's 12th player under contract.  All numbers based on my reading comprehension and Spotrac's accuracy and subject to change.

[Chicagojk]

I really don't see a Dallas connection with Philly in terms of a trade.  They have to shave a non-guaranteed contract just to get Lebron in under their first apron hard-cap.  So, the first rule of Philly trades is they can't take back more salary than they send out.  Even if they wanted someone like Gafford from Dallas, they don't have the contracts - that they would be willing to part with - to make the numbers work.  

It might be fruitful to look for trades with teams that missed out on Lebron, but it is hard to find obvious deals with Miami, Cleveland or GSW.  Part of the problem is team's don't want $17mm-$19mm backups and that is what Dallas has to offer in most of these situations.  Would Miami do Jovic for PJ?  Probably.  Would Dallas?  Would GSW do Moody for Gafford?  The years are probably a problem.  In fact, it will be more interesting to me to see the years than the dollars on a Draymond deal.  Maybe Cleveland would do expiring Strus for PJ, but $20mm is a lot to back up the very expensive players they have at the top of their roster.

I've never been a believer in the Portland ideas around PJ.  They have their starters in PF and SF.  I get the idea of reducing some of the roster clog at guard.  I just think PJ is too expensive to be a backup in Portland.  I'll be happy to be wrong there.

That leaves something that is potentially being held up by Kawhi.  Maybe Mathurin.  Maybe Watson.  Maybe nothing.  I've been pushing the idea it would be Gafford to LAC as part of the bigger LAC/TOR deal and would loop in Watson to LAC as well.  The AC Hoops post that Smitty put on page 244 brings up the possibility of it being Naji instead of Gafford going to LAC.  That is a deal that is easy to do right now as it uses the Collins TPE.  Watson goes to LAC, Mathurin goes to Dallas, DJJ goes to Denver (with picks) and Naji goes into the Collins TPE as it would otherwise be too much salary going to LAC.  From the Dallas side of things, we'd be a taxpayer (another reason I like to put Gafford in the deal) and would be limited to something in the $18.5mm range for Mathurin - more if we agreed to a buyout with Klay.  Much depends on how close they want to sit to the first apron (we've seen that movie before when you don't leave yourself enough room).  There are ways to do this with Gafford now, but unlike the Naji deal that limits what Mathurin can make, the Gafford based deals have a floor on what Mathurin can make and it starts higher than most here think is reasonable for Mathurin.

I thought it interesting that the board (and the NBA) was relatively quiet after the Lebron news yesterday.  I would have guessed some things would start to happen once the announcement came down.  Instead, crickets.

I am having trouble finding the move  that helps the team fit better next year while also helping the push for the next several years.  I have no idea how they make things work if they do not make a move.   Maybe I am thinking about too big of a move and need to think lesser.  I think we are a far way away from being a contender, but I think things could move faster if a lot of "ifs' turn into "yes'.   Such as Cooper following the super star track where things tend to happen faster, Kyrie returning to a top 50 player, Lively and Morez being elite level role players, Some of their wings find a home here, etc.

I have been thinking lately that Masai's timeline may be faster than we think.   With the moves they made this summer, I think PJ/Gaff/Marshall, etc may be the trade pieces they use to get a running mate for Cooper and not used to just balance out the roster.  I just am not sure who that player is.   If feels like they would be light for Trey Murphy trade discussions.  Probably the same for Cason Wallace.    As we have seen this summer, a lot of all stars are being moved.    Maybe if "if' moves turn into "yes" than a more aggressive move could happen sooner than later.   I just don't know how it can work to start the season wtih the roster as is.  Not enough minutes in the front court.

[Chicagojk]

Denver seems a team in flux.    Not sure I am a believer in that front office.  With that being said, I really liked their offseason last year.   It never fully worked though.   They might have the best player in the league and still a real threat if healthy.   I just feel like there has been some mistakes and misses.

Sort of a weird move for OKC.   Maybe just a value play but as pointed minutes are tough to get if everyone is healthy.  I think a healthy OKC team is the best team in the NBA, but I have to be honest I wasn't crazy about their offseason and I think the cap has put some dents in that roster.    Maybe I am completely off though, but I think some of the things that made OKC what they are is a little reduced at the moment.  Next domino to drop may be Wallace.    They may have trouble paying him if he reaches RFA next year.    People will throw a ton of money at him especially with OKC commitments already.

[windjc]

I am having trouble finding the move  that helps the team fit better next year while also helping the push for the next several years.  I have no idea how they make things work if they do not make a move.   Maybe I am thinking about too big of a move and need to think lesser.  I think we are a far way away from being a contender, but I think things could move faster if a lot of "ifs' turn into "yes'.   Such as Cooper following the super star track where things tend to happen faster, Kyrie returning to a top 50 player, Lively and Morez being elite level role players, Some of their wings find a home here, etc.

I have been thinking lately that Masai's timeline may be faster than we think.   With the moves they made this summer, I think PJ/Gaff/Marshall, etc may be the trade pieces they use to get a running mate for Cooper and not used to just balance out the roster.  I just am not sure who that player is.   If feels like they would be light for Trey Murphy trade discussions.  Probably the same for Cason Wallace.    As we have seen this summer, a lot of all stars are being moved.    Maybe if "if' moves turn into "yes" than a more aggressive move could happen sooner than later.   I just don't know how it can work to start the season wtih the roster as is.  Not enough minutes in the front court.

It is absolutely faster than most think.  Dusty said championship in two years is a goal.

[windjc]

Denver seems a team in flux.    Not sure I am a believer in that front office.  With that being said, I really liked their offseason last year.   It never fully worked though.   They might have the best player in the league and still a real threat if healthy.   I just feel like there has been some mistakes and misses.

Sort of a weird move for OKC.   Maybe just a value play but as pointed minutes are tough to get if everyone is healthy.  I think a healthy OKC team is the best team in the NBA, but I have to be honest I wasn't crazy about their offseason and I think the cap has put some dents in that roster.    Maybe I am completely off though, but I think some of the things that made OKC what they are is a little reduced at the moment.  Next domino to drop may be Wallace.    They may have trouble paying him if he reaches RFA next year.    People will throw a ton of money at him especially with OKC commitments already.

San Antonio is better. But anyways…

The next domino to drop is their owner when they don’t win a chip this year and he had to pay an absolute fortune with an additional fortune earmarked for the following year. 

It’s unsustainable and the pendulum is going to swing in the other direction. Bye Chet.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

JUST IN: Restricted free agent forward Spencer Jones has agreed to a two-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Oklahoma City Thunder, league sources told @hoopshype. The Denver Nuggets will have an opportunity to match the offer sheet. Bobby Marks: Barring a trade, the Nuggets luxury tax penalties will only increase. For example: Matching the Spencer Jones Offer Sheet and signing Peyton Watson to a contract in the $23M range would put the Nuggets at: $238M in tax penalties. That does not include payroll. The impact of the repeater luxury tax. Denver finances: Current tax penalty: $36.4M. With Spencer Jones: $68.6M The Lu Dort trade gave OKC the flexibility to have the $6.1M tax midlevel exception available to use for a Jones Offer Sheet.

Twitter

[omahen]

Denver seems a team in flux.    Not sure I am a believer in that front office.  With that being said, I really liked their offseason last year.   It never fully worked though.   They might have the best player in the league and still a real threat if healthy.   I just feel like there has been some mistakes and misses.

Sort of a weird move for OKC.   Maybe just a value play but as pointed minutes are tough to get if everyone is healthy.  I think a healthy OKC team is the best team in the NBA, but I have to be honest I wasn't crazy about their offseason and I think the cap has put some dents in that roster.    Maybe I am completely off though, but I think some of the things that made OKC what they are is a little reduced at the moment.  Next domino to drop may be Wallace.    They may have trouble paying him if he reaches RFA next year.    People will throw a ton of money at him especially with OKC commitments already.

I think OKC is still in great position moving forward. They have so much flexibility and I don't really see a bad contract on their roster. They have their core in SGA, Chet and Williams. The rest are role players rotating around them and with their assets they will always have plenty in rotation. They still have 10 proven rotation players and deep bench are four recent FRPs in development. Most of depth players are on contracts with team options giving them huge flexibility. If Wallace becomes too expensive for them, they will likely get serious assets for him. 

Look at this past offseason. Everyone knew they have to reduce payroll, yet they have received a bunch of SRPs doing it. I think they can ride this path for a long time. Winning the chip is obviously difficult and you have to be lucky, but if they will be healthy, they will always be in play.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I think OKC is still in great position moving forward. They have so much flexibility and I don't really see a bad contract on their roster. They have their core in SGA, Chet and Williams. The rest are role players rotating around them and with their assets they will always have plenty in rotation. They still have 10 proven rotation players and deep bench are four recent FRPs in development. Most of depth players are on contracts with team options giving them huge flexibility. If Wallace becomes too expensive for them, they will likely get serious assets for him. 

Look at this past offseason. Everyone knew they have to reduce payroll, yet they have received a bunch of SRPs doing it. I think they can ride this path for a long time. Winning the chip is obviously difficult and you have to be lucky, but if they will be healthy, they will always be in play.

They're one of the best run franchises in the NBA, but some people question the results. Unless injuries are a factor to key players, they'll always be in the hunt for a title.

[windjc]

I think OKC is still in great position moving forward. They have so much flexibility and I don't really see a bad contract on their roster. They have their core in SGA, Chet and Williams. The rest are role players rotating around them and with their assets they will always have plenty in rotation. They still have 10 proven rotation players and deep bench are four recent FRPs in development. Most of depth players are on contracts with team options giving them huge flexibility. If Wallace becomes too expensive for them, they will likely get serious assets for him. 

Look at this past offseason. Everyone knew they have to reduce payroll, yet they have received a bunch of SRPs doing it. I think they can ride this path for a long time. Winning the chip is obviously difficult and you have to be lucky, but if they will be healthy, they will always be in play.

I disagree. They aren’t great at drafting. Max contracts to borderline stars like Williams and Chet are becoming albatrosses that teams are trying to avoid. 

Yes they have lots of picks but they have to develop them. 

Also I don’t think their owner will want to pay what he would have to pay to keep his talent.

They can’t defy gravity.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Unless a great season by Chet he will be out... But with that contract i don't think the market is so open for him.

If Wemba owns you it's a problem for next 10 years.

[ThisIStheYear]

I don’t know that the gap is as big as you’re saying. I do think there’s a gap though. The biggest Lively fans would probably say differently, but I think you’re correct for the most part. I just replied to SH’s post about Edgecombe being the prize there, and it will take a Lively type guy and then some? Mostly because of the salary cap stuff that’s not worth getting into with these highly unlikely fantasy deals.

The gap is huge. DLive is damaged goods. The 76ers would never do this.

[Mavs2021]

Would you

Irving
Washington
Gafford

for

Edgecombe
Embiid

[Smitty]

Would you

Irving
Washington
Gafford

for

Edgecombe
Embiid

No

[windjc]

Would you

Irving
Washington
Gafford

for

Edgecombe
Embiid

So to get Edgecombe you want to give up Irving, 2 championship game starters and take in a terrible 3 year contract?

Brilliant!

[OldMavsFan]

Here is my take on the Mavs options on how they may deal with the roster. 
The first option is simple, they wave a player and buy him out and most is the talk is about Klay and a buyout, and I will assume they will attempt to save some of the 17 million for this year.  The option could be Martin and stretch wave him, that would cost 20 million and that would mean 4 million a year for 5 years, I know that isn’t ideal, but in effect he will be DNP coaches’ decision for 164 games.  You would hate to have that much dead money for that long, but they have been carrying 3 mil, and I think that ends this season.
The most probable way to adjust the roster is by one or more multi team trades and only the FO has what that might be and the wild guess can continue, I feel I have even less of a chance making guess than the high paid talking heads had on LBJ move.
Now here is my alternative way to adjust the line-up and I will tell you right now it may force the Mavs to make a trade that doesn’t help the team this year and more than likely will hurt the final win total, but I believe can really make the roster starting much easier to develop and to give them great flexibility. The Mavs need to send out at least one more player than returns and I think they really would like to sign Ishchenko to the 15 men roster this year.
The Mavs really don’t have any cheap contracts that you can send two players and get anyone back making less than 16 million this year, but that doesn’t rid you of Klay and/or Martin.  I looked for players with large or huge salaries and that don’t have a contract for next year and then those that teams aren’t going to resign like Hardin. 
The first one is Butler with his 57-million-dollar contract and who won’t play a game till mid-season if at all and then next year clear huge cap space or work out a deal.  You could send out PJW as the Warriors’ reason to make the deal, Klay, Martin and plus one more contract, that could clear up two or three slots.  Butler doesn’t fit the Mavs plans at all this year but sure opens options next season.
The next player Lavine and his 50-million-dollar deal, also has no contract next season, but he might be useful this year at times, but won’t be around next season and easily cover 3 players’ salaries and so there is two open spots.
 
There are players like Hunter at 25 mil, Barrett at 30 mil, Jordon Poole at 34 mil and Cameron Johnson at 23 mil that two players could be sent out and 1 back and, in some cases, fit into the Mavs going forward.
 
One other that doesn’t have an expiring contract that I like but can take two players to cover his salary is Dejounte Murray and there is chance to expand that deal.

[Tyler]

Would you

Irving
Washington
Gafford

for

Edgecombe
Embiid

I'd like it a lot more if you swap out Martin and Klay for Kyrie. Trade the vet depth we already have on the market and let Kyrie and Embiid bookend the exciting young core for a few years while winning plenty of games.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Would you

Irving
Washington
Gafford

for

Edgecombe
Embiid

That’s tempting, but 3 years of Embiid is too much pain to endure. 

so I’ll say no

[Scott41theMavs]

I'd like it a lot more if you swap out Martin and Klay for Kyrie. Trade the vet depth we already have on the market and let Kyrie and Embiid bookend the exciting young core for a few years while winning plenty of games.

Plus a ton of picks and swaps. At that point, yes, I start talking to them about it at least.