Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Dirknows]

https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi/ph...-marshall-


Was true, and from a Philly source as well. I agree it was silly not to make that move but hindsight is 20/20.

I don’t see how McCain goes from getting Philly a first from OKC to costing them a first to get Naji.

[ballsrchr]

I’m pretty optimistic that May’s offensive system will let Naji shine, his skillset except shooting from distance should fit perfectly.

Cooper Flagg can't play 48 minutes a game.  Naji has shown that he can play with Flagg.   But he is most valuable when Flagg is off the floor.  Naji has shown that he can create his own shot and do a modicum of passing.  If he can work on the passing...and the outside shot...he'll do ok...

I'm assuming the Mavs will have a training crew worth it's salt now that we have a slight regime change...

[BigDirk41]

https://www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-...eorge-nba/

This is the OG source, and it listed every single player that Morey tried for his last TDL as a philly exec before getting the boot. And truthfully I remember a tweet linking the McCain+Naji deal but I can't find it at all. 

Regardless it doesn't matter. Naji is here to stay for at least a little bit.

Not trying to be a jerk, but unless I'm missing something, neither article you posted alluded to anything other than the Sixers trying to trade for Naji. No mention at all about McCain and a first offer in either one. 

"Among other players the source said the Sixers made runs at, unsuccessfully: Naji Marshall of the Dallas Mavericks, Donte DiVincenzo of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brandon Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors and Ryan Dunn of the Phoenix Suns. None of those players were moved."

[Chicagojk]

Certainly feels like the Klay Thompson will eventually be bought out.  The question is when.   I don't see a 1 for 1 trade for him with our roster.  Intially I was hoping he would fit into a trade exception where we got a second round pick.   Not sure how likely that is now.   I think the only alternative is him being included into a 2-1 trade.  That would bring back an expensive player.  Although maybe one who is expiring where Dallas gets off a player with a longer contract. For instance, Dallas trade PJ/Gafford plus Klay for a player who is expiring? Not sure Dallas would want to do that now or would prefer to hold onto players until they find someone they see as a piece moving forward. That could make May's job very tricky to start the season.

I just don't know how this roster can add another player who expects minutes unless there are some big changes with other moves.    

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/2084277955341983984

[Scott41theMavs]

Certainly feels like the Klay Thompson will eventually be bought out.  The question is when.   I don't see a 1 for 1 trade for him with our roster.  Intially I was hoping he would fit into a trade exception where we got a second round pick.   Not sure how likely that is now.   I think the only alternative is him being included into a 2-1 trade.  That would bring back an expensive player.  Although maybe one who is expiring where Dallas gets off a player with a longer contract. For instance, Dallas trade PJ/Gafford plus Klay for a player who is expiring?  Not sure Dallas would want to do that now or would prefer to hold onto players until they find someone they see as a piece moving forward.  That could make May's job very tricky to start the season. 

I just don't know how this roster can add another player who expects minutes unless there are some big changes with other moves.    

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/2084277955341983984

If the Mavs were to do a 3-for-1, Martin has got to be in there.

[Scott41theMavs]

B/R piece - “Klay would welcome a trade to LA” - sure, to the Clipps in a Mathurin SnT.

[mvossman]

Cooper Flagg can't play 48 minutes a game.  Naji has shown that he can play with Flagg.   But he is most valuable when Flagg is off the floor.  Naji has shown that he can create his own shot and do a modicum of passing.  If he can work on the passing...and the outside shot...he'll do ok...

I'm assuming the Mavs will have a training crew worth it's salt now that we have a slight regime change...

Naji gets 4 assists to two turnovers per 36, which is fine for that role.  He is the perfect backup for Flagg, and they can play on the floor together some.  What they can't do is have Flagg/Naji/PJ on the floor together with a non shooting center.  There is no spacing with that group.

[mvossman]

Certainly feels like the Klay Thompson will eventually be bought out.  The question is when.   I don't see a 1 for 1 trade for him with our roster.  Intially I was hoping he would fit into a trade exception where we got a second round pick.   Not sure how likely that is now.   I think the only alternative is him being included into a 2-1 trade.  That would bring back an expensive player.  Although maybe one who is expiring where Dallas gets off a player with a longer contract. For instance, Dallas trade PJ/Gafford plus Klay for a player who is expiring?  Not sure Dallas would want to do that now or would prefer to hold onto players until they find someone they see as a piece moving forward.  That could make May's job very tricky to start the season. 

I just don't know how this roster can add another player who expects minutes unless there are some big changes with other moves.    

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/2084277955341983984

The two suggestions are sending out PJ + Gafford + Klay for Butler + assets or Gafford + PJ for Jrue + assets.  Both moves would balance out the roster and generate some much needed assets.  I like the Jrue one (which is probably more likely) as he would provide some on court value (where they need it) in addition to balancing out the roster and bringing back some assets.  Either one of these moves gets everyone reasonable minutes and even makes room on the roster (they could add Seva if they wanted to).

[SleepingHero]

Not trying to be a jerk, but unless I'm missing something, neither article you posted alluded to anything other than the Sixers trying to trade for Naji. No mention at all about McCain and a first offer in either one. 

"Among other players the source said the Sixers made runs at, unsuccessfully: Naji Marshall of the Dallas Mavericks, Donte DiVincenzo of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brandon Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors and Ryan Dunn of the Phoenix Suns. None of those players were moved."

You're not being at jerk at all. 

The key part linking the two ideas was a tweet I remember reading at the time of the TDL, that I unfortunately cannot find. It was from a reputable reporter (Amick iirc). 

I cannot find it (perhaps he deleted it because it wasn't true). I appreciate the pushback. I care more about the truth than being correct.

[F Gump]

The two suggestions are sending out PJ + Gafford + Klay for Butler + assets or Gafford + PJ for Jrue + assets.  Both moves would balance out the roster and generate some much needed assets.  I like the Jrue one (which is probably more likely) as he would provide some on court value (where they need it) in addition to balancing out the roster and bringing back some assets.  Either one of these moves gets everyone reasonable minutes and even makes room on the roster (they could add Seva if they wanted to).

I like the GS idea if it includes Yaxel and a 1st ...
I don't like the POR idea at all ...
And I don't think the Mavs are looking to do EITHER deal, instead I suspect they are basically done other than some minor move to reduce the roster to 15. (IOW I believe they see the issue as minor, to be solved by something small, and not needing to completely redo the lineup to get it done.)

[Scott41theMavs]

I think I’m going to be sick - or at least clinically depressed for a while. Report on All Things Mavs that Seva will play in Russia next year. This is why the roster crunch was a really bad thing.

[F Gump]

I think I’m going to be sick - or at least clinically depressed for a while. Report on All Things Mavs that Seva will play in Russia next year. This is why the roster crunch was a really bad thing.

I know (or a least seriously hope I know) you are exaggerating your desire for Ishchenko, but I do have a hard time understanding why you are so strongly wanting him on the Mavs this year. Beyond the lack of roster space anyhow, I have a hard time seeing him getting off the bench, because the Mavs have so many mouths to feed minutes.

To me, the thing he needs most desperately is playing time in massive amounts. He is far from NBA ready - he needs to up his level of aggressiveness, and ability to overcome HARD opposition. No way he gets that in DAL this year.

[DallasMaverick]

 I care more about the truth than being correct.

Sorry. You have no future in politics whatsoever.

[Scott41theMavs]

I know (or a least seriously hope I know) you are exaggerating your desire for Ishchenko, but I do have a hard time understanding why you are so strongly wanting him on the Mavs this year. Beyond the lack of roster space anyhow, I have a hard time seeing him getting off the bench, because the Mavs have so many mouths to feed minutes.

To me, the thing he needs most desperately is playing time in massive amounts. He is far from NBA ready - he needs to up his level of aggressiveness, and ability to overcome HARD opposition. No way he gets that in DAL this year.

Where is he going to face tougher opposition than in the NBA? Smh. ?? And where is he going to face weaker opposition than in Russia? I am not exaggerating. You and I see something completely different in watching this kid. He nowhere near his eventual ceiling, of course, but he has plenty of aspects of his game that are NBA ready. Not getting him over on at least a two way - or at the very least, a far stronger Euro league - is a significant fumble. If the report is true, it’s not quite the Luka trade or one of the second place candidates for all-time Mav fiascos, but it’s by far the biggest fumble of the summer so far.

[mvossman]

I like the GS idea if it includes Yaxel and a 1st ...
I don't like the POR idea at all ...
And I don't think the Mavs are looking to do EITHER deal, instead I suspect they are basically done other than some minor move to reduce the roster to 15. (IOW I believe they see the issue as minor, to be solved by something small, and not needing to completely redo the lineup to get it done.)

Any Mavs fan would love the GS idea if it includes Yaxel and a 1st, which is a strong clue that it is an unreasonable ask.  

I don't think Mavs consider getting down to 15 players a major issue.  My concern is the unbalanced roster and overall minutes crunch (which was alluded to in the OP).  They may not have that concern and this very well could be what they are going with, but I have watched this team go into the season with an unbalanced roster too many times, and it never seems to work.

[MFFLER est 01]

Where is he going to face tougher opposition than in the NBA? Smh. ?? And where is he going to face weaker opposition than in Russia? I am not exaggerating. You and I see something completely different in watching this kid. He nowhere near his eventual ceiling, of course, but he has plenty of aspects of his game that are NBA ready. Not getting him over on at least a two way - or at the very least, a far stronger Euro league - is a significant fumble. If the report is true, it’s not quite the Luka trade or one of the second place candidates for all-time Mav fiascos, but it’s by far the biggest fumble of the summer so far.

I rather have Jett Howard tbh. Seva can't score. He has potential tho

[F Gump]

Where is he going to face tougher opposition than in the NBA? Smh. ?? And where is he going to face weaker opposition than in Russia? I am not exaggerating. You and I see something completely different in watching this kid. He nowhere near his eventual ceiling, of course, but he has plenty of aspects of his game that are NBA ready. Not getting him over on at least a two way - or at the very least, a far stronger Euro league - is a significant fumble. If the report is true, it’s not quite the Luka trade or one of the second place candidates for all-time Mav fiascos, but it’s by far the biggest fumble of the summer so far.

" Where is he going to face tougher opposition than in sitting on the bench in the NBA?"

FIFY. 

Ishy doesn't really have a real path to PLAY in the NBA, whereas he has a path to play a lot in Russia. Sitting here vs playing there, that's the choice. (Frankly, the Mavs clearly shut the door by not working to leave any space for him, and more-than-filling the roster with other players. They saw him up close, and also have a far greater level of knowledge of his past play to work from. He's NOT a high priority for them, not yet anyhow, and their actions made that clear.)

One thing to notice - while you are dismissive of the competition he will face in Russia, he was not even a star in THAT league. There's he's JAG, but pluses that he is young, with physical pluses and a few skills that might translate eventually if developed. The reason the Mavs drafted him is because he wanted to be drafted, submitted his name as "early entry" making it now or never to draft him, and the Mavs were willing to take him and hope in the future he gets there. SL was the classroom to let him see where he needs work, and for them to give him goals to work on.

Layered on top of that is the fact that the Mavs want to play good winning ball if they can, plus they have half-a-roster of higher-on-the-totem-pole players they have to figure out (as to whether they are keepers or not alongside Flagg and Kyrie) - so there aren't going to be minutes they would be willing to waste on a kid who would be in the remedial-hoops group, NBA-wise. 

Maybe next year he will come to SL and be much better. Hope so. From my pov, Mavs are working to get him to be an NBA player, by leaving him at a level he can handle.

[Scott41theMavs]

Sorry, I believe he is skilled enough that he would have earned minutes.

And I am not exaggerating that my enthusiasm for the season and training camp is cut about in half.

[cow]

Sorry, I believe he is skilled enough that he would have earned minutes.

And I am not exaggerating that my enthusiasm for the season and training camp is cut about in half.

I liked him too, but as Gump laid out, there are only so many minutes to go around and MBT3.0 probably preferred to dole those out to other similar talent.  

The good news is we get to watch Naji play another four years in a Mavs jersey so the excitement for this season is saved.