Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Bobby Manning: Mike Gansey here said Jaylen talks picked up after Dean Wade signing. Didn't expect to see Jaylen become a Sixer: "We kept at it. Boston kept calling, we kept calling ... Credit Brad. We kept this thing quiet. They got Paul. Paul still can really play."

x.com

Lol, Paul can still really play. Who would you rather have?

[omahen]

LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, whose sponsorship deal with a now-bankrupt green banking company is at the center of an NBA investigation, also had an undisclosed sponsorship agreement allegedly worth millions of dollars with the company that designed the Clippers' videoboard inside the Intuit Dome, former ESPN contributor Pablo Torre reported on his podcast "Pablo Torre Finds Out" on Thursday. Torre interviewed someone identified as an "anonymous high-level source under contract for Intuit Dome" who alleged that the sponsorship deal "was 1,000% a way to circumvent the salary cap. It was funneling money from the Clippers through Daktronics back to Kawhi." Torre also cited an anonymous former Clippers official who said they knew that Leonard had a sponsorship deal with Daktronics, the South Dakota-based company that designed "The Halo Board" -- the largest double-sided halo display built in an arena -- inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the Clippers' $2 billion venue that opened in August 2024. Though it is unclear when Leonard reportedly began his sponsorship deal with Daktronics, or what the alleged terms for the pact included, a spokesperson who represented Daktronics told Hunterbrook Media, which collaborated with Torre, that Leonard doesn't have an active contract with the company.

ESPN

Welp, more possible dirt found?  This investigation won't conclude until next year, I believe.

I wonder how much time Toronto is willing to wait with the trade they already announced. Trade being cancelled would lead to some awkward locker-room situations. 

Denver is probably also waiting for Clippers and their offer for Watson, which definitely depends on the Kawhi situation

[SleepingHero]

LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, whose sponsorship deal with a now-bankrupt green banking company is at the center of an NBA investigation, also had an undisclosed sponsorship agreement allegedly worth millions of dollars with the company that designed the Clippers' videoboard inside the Intuit Dome, former ESPN contributor Pablo Torre reported on his podcast "Pablo Torre Finds Out" on Thursday. Torre interviewed someone identified as an "anonymous high-level source under contract for Intuit Dome" who alleged that the sponsorship deal "was 1,000% a way to circumvent the salary cap. It was funneling money from the Clippers through Daktronics back to Kawhi." Torre also cited an anonymous former Clippers official who said they knew that Leonard had a sponsorship deal with Daktronics, the South Dakota-based company that designed "The Halo Board" -- the largest double-sided halo display built in an arena -- inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the Clippers' $2 billion venue that opened in August 2024. Though it is unclear when Leonard reportedly began his sponsorship deal with Daktronics, or what the alleged terms for the pact included, a spokesperson who represented Daktronics told Hunterbrook Media, which collaborated with Torre, that Leonard doesn't have an active contract with the company.

ESPN

Welp, more possible dirt found?  This investigation won't conclude until next year, I believe.

I'm starting to wonder if this is such a pervasive issue league wide which is why Silver has been hesitant to drop the hammer. That's why Ballmer said he'd pursue legal actions, because he isn't the only one doing it.

And if so, then the entire league has become delegitimized under Silver's watch. Insane.

[KillerLeft]

I'm starting to wonder if this is such a pervasive issue league wide which is why Silver has been hesitant to drop the hammer. That's why Ballmer said he'd pursue legal actions, because he isn't the only one doing it.

And if so, then the entire league has become delegitimized under Silver's watch. Insane.

Sure. Is it an isolated issue? Maybe they know, maybe they don't. If it is going on and they don't know, do they really want to find out? Probably not. But, can they afford to look the other way, knowing the mess that might create? And, how ugly might it get with Balmer if they press? Would they (the league) even come out on top in the ugliest version of that scenario? If they don't handle this just right, will the situation get better or worse? 

I wouldn't want to be Silver right now. For whatever reason, the NBA more than any other major sport seems to be suspected of pre-determination and less than fair competition, from the lottery to how the game is officiated and everything between. It's a pickle. 

But, I continue to feel strongly that while it's a tough situation, the longer they drag it out the more eyeballs they have scrutinizing what they'll eventually do. Maybe that's not fair, but it's just a difficult situation. 

At least in baseball, the Dodgers are allowed to be out in the open about it.

I guess the good news for Mavs fans, if there is some, is that our team is in a BIG market and we've never really been allowed to think that way, but now...the Mavs ownership is basically as capable of thinking like Balmer as they've ever been. That's kind of cool for a change, depending on how you look at it.

[Chicagojk]

I wonder how much time Toronto is willing to wait with the trade they already announced. Trade being cancelled would lead to some awkward locker-room situations. 

Denver is probably also waiting for Clippers and their offer for Watson, which definitely depends on the Kawhi situation

Yeah it will be interesting to see what happens here.  

Certainly shady by Leonard, but I think the Clippers should get the bigger penalty.   If I am Leonard and his agent, I am exploring any avenues for extra money.   It is it on board?  Probably not, but I put more of the blame on the Clippers for creating these avenues.    A $ fine will do nothing for Balmer.  It is too bad they didn't wrap this up prior to the draft.   I would have liked to see the Clippers forfeit the #5 pick.   It sounds like Balmer is going to fight this, so it will be interesting if the league is up for a fight.  I would guess no.  

Bigger question is if this is common with other teams?  Seems like an easy way to skirt the tax.    If the Clippers get a slap on the wrist, I think this opens the door for other teams to look to do the same thing.    Maybe not a no show deal, but other avenues.   Heck, I am sure Marina Bay Sands in Singapore could have a meet and greet event where a few million is left in the room after.

[Scott41theMavs]

Our friend Townsend has a very recent tweet with “Mavs/Heat?” and an eyeballs emoji.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Chris Haynes: Free agent guard Alondes Williams has reached an agreement on a deal with the Washington Wizards, his agent Daniel Hazan of Hazan Sports tells me. Williams scored a career-high 25 points for Wiz last season.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Dave McMenamin: Kevin Love's agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, has been in touch with the Philadelphia 76ers' front office since James picked Philadelphia, sources told ESPN. Though the 6-foot-10 Love and James have remained close since teaming up for four seasons with the Cavaliers and even vacationed extensively together this summer, that bond doesn't necessarily mean there will be a roster spot for the former five-time All-Star by training camp. The Sixers are already at roster capacity after signing another one of James' former teammates, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, to their last spot. And they already have two backup centers behind Joel Embiid in 23-year-old Adem Bona and 24-year-old Ariel Hukporti. Philly would need to make a move to accommodate the 38-year-old Love, who averaged 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 37.3% from 3 off the bench for the Jazz last season. Though Love has interest in pairing with James to pursue a championship, he has maintained a strong relationship with Jazz coach Will Hardy, serving as a veteran voice with that young group, sources said. Utah, however, also has a full roster.

ESPN

[omahen]

Yeah it will be interesting to see what happens here.  

Certainly shady by Leonard, but I think the Clippers should get the bigger penalty.   If I am Leonard and his agent, I am exploring any avenues for extra money.   It is it on board?  Probably not, but I put more of the blame on the Clippers for creating these avenues.    A $ fine will do nothing for Balmer.  It is too bad they didn't wrap this up prior to the draft.   I would have liked to see the Clippers forfeit the #5 pick.   It sounds like Balmer is going to fight this, so it will be interesting if the league is up for a fight.  I would guess no.  

Bigger question is if this is common with other teams?  Seems like an easy way to skirt the tax.    If the Clippers get a slap on the wrist, I think this opens the door for other teams to look to do the same thing.    Maybe not a no show deal, but other avenues.   Heck, I am sure Marina Bay Sands in Singapore could have a meet and greet event where a few million is left in the room after.

This under the table payments are a very grey area imho. I wouldn't be surprised if it is more spread around. Teams/owners helping to create sponsorship deals for players. However it seems at least, that the Clippers and Kawhi went too far. It was too obvious with the no-shows and too many people involved and it became public. Still probably very difficult to prove beyond doubt. 

We had a similar situation with free agency. Teams were/are not supposed to negotiate with players before the free agency opens, yet it became very obvious that everyone is doing that as deals were announced immediately after free agency opened. Until everything went too far and Bucks screwed up with their Bogi SnT. The League had to step in and impose a penalty. The deal was annuled and Milwaukee was punished with a SRP. Similar punishment received a couple of other teams and now everyone is much more careful. For example, I think Kessler to LA deal was agreed before FA start, but everyone involved was keeping the charade and it was formally agreed to only on (I think) second day of free agency. I think that because Claxton went for free just before free agency and I think there were another center opportunity or two, yet Lakers patiently waited for FA (although it was obvious they would be totally screwed if they couldn't do the Kessler deal). I would find it very strange if teams would be willing to take such risks basically waiting for one player.

Based on this I think this case will go a similar way. Slap on a wrist would definitely be a signal to others that this is ok, on the other hand a severe punishment would drag the whole process as Balmer will definitely fight it. I think it is in everyones best interest that this comes to a closure soon. This would mean not a very drastic punishment to Clippers to set an example but high enough to send a message that everyone should be more careful. 

While Kawhi is definitely not the only one to blame here, it is probably much easier to punish a player and also sending a message to players, that they should not seek such ways. If I put myself into Silver position, I would try to reach an agreement that Clippers are fined with a loss of their next FRP and Kawhi gets fined for 30 or something games. This would allow everyone to move on. If Balmer doesn't want to make a deal, than the thing will drag on, imho. Than the league and everyone else is actually losing with the bad publicity and deals being held. I think other owners would push for more severe punishments the longer this thing would drag on.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I wonder how much time Toronto is willing to wait with the trade they already announced. Trade being cancelled would lead to some awkward locker-room situations. 

Denver is probably also waiting for Clippers and their offer for Watson, which definitely depends on the Kawhi situation

Adam Silver doesn't have the balls.  This situation would be super interesting if David Stern was still around.

[KillerLeft]

This situation would be super interesting if David Stern was still around.

It would've been dealt with swiftly and without the slightest hint of conscience. Situations like this are where Stern shined, imho.

[F Gump]

There is some level of weirdness to this KL situation and with the way it's being reported.

What's weird is that getting endorsement deals from ANY company who wants to pay, in any amount, being connected to people that owner or team do biz with, none of that is against the rules. They are VERY broad, almost anything goes if some company wants to give money to a player.

The only exception would be if LAC or Ballmer wrote the check. Otherwise, it's not illegal.

My point is that it would be VERY easy for KLs deals to be legal. The fact he got paid, in and of itself, is a non issue. There is no minimum work - if a company wants to dole out cash, feel free. Which is so easy that it makes you wonder. It's weird to me.

[cow]

There is some level of weirdness to this KL situation and with the way it's being reported.

What's weird is that getting endorsement deals from ANY company who wants to pay, in any amount, being connected to people that owner or team do biz with, none of that is against the rules. They are VERY broad, almost anything goes if some company wants to give money to a player.

The only exception would be if LAC or Ballmer wrote the check. Otherwise, it's not illegal.

My point is that it would be VERY easy for KLs deals to be legal. The fact he got paid, in and of itself, is a non issue. There is no minimum work - if a company wants to dole out cash, feel free. Which is so easy that it makes you wonder. It's weird to me.

But it should be or at the very least heavily scrutinized and sanctioned (like having minimums of work for said endorsement).  I'm sure KL isn't the only one "guilty" of this either.  /gut reaction

[DallasMaverick]

There is some level of weirdness to this KL situation and with the way it's being reported.

What's weird is that getting endorsement deals from ANY company who wants to pay, in any amount, being connected to people that owner or team do biz with, none of that is against the rules. They are VERY broad, almost anything goes if some company wants to give money to a player.

The only exception would be if LAC or Ballmer wrote the check. Otherwise, it's not illegal.

My point is that it would be VERY easy for KLs deals to be legal. The fact he got paid, in and of itself, is a non issue. There is no minimum work - if a company wants to dole out cash, feel free. Which is so easy that it makes you wonder. It's weird to me.

Feels like NIL money in college.

Player takes the highest offer, funded by outside interests.

The funky thing in the whole equation is the salary cap, which gets shredded.

Wouldn’t be an issue in MLB.

[F Gump]

I wonder if the NBA might face an obstacle based on the way they define "circumvention" in a situation of weird pay from an outside party somehow connected to the team. There is a CBA 2-pronged test, and BOTH must be true: 
(i) such compensation from the sponsor or business partner or third party is substantially in excess of the fair market value of any services to be rendered by the player for such sponsor or business partner or third party; and 
(ii) the Compensation in the Player Contract between the player and the Team is substantially below the fair market value of such Contract.

It looks like the first might be true but the 2nd is not.  LAC is paying him (and being cap-charged) for the most money possible, so his contract itself is not circumventing the cap. 

A contract like Lebron's is the kind that might fit that 2nd criteria, if he's getting additional compensation to make up for the shortened amount in his pay this year. 

I do believe that if Ballmer is walking right inside the rules line as written, the NBA won't win the hearing, no matter how sketchy it looks.