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

[F Gump]

So which of those 2 comments is more true?

Both are 100% true, so it must be a tie.

[F Gump]

GAFFORD is worth Reaves, FRP and then some more? 

FIFY.

Yep that should be the price. Being available on a well priced contract is a plus, not a minus. Do you hear the contradiction in your words when Reaves makes even less? 

LAL badly needs what Gaff offers. They have a massive hole at C. To get him, they would have to provide what Mavs need, rather than a random pile of meh that has no real value to DAL. If they want someone less costly, they can always go get another Jaxson Hayes or the like that isn't even usable.

I can understand why LAL fans like you think you can get great value for bargain prices from DAL, since that absurdly one-sided Luka deal. But (hopefully) that weird giveaway approach is over. Now you have to pay up to get what you need, just like other teams do.

[omahen]

FIFY.

Yep that should be the price. Being available on a well priced contract is a plus, not a minus. Do you hear the contradiction in your words when Reaves makes even less? 

LAL badly needs what Gaff offers. They have a massive hole at C. To get him, they would have to provide what Mavs need, rather than a random pile of meh that has no real value to DAL. If they want someone less costly, they can always go get another Jaxson Hayes or the like that isn't even usable.

I can understand why LAL fans like you think you can get great value for bargain prices from DAL, since that absurdly one-sided Luka deal. But (hopefully) that weird giveaway approach is over. Now you have to pay up to get what you need, just like other teams do.

Gafford is not the only center out there. While Lakers do need a center, I doubt they will spend all of their assets on someone like Gafford (expiring, non star) because that will not make them any more of a contender as they are now while closing paths to perhaps make them a contender. I can understand why Mavs fans like you get frustrated by Mavs front office and why a new deal between the two teams is highly unlikely, as Mavs fans like you would never accept it, unless it is hugely in favor for Mavs. I will be hugely surprised if Lakers would be prepared to do that.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Gafford is not the only center out there. While Lakers do need a center, I doubt they will spend all of their assets on someone like Gafford (expiring, non star) because that will not make them any more of a contender as they are now while closing paths to perhaps make them a contender. I can understand why Mavs fans like you get frustrated by Mavs front office and why a new deal between the two teams is highly unlikely, as Mavs fans like you would never accept it, unless it is hugely in favor for Mavs. I will be hugely surprised if Lakers would be prepared to do that.

Their assets will never delivery a star C to them, neither a very good C.

They can have Gafford, Mark Williams or maybe the overpaid&overrated Gobert.

[Chicagojk]

It will be interesting to see what the Lakers do this offseason at C. I don't think they have enough or Gafford or Claxton. At least I don't think. I don't believe Reaves is a part of any of these conversations either. Nets have proven they will hold on to players. They wanted multiple first round picks for Claxton. They won't get that, but not sure a 31 first is enough to get them to move.

I was under the impression the market would be flooded with centers, but I was listening to a podcast who said guys like Jarrett Allen and Gafford may very well be valuable for youngish, productive centers without huge salaries. The market is filled with older players, guys with higher contracts, and a few injured guys. So maybe they had a point.

I keep on coming back to Ayton for the Lakers. He is probably a tease and not sure what the package would be. I am not sure Portland gives him away and they want to compete next year. Not sure they want him either. Also not sure if the Lakers would give up a first round pick for him. May be a staring battle. I personally think if Ayton ever works out he needs to play with a clear alpha who is close to his age. He thought PHX was his team (may be a little delusional too) and the last two years in Portland have been in no mans land. If he ever figures it out, I believe it will be on a team where he is playing with a similar aged alpha.

[DallasMaverick]

It will be interesting to see what the Lakers do this offseason at C.  I don't think they have enough or Gafford or Claxton.  At least I don't think.  I don't believe Reaves is a part of any of these conversations either.    Nets have proven they will hold on to players.  They wanted multiple first round picks for Claxton.  They won't get that, but not sure a 31 first is enough to get them to move.   

I was under the impression the market would be flooded with centers, but I was listening to a podcast who said guys like Jarrett Allen and Gafford may very well be valuable for youngish, productive centers without huge salaries.    The market is filled with older players, guys with higher contracts, and a few injured guys.  So maybe they had a point. 

I keep on coming back to Ayton for the Lakers.  He is probably a tease and not sure what the package would be.    I am not sure Portland gives him away and they want to compete next year.  Not sure they want him either.  Also not sure if the Lakers would give up a first round pick for him.  May be a staring battle.  I personally think if Ayton ever works out he needs to play with a clear alpha who is close to his age.  He thought PHX was his team (may be a little delusional too) and the last two years in Portland have been in no mans land.  If he ever figures it out, I believe it will be on a team where he is playing with a similar aged alpha.

Ayton just doesn’t work financially at $35m. Way too much of your cap used up by a marginally productive player.

Ayton at $10m? I could see that, maybe.

He’s got one year left before the market renders a new opinion of his value.

[Chicagojk]

Ayton just doesn’t work financially at $35m. Way too much of your cap used up by a marginally productive player.

Ayton at $10m? I could see that, maybe.

He’s got one year left before the market renders a new opinion of his value.

Yes, 35m is too high.  Although, I think the 10M is too low.  We will see.

Although, the point remains.  Not sure what Portland gets out of a trade with the Lakers.  The don't really want Ayton but picking up guys who would be outside their rotation (mostly) really be of any benefit to them?

[omahen]

It will be interesting to see what the Lakers do this offseason at C.  I don't think they have enough or Gafford or Claxton.  At least I don't think.  I don't believe Reaves is a part of any of these conversations either.    Nets have proven they will hold on to players.  They wanted multiple first round picks for Claxton.  They won't get that, but not sure a 31 first is enough to get them to move.   

I was under the impression the market would be flooded with centers, but I was listening to a podcast who said guys like Jarrett Allen and Gafford may very well be valuable for youngish, productive centers without huge salaries.    The market is filled with older players, guys with higher contracts, and a few injured guys.  So maybe they had a point. 

I keep on coming back to Ayton for the Lakers.  He is probably a tease and not sure what the package would be.    I am not sure Portland gives him away and they want to compete next year.  Not sure they want him either.  Also not sure if the Lakers would give up a first round pick for him.  May be a staring battle.  I personally think if Ayton ever works out he needs to play with a clear alpha who is close to his age.  He thought PHX was his team (may be a little delusional too) and the last two years in Portland have been in no mans land.  If he ever figures it out, I believe it will be on a team where he is playing with a similar aged alpha.

Non star players are rarely traded for more than one (unprotected) FRP, usually less. Of course there are many that don't get traded, because their teams rather hold on to them. Brooklyn is such an example. They didn't want to trade DFS previous season, claiming they want two firsts for him. Lakers paid 3 SRP in the end, combined with Russell they were enthusiastic to move from. Similar story Nets had with Cam Johnson last season. Valuing him at at least 2 FRP value, however there are rumors now they would be open to trade him for a lottery pick (#9 or #10 were mentioned), with Nets willing to eat a bad contract and also giving up #19. 

As I wrote a while ago, I think for Lakers it is far more important to build for seasons after next one than for the next one. They are not just an average center away from contention.  I agree Lakers don't have a great negotiating position for a center, but on the other hand I see way too much focus on it. I would rather get a stop gap solution like Capela for tax MLE, for example, if there is a good wing available for FRP and Knecht (for example Herb Jones). Lakers have a lot of flexibility moving forward and there might be several good center FAs in 2026 (Poeltl, Robinson, Gafford,...). 

Nick Claxton is most often mentioned. Decent player, overpaid but declining contract. If BKN decides to go full tank again, it imho comes down to what other teams would offer for him. Lakers have expiring salaries, FRP and Knecht. Would someone else offer more assets? Would someone else offer more assets to BKN to take worse contracts?

Ayton is for sure an interesting one year gamble. But, you don't pay much for such a gamble and Portland might not be enthusiastic about it. Fair price would be likely something like expiring salaries for expiring salaries with a pick swap. Perhaps a team like OKC would gamble on that swap paying a bad FRP for it, like Mavs did when trading for Gafford. Perhaps someone would value Hachimura at FRP value if he is part of that expiring salary. 

Under the radar target could be Duren. Lots of rumors Detroit is looking at shooting bigs like Reid or Turner. So perhaps, if they are able to land one of those two (I think Turner is totally unrealistic, so Reid), they might be willing to trade Duren. He is a player that is worth the Mark Williams package. Gafford is imho not. 

Who knows what Toronto would do in the end, and Poeltl could become available pending on their other moves.

[omahen]

Ayton just doesn’t work financially at $35m. Way too much of your cap used up by a marginally productive player.

Ayton at $10m? I could see that, maybe.

He’s got one year left before the market renders a new opinion of his value.

Lakers are one of rare teams that could afford to eat such a contract. Vincent and Kleber alone are over 22 mil, and both are expandable for Lakers. I am in no way enthusiastic about Ayton, but I would consider a one year fligher in a contract year for him. Also a big enough name for Lakers fans to be satisfied about the offseason. Portland has Rob Williams and Clingan at center, so they don't really need Ayton. 

I would try something like:
Por: Hachimura (best player in the trade), Knecht, Maxi, Vincent, FRP swap
Lak: Ayton, Thybulle 

All players in the deal other than Knecht are expiring.

[SleepingHero]

@Fullcourtpass
The Boston Celtics are “most definitely listening to trade calls” for Jrue Holiday, per
@JakeLFischer

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

@Fullcourtpass
The Boston Celtics are “most definitely listening to trade calls” for Jrue Holiday, per
@JakeLFischer

No s---, Jake.

[FireNicoHarrison]

@Fullcourtpass
The Boston Celtics are “most definitely listening to trade calls” for Jrue Holiday, per
@JakeLFischer

100% Harrison will try to trade for him.

[F Gump]

Ayton just doesn’t work financially at $35m. Way too much of your cap used up by a marginally productive player.

Ayton at $10m? I could see that, maybe.

He’s got one year left before the market renders a new opinion of his value.

Ayton doesn't get it. But Gaff does. That's part of Gaff's value -- he recognizes the relative economics and has accepted the need to make himself financially practical for a good team. 

There is a need for a player to figure out that fit. And accept it. The guy you can't build your team focus around, but who expects star pay and star shots and star focus, he is a drag on a team's ability to excel.

No such issue with Gaff. You can fit Gaff into your hard cap issues and get more on court value than you have to pay. That makes him trade desirable.

[DallasMaverick]

Lakers are one of rare teams that could afford to eat such a contract. Vincent and Kleber alone are over 22 mil, and both are expandable for Lakers. I am in no way enthusiastic about Ayton, but I would consider a one year fligher in a contract year for him. Also a big enough name for Lakers fans to be satisfied about the offseason. Portland has Rob Williams and Clingan at center, so they don't really need Ayton. 

I would try something like:
Por: Hachimura (best player in the trade), Knecht, Maxi, Vincent, FRP swap
Lak: Ayton, Thybulle 

All players in the deal other than Knecht are expiring.

I could see the Lakers targeting Robert Williams instead.  Potentially such better value at $13m than Ayton at $35m.  It's also a one-year flyer.

Yes, he's an injury risk.  But it's a little like the draft - if you want to win big, sometimes you have to take a swing.

I would say it's hopeful that his injuries have been somewhat different:

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/injur...lliams-iii

[omahen]

Ayton doesn't get it. But Gaff does. That's part of Gaff's value -- he recognizes the relative economics and has accepted the need to make himself financially practical for a good team. 

There is a need for a player to figure out that fit. And accept it. The guy you can't build your team focus around, but who expects star pay and star shots and star focus, he is a drag on a team's ability to excel.

No such issue with Gaff. You can fit Gaff into your hard cap issues and get more on court value than you have to pay. That makes him trade desirable.

Agree, thats why Lakers could target him in 2026 FA, after Ayton expires. Lakers could still use a center in 2025/26 where Ayton could come into play, if he is cheap to trade for and nothing better is available. They will never pay crazy valuations some post around here for Gafford. At least I hope so...

[omahen]

I could see the Lakers targeting Robert Williams instead.  Potentially such better value at $13m than Ayton at $35m.  It's also a one-year flyer.

Yes, he's an injury risk.  But it's a little like the draft - if you want to win big, sometimes you have to take a swing.

I would say it's hopeful that his injuries have been somewhat different:

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/injur...lliams-iii

Rob Williams could also be a target, if he is cheap. But, he is only 6-9, so I don't think he is a long-term starting solution for a contender. Portland had some high valuations for him in the past, as there were rumblings, that Lakers asked for him at TDL.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Yes please, Rob Williams is perfect to destroy Fakers. Great trade.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Rob Williams could also be a target, if he is cheap. But, he is only 6-9, so I don't think he is a long-term starting solution for a contender. Portland had some high valuations for him in the past, as there were rumblings, that Lakers asked for him at TDL.

RB3 went from the modern NBA archetype switching big to a spare.  I would love for the Lakers to land him.  Eff the Lakers.  We've procured their future success enough already.

[F Gump]

Agree, thats why Lakers could target him in 2026 FA, after Ayton expires.

............

They will never pay crazy valuations some post around here for Gafford. At least I hope so...

Oh? In essence, that plan (we will address that massive hole in our lineup in 2026 rather than now and limp along  for a season) wastes a year of whatever LBJ has left, and is the last year of Luka before he's UFA. 

I expect their urgency level is WAYYYY higher than that. But you may be right, who knows?

And to be clear, personally I don't favor Gaff being traded anyhow, so my opinions are not some sort of desire to find a good price for a needed trade. I think he has high value for Mavs just like for LAL and would be greatly missed if traded. The proposed Knecht-GV package wasn't even in the same universe as his actual value imo. The only reason I would consider having Reaves instead is that he might help a lot an area of need (offense creating) in DAL (in the same way Gaff's skill set is greatly needed in LA). One negative on Reaves is that he only has one year left on his deal and he might become overpriced next summer, which is a problem for a team with payroll issues.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Oh? In essence, that plan (we will address that massive hole in our lineup in 2026 rather than now and limp along  for a season) wastes a year of whatever LBJ has left, and is the last year of Luka before he's UFA. 

I expect their urgency level is WAYYYY higher than that. But you may be right, who knows?

And to be clear, personally I don't favor Gaff being traded anyhow, so my opinions are not some sort of desire to find a good price for a needed trade. I think he has high value for Mavs just like for LAL and would be greatly missed if traded. The proposed Knecht-GV package wasn't even in the same universe as his actual value imo. The only reason I would consider having Reaves instead is that he might help a lot an area of need (offense creating) in DAL (in the same way Gaff's skill set is greatly needed in LA). One negative on Reaves is that he only has one year left on his deal and he might become overpriced next summer, which is a problem for a team with payroll issues.

Agreed.  LAL is in complete win now mode.