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

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
Free agent guard Dante Exum has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. Exum considered two other contenders but returns to Dallas to share ball-handling duties to start the season with D'Angelo Russell.



It means the Mavs will make a trade or waive B-Will and try to bring him back on a two-way...

[DanSchwartzgan]

@ShamsCharania
Free agent guard Dante Exum has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. Exum considered two other contenders but returns to Dallas to share ball-handling duties to start the season with D'Angelo Russell.



It means the Mavs will make a trade or waive B-Will and try to bring him back on a two-way...

Or Stretch/Waive AD.  Hey, similarly strange things have happened.

[Chicagojk]

Stein is saying teams expect Ayton to sign with the Lakers.

[DallasMaverick]

Stein is saying teams expect Ayton to sign with the Lakers.

I'll bet Carlisle told his GM "Heck NO".

[FireNicoHarrison]

I'll bet Carlisle told his GM "Heck NO".

Sure

[Kidnova]

Carlisle loves Powell right? Maybe a reunion is possible. I don't know about their cap situation though, but I'm guess they couldn't just take him for air.

[Smitty]

Carlisle loves Powell right?  Maybe a reunion is possible.  I don't know about their cap situation though, but I'm guess they couldn't just take him for air.

He can be traded into their BAE

[Kidnova]

He can be traded into their BAE

I assume they'll find a better use for that, but if not then it would seem to be mutually beneficial.  Powell would see the court more and Dallas clears a spot and saves a few dollars.

[omahen]

Ayton at 8 mil is a good get for Lakers. Didn't spend any asset to improve the center position. They turned DFS into LaRavia and Ayton. But, that roster still needs a lot of work, especially with wing defenders.

[Smitty]

I assume they'll find a better use for that, but if not then it would seem to be mutually beneficial.  Powell would see the court more and Dallas clears a spot and saves a few dollars.

Yeah, I think it’s a real possibility at least. Probably won’t happen in the end. But makes some sense.

[Chicagojk]

Nice gamble by the Lakers. Didn't have to take on that 30 plus million contract as well. Time will tell. If Ayton doesn't get it now, I think we can put a wrap on him. I am pretty sure he will shoot a high percentage and rebound. The key for him is all the other non counting stuff. I feel even in Portland he would put up good scoring and rebound stats but you hardly noticed him on the court. Can he do the non sexy stuff well and do it every night? That will be key.

[omahen]

Can he do the non sexy stuff well and do it every night?

If he could, Lakers could be contenders, if they can improve their perimeter defense. I don't expect Lakers to be contenders in any scenario this season. I think it is more important they solved the short term center need without giving up assets - Ayton as he is is still far better than Hayes. I think this is better than paying most of their few assets for any of the most often mentioned centers (Claxton, Kessler,...), who all have warts on their own. I wander if they will now just spend the BaE and call it a day or will they go aggresively for some more reinforcemenets in trades spending the remaining assets.

[Smitty]

I wander if they will now just spend the BaE and call it a day or will they go aggresively for some more reinforcemenets in trades spending the remaining assets.

I think the Lakers only have 11 on the roster and need to get to 14 minimum. They are capped at A1 since they used the MLE. They’re currently $5.6M below it, with 3 spots to fill. They’ll make more moves. Can’t just be BAE and done.

[omahen]

I think the Lakers only have 11 on the roster and need to get to 14 minimum. They are capped at A1 since they used the MLE. They’re currently $5.6M below it, with 3 spots to fill. They’ll make more moves. Can’t just be BAE and done.

They have 13 players on the roster if you count the nonguaranteed Milton who will be certainly released or traded. I think #14 will be their SRP. So they can use almost full BAE to replace Milton and go on with 14 players.

I fully expect more trades with all of those expiring deals.

[F Gump]

I think the Lakers only have 11 on the roster and need to get to 14 minimum. They are capped at A1 since they used the MLE. They’re currently $5.6M below it, with 3 spots to fill. They’ll make more moves. Can’t just be BAE and done.

If they are at 11, then they must fill 3 slots and get to 14. They need about 7M for 3 slots except for SRPs. If your numbers are right, something must give.

[Knutsen]

Nice gamble by the Lakers.  Didn't have to take on that 30 plus million contract as well.  Time will tell.  If Ayton doesn't get it now, I think we can put a wrap on him.  I am pretty sure he will shoot a high percentage and rebound.  The key for him is all the other non counting stuff.  I feel even in Portland he would put up good scoring and rebound stats but you hardly noticed him on the court.    Can he do the non sexy stuff well and do it every night?    That will be key.

Isn’t a team around Doncic, 40-year old LeBron and Ayton bound to be catastrophic on defense? I‘m not sure how you can compensate those subpar defenders, especially with DFS gone and replaced by an offense first guy.

[omahen]

Lakers biggest need now is a point of attack defender that would replace Rui in the starting line-up, either moving him on the bench or being part of the trade. I expect this to be covered with a trade. Some low end targets could be Smart or Mann. Players for expiring deals and minimum assets. Thybulle would be nice, but I wouldn't pay much, while Portland would probably demand much. Someone like Herb Jones would be a high end ideal target. Not likely of course.

Second need is the back-up center. I expect this to be covered with BAE. Either signing a player (Horford would be a huge steal) or trading some back-up like often mentioned Nick Richards into that space.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Lebron for the Dallas 5  -- Gafford, Klay,  Naji, Martin and OMax) WILL happen this week (with a 3rd team like Indiana taking Powell into their BAE so tha the Mavs can sign two mins.

Too many things line up. Dallas having too many players and LA having too few (without the means to get there without a trade).

Book it.

[omahen]

Lebron for the Dallas 5 WILL happen this week (with a 3rd team like Indiana taking Powell into their BAE).

Too many things line up. Dallas having too many players and LA having too few (without the means to get there without a trade).

Book it.

I sincerely doubt Lakers would consider trading LeBron, unless the offer is really, really good. I also don't buy there really is much in the "LeBron wants out" rumors. It is more about the media drama and perhaps LeBron feeling important. I think the final outcome will be that LeBron will assess what a great offseason the Lakers had and how he is looking forward to his next season.

Regarding the number of players, that really isn't any issue or any driving force for a need to trade LeBron or trade for him. Mavs have 16 players under contract (counting deals that were announced). Lakers have 13 and they will most likely also give a contract to their SRP rookie. They have plenty of flexibility for some other moves.

[Mavs2021]

Lebron for the Dallas 5  -- Gafford, Klay,  Naji, Martin and OMax) WILL happen this week (with a 3rd team like Indiana taking Powell into their BAE so tha the Mavs can sign two mins.

Too many things line up. Dallas having too many players and LA having too few (without the means to get there without a trade).

Book it.

I have the same feeling except it will be Washington + Gafford + X and then I´m out again. Shame on me for getting sucked in for another week.