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

[SleepingHero]

I guess we’ll see how it works out. Not like there is anyone better out there for the Nuggets but I can’t imagine Valanciunas is happy at all.

[SleepingHero]

In theory, true. But potentially career suicide. And NBA can (and perhaps would) block him from ever playing in Europe again, if he pulled a stunt (deliberately not trying, when under contract) like that.

Cuban had recourse w Odom but chose not to use it.

Can the NBA enforce a signing clause for a different league on another continent because Valanciunas is disgruntled he has to be in Denver? 

I get it if Valanciunas chooses not to play like Ben Simmons but if he’s just an unhappy camper I don’t see what recourse Denver has.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Can the NBA enforce a signing clause for a different league on another continent because Valanciunas is disgruntled he has to be in Denver? 

I get it if Valanciunas chooses not to play like Ben Simmons but if he’s just an unhappy camper I don’t see what recourse Denver has.

Keith Smith wrote about this almost exactly a year ago with a different player (it is in the Spotrac archives).  He also talks about it in the most recent NBA Front Office podcast.  The answer is yes, the NBA can do it.

[SleepingHero]

Keith Smith wrote about this almost exactly a year ago with a different player (it is in the Spotrac archives).  He also talks about it in the most recent NBA Front Office podcast.  The answer is yes, the NBA can do it.

Thank you and Mr. Gump for the guidance. I have some reading to do

[Smitty]

Bradley Beal is actively exploring his options with other teams in anticipation of a Suns buyout, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.

There will be considerable interest in Beal once he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

[Smitty]

@GeraldBourguet
With a Bradley Beal buyout being imminent, per a source, I’m anticipating he gives up $13.9M of his remaining $110.8M, which would then clear the way for the Suns to waive-and-stretch the resulting $96.9M over 5 years and duck both tax aprons

[KillerLeft]

@GeraldBourguet
With a Bradley Beal buyout being imminent, per a source, I’m anticipating he gives up $13.9M of his remaining $110.8M, which would then clear the way for the Suns to waive-and-stretch the resulting $96.9M over 5 years and duck both tax aprons

Yikes

[Smitty]

After the constant back and forth, it no longer looks like Dennis Schroder will be a S&T to Sacramento.

First it wasn’t, then it was, and now it no longer looks like it will be after @PrioritySports announces Schroder’s multi-year deal with the Kings.

[SleepingHero]

@GeraldBourguet
With a Bradley Beal buyout being imminent, per a source, I’m anticipating he gives up $13.9M of his remaining $110.8M, which would then clear the way for the Suns to waive-and-stretch the resulting $96.9M over 5 years and duck both tax aprons

I am a bit annoyed. I want PHX to be stuck. Beal helping them out a TON here

[mvossman]

@Gambo987
I don't know if they trade him never said one way or the other. Just mentioned what I was told plain and simple and those who know me understand this info only comes from really good sources. Lebron and Reaves don't like playing with him (LUKA) and that LA would love to move on from Lebron if they can. No idea if he gets traded or bought out but time will tell.


This is just wild to me. I thought LeBron loved Luka's game. Don't care about the Reaves part. BUT the Lakers would "love to move on from LeBron" is also kinda crazy... Love him or hate him, he made the Lakers relevant again after a long drought. Won a title... Now they would love to move on from him?

The Reaves part is interesting to me because the article I read regarding this mentioned that Reaves numbers were significantly better across the board when playing with Luka.

[DallasMaverick]

@GeraldBourguet
With a Bradley Beal buyout being imminent, per a source, I’m anticipating he gives up $13.9M of his remaining $110.8M, which would then clear the way for the Suns to waive-and-stretch the resulting $96.9M over 5 years and duck both tax aprons

Kinda the same as MIL.

Significant dead money on their books for a long period of time.  Trying to roster-build with one financial hand tied behind their backs.

Bad contracts really, really hurt.  Even semi-well-performing contracts that are really big can hurt.  Right, Lakers?

I'm just wondering if the future of the NBA is one $50m guy, and a bunch of $10-20m guys.

[F Gump]

Can the NBA enforce a signing clause for a different league on another continent because Valanciunas is disgruntled he has to be in Denver? 

I get it if Valanciunas chooses not to play like Ben Simmons but if he’s just an unhappy camper I don’t see what recourse Denver has.

The part that isn't well known is that FIBA controls relationships between leagues, and a team/league has to get FIBA permission for a player to move from another league to a team in theirs. 

If JV has no contract in NBA, no issue. 

But if he has one, and violates it to change leagues, the NBA can slam the door shut on him getting permission. FIBA supports the rights of leagues in having players under contract, which then enhances pay and the willingness of those league teams to offer contracts in the first place.

JV can retire if he doesn’t want to play for DEN. But otherwise, his contract is effectively worldwide in his commitment. If they want him, he has to honor the deal he made.

[loki]

Kinda the same as MIL.

Significant dead money on their books for a long period of time.  Trying to roster-build with one financial hand tied behind their backs.

Bad contracts really, really hurt.  Even semi-well-performing contracts that are really big can hurt.  Right, Lakers?

I'm just wondering if the future of the NBA is one $50m guy, and a bunch of $10-20m guys.

I think two maxes can still work if the rest of your roster is sub-MLE. Especially if the max contracts are only 25% or 30% of the cap. Phoenix is in such rough shape because they've got guys like Green ($33M) and Brooks ($21M) in addition to two $50M contracts. And I'm happy to see actual consequences for these overpays for a change.

[KillerLeft]

The part that isn't well known is that FIBA controls relationships between leagues, and a team/league has to get FIBA permission for a player to move from another league to a team in theirs. 

If JV has no contract in NBA, no issue. 

But if he has one, and violates it to change leagues, the NBA can slam the door shut on him getting permission. FIBA supports the rights of leagues in having players under contract, which then enhances pay and the willingness of those league teams to offer contracts in the first place.

JV can retire if he doesn’t want to play for DEN. But otherwise, his contract is effectively worldwide in his commitment. If they want him, he has to honor the deal he made.

It makes sense, and I bet the European leagues benefit from this far more than the NBA does.

[F Gump]

Kinda the same as MIL.

Significant dead money on their books for a long period of time.  Trying to roster-build with one financial hand tied behind their backs.

Bad contracts really, really hurt.  Even semi-well-performing contracts that are really big can hurt.  Right, Lakers?

I'm just wondering if the future of the NBA is one $50m guy, and a bunch of $10-20m guys.

IMO more room than that, but yes money runs out fast.

I will offer my payroll model again for A2, 2025-26 cap level.... Most teams want to be way lower payroll than A2 (and NONE want to be over A2).

2 max players (your main guys who carry you) ... 100M
...you need 2 max-value guys to win big, however if you get lucky you may be able to only pay max to 1, and have another playing that well for less money
5 solid or better players at MLEish ... 75M
2 good contributors (like Naji, DJJ, Max, ideally CM) below MLE ...20M
6 vet minimum, kids, developing, 3rd string ... 12.5M

Mavs version 2025-26
2 max players ... (2) AD, Kyrie ...91M
5 solid or better players at MLEish ... (5) Klay, Gaff, PJW, Flagg, Lively [bargain!] ...65M
2 good contributors below MLE ... (4) CM [overpaid?], Naji, Max, Russell [bargain?] ... 32M
6 vet minimum, kids, developing... (4) Hardy [overpaid!], DP [overpaid!], Exum/Omax, Williams ...15M

Once you look at how quickly the money runs out, its hard to see room for a 3rd max, and the 2nd tier player who will be getting money in the mid 20s or 30s needs to be a really super special one or else it  kills your payroll. Max salary for a player who is not carrying your team is a killer. You simply cannot afford a miss on max salary guys. And you can see how valuable the max-value guy is who is getting in the 30s.

I saw many players this summer who should be good values for their tier 3 money (may be tier 2 value).

MAVS ISSUES ON NEW DEALS. Gaff at MLE-ish money (MLE + 10%) in general is perhaps his value, but if you ever want to move him, the "+10%" likely makes it extra hard. Kyrie for 35M will imo prove very valuable. DAR should be very good value. Flagg is very likely to offer HUGE surplus value for about 8 years.

LOOKING AHEAD. 
1 How much will PJW take? He needs to fit in tier 2. Way bigger will not work - look at the math. 
2 Lively has a prove-it year ahead w health and productivity if he is to be paid beyond tier 2 in summer of 2026 (can sign rookie extension deal in summer 2026). So far, he teases more but has done nowhere close to bigger than t 2.

[david75090]

@GeraldBourguet
With a Bradley Beal buyout being imminent, per a source, I’m anticipating he gives up $13.9M of his remaining $110.8M, which would then clear the way for the Suns to waive-and-stretch the resulting $96.9M over 5 years and duck both tax aprons

If I was in Beal's shoes, I don't anticipate I'm giving up $13.9M. If the Suns have a creative paperwork way of it appearing that I'm giving up that amount, without actually giving up that amount, I'd keep quiet. Otherwise, a contract is a contract.

[BoulderMFFL]

It makes sense, and I bet the European leagues benefit from this far more than the NBA does.

Players signing for European teams usually negotiate a buyout clause in case the NBA comes knocking. That is the player can get out of his contract if he and/or his new club pay the player’s current team the buyout amount.

[F Gump]

If I was in Beal's shoes, I don't anticipate I'm giving up $13.9M. If the Suns have a creative paperwork way of it appearing that I'm giving up that amount, without actually giving up that amount, I'd keep quiet. Otherwise, a contract is a contract.

Yes, a buyout is an actual discount. Less money from PHX. 

But you would do this. It is money he can very likely get back (and probably more besides) by being a UFA who can sign a new deal w someone else - and his agent likely has already asked around to other teams, and knows.

It is negotiated. Yes, Beal can always say no on ANY lower number. However, Suns can always have him sit for 2 years while he ages. So it's a tradeoff, a deal.

He will walk and pick a new team of his choosing. Big plus. For PHX, buyout deal likely says he splits new money beyond $X with PHX. He gets whole and maybe more while he plays where he chooses, PHX moves on and saves some salary money with more coming, perhaps (and also saves a metric buttoad of tax). Win-win.

[KillerLeft]

If I was in Beal's shoes, I don't anticipate I'm giving up $13.9M. If the Suns have a creative paperwork way of it appearing that I'm giving up that amount, without actually giving up that amount, I'd keep quiet. Otherwise, a contract is a contract.

He'll get that much back by signing with another team...one whose front office, other players and fans don't hate him. 

I think it will happen, because he knows they literally aren't allowed to cut him without him giving up that much. They can't exceed a certain percentage of the cap with stretch waiving, and the Suns already have fairly significant dead money on the their books.

[KillerLeft]

Yes, a buyout is an actual discount. Less money from PHX. 

But you would do this. It is money he can very likely get back (and probably more besides) by being a UFA who can sign a new deal w someone else - and his agent likely has already asked around to other teams, and knows.

It is negotiated. Yes, Beal can always say no on ANY lower number. However, Suns can always have him sit for 2 years while he ages. So it's a tradeoff, a deal.

He will walk and pick a new team of his choosing. Big plus. For PHX, buyout deal likely says he splits new money beyond $X with PHX. He gets whole and maybe more while he plays where he chooses, PHX moves on and saves some salary money with more coming, perhaps (and also saves a metric buttoad of tax). Win-win.

I should have kept reading. Beat me to it.