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

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nb...041329007/


Pacers sign Jeremiah-Robinson-Earl.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I´m really trying, but to find an AD trade is hard. I´m just looking at the potential packages, not whether it´s a three/four team trade.

Keep in mind Tom Hanks, I´m just trying to get close, not making an NBA legal trade.

Hawks:

1) Young + Kennard for AD 

2) Porzingis + Risacher + Kennard + 1st for AD

Celtics:

Can´t even get close with Simons as the base contract. No you are not getting Tatum or Brown.

Nets:

MPJ + Mann + Traore (any of their rookie PGs) + 1st for AD

Hornets:

Bridges + Sexton + Green +1st (hey look Grant Williams is still in Charlotte) for AD

Bulls:

Vucevic + Collins + White + 1st for AD

That is probably the pipedream trade. You get three expiring contracts and one is a guard you could potentially re-sign or shuffle along to Houston or Minnesota.

Cavs:

They not trading Mobley, Mitchell or Garland and after that it just becomes dumb.

Mavs:

If we could get rid of AD via 2-3 contracts, we´d have some major trade flexibility.

Nuggets:

Nope.

Pistons:

Ivey + Harris (expiring) + Stewart (one year, then team option) + 1st for AD

Probably another best case scenario. Young guard, one pick and salary relief. Maybe also the most realistic option the other team would consider, as Ivey probably wants to be a #1, AD is an upgrade over Harris and Stewart is meh. 

Warriors:

Can´t get there financially. Team is clicking too well. If they were struggling, they might have thrown Draymond in there with Kuminga as a last ditch effort.

Rockets:

I just throw in Russell + Klay for FVV. 

You don´t trade FVV + Adams + Smith Jr. + Capela for AD to be a 6th man.

Pacers:

Not trading Siakam or Haliburton.

Clippers:

I mean that is probably another realistic win now destination.

Collins + Bogdanovic + Lopez + 1st (do they have any?) for AD

Lakers:

Only realistic trade is Doncic + Kleber for AD + Christie + 1st.

Seriously LeBron for AD is the only deal that makes sense, if Bron wants out.

Grizzlies:

KCP + Aldama + Clarke + 1st and the Grizzlies 2026 draft board for AD

Heat:

Herro + Rozier +1st for AD.

Bucks:
Can´t get there. They not trading Giannis, also wtf is that roster. How are they 4-1?

Wolves:

Combinations of Gobert + Randle + Reid get you there. Obviously this would have to be a three-way trade.

Pelicans:

Sending AD back to the Pelicans would be hilarious. A great negotiator might be able to abuse win now dinosaur Dumars

Poole + Murphy + Jones for AD +  Klay

The better pipedream.

Knicks:

KAT for AD aka I got nothing here.

OKC:

Funny.

Magic:

Hmmm. Another give you pause team, but can´t get their with their salaries, since you not getting Franz or Paolo.

76ers:

PG 13 + McCain + 1st for AD. I doubt Morey does it, I would.

Suns:

Green + Brooks + 1st (do they have any?) or three 2nds for AD.

Blazers:

Grant + Thybulle + Williams + Henderson + 1st for AD + Klay. 

Depends whether the Blazers think they have a last win now obligation for Lillard, very unlikely.

Kings:

Lavine + Saric + 1st for AD.

Spurs:

Thought about Fox + Barnes, but that Fox contract is wow. They must intend to use that to pair Wembanyama with a younger high priced star.

Raptors:

Quickley + Poeltl + two 1sts for AD

Jazz:

Markkanen + Anderson

Obviously no way Utah does this straight up, but maybe somehow else gives them the compensation they seek (young players + picks).

Wizards:

Middleton + McCollum + 1st for AD + Klay

That´s where we are with this.


Now you can all tell me I´m crazy, but I truly believe the combination of archaic game, injury history, age, attitude and contract makes him undesireable for the large majority of the league.

Horrible take. Isaiah Stewart is hardly a "meh". If Detroit offered him in a trade, watch how many teams get in line.

[mvossman]

Horrible take. Isaiah Stewart is hardly a "meh". If Detroit offered him in a trade, watch how many teams get in line.

He listed like 60 guys in that post.  You are almost surely going to disagree with a couple of things there, but the point was to give a ballpark of what limited options there are to trade AD given his salary and age.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

AD for Morant and the Suns' 2026 1st?

(Just a framework - there's Grizz players that can make it work)

[Knutsen]

AD and Lively and one or two first rounders for Giannis.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

He listed like 60 guys in that post.  You are almost surely going to disagree with a couple of things there, but the point was to give a ballpark of what limited options there are to trade AD given his salary and age.

I understand that. That's why they're stuck with him. No team is willing to take on all that. He’s not the focal point he once was.

[DanSchwartzgan]

AD and Lively and one or two first rounders for Giannis.

The tough thing for the Bucks is they don't control their draft.  So, tanking doesn't help them.  Any deal needs to touch teams like ATL, NOP and POR who control the Milwaukee picks to get a deal done with them.  Lively isn't ideal for them either with Turner there, but maybe he or Turner goes to one of those teams for some of Milwaukee's future picks.  If AD were to sustain a major injury and you could deliver some of the MIL picks back to them using Lively (your example, not mine), AD might be an interesting double dip trade for them.  By that I mean that Milwaukee could tank, rehab AD for a year and then with a few months of health next season, they could flip him for additional value.

One other thought I had while walking today...anyone who is a conspiracy theorist (in terms of how LA somehow stole a young international superstar in the dead of night and then Dallas hit the lotto jackpot).  Anyone who thinks that way should probably want to trade the Laker 2029 pick.  If the league cares about the premier teams succeeding in the playoffs (and they should since those teams make a 2X difference in viewership according to a podcast I was listening to), then Luka will get a better running buddy before 2029 and that pick won't be nearly as valuable as it appears to be right now.

[mvossman]

One other thought I had while walking today...anyone who is a conspiracy theorist (in terms of how LA somehow stole a young international superstar in the dead of night and then Dallas hit the lotto jackpot).  Anyone who thinks that way should probably want to trade the Laker 2029 pick.  If the league cares about the premier teams succeeding in the playoffs (and they should since those teams make a 2X difference in viewership according to a podcast I was listening to), then Luka will get a better running buddy before 2029 and that pick won't be nearly as valuable as it appears to be right now.

I'm not a conspiracy guy, but Lakers are a popular destination.  They are one of the few teams that can land big free agents.  So I agree on the potential of that pick not being very good (also because I think Luka will still be there and still be elite).  I just hope Nico gets fired before any trades are made.

[DL2RimRocker]

I´m really trying, but to find an AD trade is hard. I´m just looking at the potential packages, not whether it´s a three/four team trade.

Keep in mind Tom Hanks, I´m just trying to get close, not making an NBA legal trade.

Hawks:

1) Young + Kennard for AD 

2) Porzingis + Risacher + Kennard + 1st for AD

Celtics:

Can´t even get close with Simons as the base contract. No you are not getting Tatum or Brown.

Nets:

MPJ + Mann + Traore (any of their rookie PGs) + 1st for AD

Hornets:

Bridges + Sexton + Green +1st (hey look Grant Williams is still in Charlotte) for AD

Bulls:

Vucevic + Collins + White + 1st for AD

That is probably the pipedream trade. You get three expiring contracts and one is a guard you could potentially re-sign or shuffle along to Houston or Minnesota.

Cavs:

They not trading Mobley, Mitchell or Garland and after that it just becomes dumb.

Mavs:

If we could get rid of AD via 2-3 contracts, we´d have some major trade flexibility.

Nuggets:

Nope.

Pistons:

Ivey + Harris (expiring) + Stewart (one year, then team option) + 1st for AD

Probably another best case scenario. Young guard, one pick and salary relief. Maybe also the most realistic option the other team would consider, as Ivey probably wants to be a #1, AD is an upgrade over Harris and Stewart is meh. 

Warriors:

Can´t get there financially. Team is clicking too well. If they were struggling, they might have thrown Draymond in there with Kuminga as a last ditch effort.

Rockets:

I just throw in Russell + Klay for FVV. 

You don´t trade FVV + Adams + Smith Jr. + Capela for AD to be a 6th man.

Pacers:

Not trading Siakam or Haliburton.

Clippers:

I mean that is probably another realistic win now destination.

Collins + Bogdanovic + Lopez + 1st (do they have any?) for AD

Lakers:

Only realistic trade is Doncic + Kleber for AD + Christie + 1st.

Seriously LeBron for AD is the only deal that makes sense, if Bron wants out.

Grizzlies:

KCP + Aldama + Clarke + 1st and the Grizzlies 2026 draft board for AD

Heat:

Herro + Rozier +1st for AD.

Bucks:
Can´t get there. They not trading Giannis, also wtf is that roster. How are they 4-1?

Wolves:

Combinations of Gobert + Randle + Reid get you there. Obviously this would have to be a three-way trade.

Pelicans:

Sending AD back to the Pelicans would be hilarious. A great negotiator might be able to abuse win now dinosaur Dumars

Poole + Murphy + Jones for AD +  Klay

The better pipedream.

Knicks:

KAT for AD aka I got nothing here.

OKC:

Funny.

Magic:

Hmmm. Another give you pause team, but can´t get their with their salaries, since you not getting Franz or Paolo.

76ers:

PG 13 + McCain + 1st for AD. I doubt Morey does it, I would.

Suns:

Green + Brooks + 1st (do they have any?) or three 2nds for AD.

Blazers:

Grant + Thybulle + Williams + Henderson + 1st for AD + Klay. 

Depends whether the Blazers think they have a last win now obligation for Lillard, very unlikely.

Kings:

Lavine + Saric + 1st for AD.

Spurs:

Thought about Fox + Barnes, but that Fox contract is wow. They must intend to use that to pair Wembanyama with a younger high priced star.

Raptors:

Quickley + Poeltl + two 1sts for AD

Jazz:

Markkanen + Anderson

Obviously no way Utah does this straight up, but maybe somehow else gives them the compensation they seek (young players + picks).

Wizards:

Middleton + McCollum + 1st for AD + Klay

That´s where we are with this.


Now you can all tell me I´m crazy, but I truly believe the combination of archaic game, injury history, age, attitude and contract makes him undesireable for the large majority of the league.

I love the Lakers suggestion but no GM in their right mind would make that ridiculous trade. 

I do like the the pistons suggestion though and think that could get some traction.

[omahen]

Here is a fun trade proposal. Mavs trade Klay and Hardy to Lakers for Vincent and Maxi. Other than a regular SRP Nico needs to include in every trade, no picks involved. Neither team really needs any of the guys involves, it is just about the future for both teams.

Maxi and Vincent are both expiring and Mavs get out of Klay contract and also save 6 mil from Hardy contract. They would get enough space under the first apron (currently projected just 8 mil, would increase to 25 mil after the trade) to use their MLE and BaU in the summer. This could be two quality players (otherwise they are stuck with Klay and Hardy or paying assets in a trade for improvements).

Lakers would get two contracts that would be expiring next season, when they can use 3 FRP in a trade. Perhaps Klay could bring something this season in some off the bench situations. Hardy is not really needed by the Lakers, just a contract.

[mvossman]

Here is a fun trade proposal. Mavs trade Klay and Hardy to Lakers for Vincent and Maxi. Other than a regular SRP Nico needs to include in every trade, no picks involved. Neither team really needs any of the guys involves, it is just about the future for both teams.

Maxi and Vincent are both expiring and Mavs get out of Klay contract and also save 6 mil from Hardy contract. They would get enough space under the first apron (currently projected just 8 mil, would increase to 25 mil after the trade) to use their MLE and BaU in the summer. This could be two quality players (otherwise they are stuck with Klay and Hardy or paying assets in a trade for improvements).

Lakers would get two contracts that would be expiring next season, when they can use 3 FRP in a trade. Perhaps Klay could bring something this season in some off the bench situations. Hardy is not really needed by the Lakers, just a contract.

I like the concept, but I don't think there is any chance the Mavs are ready to send out Klay in a salary dumping deal.

[SleepingHero]

@TheDunkCentral

Ja Morant’s trade value is considered low by teams around the league, per @MarcJSpears


"Four of the execs I talked to today say they really have no interest in trading for him. One said it was because it's a combo of contract and off the court issues. Another suggested that if Ja is traded it'll probably be a problem star for a problem star. I asked one current NBA coach if he would like to coach Ja Morant and he said I'm not sure I'd want to"

[omahen]

@TheDunkCentral

Ja Morant’s trade value is considered low by teams around the league, per @MarcJSpears


"Four of the execs I talked to today say they really have no interest in trading for him. One said it was because it's a combo of contract and off the court issues. Another suggested that if Ja is traded it'll probably be a problem star for a problem star. I asked one current NBA coach if he would like to coach Ja Morant and he said I'm not sure I'd want to"

I see Sacramento (already some vague rumors around) as desperate enough to go after him. Not sure what they have that Memphis would be interested in.

[Chicagojk]

I see Sacramento (already some vague rumors around) as desperate enough to go after him. Not sure what they have that Memphis would be interested in.

Yeah, Sacramento just doesn't have much.   

I think Houston lets things play out a bit.  They have assets to make almost any trade and may want to wait.  How about Houston though?

[omahen]

Yeah, Sacramento just doesn't have much.   

I think Houston lets things play out a bit.  They have assets to make almost any trade and may want to wait.  How about Houston though?

Could be an interesting proposal. However, every serious team will be reluctant because of the off the court stuff he might bring. As well as he might improve any team due to his basketball skills, he is also able to destroy any serious team culture and lockerroom.

Houston has minimum cushion under the first apron, so salary matching is not that easy. I think their deal would need to involve FVV for contract matching. Eason is sort of redundant and would probably like to look for bigger money elsewhere than Houston is able to offer. FVV+Sheppard+Eason is a contract match, but Houston would need to add two more guys to the roster with only around 2.5 mil available. I think it could be done around TDL. Otherwise other moving pieces would need to be included.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I doubt Ime Udoka has any interest in coaching Ja Morant.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Thanks to area sports suckage, Tankathon is a one stop shop for spending an afternoon. Four out of five teams are way up in the tank.

[KillerLeft]

Thanks to area sports suckage, Tankathon is a one stop shop for spending an afternoon. Four out of five teams are way up in the tank.

Five? Who am I missing? I assume the Stars are the team you're most happy with, so...Rangers, Mavericks, Cowboys and...

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

WNBA Dallas Wings

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I like the concept, but I don't think there is any chance the Mavs are ready to send out Klay in a salary dumping deal.

Never say never in the NBA. Nobody thought Luka would get traded until it happened. Also, Nico is unpredictable. If Klay keeps struggling, he's not exempt from getting shipped out.