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

[DanSchwartzgan]

Hard pass.  Kuminga's contract is up after next year.

You can easily fix that this summer if you like him.  26/27 is a Team Option.

[mvossman]

Stein keeps saying Gafford is the most tradeable Mav (whatever that means).  Isaac on Locked On Mavs proposed Gafford/Naji for Kuminga today.  You have to add a minimum exception guy coming back to make the money work.

Probably not equal value for GSW, but they really could use a center.  Marshall gets the Kuminga minutes, so sending out Kuminga doesn't create a lineup hole for them.  We are still overcrowded at forward with Flagg, PJ and Kuminga (Davis moves to center full time).  The think I like is that it adds a longer term youngster to the mix.  PJ, Flagg and Kuminga probably can't get minutes together, but Flagg and Kuminga certainly can...maybe for years to come.

I'm not sure a guy who doesn't space the floor is the right fit next to Flagg.  I could be totally wrong, but that guy does not move the needle for me.

Also, I really don't think AD is going to be here next season.  They may need to wait until the offseason, but my guess is that they are working with his agent to get him somewhere else.  Gafford is probably the easiest guy to trade (he has value, and they can't trade PJ) but does it make sense if you are going to trade AD and there is no value in tanking after this season?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

no trades unless it's for a young PG or assets to get us a young PG

watch this team play. any kind of competent PG play is what they clearly need

reshuffling assets for Kuminga isn't moving the needle

[mvossman]

He had one other (out of a dozen or so) that caught my attention.  It was centered around Davis to Atlanta, Trae to Orlando and Suggs to Dallas.  There was other stuff.  In fact, I think we got Okongwu in this iteration.

I like Suggs, but I don't like the injury history.

[Mavs2021]

Here is something that increases the likelihood of a Kings trade. They are 2-9 with Sabonis; 3-4 without him. Sabonis is 29 already. I´m not even sure I want Sabonis + Ellis, if the Kings 2026 pick is not in it.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1993114091133558949


Per Shams, the Lakers are waiving Christian Koloko and signing Drew Timme to a two-way deal.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Here is something that increases the likelihood of a Kings trade. They are 2-9 with Sabonis; 3-4 without him. Sabonis is 29 already. I´m not even sure I want Sabonis + Ellis, if the Kings 2026 pick is not in it.

Is there some Sabonis/Ellis proposal out there that I missed?  I’ve seen some Sabonis to GSW stuff, but nothing Mav’s related.  

If I’m GSW, I might rather have Gafford (especially versus the 2025 version of Sabonis so far).  I get that Sabonis is the better player, but to realize his strengths, you have to take the ball out of the hands of really good players.  Gafford would be purely additive and at a much lower price.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm not sure a guy who doesn't space the floor is the right fit next to Flagg.  I could be totally wrong, but that guy does not move the needle for me.

Valid point.  I’d probably still take Kuminga based on upside.  But, without that three point shot, he’s basically a younger and more athletically dynamic version of Naji.  

If I have one disappointment in the early going regarding Flagg, it is that he’s starting to pass on open 3’s.  The need for someone like Kuminga (or PJ or Naji) to be a great 3 point shooter would be lessened if Flagg becomes a knock down shooter some day.

[F Gump]

Valid point.  I’d probably still take Kuminga based on upside.  But, without that three point shot, he’s basically a younger and more athletically dynamic version of Naji.  

If I have one disappointment in the early going regarding Flagg, it is that he’s starting to pass on open 3’s.  The need for someone like Kuminga (or PJ or Naji) to be a great 3 point shooter would be lessened if Flagg becomes a knock down shooter some day.

I'd rather build around CF the other way -- target players who make it EASIER for him to stick to his strengths (and work to grow from there) rather than target players which will force him to play into his weaknesses, to try to cover for them.

[Dirknows]

I'd rather build around CF the other way -- target players who make it EASIER for him to stick to his strengths (and work to grow from there) rather than target players which will force him to play into his weaknesses, to try to cover for them.

Agreed. He appears at his best attacking the paint.

[cow]

You can easily fix that this summer if you like him.  26/27 is a Team Option.

Liking him is the other problem, but maybe the Mavs do.

[Mavs2021]

Is there some Sabonis/Ellis proposal out there that I missed?  I’ve seen some Sabonis to GSW stuff, but nothing Mav’s related.  

If I’m GSW, I might rather have Gafford (especially versus the 2025 version of Sabonis so far).  I get that Sabonis is the better player, but to realize his strengths, you have to take the ball out of the hands of really good players.  Gafford would be purely additive and at a much lower price.

Nah just more ideas for an AD trade. Kings were a natural trade partner with their guard overload and easy to match contracts. I just recently noticed that they actually play better without Sabonis, so that might be a player that is available too. I just want their 2026 pick.

[Chicagojk]

Stein keeps saying Gafford is the most tradeable Mav (whatever that means).  Isaac on Locked On Mavs proposed Gafford/Naji for Kuminga today.  You have to add a minimum exception guy coming back to make the money work.

Probably not equal value for GSW, but they really could use a center.  Marshall gets the Kuminga minutes, so sending out Kuminga doesn't create a lineup hole for them.  We are still overcrowded at forward with Flagg, PJ and Kuminga (Davis moves to center full time).  The think I like is that it adds a longer term youngster to the mix.  PJ, Flagg and Kuminga probably can't get minutes together, but Flagg and Kuminga certainly can...maybe for years to come.

I saw bill simmons had a fake trade.  Timings to the bulls.  Gafford and an expiring to Golden state and White to Dallas.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRiA6uWkm...o2c21uMXM4

[F Gump]

I saw bill simmons had a fake trade.  Timings [Kuminga] to the bulls.  Gafford and an expiring to Golden state and White to Dallas.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRiA6uWkm...o2c21uMXM4

My observations ...

1 Kuminga can't be traded until late January, which allows us to get a better read on Kyrie's return (and what the team looks like after that happens). 

2 In such a deal, I would want "Gafford and Hardy" to be the outgoing to GS since White may only be a short-term guy. You're buying the "joy" of getting to deal with that contract situation. CHI is the big winner in the players moving, so they would have to add pick compensation to GS to balance the deal.

3 BUT -- I am not sure the Mavs could afford to re-sign White, because their cap sheet is such a disaster already. Even if you include Hardy, a raise for White (current salary is about 12.9M) lands them over A2, unless we can assume DAR is gone too and replaced with minimum salary. Then again, is White worth more than MLE money in today's economics? But if you are likely to have to let him walk because he won't be worth the money, didn't you give away Gaff for nothing? That's not a good plan. 

4 This being desirable and working out also depends on the dependability of AD and to a lesser extent Lively. That a big roll of the dice on an outcome with long odds. But I'm not sure how to fix the issue of having a lot of centers who can't ever play. In theory I like AD as a key member of the team, but he only makes sense to build around if you can get 70 games a year from him. His contract is MASSIVE and keeps you from roster-building to cover for his absences.

[RGP1981]

I still think the trade to try for is AD to the Hornets for the Mavs 2027 pick back and Kon Knueppel.

It could be any combination of players the Hornets want to take/send. Here's an example.

• Hornets get: Davis and Christie (via NTMLE... or Naji or Martin, whoever the Hornets prefer).
  
• Mavs get: Knueppel, Filler (Sexton, GWill, Connaughton) and 2027 Mavs pick.
  

The Mavs will need to waive 2 players (Exum and D'lo?).

Hornets roster:
1-5: Ball, Christie, Miller, Davis, Kalkbrenner
6-10: Mann, Green/Reeves, Sion/McNeeley, Bridges, Plumlee/Diabate

Mavs roster:
1-5: Kyrie, Kon, Coop, PJW, Lively
6-10: Sexton/BWill, Hardy/Connaughton, Klay/Naji, GWill/Martin, Gafford/Powell

+ 2026 Mavs pick
+ 2027 Mavs pick

Kyrie, PJ, Gafford and Naji could be traded elsewhere for picks too.

Then tank like mofos for this season and the next, as only the team with the worst record is guaranteed a Top 5 pick.

[mvossman]

My observations ...

1 Kuminga can't be traded until late January, which allows us to get a better read on Kyrie's return (and what the team looks like after that happens). 

2 In such a deal, I would want "Gafford and Hardy" to be the outgoing to GS since White may only be a short-term guy. You're buying the "joy" of getting to deal with that contract situation. CHI is the big winner in the players moving, so they would have to add pick compensation to GS to balance the deal.

3 BUT -- I am not sure the Mavs could afford to re-sign White, because their cap sheet is such a disaster already. Even if you include Hardy, a raise for White (current salary is about 12.9M) lands them over A2, unless we can assume DAR is gone too and replaced with minimum salary. Then again, is White worth more than MLE money in today's economics? But if you are likely to have to let him walk because he won't be worth the money, didn't you give away Gaff for nothing? That's not a good plan. 

4 This being desirable and working out also depends on the dependability of AD and to a lesser extent Lively. That a big roll of the dice on an outcome with long odds. But I'm not sure how to fix the issue of having a lot of centers who can't ever play. In theory I like AD as a key member of the team, but he only makes sense to build around if you can get 70 games a year from him. His contract is MASSIVE and keeps you from roster-building to cover for his absences.

Yeah, Coby White makes more sense in an AD trade where you are getting a lot of expiring back and have the room to pay him his new contract.  Also, if you are planning on trading AD then I don't know that it makes sense to trade Gafford, especially for a guy roughly the same age.

Coby White is an interesting case.  Can you put him in the starting lineup next to Kyrie or is he a 6th man?  He is going to cost a lot of money, too much for a 6th man on a rebuilding team.

[Mavs2021]

I just realized there is a devious play in this Chicago deal, if you can work some wizardry (literally no pun intended).

Bulls, Bucks and Celtics are all hovering around 7 to 11th spot in the East. All three actually own their 1st round picks in 2026.

What if you trade

Bulls

AD
K. Porter
G. Harris

Bucks

White

Celtics

Vucevic

Mavs

Simons
Collins
Essengue
Bulls unprotected 1st 2026
Celtics unprotected 1st 2026
Bucks unprotected 1st 2026

Basically you gamble on the Bucks, Bulls and/or Celtics not making it out of the play-in, so you get multiple shots at winning the lottery. Most likely two out of those three will be in the lottery.

Bucks might do it, cause they are desperate for Giannis. 
Bulls will do it, cause they are desperate in general, never tank and get AD for expiring contracts. 
Celtics will do it, cause they know, when Tatum returns they are not missing the play-offs either directly or through the play-in, but could still win the title. Would even do the Celtics deal with top 4 protection.

[omahen]

I just realized there is a devious play in this Chicago deal, if you can work some wizardry (literally no pun intended).

Bulls, Bucks and Celtics are all hovering around 7 to 11th spot in the East. All three actually own their 1st round picks in 2026.

What if you trade

Bulls

AD
K. Porter
G. Harris

Bucks

White

Celtics

Vucevic

Mavs

Simons
Collins
Essengue
Bulls unprotected 1st 2026
Celtics unprotected 1st 2026
Bucks unprotected 1st 2026

Basically you gamble on the Bucks, Bulls and/or Celtics not making it out of the play-in, so you get multiple shots at winning the lottery. Most likely two out of those three will be in the lottery.

Bucks might do it, cause they are desperate for Giannis. 
Bulls will do it, cause they are desperate in general, never tank and get AD for expiring contracts. 
Celtics will do it, cause they know, when Tatum returns they are not missing the play-offs either directly or through the play-in, but could still win the title. Would even do the Celtics deal with top 4 protection.

While you made an interesting proposal, I don't think it works for Celtics. They already "declared" they are not trading a FRP to dump Simons. Especially not for a 35 year old Vucevic. They are not delusional they will compete this season. They will either get something interesting for Simons or let his contract expire.