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

[mvossman]

I really hate Lamello, to be transparent. 

I think he fits the description of what's needed here, if you can stomach him and still believe in any sort of upside (he is very young, still). But, although I could be talked into giving him a try, I think the upside of such a gamble is that he'd be a cheaper option than this. I couldn't get behind this type of package for someone whose odds of panning out here I'd put (generously) at 50/50. Gafford, Christie, Thompson AND an unprotected pick? Dan made a good point the other day about how that Lakers pick is looking worse and worse as time goes by, but still...I pass on that.

If you were going to make a trade to go all in with AD/Kyrie, Ball would not be the right target anyways.  You would be tripling down on injury risk and Ball has size but is terrible on defense.  Add in the head case factor and it would be a crazy risk to take when you have Flagg to build around instead.

[Winter]

Its not.  They would have to go all in on a Jrue Holiday like player to make this roster contention worthy.  That would be a huge gamble when you are betting on AD/Kyrie health for a one or two year window, especially when you have a potential young superstar that you are going to want to build around for years to come.  I think that idea died with Nico, which means now it should be about maximizing AD trade value.

Agree, and I didn't even mention Kyrie's health which is another point we haven't addressed.

This team will never be bad enough to be Houston three years ago or OKC six years ago. We aren't going to lose our way into high draft picks. So we are going to have to trade our way into some youthful talent and draft picks to be a real contender - in my mind anyway.

[Dirknows]

Agree, and I didn't even mention Kyrie's health which is another point we haven't addressed.

This team will never be bad enough to be Houston three years ago or OKC six years ago. We aren't going to lose our way into high draft picks. So we are going to have to trade our way into some youthful talent and draft picks to be a real contender - in my mind anyway.

This 2026 draft is very deep, there are a lot of different guys I like that are projected to go top-12. Obviously a top pick would be great, but there are all-star level players in this draft that won’t go top-4.

[mvossman]

Agree, and I didn't even mention Kyrie's health which is another point we haven't addressed.

This team will never be bad enough to be Houston three years ago or OKC six years ago. We aren't going to lose our way into high draft picks. So we are going to have to trade our way into some youthful talent and draft picks to be a real contender - in my mind anyway.

We don't even have the option to lose our way into draft picks after this season because we don't control them.  This season is by far their best chance to reset between the 26 pick and whatever they can get in AD trade.  It would also be really hard to turn down a strong offer for Kyrie from a team like Houston at the TDL even though I think he wants to stay.

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP's future – and discussing whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere, sources tell ESPN. A resolution is expected in the coming weeks.

[Chicagojk]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP's future – and discussing whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere, sources tell ESPN. A resolution is expected in the coming weeks.

Just a matter of time unfortunately.  I am sure he wanted to stay in MIL, but that team is done.  There is no future there.  Sure, he could wait until they have their picks back but it is tough to wait and be irrelevant until then while in your prime.   

Question is how much input will MIL allow Giannis to have?  That could impact some offers.   It is also interesting some of the perceived main suitors this offseason Houston, SA and OKC are all playing really well.  OKC of course but both Houston and SA appear to be positioned great moving forward.  Tough to turn down Giannis but could also limit their offer maybe too.

[Chicagojk]

[Windhorst] The Milwaukee Bucks are NOT expected to open up a Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes to the entire league. Antetokounmpo will get to pick a team and Milwaukee will try their best to get a trade done with his preferred team.

***************
So the Knicks were on the list this summer.   Who else will interest Giannis.

[Chicagojk]

step 1- hire Masai
step 2- trade for Giannis
Step 3- profit

[Chicagojk]

LOL at OKC.  They don't own any future Bucks picks.  Presti is overrated.

[Chicagojk]

Mavs could call MIL and say we will offer one of the best rookies this year and start down that road and get Giannis buyin and then do a bait and switch and say we meant Nembhard.

[SleepingHero]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP's future – and discussing whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere, sources tell ESPN. A resolution is expected in the coming weeks.

At this point, I'm hoping Giannis picks the Spurs and we can act as a 3rd team where we send AD to MIL, Giannis heads to San Antonio, and we get Harper+filler.

MIL has no picks of their own. They have no incentive to tank.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Windhorst] The Milwaukee Bucks are NOT expected to open up a Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes to the entire league. Antetokounmpo will get to pick a team and Milwaukee will try their best to get a trade done with his preferred team.

***************
So the Knicks were on the list this summer.   Who else will interest Giannis.

Let's see if this ends up like the Lillard situation, where the team Giannis picks lowballs the Bucks.  I dunno why they would let this leak.  It destroys any leverage the Bucks have in negotiations.

[SleepingHero]

Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass)
"It'll be Giannis instructing the Bucks where he wants to be traded and the Bucks trying to make the best possible deal with that team...in the summer he basically said 'I want to be a Knick.'"

- @WindhorstESPN on Giannis trade rumors

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I think I'm finally a boomer. I used to like player empowerment. Now these Lillard and Giannis type situations really rub me the wrong way.

Sign max contract. Ask for trade. Say I only want to be traded to this one team. No leverage to get a fair return.

[Nowitzki Way]

I think I'm finally a boomer.  I used to like player empowerment.  Now these Lillard and Giannis type situations really rub me the wrong way.

Sign max contract.  Ask for trade.  Say I only want to be traded to this one team.  No leverage to get a fair return.

Selfishly, i THINK this wont alter any AD trades.  I was slightly worried that Giannis on the market with Davis would slow things or force teams to focus on him.

Side note, this makes the Luka trade look worse.  I have no doubts that a Luka led Mavs team would be a spot of interest to Giannis.

[Smitty]

I think I'm finally a boomer.  I used to like player empowerment.  Now these Lillard and Giannis type situations really rub me the wrong way.

Sign max contract.  Ask for trade.  Say I only want to be traded to this one team.  No leverage to get a fair return.

Probably why Nico didn’t allow it leak, with the Luka trade, and open it up to “bidding”. Stars have all the power. Nico wanted to prove he did.

MIL is going to get a very below average return from the Knicks now. Could have had Luka 10 months ago instead. Almost feel bad for Bucks fans, except I’m a Mavs fan, so I have it even worse.

[Winter]

Probably why Nico didn’t allow it leak, with the Luka trade, and open it up to “bidding”. Stars have all the power. Nico wanted to prove he did.

MIL is going to get a very below average return from the Knicks now. Could have had Luka 10 months ago instead. Almost feel bad for Bucks fans, except I’m a Mavs fan, so I have it even worse.

Yes, Mavs fan have best "drama" of any NBA team.... by far. What a storied history of misadventures.

[mvossman]

Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass)
"It'll be Giannis instructing the Bucks where he wants to be traded and the Bucks trying to make the best possible deal with that team...in the summer he basically said 'I want to be a Knick.'"

- @WindhorstESPN on Giannis trade rumors

So what will this look like?  KAT + picks?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Bucks had to get Shams on speed dial.

[Charania] “The New York Knicks emerged as the one team that Giannis was open to being traded to — there was a two-week exclusive negotiating window — but no deal occurred. If this does go down that path, where a trade is explored in-season, it’s going to go well beyond just the Knicks.”

[BigDirk41]

I would think it will turn into a 3 or 4 team trade to get them the kind of assets and players they desire, but we'll see. Knicks will have to give up a lot. I wouldn't think they would want KAT in return, but I could be wrong. Maybe KAT goes to a 3rd team.