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

[loki]

I would do everything I can to NOT help OKC. PJ is too good of a fit for them.

It's a little too late to worry about that imo. If the Mavs don't trade with them someone else certainly will. I'd rather just make the best moves possible and hope OKC's reign of terror is nearing an end by the time Coop is in his prime.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Biggest issue with that ATL scenario is that Dallas would have to cut a player or dump DAR in the deal which either cuts into the potential return or makes the trade too much salary going out...

By the time the deal is able to be completed (after the season IMO) Atlanta knows exactly which pick they are giving up and where AD is health wise and are not willing to deal OR are too willing and the return is not the windfall we dream of today.

You could waive Exum before the trade.  You then do the 3 for 2 with AD and D'Lo out for KP, Kennard and Newell.  Atlanta would be hard-capped and incredibly close to the apron.  It solves the unbalanced trade issue, but not the Nembhard issue (unless you want to cut KP or Kennard after they arrive).  

I've always thought the 2027 pick (plus the middling pick in 2026) was more reasonable than the MIL/NOP pick in 2026.  I hate that you aren't getting Okongwu or Risacher in this construct.  Its not like Newell helps fill a need as he's a PF prospect.  I like him a lot, but we have forwards.

[Knutsen]

The one problem I have with reloading with a few more high draft picks is that Cooper Flagg is so far ahead of the curve - watch his monthly averages and he should easily be an allstar next year.

So if you get one or two young sidekicks who need 2-3 years of development to be good in the league, which is completely normal, what would these years do to Cooper?

[Mavs2021]

The one problem I have with reloading with a few more high draft picks is that Cooper Flagg is so far ahead of the curve - watch his monthly averages and he should easily be an allstar next year.

So if you get one or two young sidekicks who need 2-3 years of development to be good in the league, which is completely normal, what would these years do to Cooper?

Flagg has no 3pt shot so far. Flagg has not learned to drive to his right. He started 8 of 10 against Utah. He finished 13-27 once they decided to take away his left driving lane. He had a positive +/- eight times this year. So there is plenty to learn for Flagg. 

Furthermore this season is lost already. They still go for the play-in loss, so they won´t get a high draft pick. Say Kyrie is only 50% of the player he was pre-ACL. AD just gets injured again next year like he usually does. Then you have wasted two years developing no young players and are at the same point.

What makes Kyrie/AD tolerable is knowing that you have the whole foundation and the funds to build the house, not that you have a nice piece of property, but only the means to sleep in a tent for the next four years.

[Dirknows]

You could waive Exum before the trade.  You then do the 3 for 2 with AD and D'Lo out for KP, Kennard and Newell.  Atlanta would be hard-capped and incredibly close to the apron.  It solves the unbalanced trade issue, but not the Nembhard issue (unless you want to cut KP or Kennard after they arrive).  

I've always thought the 2027 pick (plus the middling pick in 2026) was more reasonable than the MIL/NOP pick in 2026.  I hate that you aren't getting Okongwu or Risacher in this construct.  Its not like Newell helps fill a need as he's a PF prospect.  I like him a lot, but we have forwards.

We could maybe get Okongwu, I don’t think they’d want to give up on their number 1 pick from last season so early. Just looking at realistic returns, not KP+ Risacher+2026 NOP fantasy trades. I’m also assuming if we trade AD, Klay is gone, and if we got Okongwu in the package then maybe Gafford gets dealt. Atlanta just seems like the best option right now, but maybe a bidding war happens, which again means AD is playing well which is going to mean we are likely winning games.

[KillerLeft]

Sorry if this has been covered...I've heard/read from Stein and others that TOR is the most serious suitor for AD. I know we've talked a lot of deals to death. Have any of them included Quickley coming to Dallas? Do we think that's possible at all?

[Chicagojk]

Sorry if this has been covered...I've heard/read from Stein and others that TOR is the most serious suitor for AD. I know we've talked a lot of deals to death. Have any of them included Quickley coming to Dallas? Do we think that's possible at all?

I think they would love to get off Quickly with his contract.  I would not be interested.

Frankly, I don't really like any of the Toronto deals.  Poetl signed an awful contract and now has a bad back.  No thank you.  Toronto fans are praying someone takes him off their hands.

Barrett is good but has never been appealing to my eyes as a basketball player.   

I would rather hold on to AD than do any of the Toronto deals.

[mvossman]

Sorry if this has been covered...I've heard/read from Stein and others that TOR is the most serious suitor for AD. I know we've talked a lot of deals to death. Have any of them included Quickley coming to Dallas? Do we think that's possible at all?

There has not been much mention of Quickley.  Money wise I think you could do AD for Quickley and Barrett.  I like Quickley but there are issues.  He is a good player but he is making 32 million a year for the next 3 1/2 years.  Thats a lot (in fact all of their contracts are over priced).  He is also a good defender, but he is small and can get bullied.  Not sure he is the right fit next to Kyrie if you are keeping him.

The other issue is Quickley is their primary PG.  Not sure how they would fill that hole if they sent him out.  Trading for AD is a win now move.  They could live without Barett and they could live without Poeltl (if they get AD) but harder to replace Quickley.

[Chicagojk]

Marc Stein links Daniel Gafford to both the Pacers and Raptors, saying Indiana has “tried to engage” on him in recent weeks.
Raptors have yet to decide whether to focus on a star big man like Anthony Davis or a more modest option like Gafford.

[loki]

Marc Stein links Daniel Gafford to both the Pacers and Raptors, saying Indiana has “tried to engage” on him in recent weeks.
Raptors have yet to decide whether to focus on a star big man like Anthony Davis or a more modest option like Gafford.

I don't see a great deal with Toronto. They're only $900k under the 1st apron and Dallas can't take back more salary than they send out, so it's tough to make the math work. The Mavs should avoid Poeltl's contract like the plague.

From Indiana, I think a deal like Jackson + protected 1st (top 10?) for Gafford would be a nice deal.

[Nowitzki Way]

I don't see a great deal with Toronto. They're only $900k under the 1st apron and Dallas can't take back more salary than they send out, so it's tough to make the math work. The Mavs should avoid Poeltl's contract like the plague.

From Indiana, I think a deal like Jackson + protected 1st (top 10?) for Gafford would be a nice deal.

If its Gafford to Indiana i'm doing what it takes to get Mathurin if he's available. If not, i feel like Jarace Walker and pick(s) could be a start.

[michaeltex]

Apart from the short time Chandler was here, it feels like DAL has been searching for strength in the middle for years. Dirk's size softened the blow for a decade, but it was still there. It was really highlighted a few years back during the WCF with GSW. MBT seemed to try, I mean they had as many as 7 centers in camp one year and still ended up with Powell getting most of the starts.

It felt like the hole was getting plugged with drafting Lively. Youth, energy, size and above average BBIQ helped stabilize the defense and provided a high rise outlet for Luka's PnR magic. Adding Gaff gave depth without sacrificing performance. Wins took off and they made it all the way to the NBA Finals. The 5 spot was viewed as a team strength going forward.

Now Luka's wearing purple/gold. AD puts up great numbers, when he plays (~15 games since getting traded?), but he says he'd rather play PF than C. Both Lively and Gaff have missed significant time with injuries. Now Lively's done for this season due to lingering foot issues. Gaff is trying to play, but is having to fight through an ankle injured on the 1st day of training camp. Finally, rumors have it that DAL may trade away 2 of the three looking for draft picks and guard help.

Which, to my thinking, kind of puts us back where we were a few years ago. Team bagel, with a big hole in the middle.

[mvossman]

I don't see a great deal with Toronto. They're only $900k under the 1st apron and Dallas can't take back more salary than they send out, so it's tough to make the math work. The Mavs should avoid Poeltl's contract like the plague.

From Indiana, I think a deal like Jackson + protected 1st (top 10?) for Gafford would be a nice deal.

There are a lot of interesting options with Indiana (Jackson, Mathurin, Nembhard, etc.).

There is not much of interest with Toronto even without the apron issues.

[Mavs2021]

Garland/Allen/Cavs 2026 pick for AD/Klay/Hardy would be very interesting. Reading a bit between the lines here it seems Mitchell has a lot of pull, Cavs are underperforming, Garland/Allen are injured. That seems like a team that is impatient and in turmoil, which could be taken advantage of. I´d bet on Garland and Allen easily. Allen has been very healthy throughout his career and Garland´s shooting slump is 12 games old. I think I can bet on the previous four years being his real self. Obviously you then have to turn around and trade Gafford + Russell (or Lively) for a Simons + 1st round pick. 

If we came away with

Garland 42/Nembhard 3
Irving 39/Christie 8
Flagg14 / Martin 10
Washington 20/Marshall 10
Allen 28/Lively 7

Mavs 2026 pick
Cavs 2026 pick
Boston 2026 pick

181M + 3 rookies (15-20M) + 2 players (exceptions)
2nd apron is 223M.

Get younger, but also stay competitive for the near future. This is also be an easy tank path, since you can shut down Kyrie/Garland/JA/Washington for the year and there won´t be any age or contract pressure. They all just got their new contracts set to kick in. You should be able to stay under the 2nd apron easily, too.

This is like a best case scenario. Tank. Get three picks. Get serious talent in their prime and manage your cap going forward. This is the new pipe dream.

[Mavs2021]

Hawks down 24 to Hornets in the 2nd quarter. On pace to give up 176 points on Trae´s return.

Hawks GM the Mavs are here for you

[FireNicoHarrison]

JJ & Street clothes could be a great duo.

But i don't want Trae honestly.

[GATA]

Hawks down 24 to Hornets in the 2nd quarter. On pace to give up 176 points on Trae´s return.

Hawks GM the Mavs are here for you

Want nothing to do with Young.  Losing player

[RGP1981]

OKC: SGA + JDubb + Chet + boatload of picks
Spurs: Wemby + Castle + Harper + many picks

How do you all expect Cooper to beat that on his own? Those teams have 3 stars who are on the same time-line and who will have continuity for years too, while the Mavs will be constantly changing the team around Cooper if they go with older stars.

I think there are no shortcuts.... and the answer is to try and get the Mavs picks back for 2027, 2028 and tank until 2028 at least.

Or please send him to the Jazz, cause we will build around him the right way.

[Dirknows]

OKC: SGA + JDubb + Chet + boatload of picks
Spurs: Wemby + Castle + Harper + many picks

How do you all expect Cooper to beat that on his own? Those teams have 3 stars who are on the same time-line and who will have continuity for years too, while the Mavs will be constantly changing the team around Cooper if they go with older stars.

I think there are no shortcuts.... and the answer is to try and get the Mavs picks back for 2027, 2028 and tank until 2028 at least.

Or please send him to the Jazz, cause we will build around him the right way.

Wemby won’t ever stay healthy enough to play more than 60 games a year so there’s that.

[SleepingHero]

@MavsFilmRoom
Marc Stein links Daniel Gafford to both the Pacers and Raptors, saying Indiana has “tried to engage” on him in recent weeks.

Raptors have yet to decide whether to focus on a star big man like Anthony Davis or a more modest option like Gafford.