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

[ThisIStheYear]

"Trade rumor" -- You are saying KP, Risacher, Kennard for AD is being discussed (and seriously) by DAL and ATL?

If so, surely something must be missing in the reports, since it's not even a legal trade match for DAL (it would throw the Mavs over the hard cap, which is not allowed) and it would prevent them from having either cap space or roster space to sign Nemby to a regular NBA deal.

Personally I can't understand how the Mavs would even want to consider a talent return like that for AD. What I see is 1 guy (Risacher) who looks like an overpaid cap-clogging bust, and 2 expiring filler pieces (KP, Kennard) who would likely be gone in June (so representing no useful talent to put around Flagg). For AD, I would have to think they can do way better.

I think Exum is in it as well. Maybe that makes it legal. It’s a salary dump trade, pure and simple, that would solve a great many looming financial issues and give the Mavs access to a wider array of team building approaches while maximizing the potential 2026 pick.  Couldn’t they buy out Kennard and KP after the trade to create a roster spot for Nemby? I guess Powell would have to be released as well.  It’s better than carrying AD’s albatross contract hoping to see Nico’s idiotic vision through. Nico screwed us folks.  AD will soon be gone in a salary dump trade, and if you look deep into Max’s advanced stats, he’s a bottom 5 player on the roster. The Mavs will end up with air from the Luka trade. But, that’s water under the bridge, a sunk cost, time to move on.

[Dirknows]

Seen it floated that Atlanta might be willing to include more draft compensation if Naji is included. Stein said the NOP pick is thought to be off the table. So maybe Cleveland’s 26 pick and then the 27 NOP/MIl pick?

[DanSchwartzgan]

Seen it floated that Atlanta might be willing to include more draft compensation if Naji is included. Stein said the NOP pick is thought to be off the table. So maybe Cleveland’s 26 pick and then the 27 NOP/MIl pick?

I suspect some people will hate adding Naji, but if we are going to develop Risacher, you have to create space for him to play.  Since PJ can't be traded, including Naji makes some sense...especially if you are compensated for doing so.  BUT, Atlanta can't whine about paying tax and ask for Naji.  So, there is a secondary benefit in that their desire for Naji creates more financial space to work with.

Edit: Another potential benefit of including Naji is you can argue for the inclusion of another prospect like Newell. I'd be careful about the 2027 pick because if it falls in the top four, you get nothing. Unprotected swaps in 28 or 30 could be much more valuable. We will really want something better than the OKC and SA picks in those years. Swaps are easier to sell to a fan base, but could just as easily lead to a very good pick in those years. It is also easier on teams as you aren't in danger of violating the consecutive future pick rule.

[Mavs2021]

Seen it floated that Atlanta might be willing to include more draft compensation if Naji is included. Stein said the NOP pick is thought to be off the table. So maybe Cleveland’s 26 pick and then the 27 NOP/MIl pick?

Would not surprise me at all. 

Marshall is a similar "PG" to Jalen Johnson, so a perfect back-up to maintain their style. They also need a new player to replace Risacher. His contract is brilliant and he adds depth to the team. Logically it also makes sense that they trade Trae instead of KP, cause "half a KP and half an AD means one can always play". If they traded us KP and AD got hurt, they are worse than before. Also makes it easier to rotate the minutes with Okungwu.

Okay I think I have done it. It literally does everything:

Hawks get

AD
Klay
Marshall
Powell

Mavs get

Young
Risacher
Kennard
Cavs 2026 pick
Pelicans/Bucks 2027 pick

Both teams are under the 1st apron. Mavs are 3.0M under and have a roster spot to sign Nembhard to a rookie minimum deal.

Anyone disagree. Let´s fax it to the league office.

[loki]

Hairbrained (in honor of Trae) idea: Young to Portland for Jrue/Rob Williams. Portland has the perimeter defenders and rim protectors on the roster to cover for Trae. Atlanta saves $14m in salary next year with Williams coming off the books and turns the keys of the offense over to Jalen Johnson. Pair it with an AD trade and they have a pretty solid, if injury prone, lineup.

I'd also be okay with a Naji-Newell inclusion in an AD deal. Marshall makes a lot of sense for the Hawks if they're willing to spend. I hope the Mavs are pushing for some 2nds from Atlanta as well so Martin or Dlo can be offloaded to a team like Brooklyn.

[Mavs2021]

I suspect some people will hate adding Naji, but if we are going to develop Risacher, you have to create space for him to play.  Since PJ can't be traded, including Naji makes some sense...especially if you are compensated for doing so.

Furthermore six of the nine top picks in the draft are currently projected to be a SF/PF, so between Flagg, Washington and Risacher there is really no space anymore for Marshall. And you could possibly take another forward with the Cavs pick, although we could really use a defensive guard.


Irving/Young/Nembhard
Christie/Russell/Hardy
Dybantsa/Kennard/Martin
Flagg/Washington/Steinbach
Gafford/Lively/Cisse

Hard to say how many games that team would win next year. I could see anything from 32 to 50 wins.

[DanSchwartzgan]

 

Okay I think I have done it. It literally does everything:

Hawks get

AD
Klay
Marshall
Powell

Mavs get

Young
Risacher
Kennard
Cavs 2026 pick
Pelicans/Bucks 2027 pick

Both teams are under the 1st apron. Mavs are 3.0M under and have a roster spot to sign Nembhard to a rookie minimum deal.

Anyone disagree. Let´s fax it to the league office.

If you do AD
Naji
Martin
D'Lo (Atl needs a PG to replace Trae)  

for 

Trae
Kennard
Risacher
Newell

then ATL stays out of the tax and Dallas is $7.5mm under the 2nd apron.  We will need Powell with AD gone and Lively out for the season.  If we are taking on Trae's money, then we should be able to get rid of Martin.

[Mavs2021]

If you do AD
Naji
Martin
D'Lo (Atl needs a PG to replace Trae)  

for 

Trae
Kennard
Risacher
Newell

then ATL stays out of the tax and Dallas is $7.5mm under the 2nd apron.  We will need Powell with AD gone and Lively out for the season.  If we are taking on Trae's money, then we should be able to get rid of Martin.

Hey whatever works. The fact that we can make up so many different iterations of the trade tells me ATL/DAL must be the clear leader in the clubhouse. 

And to be honest if we get Young, Risacher and two 1st round picks (2026/2027) I really don´t care who the Hawks want outside of Flagg, Kyrie, Lively, Washington (ineligible) and Christie. 

You also need to help the Hawks win for two reasons: 1. The Spurs have their pick. 2. They could overtake the Cavs improving our 2026 pick.

The last thing you want is to give them AD + trash; AD gets hurt and suddenly the Spurs get another damn lottery pick.

[KillerLeft]

I agree with the logic that ATL wants/needs to offload Young in order to move forward with something like this.

I agree with the logic that DAL could get more by facilitating this for them.

But man...I just can't swallow it. I really don't want Young here, even short term. I just loathe the thought. I hope that version of the trade doesn't happen.

[Chicagojk]

The Marshall question is really interesting.  He has been one of the better Mavs this year and is on a great contract.   Would I want to pay him 50-100% higher on his next contract?   Him getting put as a starter was interesting to me awhile ago.  I thought he has played well there but it is always sort of a weird fit.   I would be ok exploring him in a trade but it would need to be a clear win for Dallas in return.  To be honest, I thought he would be the odd man out (especially considering our pick this year may also be in the 2-4 position range even crowding that spot more).   Although, recently I have begun think PJ is the odd fit.  Regardless PJ has a new contract while Marshall will be looking for a big raise soon.   

As far as ATL goes, the Mavs need to be right on Rischashar.  That can't be a player you miss on.

Personally, I am still leaning towards waiting until the offseason to move AD, but I could change my opinion.  Also this also needs to be considered.  

https://x.com/Boweman55/status/2005649516859629821

[mvossman]

I agree with the logic that ATL wants/needs to offload Young in order to move forward with something like this.

I agree with the logic that DAL could get more by facilitating this for them.

But man...I just can't swallow it. I really don't want Young here, even short term. I just loathe the thought. I hope that version of the trade doesn't happen.

I still think Mavs could find a home for Trae as part of this deal.

[Nowitzki Way]

If you do AD
Naji
Martin
D'Lo (Atl needs a PG to replace Trae)  

for 

Trae
Kennard
Risacher
Newell

then ATL stays out of the tax and Dallas is $7.5mm under the 2nd apron.  We will need Powell with AD gone and Lively out for the season.  If we are taking on Trae's money, then we should be able to get rid of Martin.

Send it in right now! Trading with Atlanta my goal would be to get Risacher and Newel. So i like it. 

Add picks and we're cooking.  Protections, swaps, or whatever it takes to make it work. 

If taking on Trae Young is the penalty i'm ok with that. Espeically if it means getting off Martin and D-Lo.  

We can always let him opt out in the off season or find a trade if he opts in. Hopefully he looks good with a change of scenery and we can gets some value for him.

[KillerLeft]

The Marshall question is really interesting.  He has been one of the better Mavs this year and is on a great contract.   Would I want to pay him 50-100% higher on his next contract?   Him getting put as a starter was interesting to me awhile ago.  I thought he has played well there but it is always sort of a weird fit.   I would be ok exploring him in a trade but it would need to be a clear win for Dallas in return.  To be honest, I thought he would be the odd man out (especially considering our pick this year may also be in the 2-4 position range even crowding that spot more).   Although, recently I have begun think PJ is the odd fit.  Regardless PJ has a new contract while Marshall will be looking for a big raise soon.   

As far as ATL goes, the Mavs need to be right on Rischashar.  That can't be a player you miss on.

Personally, I am still leaning towards waiting until the offseason to move AD, but I could change my opinion.  Also this also needs to be considered.  

https://x.com/Boweman55/status/2005649516859629821

When it comes to Marshall, I'm torn. 

Yes, he has stepped up this year. But, I think he has been capable of playing this way the entire time, and the uptick in his game has been about the team not having any other alternative in terms of initiating offense. Check out the W-L record, and I think it's easy to see how much help it has actually been to rely on Marshall for offensive initiation. 

Plus, Flagg is officially an inside type of scorer, at least to start his career, and I can't escape the feeling that his development as a go-to-guy type would improve exponentially with adequate shooting/spacing around him to open up driving lanes, high post opportunities...basically any situation where he has the ball 15' in or closer without at least three defenders being there with him. He's scoring quite a bit there now, and getting fouled. Can you imagine how well he'd do if the opponent was forced to guard him 1-on-1 there, or if there were clear passes to shooting threats available when they didn't? The problem is that too many (almost all) of the Mavs are focused on driving "close outs" (sarcastic quotes, because teams aren't really closing out on Mavs shooters these days) rather than shooting the open threes they get. This is true for AD, PJW, Williams and at times even Nembhard and Christie, but to my mind the biggest culprit of all is Naji Marshall. I know we like his driving ability and physical play style, and he's actually pretty good at getting effective shots off inside off of those drives, but...idk, it's just not fitting with Flagg for me. I think, personally, one of Marshall or PJW should be moved while their value is highest. I think the next level for this offense is very likely to require one or both of those roles to go to a guy who looks to shoot first and drive second. Every time I watch the team, this opinion gets stronger. Both forwards are good players, but I just don't like their fits on offense (or defense, really). 

My only hesitation about throwing Marshall into a deal like this is concern that it wouldn't be maximizing his value. If he's the sweetener that gets that one extra great pick, or that one extra intriguing young guy, then sure. But, as people have pointed out, he's a good player who plays both sides of the floor and is on a tremendous value contract. He's a great asset, and I wonder if a better deal can be had on a smaller scale just trading him to a team looking for exactly what he brings to the table.

[Nowitzki Way]

My only hesitation about throwing Marshall into a deal like this is concern that it wouldn't be maximizing his value. If he's the sweetener that gets that one extra great pick, or that one extra intriguing young guy, then sure. But, as people have pointed out, he's a good player who plays both sides of the floor and is on a tremendous value contract. He's a great asset, and I wonder if a better deal can be had on a smaller scale just trading him to a team looking for exactly what he brings to the table.

This.  Great point. Marshall can be such a valuable piece for a contender. He's the exact type of player you trade for at the deadline when you need that last little piece. He wouldn't interrupt a system because he doesn't demand touches or points. He just makes plays on the court. A good defender. Not a great offensive player but gets buckets his own way. He helps so much around the edges. He's the perfect 7th or 8th guy in a playoff rotation.  Maybe a starter on the right team.

I look at the playoff teams this year and i see teams that could use him. What would a deal look like? Would you want a younger player with upside or pick(s)? 

Would you want Jaden Ivey for Marshall if Detroit was interested? 


What about to Golden State or Denver for a pick?

I still think him being packaged with AD could be the move if it gets you the best pick from a team like Atlanta.

[Chicagojk]

Sounds like that player option is a big concern for Dallas with Trae Young.  If he didn't have that, it would be an easy decision.   You could probably move him pretty easily too.   Although Dallas seems to want $ coming off the books at the end of year.   

Does Kennard have any value as an expiring and a shooter?  Does any team have a trade exception where you get a future second for him?

Asa Newell.  Haven't seen much of him but he is a type of player who I find hard to evaluate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bk8TGAqy_M

and HS highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_dIhk9h5Vw

[Chicagojk]

Hey ATL give us some picks.  It is not like you can draft good players anyway.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AtlantaHawks/co...nchise_is/

[Winter]

Hey ATL give us some picks.  It is not like you can draft good players anyway.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AtlantaHawks/co...nchise_is/

That's bad. And I really thought Kobe Bufkin would be good.

But... that's just really bad.

[Nowitzki Way]

Sounds like that player option is a big concern for Dallas with Trae Young.  If he didn't have that, it would be an easy decision.   You could probably move him pretty easily too.   Although Dallas seems to want $ coming off the books at the end of year.   

Does Kennard have any value as an expiring and a shooter?  Does any team have a trade exception where you get a future second for him?

Asa Newell.  Haven't seen much of him but he is a type of player who I find hard to evaluate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bk8TGAqy_M

and HS highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_dIhk9h5Vw

I think Young is tradeable if he opts in. For this trade they should rebuild his value and take that risk.

With Kennard I can see a contender wanting his shooting off the bench at the deadline.  2nd rounder picks sounds about right. 

Newell caught my eye in the draft process. When looking at the draft I assumed we'd be picking the 10-12 range and was looking at guys on that level. He was an interesting upside pick in my opinion. Adding a 20 year old 6'10" guy with that athletic profile would be huge. My favorite comp for him is John Collins.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

My initial reaction was we can figure out where to trade Trae Young later.

But so many PGs are rumored to be potentially available. And ATL has lost every game since he came back. Mavs might be scared they could be stuck with him next year and not be able to get under the aprons/cap.

[Nowitzki Way]

That's bad. And I really thought Kobe Bufkin would be good.

But... that's just really bad.

I got fooled on Bufkin too. But Keyonte George was right there. They could have had him. 

The 2024 draft for them is looking so bad. Risacher may turn out ok, but Castle is already a star in the making. Sarr looks good. Buzelis is going to be really good. Big guys like Cllingan and Edey would be better fits for them.  All of those guys were in consideration in the top 5 range. They made a bad pick.