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

[DallasMaverick]

It is referring to those who have stated (or seem to imply) that AD is worthless and needs to be moved no matter what. That's why I said it was "For those..." (and not for everyone).

I need to see sentences diagrammed before I can accept any other arguments.

[Chicagojk]

The Pistons have nearly $19M in tax space and a $14.1M TE, from the Schroder trade, that expires in July. Jaden Ivey has been underwhelming for them this year. He is a 23 year old combo guard that is a restricted free agent this summer. Would they be interested in the combination of Klay and Naji for Ivey and a FRP? Could you then make a move like Gafford for Mathurin or to ATL for Kennard + FRP, and duck the tax completely this season? I don't know that it's a requirement from Dumont, but as it stands, that repeater tax bill is massive next season.

DAL: Ivey, '27 FRP (DET)
DET: Naji, Klay

DAL: Kennard, '26 FRP (CLE)
ATL: Gafford


This would move the Mavs ~$2M below the tax line and free up a roster spot for Nembhard. The Mavs could then waive Exum at the point of needing to convert Cisse, when his two-way eligibility runs out this season.

Everyone know klay, but his play recently should have a lot of contenders taking notice.  Maybe not option #1, but his experience and shooting should make him attractive.  Mavs may have some nice options and not just an expiring returning.  Maybe a asset back too.

[ThisIStheYear]

The Mavs clearly need to make a classic Don Nelson style trade and just clean house to open up future possibilities.  AD, Klay, Martin, Gaff, DLo, and even Kyrie should all be moved for whatever you can get without bringing back much in the way of long term salary. A bunch of expiring deals and 2nd round picks works for me.

[RGP1981]

The Mavs clearly need to make a classic Don Nelson style trade and just clean house to open up future possibilities.  AD, Klay, Martin, Gaff, DLo, and even Kyrie should all be moved

I think you are exactly right with this portion that I've quoted.

One problem the Mavs have is the chasm in the age gap between Cooper and AD, Kyrie, PJW, Klay, etc... but the main problem for the Mavs is they don't control their picks from 2027 to 2030. Trading these guys for young talent or good picks can help to offset that to some extent. The risk is that future picks being traded for may not end up being good picks, which is why I think the Mavs should be doing everything they can to trade for their picks back (so they can control where those picks land to a better extent), in addition to any young talent they can bring back in trades.

As for anyone who feels that the time-line could or should be accelerated because Cooper is so good already... have we still not learned from the mistakes that the Cavs made when they drafted Lebron, or that the Mavericks made themselves when they drafted Luka? The Mavs just kept giving away assets while chasing their own tails in trying to build a title-winning team around Luka, because they didn't trust the process to (1) build right and (2) at the right time and (3) for as long as was needed. Cooper is still only 19 years old and has time on his side... but the Mavs need to make the right moves now, and not 2-3-4 years from now.

It's like this clip...



If the Mavs make this same mistake again, having already just made it with Luka, and with the benefit today (compared to 25+ years ago) of having access to so much information and thinking because of the internet... :SMH:

[omahen]

With Butler season ending knee injury, I think GSW is out of any deals involving their FRPs. Unless Butler is the outgoing salary.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/MarcGrandi/status/2013493528421347816


Not so fast on a Kuminga trade, due to Butler's injury.

[Chicagojk]

With Butler season ending knee injury, I think GSW is out of any deals involving their FRPs. Unless Butler is the outgoing salary.

brutal.   GS always seemed like a play in and one and done playoff team.   Not a contender, but a team with the upside to win a round.   They play a fun style of play.  There future was already cloudy.  Not good enough to win, but they have one of the greats of the game on their team.   In some ways, similar to the last several years of Dirk before he was broken down.   

I have no idea what they do now.   A move that has been talked about MPJ, Gaff, etc seem far fetched now.   Do they have the assets for a bigger swing by using most of the future draft capital?  is that the smart thing to do anyway?

[Smitty]

The Pistons have nearly $19M in tax space and a $14.1M TE, from the Schroder trade, that expires in July. Jaden Ivey has been underwhelming for them this year. He is a 23 year old combo guard that is a restricted free agent this summer. Would they be interested in the combination of Klay and Naji for Ivey and a FRP? Could you then make a move like Gafford for Mathurin or to ATL for Kennard + FRP, and duck the tax completely this season? I don't know that it's a requirement from Dumont, but as it stands, that repeater tax bill is massive next season.

DAL: Ivey, '27 FRP (DET)
DET: Naji, Klay

DAL: Kennard, '26 FRP (CLE)
ATL: Gafford


This would move the Mavs ~$2M below the tax line and free up a roster spot for Nembhard. The Mavs could then waive Exum at the point of needing to convert Cisse, when his two-way eligibility runs out this season.

I wanted to look at the financials of a deal like this, and why I think it's important to discuss.

If the Mavs make no moves at the TDL they will have a tax bill of ~$32M this season, while also missing out on ~$14M distribution, and become a repeater tax team next year, with a projected tax bill of ~$120M. We're talking about an extra $150M-$200M dollars for a non-contender. It's mind blowing. A move like this is what that would save Dumont.... ~$200-million-dollar difference in payroll and taxes the next 18 months.

As for what these two moves would like for the roster next season:

Irving (33) | Nembhard (22) | DLO (29)
Christie (22) | Ivey (23) | Hardy (23)
Flagg (19) | Martin (30)
PJW (27)
Davis (32) | Lively (21) | Cisse (23)

+FRP (Own), +FRP (CLE),


UFA: Powell, BWill, Kennard, Exum
RFA: Ivey
PO: DLO


The Mavs payroll would be roughly $188M, before paying Ivey. With a tax line of ~$201M next season, you would be able to pay Ivey up to ~$13M year 1 and stay below the tax line a second year in a row or ~$10M year 1, while also adding another Minimum player to get to 15 roster spots.


A projected Ivey deal of 3/$41M, which is the same contract Josh Green got.

Year 1: $12,654,321
Year 2: $13,666,667
Year 3: $14,679,012


The Mavs would start extension talks with Christie, who has a player option in '27-'28, that he will surely look to decline. They can also talk extension with Lively if they feel the need to do so.

[KillerLeft]

With Butler season ending knee injury, I think GSW is out of any deals involving their FRPs. Unless Butler is the outgoing salary.

I have been expecting to hear that Butler, not Green, is the potential outgoing salary all year. He wasn't having the same impact as he was last season right after the trade, and just doesn't seem like he fits very well there to me. Combine that with a very real history of being a pain when he's not happy, and I really was wondering if they had already considered moving him. 

The problem now is that nobody will want him, I guess.

[mvossman]

I wanted to look at the financials of a deal like this, and why I think it's important to discuss.

If the Mavs make no moves at the TDL they will have a tax bill of ~$32M this season, while also missing out on ~$14M distribution, and become a repeater tax team next year, with a projected tax bill of ~$120M. We're talking about an extra $150M-$200M dollars for a non-contender. It's mind blowing. A move like this is what that would save Dumont.... ~$200-million-dollar difference in payroll and taxes the next 18 months.

As for what these two moves would like for the roster next season:

Irving (33) | Nembhard (22) | DLO (29)
Christie (22) | Ivey (23) | Hardy (23)
Flagg (19) | Martin (30)
PJW (27)
Davis (32) | Lively (21) | Cisse (23)

+FRP (Own), +FRP (CLE),


UFA: Powell, BWill, Kennard, Exum
RFA: Ivey
PO: DLO


The Mavs payroll would be roughly $188M, before paying Ivey. With a tax line of ~$201M next season, you would be able to pay Ivey up to ~$13M year 1 and stay below the tax line a second year in a row or ~$10M year 1, while also adding another Minimum player to get to 15 roster spots.


A projected Ivey deal of 3/$41M, which is the same contract Josh Green got.

Year 1: $12,654,321
Year 2: $13,666,667
Year 3: $14,679,012


The Mavs would start extension talks with Christie, who has a player option in '27-'28, that he will surely look to decline. They can also talk extension with Lively if they feel the need to do so.

I'm afraid Ivey is going to be looking for more than that.  Josh Green averaged less than 10 points a game when he got that extension.  Ivey was nearly 18 last season.

So I assume these projections including paying a top 10 pick?  Which pick did you assume?

As a more general question, how much cap do the Mavs need to clear to get out from the tax assuming they pick around 7th next year?

[mvossman]

I have been expecting to hear that Butler, not Green, is the potential outgoing salary all year. He wasn't having the same impact as he was last season right after the trade, and just doesn't seem like he fits very well there to me. Combine that with a very real history of being a pain when he's not happy, and I really was wondering if they had already considered moving him. 

The problem now is that nobody will want him, I guess.

Would you eat a year and half of that contract to get two firsts for AD?  Those future firsts could be very valuable.  I'm guessing GS doesn't do it.

[Smitty]

So I assume these projections including paying a top 10 pick?  Which pick did you assume?

As a more general question, how much cap do the Mavs need to clear to get out from the tax assuming they pick around 7th next year?

Used Pick#8 and Pick#20. Roughly $11M total.

IF the Mavs do nothing at all this TDL, or in the Summer, via trade. They would have a payroll of ~$228M, with 14 roster spots.

Tax Line: $201.6M
1st Apron: $210.3M
2nd Apron: $223.1M

So, they'd need to clear ~$27M to avoid the tax next season with the 7th pick.

[omahen]

Would you eat a year and half of that contract to get two firsts for AD?  Those future firsts could be very valuable.  I'm guessing GS doesn't do it.

I agree on the GSW part. AD for Butler (assuming AD stays healthy) probably puts them in the same tier they are now, which is not really great. And they would significantly deplete their assets for needed improvements to put them a tier or two above. I wouldn't be betting my future on that. GSW season is imho doomed. They might still be good enough to crawl to the playoffs, but I can't see them go past first round. They are probably also too far away from bottom spots to make sense to do a hard tank.

[Chicagojk]

I agree on the GSW part. AD for Butler (assuming AD stays healthy) probably puts them in the same tier they are now, which is not really great. And they would significantly deplete their assets for needed improvements to put them a tier or two above. I wouldn't be betting my future on that. GSW season is imho doomed. They might still be good enough to crawl to the playoffs, but I can't see them go past first round. They are probably also too far away from bottom spots to make sense to do a hard tank.

four titles and a dynasty run is awesome.   Not many fanbases get that.  The ending is always a little ugly.  It just sucks because Steph is still really good.   Them getting the fourth title was really icing on the cake.  I don't think many thought they had another title in them.

It is crazy to think where they would be if they didn't blow two high lottery picks.  Both guys they picked were top of their HS class.  Neither worked out though.   I don't know if it is people trying to protect themselves, but reporting recently seem to think others wanted to take someone else in those drafts.

[mvossman]

Used Pick#8 and Pick#20. Roughly $11M total.

IF the Mavs do nothing at all this TDL, or in the Summer, via trade. They would have a payroll of ~$228M, with 14 roster spots.

Tax Line: $201.6M
1st Apron: $210.3M
2nd Apron: $223.1M

So, they'd need to clear ~$27M to avoid the tax next season with the 7th pick.

I guess I could have backed into that.  So you shed 31 mil and can't pay Ivey more than 4 mil over Naji contract.

27 is a big number.  And there is the "danger" that they land a top 4 pick, meaning it will be significantly more.

Its hard not to see the appeal of an Atlanta deal including all of that salary relief and Risacher.

[omahen]

four titles and a dynasty run is awesome.   Not many fanbases get that.  The ending is always a little ugly.  It just sucks because Steph is still really good.   Them getting the fourth title was really icing on the cake.  I don't think many thought they had another title in them.

It is crazy to think where they would be if they didn't blow two high lottery picks.  Both guys they picked were top of their HS class.  Neither worked out though.   I don't know if it is people trying to protect themselves, but reporting recently seem to think others wanted to take someone else in those drafts.

Yes, those blown picks, especially Wiseman, were a killer for a smooth transition from the championship generation. Now they don't have any other option but to ride it out and then face probably a long and hard rebuild. I don't see them sacrificing their picks for a short term solution that is now, with Butler out, extremely far from any guarantee for a title. Unless they strike on someone like Giannis (with the Butler contract). Even then, it would be still hard to build around Steph-Giannis-Draymond with all the assets going for Giannis.

[KillerLeft]

Would you eat a year and half of that contract to get two firsts for AD?  Those future firsts could be very valuable.  I'm guessing GS doesn't do it.

Yes. I still like Butler as a player, actually, and while I don't view him as an ideal fit with Flagg at all, I'd be pretty hopeful I could flip him again next year if/when he recovers.

[mvossman]

Yes. I still like Butler as a player, actually, and while I don't view him as an ideal fit with Flagg at all, I'd be pretty hopeful I could flip him again next year if/when he recovers.

And he wouldn't screw up the tank for this year.  I don't see GS giving away their future for this and I don't see AD and Draymond a great fit either.  But one can dream.

[KillerLeft]

And he wouldn't screw up the tank for this year.  I don't see GS giving away their future for this and I don't see AD and Draymond a great fit either.  But one can dream.

I think that's kind of the problem with Green in general. I admire his game greatly, especially during his prime, but I don't think he's really a fit with ANY big. I think he is at his best when he's played "out of position" at the 5, and it doesn't seem like he's physically up to the physicality of that mission anymore. I think guys like KD/Dirk are the perfect complement to him, and even then you're having to willingly choose to go away from rim protection in favor of otherworldly defensive instincts and offensive playmaking. He has always been a very niche presence, in my opinion, and is clearly on the downside at this point. Since he's also a bonafide crazy person who's accustomed to having his team almost completely shaped around his talents/temperament, I have never had an ounce of interest in any trade that results in him becoming a Maverick, even temporarily.

[Smitty]

I guess I could have backed into that.  So you shed 31 mil and can't pay Ivey more than 4 mil over Naji contract.

27 is a big number.  And there is the "danger" that they land a top 4 pick, meaning it will be significantly more.

The one caveat is that they wouldn't have to avoid the tax next season, if they don't want to. Clearing the money in that hypothetical trade I posted and getting below the tax before the last day of this season, will free them of the massive repeater tax bill they're on track for as of now.

I don't know what the priority is for Dumont. None of us do. But I have to think he would like they appeal of a net difference of $200M in his pocket. But maybe he doesn't care about it at all and wants to build a "contender" at any cost going forward.