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

[Smitty]

James Harden wanted a two-year, $80 million extension from the Clippers, but they weren’t interested in giving it to him, per @TomerAzarly


“The Clippers have long been prioritizing their cap space heading into the summer of 2027, and were not willing to give players deals beyond the 2026-27 season. Harden, who turns 37 in August, had been hoping to secure a two-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $80 million after this season, sources said, but the Clippers have remained steadfast in their unwillingness to go beyond 2027.”


Also, there's been a lot of speculation on X that maybe Kawhi is about to get suspended and Harden wants out. Whatever the case, he doesn't stay put very long...

https://x.com/themajorstv/status/1723345...85/video/1

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/yossigozlan.bsk...wkv5ti2225

Mitchell can extend when Harden's deal expires if this goes through.

[DanSchwartzgan]

https://bsky.app/profile/yossigozlan.bsk...wkv5ti2225

Mitchell can extend when Harden's deal expires if this goes through.

The same would apply to a deal for Kyrie.  Far fewer headaches and has a history there.

If there is a third team home for Ball, I think there would be a way to send D'Lo to Cleveland first to create some room for Dallas under Apron-2 and then Irving for Garland in a separate deal that avoids aggregation for Cleveland.

[Smitty]

@TheDunkCentral
The Cleveland Cavaliers are exploring trades involving Jarrett Allen, per @sam_amick

“Their second-apron status has been well chronicled, but league sources say they’ve explored ways of trading the contract of big man Jarrett Allen ($90.7 million combined in the next three seasons) as a way of unlocking much bigger possibilities.”

[Chicagojk]

The same would apply to a deal for Kyrie.  Far fewer headaches and has a history there.

If there is a third team home for Ball, I think there would be a way to send D'Lo to Cleveland first to create some room for Dallas under Apron-2 and then Irving for Garland in a separate deal that avoids aggregation for Cleveland.

With his injury, I can't see the Cavs trading for Kyrie.   Also, with all the mavs actions I don't think the Mavs would consider moving him at this time.

Although, this brings up the real possibility next year at this time that a healthy Kyrie starts pushing for an extension.  If that answer is not yet for the Mavs, we may be in the same situation as the Clippers are in now with Harden.

[Chicagojk]

@TheDunkCentral
The Cleveland Cavaliers are exploring trades involving Jarrett Allen, per @sam_amick

“Their second-apron status has been well chronicled, but league sources say they’ve explored ways of trading the contract of big man Jarrett Allen ($90.7 million combined in the next three seasons) as a way of unlocking much bigger possibilities.”

Yeah, I am surprised this has not gathered more rumors.   With some of the centers on the market, Allen could prove valuable.  Not the super costly franchise center, but much more than a backup center.   I could see a lot of interest.  Not sure what type of package/player they would target though.

[Chicagojk]

well duh...it is going to be an issue for anyone.  No one (I don't think) is going to take on that contract.   Quickley has played well recently, but he is another one who I don't want to pay his contract either.   They are bad contracts.

[Amick] The Toronto Raptors are indeed a serious suitor for Domantas Sabonis. Yet they need to find a new home for Jakob Poeltl. The Kings, sources say, aren’t willing to take on the $103 million owed to him in the next four seasons. These discussions will likely resume in the offseason.(ed

[Chicagojk]

shows you how fast things can change.  Last year at this time, Clev seemed poised to be good for a while.   They still may good.  Although, now Allen may be moved.  Garland could be moved.  Mitchell may or may not extend.    It is going to be really rare to have a 8 year run with the same group.  It is more like 3-4 year runs and then pivot....with a few exceptions.

[Smitty]

shows you how fast things can change.  Last year at this time, Clev seemed poised to be good for a while.   They still may good.  Although, now Allen may be moved.  Garland could be moved.  Mitchell may or may not extend.    It is going to be really rare to have a 8 year run with the same group.  It is more like 3-4 year runs and then pivot....with a few exceptions.

This is the NBA. It's been that way for a long time. I think even 3-4 years is the exception, not the norm. More like 2 years max. Just look at the turnover every year from the Mavs.

[omahen]

What does Cleveland want to do? Reshape whole team at TDL? There are some teams looking for centers, but I think most of them are coming from East. Is Cleveland really that interested in giving Boston, Indy or Atlanta a piece they need?

I think Lakers are the only West team in need of a long term center solution. By trading Allen, Cleveland would be moving Mobley to full time center, which would create a need for PF for them. Lakers basically have the answer, as Cleveland was already looking at Hachimura when discussing Hunter deals. Hachimura for Allen (Knecht or Ayton going to third team for salary matching purpose) seems like a very logical trade for both teams. Cleveland gets a very serviceable PF they were looking to acquire in the Hunter deal already. He is expiring so it gives them flexibility in the summer. If Mobley is moved to center, their only PF is Dean Wade, so they would definitely have a need at the position.

Lakers would get a much better center fit next to Luka. Rui has been good, but his impact is limited as long as LeBron is in the house. Lakers problem would be more in decreased flexibility next season, as Allen would take more than half of their capspace for next season while they would still need to find two starting level wings with LeBron probably ending his career with Lakers in the summer.

The question mark is draft equity. Allen is probably a better player, but Cleveland is getting flexibility and Lakers are losing it. I am not sure if he is worth the whole FRP Lakers could offer.

[Dirknows]

Really doesn't seem like Giannis is going to get moved at the deadline, teams interested will have more flexibility to trade picks in the summer. Unless Golden State dumps a bunch of picks for him.

[michaeltex]

Raptors play Wednesday and Thursday.

Hawks play Tuesday and Thursday.

Mavs play Tuesday and Thursday.

Interesting to see who is on the IR for those games. Actually the Thursday games don't matter since they are all after the 3pm EST deadline.

[Smitty]

The Kings and Raptors remain involved in trade negotiations for Domantas Sabonis, per @MikeAScotto

A three-team framework being discussed between Sacramento and Toronto:

Sacramento: RJ Barrett + Ochai Agbaji
Toronto: Domantas Sabonis
Facilitator: Jakob Poeltl + draft capital

[KillerLeft]

The Kings and Raptors remain involved in trade negotiations for Domantas Sabonis, per @MikeAScotto

A three-team framework being discussed between Sacramento and Toronto:

Sacramento: RJ Barrett + Ochai Agbaji
Toronto: Domantas Sabonis
Facilitator: Jakob Poeltl + draft capital

I hope this happens, tbh. 

As eager as I've become to get this AD thing resolved and behind us, I just can't seem to get excited about any of the TOR deals. I think I'd rather just hold onto him if that's the only trade path available.

[DallasMaverick]

shows you how fast things can change.  Last year at this time, Clev seemed poised to be good for a while.   They still may good.  Although, now Allen may be moved.  Garland could be moved.  Mitchell may or may not extend.    It is going to be really rare to have a 8 year run with the same group.  It is more like 3-4 year runs and then pivot....with a few exceptions.

If a team wins, players get inflated views of their own value. After all, if you had a championship ring on your résumé, wouldn’t you expect a bigger paycheck?

Think about guys like Tyson Chandler or JJ Barea after the 2011 championship.

Cleveland had a nice run with their current guys, and were viewed as serious contenders. Payrolls inflate. Now they have hard choices.

[mvossman]

If a team wins, players get inflated views of their own value. After all, if you had a championship ring on your résumé, wouldn’t you expect a bigger paycheck?

Think about guys like Tyson Chandler or JJ Barea after the 2011 championship.

Cleveland had a nice run with their current guys, and were viewed as serious contenders. Payrolls inflate. Now they have hard choices.

Don't really think that is a good example.  That was more about Cuban than the players.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Evan Sidery says Charlotte among the teams interested in Gafford.

Give me expiring Connaughton and Diabate and lets figure out what else has to go out to get our 2027 back.  It is worth more to us than it is to them.  Maybe they are the target of all of this talk about seeing AD, Kyrie and Flagg together.  In other words, trade us our pick back or we will try to be good and make it a meh pick for you.

[Winter]

Evan Sidery says Charlotte among the teams interested in Gafford.

Give me expiring Connaughton and Diabate and lets figure out what else has to go out to get our 2027 back.  It is worth more to us than it is to them.  Maybe they are the target of all of this talk about seeing AD, Kyrie and Flagg together.  In other words, trade us our pick back or we will try to be good and make it a meh pick for you.

I'd love that.

[mvossman]

Evan Sidery says Charlotte among the teams interested in Gafford.

Give me expiring Connaughton and Diabate and lets figure out what else has to go out to get our 2027 back.  It is worth more to us than it is to them.  Maybe they are the target of all of this talk about seeing AD, Kyrie and Flagg together.  In other words, trade us our pick back or we will try to be good and make it a meh pick for you.

As much as this trade makes sense and as much as I want a full reset to build around Flagg, there is a part of me that does not want this team to get their 27 back so there is no chance I will be rooting for losses again.

[Smitty]

NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
The Cavs have contacted the Bucks about Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Mavericks about Anthony Davis, per @WindhorstESPN

Cleveland is ACTIVE ?

(Via @ESPNCleveland )