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

[Dirknows]

My point was injury concerns.  Look at the number of games this season without AD vs with him.

My point was, if we keep AD, and he can manage to stay somewhat healthy with Kyrie, we will probably be about .500, but not building at all towards the future without the 2027 pick.

[omahen]

If Mobley is the outgoing young player, it is a bit simpler. It basically takes Mobley, Allen and one of Ball, Merrill or Wade. For example, this trade works:
Mil: Mobley, Rui, Knecht, FRPs from LA and Cle
Cle: Giannis, 2 vet min
Brooklyn: Ball and some SRPs from Cleveland
LAL: Allen (this deal also works if one vet min from Milwaukee is going to LAL and one to Cle)

Same thing could of course be done with other teams. Allen to Charlotte for expiring Sexton and draft compensation from Cha going to Milwaukee. Indiana could send Mathurin and Walker (but probably no additional picks). Atlanta could send Risacher and Kennard (if they really like Allen).

[F Gump]

Can Cleveland even aggregate salaries before getting under the second apron as long as they end up under the second apron after the trade?

If yes, than perhaps a deal is a bit easier. Cleveland needs to send out at least 68 mil of salaries to get Giannis and be under the second apron after the deal. A bit more as they will need to get some more players to get to 14 players minimum. So lets say some 72 mil at least assuming they get a couple of vet min. 

If Mobley is the outgoing young player, it is a bit simpler. It basically takes Mobley, Allen and one of Ball, Merrill or Wade. For example, this trade works:
Mil: Mobley, Rui, Knecht, FRPs from LA and Cle
Cle: Giannis, 2 vet min
Brooklyn: Ball and some SRPs from Cleveland
LAL: Allen (this deal also works if one vet min from Milwaukee is going to LAL and one to Cle)

Cleveland could still do Garland for Harden.

If Garland is the outgoing, than it would take Allen and either two of Ball/Merill/Wade or Strus to get to at least 72 mil.

"Can Cleveland even aggregate salaries before getting under the second apron as long as they end up under the second apron after the trade" .... Yes. The CLE status would be where they are at the end of any trade. So if a trade ends under the A2 line, they can aggregate within that trade, regardless of where their payroll used to be. They would also end up hardcapped at A2. The issue is finding a team (or teams) to absorb the extra 13M or so in payroll they need to shed. 

In your proposal above, the one move of Ball-to-BKN (for air) is the catalyst, and after that they would be less than $4M over A2 which is a fairly workable margin to navigate in any number of ways. Add Wade to that move and they are below A2, able to simply match salary dollar-for-dollar in any way they wish. So they would no longer need to include a 3rd team if they were swapping talent-for-talent to get Giannis.

[F Gump]

What am I missing? The Hawks have $6,908,146 of space below the Tax line.

KP/Kennard/Newell for AD is +$9,157,263 to the Hawks. They'd also need to add a 14th player to the roster.

He's assuming ATL would be willing to pay tax, and go up to the A1 line. (I can't see it happening, however.)

[omahen]

"Can Cleveland even aggregate salaries before getting under the second apron as long as they end up under the second apron after the trade" .... Yes. The CLE status would be where they are at the end of any trade. So if a trade ends under the A2 line, they can aggregate within that trade, regardless of where their payroll used to be. They would also end up hardcapped at A2. The issue is finding a team (or teams) to absorb the extra 13M or so in payroll they need to shed. 

In your proposal above, the one move of Ball-to-BKN (for air) is the catalyst, and after that they would be less than $4M over A2 which is a fairly workable margin to navigate in any number of ways. Add Wade to that move and they are below A2, able to simply match salary dollar-for-dollar in any way they wish. So they would no longer need to include a 3rd team if they were swapping talent-for-talent to get Giannis.

I am including additional team only because I assume Milwaukee would prefer expiring salary and FRP (or whatever else Cleveland would get for him) than long-term Allen deal. This goes in line with the report that Cleveland is looking to move Allen.

[omahen]

Bottomline. Cleveland deal for Giannis is actually surprisingly easy, as long as they are prepared to move Mobley and Milwaukee sees (great) value in him in their rebuild.

[Smitty]

He's assuming ATL would be willing to pay tax, and go up to the A1 line. (I can't see it happening, however.)

If the A1 was the worry, then the Vit/Reath deal is irrelevant. I agree, I don't think the Hawks do the proposed KP/Kennard/Asa deal (for tax reasons) and I don't think the Mavs do it, having to waive multiple players, and still get 'nothing' for Davis (Dumont).

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

[KillerLeft]

Bottomline. Cleveland deal for Giannis is actually surprisingly easy, as long as they are prepared to move Mobley and Milwaukee sees (great) value in him in their rebuild.

Mobley would look very good to MIL, imo. I think the bottom line with that is about whether or not they believe they can keep him for a while. If you're running a sports team based in Milwaukee, that's got to be a concern at all times. Probably safer from their POV to get a chance to draft a player and control him for two contracts, at least. But, Mobley might be in the sweet spot of "stud, but not able to write his own contract to play for any team in any city." Not sure.

[omahen]

@ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

Wow. Utah making a move to become serious player next season. I am not sure about Kessler-Markannen-JJJ fit though. And they seriously lack wings, although Vince Williams is a nice bonus to JJJ. 

I am not really sure if this is a smart move for Utah. Memphis obviously entering a rebuild. I wonder if they are willing to move Wells for a FRP.

[KillerLeft]

@ShamsCharania
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

Hmmm...not sure what to make of this.

[omahen]

Mobley would look very good to MIL, imo. I think the bottom line with that is about whether or not they believe they can keep him for a while. If you're running a sports team based in Milwaukee, that's got to be a concern at all times. Probably safer from their POV to get a chance to draft a player and control him for two contracts, at least. But, Mobley might be in the sweet spot of "stud, but not able to write his own contract to play for any team in any city." Not sure.

Mobley has a contract for four more seasons. Real question is, if Milwaukee is able to build a contender in this time. But, they can always trade him for a fortune anytime in next seasons.

[mvossman]

My point was, if we keep AD, and he can manage to stay somewhat healthy with Kyrie, we will probably be about .500, but not building at all towards the future without the 2027 pick.

And my point is that is a very big if.  I'm not convinced an AD trade will make this team worse because I'm not convinced AD can stay on the court any more.  I think the real floor setter for this team is Flagg.  I think if Mavs put a reasonably constructed roster around him it will be unlikely this team falls in the lottery for the foreseeable future.

[KillerLeft]

Mobley has a contract for four more seasons. Real question is, if Milwaukee is able to build a contender in this time. But, they can always trade him for a fortune anytime in next seasons.

True. The length of his current contract does make it a little safer.

[Mavs2021]

I am not really sure if this is a smart move for Utah. Memphis obviously entering a rebuild. I wonder if they are willing to move Wells for a FRP.

Agreed. They just traded three 1st round picks for a player that is out for the season.

[michaeltex]

Agreed. They just traded three 1st round picks for a player that is out for the season.

Shades of KP trade!

[omahen]

Agreed. They just traded three 1st round picks for a player that is out for the season.

Who is out for the season?

[Mavs2021]

Who is out for the season?

Jaren Jackson Jr.

[Smitty]

@esidery
The Pacers are resting Bennedict Mathurin tonight against the Jazz as trade winds swirl around his immediate future.

Mathurin scored 25 points against the Rockets yesterday in what was potentially his last game with Indiana.

Indiana has shopped Mathurin in trades for a center.

[Chicagojk]

Wow...that is a shocker.  

I really like Lauri and Kessler.  Not sure I love the addition of JJJ.  All good players but when Kessler gets an extension that is a lot of money.   Not sure all three can play together.    JJJ has been disappointing this year but is a good player.   Utah just trying to find star power.   Lets see who they get in the draft.  If they get lucky, they could be better sooner than we think.

It is crazy how a promising Memphis team a few years ago is over.  Morant will be next.  They have more first round picks than anyone moving forward.   We will see how the picks play out.   They get the better of clev, minny and utah next year, the Lakers pick next year and a Suns 2031.   Next years draft may be real weak up top.  

I may have missed one but with Trae and now JJJ being traded, there is no first round pick still on the team that drafted them.    Crazy.