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

[cow]

I don't understand the people that are dumping all over this AD trade.  What exactly were you expecting to receive for a guy with his playing history and age?  Maybe you're the same ones that thought The Luka deal wasn't a terrible deal because AD was an all star?  This clears so much more space and gives them flexibility to improve the team on Cooper's timeline.

I'm not sure I love the AD trade, but I wouldn't say I hate it or call it surprising either.  The Luka trade is the worst trade in NBA history.  They really aren't comparable.

[omahen]

Seems like Middleton will be bought out. Bagley actually isn’t that bad of a player. He’s become a very efficient shooter and rebounder.  But, I doubt he stays. He’s not bad though. Could help another team. Could he be rerouted as part of another trade?

Assuming Mavs don't make other moves that would bring in less players, I think Middleton and Bagley will be cut to create spots for Nembhard and Cisse

[mvossman]

Anybody have a quick assessment of the salary cap status after the trade? The online sites like Sportrac and Basketball Reference haven't caught up yet.

There is another thread that has the details.  They basically shed 70 mil in cap.  They are now out of the tax and have a lot of options, some of which they could exercise today or tomorrow.

[Winter]

I'm not sure I love the AD trade, but I wouldn't say I hate it or call it surprising either.  The Luka trade is the worst trade in NBA history.  They really aren't comparable.

We were never going to love the AD trade. 

Maybe the best thing about this trade is that after it's over, we don't have to hear any trade-connected Doncic talk. It's like a stab wound every time I had to hear about how bad the trade was.

Now I'll just think about how bad it was rather than hearing it.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Can we please shut down Gafford and let his ankle heal?

[Dirknows]

I don't understand the people that are dumping all over this AD trade.  What exactly were you expecting to receive for a guy with his playing history and age?  Maybe you're the same ones that thought The Luka deal wasn't a terrible deal because AD was an all star?  This clears so much more space and gives them flexibility to improve the team on Cooper's timeline.

This had to of been the only offer they felt they were going to get to get it done today, or at least the best one. It’s clear that they didn’t want to bring back extra money from Toronto, and Atlanta probably didn’t want to give up Risacher or any of their firsts.

[Dirknows]

Can we please shut down Gafford and let his ankle heal?

Trading or shutting down Gafford and starting Powell is the ultimate tank move.

[DallasMaverick]

Assuming Mavs don't make other moves that would bring in less players, I think Middleton and Bagley will be cut to create spots for Nembhard and Cisse

Hmm.

Bagley, or Cisse? Which would you prefer as your 3rd center? Or Powell?

[cow]

We were never going to love the AD trade. 

Maybe the best thing about this trade is that after it's over, we don't have to hear any trade-connected Doncic talk. It's like a stab wound every time I had to hear about how bad the trade was.

Now I'll just think about how bad it was rather than hearing it.

I'm not sure I like it either, I just don't hate it.  Like someone else said, could have been better, could have been worse.  #TeamApathy

Hopefully more moves are coming.

[mvossman]

Hmm.

Bagley, or Cisse? Which would you prefer as your 3rd center? Or Powell?

This is a good point.  Bagley is probably a better player than Cisse.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Trading or shutting down Gafford and starting Powell is the ultimate tank move.

There's no reason to trade Gafford now.  He's your starting Center on opening night next season.

[cow]

Hmm.

Bagley, or Cisse? Which would you prefer as your 3rd center? Or Powell?

Cisse is the most fun.  Powell and Bagley for the tank commander.  Powell for the tenure.  Bagley is the odd man out in my head.

[DallasMaverick]

This is a good point.  Bagley is probably a better player than Cisse.

Certainly more skilled offensively.

But Cisse is pretty strong on defense.

[Dirknows]

There's no reason to trade Gafford now.  He's your starting Center on opening night next season.

Lively?

[omahen]

This is a good point.  Bagley is probably a better player than Cisse.

I think Bagley is not a winning player. A bit of offense, weak defense. I liked way more what I saw from Cisse

[F Gump]

Quick napkin numbers. If my quick calc are accurate --
Mavs now have about 7.5M in room under the cap line.
They also should have TPE for 19Mish and 6M.
In the summer they will start at about the cap, with about 35M under the tax line.
They do have opportunity to perhaps use a TPE now as a facilitator, and pick up a pick. Or even go back over the tax line, offering BIG help for even more salary. Either way they won't be paying repeater tax (or any tax) next season.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Lively?

is more injury prone than AD. If he's healthy, him and Gafford will share center minutes.

[mvossman]

There's no reason to trade Gafford now.  He's your starting Center on opening night next season.

I don't see Gafford as a long term solution, but it does not look like he has any market.  I would be more than happy to flip him for Mathurin or White now that we have the room to pay them.

[mvossman]

Quick napkin numbers. If my quick calc are accurate --
Mavs now have about 7.5M in room under the cap line.
They also should have TPE for 19Mish and 6M.
In the summer they will start at about the cap, with about 35M under the tax line.
They do have opportunity to perhaps use a TPE now as a facilitator, and pick up a pick. Or even go back over the tax line, offering BIG help for even more salary. Either way they won't be paying repeater tax (or any tax) next season.

I think a post above suggested the TPE is 20.8.  That would be enough to take on Poeltl if Toronto is willing to pay up big assets.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Amick] Sources say the Kings now expect to have Domantas Sabonis past tomorrow's deadline, as their talks with Toronto have flat-lined.