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

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Can't believe the Nets just flat-out waived Cam Thomas. Must be more to the story. He can score in bunches.

[omahen]

Maybe if they are delusional.

They are set for this season, obviously. I guess they are a prime candidate to look for a top-end center in the summer. Hartenstein could be an interesting target for them, as it is very likely OKC will be looking for salary relief. 

On the other hand, they could also use a top-end PG.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Maybe if they are delusional.

Maybe they are. The point being, Gafford wasn't going there.

[SkenfromLMF]

We have a Trade Exception, would you try to claim Thomas off waivers?
Makes things a bit messy for activating Nembhard, but I might feel better about waiving Middleton if we brought in Cam... maybe

[omahen]

Can't believe the Nets just flat-out waived Cam Thomas.  Must be more to the story. He can score in bunches.

It was very obvious he will not stay with them, as he took a qualifying offer. For whatever reason, Nets never really valued him. Since he took his QO, he had a veto on trades and he doesn't have bird rights. So not much difference for Nets to keep him or cut him. And if my count is correct, they still need to cut one more player to facilitate all the deals they made

[Jakeospikez]

I think the Pacers deal could be good. With Zubac they could push hard to get to pick 10 and then they are guaranteed to keep their pick so they could pass the Mavs in the standings. If they're pick 10 they can only go down unless they get top 4. Can't believe the Pelicans are still so horrendous, that's a team that has no reason to be that bad and could somehow pass the Mavs, that'd be great too. Milwaukee might stay ahead of the Mavs now that Giannis didn't leave. Mavs being around #5 would be really good imo.

[mvossman]

I think the Pacers deal could be good. With Zubac they could push hard to get to pick 10 and then they are guaranteed to keep their pick so they could pass the Mavs in the standings. If they're pick 10 they can only go down unless they get top 4. Can't believe the Pelicans are still so horrendous, that's a team that has no reason to be that bad and could somehow pass the Mavs, that'd be great too. Milwaukee might stay ahead of the Mavs now that Giannis didn't leave. Mavs being around #5 would be really good imo.

If they get to 10 then they have to give up an unprotected first in the future.  As somebody mentioned, that protection is probably for Clippers.  Indy will likely continue to tank for 1-4.

[omahen]

Atlanta is imho very nicely set for the long-term. They have excellent young wing core in Daniels, Risacher and Johnson. All locked on long-term decent deals. They will have a likely very high pick in 2026, 30+ mil of cap space and a bunch of picks to trade. They could be very dangerous in a season or two.

[Jakeospikez]

If they get to 10 then they have to give up an unprotected first in the future.  As somebody mentioned, that protection is probably for Clippers.  Indy will likely continue to tank for 1-4.

oh yeah true that's probably for the clips, that sucks. Hopefully late in the season the Jazz/Wizards are comfortable winning games if they know they are stable at around 7-8 and they pass the Mavs.

[omahen]

It looks like Celtics traded Tilman to Charlotte and managed to duck below the tax. They will be adding several prorated min guys now to fill their roster to the required number. They only have 12 players under contract currently

[HoosierDaddyKid]

It was very obvious he will not stay with them, as he took a qualifying offer. For whatever reason, Nets never really valued him. Since he took his QO, he had a veto on trades and he doesn't have bird rights. So not much difference for Nets to keep him or cut him. And if my count is correct, they still need to cut one more player to facilitate all the deals they made

Good point. I forgot he was seeking a deal worth between 25 and 30 million per.   

[omahen]

Good point. I forgot he was seeking a deal worth between 25 and 30 million per.   

Score first smaller guards with iffy defense are totally out of fashion. Even elite offensive players like Tray

[Chicagojk]

So Utah and indy both added players ready to win now.   Anyone else in the dregs?    I actually would be fine with the Indy trade, but man that 2026 pick is tough.    LAC will either get a good pick this year or in 2031.  Those are nice assets.

LAC were planning to have a ton of money in 2027. I wonder if that is still the case or if getting rid of Zubac helps that anyway. I guess what I am asking is if they will sign Mathurin this offseason?

[F Gump]

Impossible to know what Indy will try to do. Will they complete their tank job to keep the pick? But FWIW there is no realistic chance for Indy to get to 11. The teams at 10-11-12-13 are playing at a pace that's .450 or better (a 37-win pace). If Indy wins about 3/4 of their games the rest of the year, it only gets them to a 35-47 record -- and let's be real, Indy isn't going to suddenly win 3/4 of their games from here, even if they wanted to. Only OKC and DET are playing that well.

It will be interesting to see where LAC goes from here this season. No reason to tank - they don't have their pick. Harden/Zubac are gone. But they were playing well, and they got very usable players in return. They still have the player who was fueling their good play, Kawhi, playing at an MVP level.

[Chicagojk]

I think if I was Coby White I would be pretty bummed.  He is playing for an exciting team, but it looks like a starting spot is out of the picture.   Plus, how much is Charlotte willing to pay him this summer.  In reality Charlotte is a really nice fit and it may suit his talents best as a bench scorer.    I just feel he was looking to be paid and start.  Not sure where that money is going to come from now

[Chicagojk]

Seems like the league really punishes you if you have a max level player who is no longer a max level talent or players with multiple year contracts who cannot be good rotations player any longer.

The Max level player at one time deserved that $.  Although I think now you really can't assume that player will always be max.   You really need to be right on your evaluation and move if you think different.  Obviously when you make a mistake, you are known as one of the worst GM's ever like Nico.  

For the guys with multiple year contracts who can help teams win, the league is really rough on these players.   Dallas was stuck with Hardy, DLO, Martin.   Some might consider Klay in this...I do not.  Still though, you just can't do that any longer.  I think it is much better to have near minimum guys at 12-15 in your roster.   Also easier to move if you want to change direction.

Agree?

[Dirknows]

Seems like the league really punishes you if you have a max level player who is no longer a max level talent or players with multiple year contracts who cannot be good rotations player any longer.

The Max level player at one time deserved that $.  Although I think now you really can't assume that player will always be max.   You really need to be right on your evaluation and move if you think different.  Obviously when you make a mistake, you are known as one of the worst GM's ever like Nico.  

For the guys with multiple year contracts who can help teams win, the league is really rough on these players.   Dallas was stuck with Hardy, DLO, Martin.   Some might consider Klay in this...I do not.  Still though, you just can't do that any longer.  I think it is much better to have near minimum guys at 12-15 in your roster.   Also easier to move if you want to change direction.

Agree?

I guess the Wizards didn't get the memo.

[SleepingHero]

I also expect Lakers will waive Kleber and find a better player on a buyout market. I don't think Maxi is NBA player anymore

Call me sentimental but I wouldn't mind Maxi to sign a vet min and play 1 more season here if he can/wants to.

[SleepingHero]

If they get to 10 then they have to give up an unprotected first in the future.  As somebody mentioned, that protection is probably for Clippers.  Indy will likely continue to tank for 1-4.

Its riskier for them to do that, because if any of the 5-14 teams move up, they move down. In fact, its more likely they lose the pick if they go for a top 1-4 (52%) vs. going for 10. 

10 is guaranteed safe (100%) with small upside (14% at top 4). vs. if they tank for 1-4, they have a 52% chance at keeping the pick at all. 

Obviously this is really simple math and in actuality the percentages are a little bit different. But the sentiment is the same. They should flat out try and win games now and give up the unprotected pick in 2031. Mostly because if they keep this lotto pick, they have a very good core still with Hali+Siakam+Lotto pick+Nembhard+Zubac. That unprotected pick may be in the mid teens at the worst.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/mikeascotto.bsk...634ztrvc2a


The Nets have waived G/F Tyrese Martin and F Hunter Tyson, whom they got in a trade with Denver.