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

[meistermatze]

Read an article today by an OKC writer and he's postulating that OKC might be looking to move Hartenstein in the off-season. He's on a TO for $28.5M next season, but the team is sitting on a payroll of $250M+ for next season and $220M+ the following season (with only 11 contracts). These numbers don't include the impact of this summer's draft picks.

Speculation was that Hartenstein was moveable and the departure of AD combined with the uncertainty of Lively's availability and DAL's interest in using Gaff for getting more draft capital. TBH I think it's part of, what I perceive, is a league wide disdain for DAL MBT, despite Nico's departure. I'm certainly not up for paying that much for a player that doesn't bring more dominance than he does.

Also read where Exum is getting cut. Guessing his time in the NBA is done.

This is an interesting idea. I would like Hartenstein as a good and mostly durable player. Especially if it is going to be a time-share with Lively, this could work.

[Chicagojk]

Of all teams, I wonder why he chose the Bucks? I guess they were the only team interested. Thomas is a polarizing player for sure.

I sort of like it or both team and player.   MIL has made mistake after mistake in desperation mode: Dame, Kuzma, Turner.  At least this is a no cost gamble.

I get it.  Thomas doesn't have a lot of fans.  Personally, if you catch him on the right day he looks the part.   MIL needs someone who can score.   Thomas can score.    MIL has a lot of meh guards, and Thomas probably adds to that.   Although, he probably provides some upside that some of other meh guards do not.

[Chicagojk]

Also read where Exum is getting cut. Guessing his time in the NBA is done.

Yes, Exum's NBA career is over.   just too many injuries and body may not be suited for the NBA schedule.  If he wants to keep playing, I am sure he will have options overseas.   It my be more fun for him too.  Getting more minutes and a bigger role, rather than a deep bench role.  I would like to hear more about his injury though.  Was he damaged good when he arrived at camp or did he get hurt at team HQ?

More interesting is that DLO is not going to report to Washington.  Do they buy him out for this year and next?   If he is not willing to decline next years option, do they tell him to stay home and just sit on the couch?  If he is released, does anyone pick him up?   Is he even on an NBA roster next sesaon?

[mvossman]

Yes, Exum's NBA career is over.   just too many injuries and body may not be suited for the NBA schedule.  If he wants to keep playing, I am sure he will have options overseas.   It my be more fun for him too.  Getting more minutes and a bigger role, rather than a deep bench role.  I would like to hear more about his injury though.  Was he damaged good when he arrived at camp or did he get hurt at team HQ?

I think Exum was more than deep bench role.  He was getting 20 minutes a game and played well when he managed to get on the court.  He just can't stay healthy.

[Mavs2021]

Read an article today by an OKC writer and he's postulating that OKC might be looking to move Hartenstein in the off-season. He's on a TO for $28.5M next season, but the team is sitting on a payroll of $250M+ for next season and $220M+ the following season (with only 11 contracts). These numbers don't include the impact of this summer's draft picks.

Speculation was that Hartenstein was moveable and the departure of AD combined with the uncertainty of Lively's availability and DAL's interest in using Gaff for getting more draft capital. TBH I think it's part of, what I perceive, is a league wide disdain for DAL MBT, despite Nico's departure. I'm certainly not up for paying that much for a player that doesn't bring more dominance than he does.

Also read where Exum is getting cut. Guessing his time in the NBA is done.

Caruso has three years left (60/3) and fits into our TPE. Perimeter defense is a huge issue for our team. If the Thunder give up two of their firsts, we could be in business.

Would they

Caruso + Clippers 2026 pick + Sixers 2026 pick for TPE + Thunder 2026 pick?

[mvossman]

Caruso has three years left (60/3) and fits into our TPE. Perimeter defense is a huge issue for our team. If the Thunder give up two of their firsts, we could be in business.

Would they

Caruso + Clippers 2026 pick + Sixers 2026 pick for TPE + Thunder 2026 pick?

You think OKC is going to pay two firsts to dump Caruso?  Not sure why you their 26 pick (which we already have) listed?

[michaeltex]

Yes, Exum's NBA career is over.   just too many injuries and body may not be suited for the NBA schedule.  If he wants to keep playing, I am sure he will have options overseas.   It my be more fun for him too.  Getting more minutes and a bigger role, rather than a deep bench role.  I would like to hear more about his injury though.  Was he damaged good when he arrived at camp or did he get hurt at team HQ?

More interesting is that DLO is not going to report to Washington.  Do they buy him out for this year and next?   If he is not willing to decline next years option, do they tell him to stay home and just sit on the couch?  If he is released, does anyone pick him up?   Is he even on an NBA roster next sesaon?

Interesting (and depressing) that a team built by Nico was supposed to contend with two players who likely will not even be in the league next season. Added to the Luka trade, and the Grimes trade, it's even more obvious that he had no clue about player evaluation and should not have been anywhere near the GM seat.

Oh well, let's hope our long nightmare is over.

[Chicagojk]

Stein said teams went after Leonard at the deadline but the clippers refused.   Said teams will re-visit in the offseason.  Seems like he will be moved.   Clippers have a younger backcourt now, extra picks and hoping for cap room in 2027.  Seems like they would cash in on Leonard if he stays healthy.

[Scott41theMavs]

You think OKC is going to pay two firsts to dump Caruso?  Not sure why you their 26 pick (which we already have) listed?

He was saying that their own pick is their return.

[Mavs2021]

You think OKC is going to pay two firsts to dump Caruso?  Not sure why you their 26 pick (which we already have) listed?

Caruso
Clippers pick
Sixers pick

for

TPE
Thunder pick (they get their pick back )


Let´s not forget the Thunder broke up a core of Westbrook/Durant/Harden/Ibaka for financial reasons. They have a 250M payroll next year without both their mid first rounders. 

..but if I had to guess Presti will keep one of their 1st round picks, trade the other for two future 1sts, waive K. Williams and be 500k under the 2nd apron.

[Mavs2021]

Stein said teams went after Leonard at the deadline but the clippers refused.   Said teams will re-visit in the offseason.  Seems like he will be moved.   Clippers have a younger backcourt now, extra picks and hoping for cap room in 2027.  Seems like they would cash in on Leonard if he stays healthy.

Leonard will get a 50 games suspension after the season. 

They´d do it right now, but they are petrified of the Thunder getting another top 8 pick, so Kawhi gets to play and keep them in the play-offs.

[mvossman]

Caruso
Clippers pick
Sixers pick

for

TPE
Thunder pick (they get their pick back )


Let´s not forget the Thunder broke up a core of Westbrook/Durant/Harden/Ibaka for financial reasons. They have a 250M payroll next year without both their mid first rounders. 

..but if I had to guess Presti will keep one of their 1st round picks, trade the other for two future 1sts, waive K. Williams and be 500k under the 2nd apron.

Makes more sense.

[F Gump]

Read an article today by an OKC writer and he's postulating that OKC might be looking to move Hartenstein in the off-season. He's on a TO for $28.5M next season, but ...

The bottom line reality is that no one will trade for Hartenstein making 28.5M, and OKC will decline the TO. They might have to do the same on Dort's TO as well (18.2) and Kenrich Williams (7.2M), because their upcoming payroll is just impossible. If you like him, Dort may be gettable with the TPE and a 2nd.

[BigDirk41]

The bottom line reality is that no one will trade for Hartenstein making 28.5M, and OKC will decline the TO. They might have to do the same on Dort's TO as well (18.2) and Kenrich Williams (7.2M), because their upcoming payroll is just impossible. If you like him, Dort may be gettable with the TPE and a 2nd.

I really like Dort. I'd be all in if we were closer to competing for a championship, but he would definitely make them team better and the defense should be top notch. I'd still want him if the price is cheap like you mentioned. Every team needs a guy like him.

[michaeltex]

The bottom line reality is that no one will trade for Hartenstein making 28.5M, and OKC will decline the TO. They might have to do the same on Dort's TO as well (18.2) and Kenrich Williams (7.2M), because their upcoming payroll is just impossible. If you like him, Dort may be gettable with the TPE and a 2nd.

I hate Dort as an opponent. I think he's way too aggressive and often puts other players in danger.

But he can hit an outside shot and I can learn to like his aggressiveness if he's on my team. Will he be an UFA if the team declines his TO?

[DallasMaverick]

I hate Dort as an opponent. I think he's way too aggressive and often puts other players in danger.

But he can hit an outside shot and I can learn to like his aggressiveness if he's on my team. Will he be an UFA if the team declines his TO?

…and, what would other teams offer for his services?

I would expect there would be a lot of interest around the league. 

Can we provide a competitive offer to OKC? And what will Dort want in a new contract?

[F Gump]

"Will he be an UFA if the team declines his TO? "
"what would other teams offer for his services?"

There are a lot of moving parts with Dort, since his salary is desirable (vs Hartenstein's, which is not).

If OKC declines the TO, Dort will be a UFA. OKC will have cap permission to sign him, but (assuming they aren't going to pay 100M or more in tax) they won't really have practical room to do so unless they make lots of cuts elsewhere. That's not impossible, of course, but it will be hard since the thing making their payroll so high is the big salary players they likely would prioritize (SGA, Williams, Holmgren).

If they decline his TO and let him be a UFA and someone signs him, they get no compensation. So it makes sense that they would want to do the TO and then trade him to a team who can send back little-to-no salary along with a pick. The size of the asset probably is driven by whether you get Dort for only a year, and then might lose him as a FA, or whether you can extend him at a feasible salary as part of the trade.

The Mavs TPE allows them to do a deal like that. Other teams have ways as well, or at least to do something similar perhaps. No way to know what the demand would be overall, or if the Mavs would be in such competition, or if they could make it happen.

[michaeltex]

How much of a pipe dream would it be to take on Dort and get a FRP for helping OKC out? They have multiple this summer and next and not enough slots to take on all incoming picks without moving existing contracts. Not to mention a SRP both seasons.

[F Gump]

How much of a pipe dream would it be to take on Dort and get a FRP for helping OKC out? They have multiple this summer and next and not enough slots to take on all incoming picks without moving existing contracts. Not to mention a SRP both seasons.

No chance whatsoever. 

OKC needs no help. Their easy solution costs them nothing - they just decline Dort's option, and he signs elsewhere.

Same is true with Hartenstein, and probably K Williams as well. They aren't "stuck" but if you want to pay them a little something with no salary, they can send any of those your way rather than into free agency.

[WillE]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2021696297212780653

Sochan released.