Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

It kind of feels like the team we should be discussing as a potential Kyrie destination is Minnesota. Regardless of where each of us are on the "believe in Kyrie" spectrum, he's Kyrie, and he's going to have some say in where he plays next. I assume the bulk of the three-way negotiation between the Mavs, Kyrie and team X would be about Kyrie's next contract (that's what we never factor in enough as fans, imo), but SOME of it will be about team X feeling ready to win, viewing Kyrie as the piece that gets them there and their star(s) having interest in playing with him.

DET, imho, is NOT ready to win, nor are the Lakers. Just my opinion. I could see Minnesota convincing themselves they are, even to the point of giving Kyrie another couple of seasons of max pay to set everything up. And, there's smoke out there about Edwards wanting them to bring Kyrie in. Conley is obviously past the point of helping, so it makes a little sense.

And that brings me back to "why now?" I can't tell you how many times I read here "offers will be better at the deadline." Then, at the deadline, I read "offers will be better over the summer." If I put myself in the shoes of a team like Minnesota (or any team trying to add Kyrie to what they believe is a championship roster, honestly), I want to get it done NOW, personally. That way, my team has time to plan for the roster we'll have, learn to play together, etc.

I think any contending team has bigger names they’d be interested in before settling for Kyrie.  Teams will want to see what happens with Giannis. There are probably other guys in the pecking order ahead of Kyrie I can’t think of right now. Jaylen Brown? Kawhii?

Kyrie is coming off an ACL tear and an entire missed season. I don’t really see any reasonable argument his value would be higher now. Like you said, he might be washed. Teams want to see him play to make sure he’s not washed. I don’t agree with the logic that once we see him play, he might be washed, so the time to trade him is now.  

Isiah Stewart is a nice little player but I’m not convinced he’s one of the best defensive bigs in the league when he doesn’t have Ausar Thompson next to him.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

If Holland is such an asset, why did he only play 38 total minutes in the ECSFs, including a DNPCD? (In SEVEN GAMES!!!)  Most of those were garbage time.

I'm amazed that people's perceived value is three bench players and a low 1st. Even on the Mavs, it's HIGHLY probable that none of those guys start. If you think that's all he'll get don't trade him. But I don't think I'm crazy. Both Locked On and DLLS called this trade trash. And Stein thinks there will be a line around the block for Kyrie.

[Chicagojk]

If Holland is such an asset, why did he only play 38 total minutes in the ECSFs, including a DNPCD? (In SEVEN GAMES!!!)  Most of those were garbage time.

I'm amazed that people's perceived value is three bench players and a low 1st. Even on the Mavs, it's HIGHLY probable that none of those guys start. If you think that's all he'll get don't trade him. But I don't think I'm crazy. Both Locked On and DLLS called this trade trash. And Stein thinks there will be a line around the block for Kyrie.

I don't get it either.    I think it is moot anyway.  I think Kyrie is here to start the season.   How long he is here is tbd.    If he looks like old Kyrie, Dallas should have multiple directions they go.

[KillerLeft]

It's very possible some of us are underestimating Kyrie's value on the market. Drastically even, I suppose. I value him highly ON THIS TEAM, but when I imagine being the fan of another team wanting to trade for him, it's tough to get excited about paying a high price, honestly. Is he the difference for teams like DET, LAL or MIN? I wouldn't think so - I don't think he puts them above SAS or OKC, at least not in the amount of time he has left.

I know it's obvious, but I think the "decision" is whether to let him fade out here or try to get what you can. There are pros/cons to both, but if you choose the latter you have to be realistic about what you're likely to get, offer wise. Obviously, you wait to see offers before actually deciding, but some of you are acting like he's Giannis. If your bar is Giannis-level offers than you're simply not in favor of trading him (which is fine). I'm just not so sure that's the most pragmatic attitude about where to go from here with the team. I think it's a stretch even to imagine them winning 50 games one time during the rest of his career, let alone competing in a meaningful way. Even that is something I could have wrong, of course, but I think it illustrates why I'm thinking the way I am.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

It's very possible some of us are underestimating Kyrie's value on the market. Drastically even, I suppose. I value him highly ON THIS TEAM, but when I imagine being the fan of another team wanting to trade for him, it's tough to get excited about paying a high price, honestly. Is he the difference for teams like DET, LAL or MIN? I wouldn't think so - I don't think he puts them above SAS or OKC, at least not in the amount of time he has left.

I know it's obvious, but I think the "decision" is whether to let him fade out here or try to get what you can. There are pros/cons to both, but if you choose the latter you have to be realistic about what you're likely to get, offer wise. Obviously, you wait to see offers before actually deciding, but some of you are acting like he's Giannis. If your bar is Giannis-level offers than you're simply not in favor of trading him (which is fine). I'm just not so sure that's the most pragmatic attitude about where to go from here with the team. I think it's a stretch even to imagine them winning 50 games one time during the rest of his career, let alone competing in a meaningful way. Even that is something I could have wrong, of course, but I think it illustrates why I'm thinking the way I am.

I think we can all agree that Kyrie is, at a minimum, a starter and in a team's top 3. If a proposal doesn't even include a single starter, perhaps it's short-selling. 

I don't necessarily like Jabari Smith, but at least he'd start.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

[KillerLeft]

I think we can all agree that Kyrie is, at a minimum, a starter and in a team's top 3. If a proposal doesn't even include a single starter, perhaps it's short-selling. 

I don't necessarily like Jabari Smith, but at least he'd start.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

I think there's a decent chance you get two starters out of that DET deal, possibly even three. 

I said it the other day, but think it bears repeating: When you trade old for young, the team getting "old" has to also get the "better," at least right away, otherwise those deals would never, ever happen. The entire point of any Kyrie trade (in theory) is to think ahead a few years, not about this coming season. If you're thinking about this coming season you don't even consider moving him - and who knows, maybe they aren't considering it!

The issue I'm having currently is that I think this team is headed for another season of missing the playoffs, even with a fully healthy Kyrie season. I can't talk myself into excitement over that.

[Chicagojk]

Donovan Mitchell told Marc Spears of ESPN to “stop the [trade] speculation” and that he wants to return to Cleveland and work on his next deal. Mitchell becomes eligible for a 4YR/$272M contract extension on July 7 or, if he waits until 2027, a 5YR/$350M contract with a no-trade clause.


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That is sort of scary.   the 4 year contract is around 68 million per year.   Mitchell is very good, but will be 30 by the start of next season.   One injury and that turns into an albatross, even if he is still a good player.

[dirkfansince1998]

Donovan Mitchell told Marc Spears of ESPN to “stop the [trade] speculation” and that he wants to return to Cleveland and work on his next deal. Mitchell becomes eligible for a 4YR/$272M contract extension on July 7 or, if he waits until 2027, a 5YR/$350M contract with a no-trade clause.


*********************
That is sort of scary.   the 4 year contract is around 68 million per year.   Mitchell is very good, but will be 30 by the start of next season.   One injury and that turns into an albatross, even if he is still a good player.

Mitchell as the highest paid/best player limits the ceiling of a team. He is a great scorer. Not a great offensive engine. Needs another playmaking guard next to him. And his defense is beyond bad. 
Cavs probably have to do this because they cannot replace him but they might have peaked this year (unless Mobley unlocks another level on offense).

[F Gump]

... if we didn't think Dallas was in position to make that kind of commitment to Davis, I have to wonder why we assume they're willing to do so with Kyrie. 

The difference for me is the MASSIVE difference in salary (and in attitude). Since he has been here, Kyrie has been all about team, and has been very flexible in salary. AD? I don't see any of that in him ...and the fact AD couldn't get on the floor almost ever is what made it impossible to wait and find out how he could work out, while also having to be hit with a demand for more money.

[Scott41theMavs]

I think there's a decent chance you get two starters out of that DET deal, possibly even three. 

I said it the other day, but think it bears repeating: When you trade old for young, the team getting "old" has to also get the "better," at least right away, otherwise those deals would never, ever happen. The entire point of any Kyrie trade (in theory) is to think ahead a few years, not about this coming season. If you're thinking about this coming season you don't even consider moving him - and who knows, maybe they aren't considering it!

The issue I'm having currently is that I think this team is headed for another season of missing the playoffs, even with a fully healthy Kyrie season. I can't talk myself into excitement over that.

If this team *with* Kyrie this coming year isn't at least a high level play-in team (7-8 seed), then that tells me that 1) Cooper Flagg probably isn't the player we think he is, and/or 2) Masai/Schmitz aren't the FO we think they are. Or, alternatively, that they made a really horrendous HC hire (which would raise the question on #2). I mean, come on. We could have easily won at least ten more games than we did last year if not actively (and yet ethically) tanking. Kyrie on court would have improved (and will improve) Cooper's play, and CF will improve substantially this coming year whether Kyrie plays or not.

My take on Kyrie is simple - he is worth far more to the Mavs than to another team until he plays and reveals what everyone in their heart of hearts really knows - he's a really good player (even if he isn't quite as good as he was pre-injury - it's not going to be like AC Green getting hit in the mouth and never being the same, or like Kobe's late-career Achilles) who can help a team win. Masai can choose, at the deadline, to keep him or get a pretty good haul for him.

In the meantime, taking offers on him now is a "duh." I think the "Giannis return" assertion you're making about some of us is rather straw-manning. For it to be worth it right now for the Mavs, imho, it must include either a top 20-or-so pick in this draft (probably higher for most), and/or a guy 25 or younger whom we can project to be in the Mavs' top 8 rotation with Cooper for many years to come. Probably both. That's not a Giannis return. And if there are really teams lined up around the block for Kyrie, then most of the suggested trades are pretty silly (in terms of not enough coming back to the Mavs).

[HoosierDaddyKid]

All good, helpful info, thanks. 

What I'm asking is: If you turn off the Mavs fan part of yourself and only access the DET fan side, is the proposed trade something you'd be excited about?

 
Sure. Who wouldn’t get excited about Kyrie Irving? He's been a great sidekick or number 2 throughout his career with LeBron, and Luka. Even if comes back at 75-80% of what he was, after recovering from knee surgery.

[cow]

I wouldn't move Kyrie before the start of the season unless the Mavs are blown away and that purposed trade from Detroit doesn't come close to blowing me away.  We have all the time in the world to be greedy and for once, seemingly the leadership to take advantage of that mindset.

[windjc]

The same people that said we should take Risacher for AD and that we'd never get a real President or GM are the same ones saying Kyrie isn't worth anything. Tracks.

[KillerLeft]

If this team *with* Kyrie this coming year isn't at least a high level play-in team (7-8 seed), then that tells me that 1) Cooper Flagg probably isn't the player we think he is, and/or 2) Masai/Schmitz aren't the FO we think they are. Or, alternatively, that they made a really horrendous HC hire (which would raise the question on #2). I mean, come on. We could have easily won at least ten more games than we did last year if not actively (and yet ethically) tanking. Kyrie on court would have improved (and will improve) Cooper's play, and CF will improve substantially this coming year whether Kyrie plays or not.

My take on Kyrie is simple - he is worth far more to the Mavs than to another team until he plays and reveals what everyone in their heart of hearts really knows - he's a really good player (even if he isn't quite as good as he was pre-injury - it's not going to be like AC Green getting hit in the mouth and never being the same, or like Kobe's late-career Achilles) who can help a team win. Masai can choose, at the deadline, to keep him or get a pretty good haul for him.

In the meantime, taking offers on him now is a "duh." I think the "Giannis return" assertion you're making about some of us is rather straw-manning. For it to be worth it right now for the Mavs, imho, it must include either a top 20-or-so pick in this draft (probably higher for most), and/or a guy 25 or younger whom we can project to be in the Mavs' top 8 rotation with Cooper for many years to come. Probably both. That's not a Giannis return. And if there are really teams lined up around the block for Kyrie, then most of the suggested trades are pretty silly (in terms of not enough coming back to the Mavs).

Flagg is great. Carry a playoff team great?? I don't see it yet, and there's the matter of all the support players being a fit with Luka and not him to think about, too. Kidd/Harrison seemed to want to get around that by sliding Flagg into the vacant hole left by Luka in the offense, a strategy I'm very much hoping is not continued by the new coach, but we'll see. 

Point being: I disagree with your binary view on it. In my NBA following experience, guys on rookie contracts don't lead teams to the top of the sport very often, if at all. I'l stand by what I wrote: I don't think a fully healthy season of Kyrie gets this thing into the playoffs next year. Sorry, I just don't. A fully healthy Kyrie, a fully healthy LIVELY and an AMAZING coach upgrade (not a first-timer), maybe. Still lots of time to figure a lot of things out - I'm just going off of what we know right now.

[mvossman]

Some crazy takes on this board regarding young players:

If Flagg can't carry a playoff team (at age 20) then maybe he is not the guy we thought he was.

Holland got hardly any minutes in the playoffs (at age 20), he will never be a starter.

Risacher got hardly any minutes in the playoffs (at age 21), he is useless.

It's like there is no expectation that 20 year olds might get better at basketball. If this is the mindset going into next season, there are going to be a lot of disappointed folks with whoever we draft.

[KillerLeft]

Some crazy takes on this board regarding young players:

If Flagg can't carry a playoff team (at age 20) then maybe he is not the guy we thought he was.

Holland got hardly any minutes in the playoffs (at age 20), he will never be a starter.

Risacher got hardly any minutes in the playoffs (at age 21), he is useless.

It's like there is no expectation that 20 year olds might get better at basketball.  If this is the mindset going into next season, there are going to be a lot of disappointed folks with whoever we draft.

Yeah, it seems like most around here have simple lists - "these players good" and "these players not good." That's not the way basketball or life works, obviously. Flagg is AWESOME, but he's going to go on a roller coaster ride of change, discovery, pain and development, just like Dirk, Luka, Brunson, LeBron, Durant...just like anyone you can think of as a comparison. They don't come out of the box ready to win Finals MVP, kids.

[F Gump]

Flagg is great. Carry a playoff team great?? I don't see it yet, and there's the matter of all the support players being a fit with Luka and not him to think about, too. Kidd/Harrison seemed to want to get around that by sliding Flagg into the vacant hole left by Luka in the offense, a strategy I'm very much hoping is not continued by the new coach, but we'll see. 

Point being: I disagree with your binary view on it. In my NBA following experience, guys on rookie contracts don't lead teams to the top of the sport very often, if at all. I'l stand by what I wrote: I don't think a fully healthy season of Kyrie gets this thing into the playoffs next year. Sorry, I just don't. A fully healthy Kyrie, a fully healthy LIVELY and an AMAZING coach upgrade (not a first-timer), maybe. Still lots of time to figure a lot of things out - I'm just going off of what we know right now.

I'm with Scott. We all have already seen enough to know CF can be The Guy on an elite playoff team. It's only a matter of when he will do it, not if. 

We all should have also seen enough to now understand that CF's growth trajectory happens way faster than "normal." He has shown that for YEARS, and he demonstrated it again last season.. His game at the end of the year was worlds beyond what was expected here a year ago. That one is a told ya so, because before the season began, no one believed me when I said he levels up INCREDIBLY quickly, and they should not limit how he is challenged to do more. 

Let's not forget that what he did last season was done with a crappy tanking team alongside. Put him in a better context, and he would have looked very different. BUT he learned under major duress.

For next season, let me another prediction - by the end of the year CF will end playing at new levels that no one is currently thinking possible. 

For that reason, he will be ready way sooner than anyone thinks. The Mavs need to give him the right context to use what he will be obtaining, and grow even farther faster. This team SHOULD be pursuing winning, with a good coach, a better medical staff that brings better health, and some smart roster management, because it would be a mistake to hold him back again.

Does he need help? Yes. But there is no good reason to tear it all down or to take it slow and play for 2032 or whatever. That would be a waste of years. It's a question of who they can put alongside him this season, who can be here for multiple years, and keep up as that train starts taking off. (That's one reason I so strongly favor keeping Kyrie, as he is a player who CAN play at the level CF is headed very soon. Frankly, rather than selling Kyrie, imo it would be better if their mindset was: How do we add another who can play at that level?)

[DanSchwartzgan]

It kind of feels like the team we should be discussing as a potential Kyrie destination is Minnesota..

DET, imho, is NOT ready to win, nor are the Lakers. Just my opinion. I could see Minnesota convincing themselves they are, even to the point of giving Kyrie another couple of seasons of max pay to set everything up. And, there's smoke out there about Edwards wanting them to bring Kyrie in. Conley is obviously past the point of helping, so it makes a little sense.

I see Minnesota mentioned along with Detroit and Houston as prominent Kyrie destinations.  They don’t have any tradable draft picks after their VERY late pick this year.  So, you are building around vets.  Are you thinking of building something around Naz or around McDaniels?

Prior to the new season Minnesota has to send out more than they take back.  McDaniels and DiVincenzo work.  You can also add Beringer for Johnson to the deal.  It could also be Naz, DiVincenzo and Beringer without Johnson, but I hesitate to include Beringer in any deal.  I mean, how could he have any value since he hardly played any during the playoffs and that is apparently the standard for valuing 20 year olds.  Clearly they are all finished products by that age (we should probably pass on Burries as he’s that same age).

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm with Scott. We all have already seen enough to know CF can be The Guy on an elite playoff team. It's only a matter of when he will do it, not if. 

We all should have also seen enough to now understand that CF's growth trajectory happens way faster than "normal." He has shown that for YEARS, and he demonstrated it again last season.. His game at the end of the year was worlds beyond what was expected here a year ago. That one is a told ya so, because before the season began, no one believed me when I said he levels up INCREDIBLY quickly, and they should not limit how he is challenged to do more. 

Let's not forget that what he did last season was done with a crappy tanking team alongside. Put him in a better context, and he would have looked very different. BUT he learned under major duress.

For next season, let me another prediction - by the end of the year CF will end playing at new levels that no one is currently thinking possible. 

For that reason, he will be ready way sooner than anyone thinks. The Mavs need to give him the right context to use what he will be obtaining, and grow even farther faster. This team SHOULD be pursuing winning, with a good coach, a better medical staff that brings better health, and some smart roster management, because it would be a mistake to hold him back again.

Does he need help? Yes. But there is no good reason to tear it all down or to take it slow and play for 2032 or whatever. That would be a waste of years. It's a question of who they can put alongside him this season, who can be here for multiple years, and keep up as that train starts taking off. (That's one reason I so strongly favor keeping Kyrie, as he is a player who CAN play at the level CF is headed very soon. Frankly, rather than selling Kyrie, imo it would be better if their mindset was: How do we add another who can play at that level?)

Agree with all of this down to the conclusion.  I’m trying to think of what will give Flagg the best chance of winning (advanced playoff success) 2-3 seasons from now (which would still be incredibly early for most All-NBA types.  BTW, I look at that third team and think Flagg could get there by next season or certainly by the one after that.

I think it is important for Flagg to play next to real NBA players in a real NBA offense.  Kyrie would certainly help with that.  I’m not convinced he has to go, but I’m nearly sure he won’t be a major contributor 3-4 years from now and beyond.  Since that is the target that really matters, I’d be open to moving him in the right deal.  I don’t necessarily value a bunch of late firsts.  I want young players who show some promise, but who you aren’t starting from scratch with.  Guys like McDaniels, Holland and Jabari appeal to me, but the rest of the deal matters.  If you get the right package, great.  If you don’t, no harm as I love the idea of watching Kyrie and Flagg playing together.  I think the standard for me isn’t what happens next season.  It is about how well it sets us up when Flagg is early 20’s.

[Scott41theMavs]

I'm with Scott. We all have already seen enough to know CF can be The Guy on an elite playoff team. It's only a matter of when he will do it, not if. 

We all should have also seen enough to now understand that CF's growth trajectory happens way faster than "normal." He has shown that for YEARS, and he demonstrated it again last season.. His game at the end of the year was worlds beyond what was expected here a year ago. That one is a told ya so, because before the season began, no one believed me when I said he levels up INCREDIBLY quickly, and they should not limit how he is challenged to do more. 

Let's not forget that what he did last season was done with a crappy tanking team alongside. Put him in a better context, and he would have looked very different. BUT he learned under major duress.

For next season, let me another prediction - by the end of the year CF will end playing at new levels that no one is currently thinking possible. 

For that reason, he will be ready way sooner than anyone thinks. The Mavs need to give him the right context to use what he will be obtaining, and grow even farther faster. This team SHOULD be pursuing winning, with a good coach, a better medical staff that brings better health, and some smart roster management, because it would be a mistake to hold him back again.

Does he need help? Yes. But there is no good reason to tear it all down or to take it slow and play for 2032 or whatever. That would be a waste of years. It's a question of who they can put alongside him this season, who can be here for multiple years, and keep up as that train starts taking off. (That's one reason I so strongly favor keeping Kyrie, as he is a player who CAN play at the level CF is headed very soon. Frankly, rather than selling Kyrie, imo it would be better if their mindset was: How do we add another who can play at that level?)

Thanks for this. It articulates well what was making me scratch my head reading KL and mvossman's posts (and the likes the latter got) and thinking, "We talking about the same Cooper Flagg?"