Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Is this another full max?

But in recent weeks, Wizards decision-makers became convinced that, with the NBA’s new anti-tanking measures compelling more teams to compete, Young was going to command maximum-salary contract offers from other franchises through either a straight free-agent signing or a sign-and-trade proposal.

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Because the Wizards hold Young’s Bird rights, the Wizards had the latitude to offer Young up to a five-year contract with 8 percent annual raises. But Young’s new four-year deal instead features 5 percent year-over-year raises, the maximum year-over-year raise that any other team could have offered Young as a non-Bird free agent. For Washington, the difference between signing Young to 5 percent raises instead of 8 percent raises will amount to a total savings of $8.9 million over four years.

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Wizards officials are not concerned that Young’s new contract will age poorly and prevent them from making future moves to improve their roster. Anthony Davis, who is due to earn $58.5 million in 2026-27, and Young are now Washington’s highest-paid players on its young roster, but the person with the third-largest salary is big man Alex Sarr, who will be paid the relatively small sum of $12.3 million this season. At the earliest, the Wizards do not expect to approach the dreaded first apron until the 2028-29 season, when any new rookie-scale contract extensions for Sarr and Kyshawn George would go into effect.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7382866/2026/06/22/trae-young-washington-wizards-new-contract/?unlocked_article_code=1.sFA.076j.y1Obl2kdWXlP&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Seems like it's the max other teams could have offered him.

[KillerLeft]

And AD contract may be worse.  It's one of many reasons I'm so glad to be done with him.

Yeah, that's why I was in favor of trading AD, ultimately. They just had to get out from under that. The idea that they could use such a deal to get out of the tax LAST SEASON never entered my mind the entire time we debated it, and I honestly still don't think people have fully realized what a score that was in terms of setting the franchise up to move forward comfortably. 

I tend to think none of what's happening this summer...Ujiri and all that has come since, would have happened had the Mavs not cleared the way for it with that trade. Stein literally said as much after Ujiri was hired, and I agree.

[DallasMaverick]

Congratulations to the Wizards, pulled a nice magic trick. They bid against themselves and still overshot the target by $72M. Nobody would or could have given Young more than $35M a year. Not even Nico would be that stupid. And I´m generous with $35M. There is a reason they have not won 50 games since 1978. I think the NBA discontinued the Sonics for giving the Bullets an NBA championship.

All it takes is one team, that believes it sees something, to offer a crazy high contract.

Now we find out if they were right.

[F Gump]

The article posted says Trae is getting a max deal, only without 8% raises, without a 5th year, and with a PO at the end. So he's getting the same salary as in the PO he held (or very close) and some player-favorable terms too.

Surprising to me.

Obviously WAS likes him way more than I would value him. It's certainly a swing for the fences.

I agree with others that their analysis that another team would grab him, if they didnt pay like this, was absurd thinking. Who is that team who has 50M in cap room and would be wanting to spend it on Trae? I dont see it. It feels like someone didn’t do their homework (then again, I didnt look closely so it could be ME!)

[Jmaciscool]

The article posted says Trae is getting a max deal, only without 8% raises, without a 5th year, and with a PO at the end. So he's getting the same salary as in the PO he held (or very close) and some player-favorable terms too.

Surprising to me.

Obviously WAS likes him way more than I would value him. It's certainly a swing for the fences.

I agree with others that their analysis that another team would grab him, if they didnt pay like this, was absurd thinking. Who is that team who has 50M in cap room and would be wanting to spend it on Trae? I dont see it. It feels like someone didn’t do their homework (then again, I didnt look closely so it could be ME!)

Here's the Ringer's take: https://nbarankings.theringer.com/the-of...trae-young

Pretty spot on imo.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/nationmffl/status/20691176...10026?s=46

No surprise about Klay. I saw he was at a wings game a few days ago. I wonder if that was part of him coming back to meet with the team to get an idea on where he would like to go?

Marshall has always been a sneaky one for me. Last year if a contract where he will be looking for a nice raise. If Mavs don’t think he fits moving forward, now is the time to move him imo.

[DanSchwartzgan]

https://x.com/nationmffl/status/20691176...10026?s=46

No surprise about Klay.  I saw he was at a wings game a few days ago.  I wonder if that was part of him coming back to meet with the team to get an idea on where he would like to go?

Marshall has always been a sneaky one for me.  Last year if a contract where he will be looking for a nice raise.  If Mavs don’t think he fits moving forward, now is the time to move him imo.

Opens up some wing minutes if true.  

Everyone loves Naji, but hitting 3's at a high level would seem to be an important part of the job description and much of his value was derived from the lack of guards, which is hopefully getting fixed.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

which Mav is most likely to get traded tomorrow? I'm thinking Gafford is gone.

[Scott41theMavs]

which Mav is most likely to get traded tomorrow?  I'm thinking Gafford is gone.

Seems a safe bet.

If we end up trading down for two picks, Quintaince wouldn't surprise me.

[mvossman]

which Mav is most likely to get traded tomorrow?  I'm thinking Gafford is gone.

That would be my bet.  Maybe 50/50.  Nobody else is really close.  Maybe they get something for Klay.

[loki]

which Mav is most likely to get traded tomorrow?  I'm thinking Gafford is gone.

I'll say PJ to the Spurs. The trouble with Gafford is I think he only lands you a late 1st from a team like LA. Not sure if adding 30 is even enough to move into the top 20 as some have reported the Mavs were seeking. And if all they want is a late 1st just go get it from Denver for taking on Nnaji's contract.

The other guys like Marshall and Thompson aren't worth a 1st so I don't see any urgency to move them tomorrow.

[F Gump]

Seems a safe bet.

If we end up trading down for two picks, Quintaince wouldn't surprise me.

I would shock me. I think Q is an even bigger injury risk than Lively, and I would stay far away..

[Smitty]

which Mav is most likely to get traded tomorrow?  I'm thinking Gafford is gone.

We’ve talked about 100 different possibilities. Would we be bummed if all they did was stick and pick at 9 & 30? No vets traded. Nothing…

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn’s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28.

[mvossman]

We’ve talked about 100 different possibilities. Would we be bummed if all they did was stick and pick at 9 & 30? No vets traded. Nothing…

Depends on who they got.  That's a bigger deal for me than a bunch of moving around.

[Scott41theMavs]

I would shock me. I think Q is an even bigger injury risk than Lively, and I would stay far away..

Well, if Masai had taken care of the medical/training staff issue by now, we could trust their opinions. Whatever the current staff says, I'd believe the opposite. In short, you're right - can't risk it.

[KillerLeft]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn’s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28.

Ok...someone help me understand what's happening here.

[Smitty]

Depends on who they got.  That's a bigger deal for me than a bunch of moving around.

I mostly mean from an entertainment POV. So many scenarios that could play out and we just watch them stick and pick

[loki]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn’s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28.

I was wondering how Minny would manage to get rid of Randle. Only moving down 5 spots isn't that bad if they just disappear his contract. Solid pickup for Chicago as well. Not really sure that it makes sense for Brooklyn.