Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[FireNicoHarrison]

No rush, we don't need to dump players.

If the offers are not good so wait the TDL, maybe Mavs will play great basketball and some teams will be in trouble.

Keep calm.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Sorry for replying what others have already covered. This site is not cell phone friendly. Waiting while getting my car serviced bored outta my mind.

[windjc]

Most of these holdovers don’t really fit the team without Luka. They’re OK players but not really excited about watching the same cast of characters again.

I guess there’s not much alternative if they don’t have a market. You don’t want to give them away either. Kinda depressing if we go from hoping for a 1st for PJ and Gafford to no one even wants those contracts. (If that ends up being true)

I’m sorry but you have literally no idea how these players will be used by May. These players were starters on a Championship runner up 2 years ago.

Our last coach was a subpar XO guy and our new one is - from all accounts - an amazing one. So, I think we need to chill out. 

There is potentially a lot of talent sitting squarely in front of our eyeballs.

I don’t pretend to know what magic May will create, but one idea right off the bat is that Sergio and Gafford team up to be a deadly off-the-bench pick and roll combo that lights up the opponents for 15 minutes a night while Cooper rests.

[Mavs2021]

Most of these holdovers don’t really fit the team without Luka. They’re OK players but not really excited about watching the same cast of characters again.

I guess there’s not much alternative if they don’t have a market. You don’t want to give them away either. Kinda depressing if we go from hoping for a 1st for PJ and Gafford to no one even wants those contracts. (If that ends up being true)

Of course Luka helps every player look better, but you all incredibly harsh on Washington/Gafford, because of a bad season. They understood the assignment last season. Lose and get help in the draft. They had their long-term contracts secured. Why would they play well and hurt their own team. Guys like Middleton, Williams, Nembhard, Bagley and Marshall (to an extend) played hard, cause their contracts come up and they literally fought for the food on their table. They needed to earn. The only guy that didn´t understand his assignment and cost us a top 3 pick by winning two stupid games in the last week of the season against play-off teams got fired.

[cow]

Having Gafford and PJ on the team to start the season wouldn't be the worst thing either.  As thin as our guard lineup is, playing next to Kyrie should help rehabilitate some of their lost value from last season.  While their contracts might not be super appealing and harder to work around due to salary cap rules, combined with taking back undesirable contracts, that should allow us to get future assets for them.

[Mavs2021]

Plus we can now look forward to draft night part 2 and especially free agency, cause they need to work that guard market with the TPE, MLE and trades.

[FireNicoHarrison]

I would like to remember that Kidd is gone, we have a coach.

[Tyler]

Stein was talking late last night about how difficult it actually is to move Gafford and Washington in the 2nd apron landscape.  IMO, it'll be a pretty epic fail if neither can be moved when the season starts.

He was talking about it in the context of trading either for a draft pick last night. He mentioned that "the apron has teams spooked", and noted that no teams traded NBA players last night. It's true that he thinks Gafford doesn't have great trade value around the league (or at least less than Karalla was implying during the draft excitement), but IIRC he also stated that PJs contract is "very reasonable". 

I expect that both guys could be easily moved once the draft is over and FA opens up and teams are matching contracts in trades instead of dealing mostly in picks.

[Chicagojk]

I have been shocked out of these out blue Mavs announcements, so I will be prepared now. I am ready for the Klay Thompson for
Devin Booker trade. I won’t be shocked now

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Of course Luka helps every player look better, but you all incredibly harsh on Washington/Gafford, because of a bad season. They understood the assignment last season. Lose and get help in the draft. They had their long-term contracts secured. Why would they play well and hurt their own team. Guys like Middleton, Williams, Nembhard, Bagley and Marshall (to an extend) played hard, cause their contracts come up and they literally fought for the food on their table. They needed to earn. The only guy that didn´t understand his assignment and cost us a top 3 pick by winning two stupid games in the last week of the season against play-off teams got fired.

Gafford hurt his ankle early and was never the same. 

PJ was going through drama with his professional gold digger of an ex. 

I hope they both improve their values this season.

Speaking As a fan, adding Kyrie and the #9 pick to last year’s team doesn’t get me all that excited to tune in. That would be an extremely disappointing summer.

[Smitty]

Gafford hurt his ankle early and was never the same. 

PJ was going through drama with his professional gold digger of an ex. 

I hope they both improve their values this season.

Speaking As a fan, adding Kyrie and the #9 pick to last year’s team doesn’t get me all that excited to tune in. That would be an extremely disappointing summer.

In theory you're also adding Lively, who only played 7 games. But if we don't add another high level Guard it will be a rough watch as a fan. Flagg will be better with playmaking/guard things in year 2, but it's not nearly enough IMO.

[Mavs2021]

Gafford hurt his ankle early and was never the same. 

PJ was going through drama with his professional gold digger of an ex. 

I hope they both improve their values this season.

Speaking As a fan, adding Kyrie and the #9 pick to last year’s team doesn’t get me all that excited to tune in. I was hoping for a new young PG in the draft and some new pieces in trade/free agency. The above mentioned team looks like one that’ll be fighting for a playin. And lots of ugly offensive basketball. It is an entertainment product after all. We watch to be entertained.

Oh I´m 100% with you on all that.

We all expect Flagg to make a Luka/LeBron-ish jump in year two and that will only be accelerated with better guards.

Here are the current ages of a potential roster after

Schroeder + #34 (select Thomas) for TPE
Klay/Martin/Middleton to Miami, Herro + #41 (Miami, select Bradley) to Mavs, Warriors 1st, plus two future seconds to Milwaukee.
White for the MLE

Irving 34/White 26/Schroeder 33/Bradley 22
Herro 26/Christie 23/Thomas 20/DeLarrea 20
Flagg 20/ Marshall 28/Ishchenko 20
Washington 27/Johnson 20
Lively 22/Gafford 27

LOL I might have committed guard overkill.

[DallasMaverick]

I think Morez is going to play some center and Flagg is going to play some 4 (where I think he is best suited).  Once Morez is up to speed I see few minutes for Gafford when Lively is healthy and PJ coming off the bench.  They are both making too much for those roles.

Maybe true, but Flagg is making far less than he should, so there’s a window to afford better-than-average backups.

For three more years.

And maybe Morez significantly outplays his rookie contract, as well. So we get additional temporary headroom.

[KillerLeft]

He was talking about it in the context of trading either for a draft pick last night. He mentioned that "the apron has teams spooked", and noted that no teams traded NBA players last night. It's true that he thinks Gafford doesn't have great trade value around the league (or at least less than Karalla was implying during the draft excitement), but IIRC he also stated that PJs contract is "very reasonable". 

I expect that both guys could be easily moved once the draft is over and FA opens up and teams are matching contracts in trades instead of dealing mostly in picks.

Agreed. 

Gafford makes a LOT of money for a backup center, or for...what, the 24th-30th best starting center? I could understand his contract narrowing the field of teams who want him, and I think what you'd get back for him would probably be less exciting than many hope, but I imagine there will be a few teams who are in contention who view him as helpful enough to talk themselves into it. It can be done. He's not in Poetl's situation, for example. 

And PJW is paid VERY reasonably. I think if he got to the right team he'd look like he did during the Finals year again, in which case his contract is a value.

[mvossman]

Maybe true, but Flagg is making far less than he should, so there’s a window to afford better-than-average backups.

For three more years.

And maybe Morez significantly outplays his rookie contract, as well. So we get additional temporary headroom.

The problem is when you play guys way less minutes than they are getting paid, you tank their value.  I had hopes they could rebound their value this coming season assuming they draft a guard at 9.  Its going to be harder after drafting a big.

[Mavs2021]

The problem is when you play guys way less minutes than they are getting paid, you tank their value.  I had hopes they could rebound their value this coming season assuming they draft a guard at 9.  Its going to be harder after drafting a big.

You think a rookie Burries would have done more for Gafford/Washington on the court than the two veteran guards they´ll surely get through free agency and trades?

[Smitty]

@esidery
The Thunder are actively shopping Isaiah Joe in trade talks after drafting Bennett Stirtz.

Stirtz will step into Joe’s role as a sharpshooter while saving OKC millions in tax bills.

[Torielp10]

I think nembhard would be a very serviceable 2nd or even 3rd PG that makes us better. He’s obviously not a starter level guy because size but he could maximize whoever our scorers off the bench are while giving Kyrie and coop a break. I think with him you could 100% build the team with elite shooting specialists and he can run that bench unit perfectly. Could even play a lot with Sergio and even unlock Christie. He’s an underrated excellent fit to a bench unit

[KillerLeft]

@esidery
The Thunder are actively shopping Isaiah Joe in trade talks after drafting Bennett Stirtz.

Stirtz will step into Joe’s role as a sharpshooter while saving OKC millions in tax bills.

Hmmm...I hope he doesn't go for two 2nds, or some EYEBROWS MIGHT GET RAISED.

[KillerLeft]

I think nembhard would be a very serviceable 2nd or even 3rd PG that makes us better. He’s obviously not a starter level guy because size but he could maximize whoever our scorers off the bench are while giving Kyrie and coop a break. I think with him you could 100% build the team with elite shooting specialists and he can run that bench unit perfectly. Could even play a lot with Sergio. He’s an underrated excellent fit to a bench unit

One of the things I feel was semi-confirmed last night with both picks was that this front office (and 99% of the league, frankly) is just as focused on versatility and size as ever. 

We don't know, obviously, but I'd say my confidence that Nembhard will be on this team next year has decreased over the past 24 hours.