Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[JBB]

Dang.  That's a lot of pressure on a late first-round pick.

Really? That comp is against two undrafted players who’ve put up stats on struggling teams. A late first-round pick should at least become a solid rotation player (ideally on a winning team, which is why I added that qualifier). 

Hopefully I’m not being too aggressive with expectations compared to what the current front office is thinking.

[Winter]

Really? That comp is against two undrafted players who’ve put up stats on struggling teams. A late first-round pick should at least become a solid rotation player (ideally on a winning team, which is why I added that qualifier). 

Hopefully I’m not being too aggressive with expectations compared to what the current front office is thinking.

A "solid rotation player" is a pretty murky expectation for a low first round pick. That doesn't mean a bust necessarily. Josh Green was drafted #18. He had some moments during the first year or two, managed to squeeze another contract, but he's probably not long for the NBA. Do you call those players a bust? I'm guessing that's pretty average for #18.

Only 50-60% of the lottery picks (1-14) sign a second contract according to AI. So you can imagine what the odds are for a low first-round pick.

[JBB]

A "solid rotation player" is a pretty murky expectation for a low first round pick. That doesn't mean a bust necessarily. Josh Green was drafted #18. He had some moments during the first year or two, managed to squeeze another contract, but he's probably not long for the NBA. Do you call those players a bust? I'm guessing that's pretty average for #18.

Only 50-60% of the lottery picks (1-14) sign a second contract according to AI. So you can imagine what the odds are for a low first-round pick.

I don't want to get in the weeds on a definitions, but Josh Green is a great example. I'd be happy with that level of production (albeit wanting more like I did with JG).

[mvossman]

If he doesn't, it'll have been a terrible trade and worse pick (unless Williams and/or Nembhard turn into legitimate contributors on winning NBA teams, which IMO is very unlikely). 

However, I trust the process. The current braintrust deserves our trust at the moment (which is incredible to say for the first time in a long time).

He is a project, so you are not going to be able to make this assessment for a couple of years.  Anything he brings this season is gravy.

[SleepingHero]

Really? That comp is against two undrafted players who’ve put up stats on struggling teams. A late first-round pick should at least become a solid rotation player (ideally on a winning team, which is why I added that qualifier). 

Hopefully I’m not being too aggressive with expectations compared to what the current front office is thinking.

I don't expect Larrea to be day 1 impactful contributor. Most late firsts aren't that good. But if he can be the same level as Nembhard thats a win. Nemby was a good player last year.

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: The Detroit Pistons are trading C/F Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. Pistons clear Stewart's salary and pick up assets while Grizzlies acquire a 25-year-old as a rugged frontcourt piece.

[KillerLeft]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: The Detroit Pistons are trading C/F Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. Pistons clear Stewart's salary and pick up assets while Grizzlies acquire a 25-year-old as a rugged frontcourt piece.

Gulp, another Gafford team is gone, and if THIS is what Stewart is worth...

[KillerLeft]

Gafford is a comparable player (I actually like Stewart more), more expensive, and with a longer contract.

This is not good.

[SleepingHero]

Gafford is a comparable player (I actually like Stewart more), more expensive, and with a longer contract.

This is not good.

Are they really that comparable though? 


Still okay with just keeping Gafford. At least for one more year.

[SleepingHero]

@KeithSmithNBA
Pistons can get to nearly $21M in cap space just by renouncing their free agents, minus Jalen Duren.

There are other waivers and salary-shedding moves Detroit could do to get up over $30M in cap space.

They'd also have the $9.4M Room Exception to use if they go with cap space.

[KillerLeft]

Are they really that comparable though? 


Still okay with just keeping Gafford. At least for one more year.

Yes, same tier, I'd say. Stewart is better defensively and more versatile. kind of comes down to what specialties you're looking for, but same tier, I think.

Keeping Gafford one more year likely means you'll end up accepting even less to get off of him or even paying to do so. This has to be done now, imo.

[loki]

I guess some of the value goes into shedding Stewart's contract entirely. It's still concerning though. If you had proposed that deal yesterday you probably would have been run off the internet, even by non-Pistons fans. He's still only 25 after all. Maybe being a headcase plays a part in this too.

[KillerLeft]

I guess some of the value goes into shedding Stewart's contract entirely. It's still concerning though. If you had proposed that deal yesterday you probably would have been run off the internet, even by non-Pistons fans. He's still only 25 after all. Maybe being a headcase plays a part in this too.

Great point, actually. I understand this, but it still doesn't always occur to me in the first wave of reaction.

[mvossman]

We could have drafted Burries and then made that trade for Stuart. Not sure why Detroit is dumping him though. Maybe too much of a headcase.

[omahen]

We could have drafted Burries and then made that trade for Stuart.  Not sure why Detroit is dumping him though.  Maybe too much of a headcase.

Creating cap space for a FA shooter/creator. There were already a bunch of rumors they were preparing for a max offer for Reaves. I guess their target is Powell

[Mavs2021]

@KeithSmithNBA
Pistons can get to nearly $21M in cap space just by renouncing their free agents, minus Jalen Duren.

There are other waivers and salary-shedding moves Detroit could do to get up over $30M in cap space.

They'd also have the $9.4M Room Exception to use if they go with cap space.

That´s great for them and sucks for the Mavs, cause that means they can slightly overpay the MLE for all these guys we are probably targeting, while also self-capping the contract of guys like Simons, White, Sexton, Powell etc. Pretty smart actually and the next violent outbreak Stewart has will probably get him banned for 30% of the season.

[Mavs2021]

Haha the Clippers be like f*** the Lakers. At this point it´s Mitchell Robinson or bust for the Lakers.

[SleepingHero]

NBACentral
@TheDunkCentral
The Boston Celtics are reportedly looking for a big man and are willing to trade Jaylen Brown to acquire one, per
@SIChrisMannix


“Boston continued to discuss Brown trades on Tuesday, two sources familiar with the talks tell Sports Illustrated. Many of the conversations were initiated by rival teams, sources say. Some were brokered by the Celtics. ‘They are hunting a big man,’ says a rival executive. ‘And they are willing to trade [Brown] to get it.’”

[cow]

NBACentral
@TheDunkCentral
The Boston Celtics are reportedly looking for a big man and are willing to trade Jaylen Brown to acquire one, per
@SIChrisMannix


“Boston continued to discuss Brown trades on Tuesday, two sources familiar with the talks tell Sports Illustrated. Many of the conversations were initiated by rival teams, sources say. Some were brokered by the Celtics. ‘They are hunting a big man,’ says a rival executive. ‘And they are willing to trade [Brown] to get it.’”

I'll give you Lively and Gafford, Mr. Stevens.

[KillerLeft]

NBACentral
@TheDunkCentral
The Boston Celtics are reportedly looking for a big man and are willing to trade Jaylen Brown to acquire one, per
@SIChrisMannix


“Boston continued to discuss Brown trades on Tuesday, two sources familiar with the talks tell Sports Illustrated. Many of the conversations were initiated by rival teams, sources say. Some were brokered by the Celtics. ‘They are hunting a big man,’ says a rival executive. ‘And they are willing to trade [Brown] to get it.’”

What big man could possibly be worth Jaylen Brown? Maaaaaybe Kessler/Ace Bailey???