Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Chicagojk]

Let’s give LeBron the privacy he deserves. As an introvert I am sure he will hate teams and fanbases dreaming about him joining their teams. He is going to hate all the publicity.

[cow]

Let’s give LeBron the privacy he deserves.  As an introvert I am sure he will hate teams and fanbases dreaming about him joining their teams.  He is going to hate all the publicity.

It's kind of fun considering we've already heard GSW, Cavs, and Heat rumors.

[Scott41theMavs]

It's kind of fun considering we've already heard GSW, Cavs, and Heat rumors.

Not bad for an old has-been.

[windjc]

Yet to hear any names that get me excited about joining the Mavs.  Hope Masai pulls some crazy shit none of us have talked about.

Which basketball free agent are you??

[Jmaciscool]

It's kind of fun considering we've already heard GSW, Cavs, and Heat rumors.

Also kind of fun that the only team we know he doesn't want to be on is the Lakers.

[Dirknows]

Also kind of fun that the only team we know he doesn't want to be on is the Lakers.

So ready for this dude to be gone so he’s not trying to be the center of attention every day.

[KillerLeft]

Also kind of fun that the only team we know he doesn't want to be on is the Lakers.

Honestly...I think it's the other way around. 

To be clear, I think LeBron can still play. If someone really is about to get him for the MLE, that will be a HELL of a deal, but...if the Lakers wanted him back, I think he'd be there. This dude's plan was CLEARLY to retire in LA for a dozen different reasons. 

I've heard multiple people say LeBron had "not yet given the Lakers the opportunity to talk with him about free agency." I think he and Rich Paul knew he wasn't going to be asked back and avoided the meeting wherein the Lakers would've officially told him so. I think they're playing it all this way to save face.

[Smitty]

@BrettSiegelNBA

League sources told @ClutchPoints that negotiations between the Clippers and Raptors involving Kawhi Leonard are ongoing.

The framework of Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and a 1st-round pick going to LA is said to be agreed upon, but the Clippers have still been pushing for more value.

Sources say the Clippers have been trying to add Jamal Shead in the package as well. LA views him as extra value needed for taking Gradey Dick in the deal.

Draft compensation is the other hold up in negotiations right now. Raptors are wanting to give up an immediate first (2027/2028) instead of one in the future. Clippers have wanted two firsts, one being in the future, especially if Shead is not included.

Whether it's an additional first, a swap, the inclusion of Shead, or some combination of this, the Clippers are still pushing for more than what was originally offered to finalize a trade involving Kawhi Leonard returning to Toronto.

[windjc]

The Clippers have zero leverage.

[F Gump]

@TheSteinLine
The Mavericks have emerged a leading suitor to acquire Detroit's Marcus Sasser via trade, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.

I like that idea - young, perhaps more potential, can shoot 3s. My only significant question mark is his health - he missed a lot of games last season.

[SleepingHero]

...about $4 million lower than Gafford's annual salary now that his extension kicks in. 

Not ideal.

And Gafford is better than Williams and Landale. By far.

[Scott41theMavs]

And Gafford is better than Williams and Landale. By far.

In b4 KL sez “No, he’s not.”

[SleepingHero]

Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor)
So what’s the post-LeBron master plan from Rob Pelinka? I’ll believe it when I see it. But six years of sloppy decisions ever since the 2020 championship can’t inspire much reason for optimism for Lakers fans.

[KillerLeft]

And Gafford is better than Williams and Landale. By far.

Maybe, but still squarely in the "premium backup big" category for which the tweet claimed these deals were defining the going rate.

[Chicagojk]

Who botched their post championship team more:  Cuban or Pelinka/James?

[SleepingHero]

Maybe, but still squarely in the "premium backup big" category for which the tweet claimed these deals were defining the going rate.

And there are levels for premium backup bigs. 

Then only backup big that is close to Gafford is Robinson. If he goes for the MLE I'd be a little concerned about Gafford deal, but I think BRK may overpay just a tad.

[KillerLeft]

Who botched their post championship team more:  Cuban or Pelinka/James?

It's a tie.

[SleepingHero]

NBATradeReport (@NBATradeReport)
Lakers will have interest in both Tobias Harris and Norman Powell once free agency opens. #NBA

[Smitty]

NBATradeReport (@NBATradeReport)
Lakers will have interest in both Tobias Harris and Norman Powell once free agency opens. #NBA

It's shocking that nearly every free agent is tied to the Lakers, who have the most cap space. Surely, this isn't agent driven?

[Scott41theMavs]

NBATradeReport (@NBATradeReport)
Lakers will have interest in both Tobias Harris and Norman Powell once free agency opens. #NBA

Lakers have a ton of cap room, so they’ll get somebody (probably 3-4 decent players, tbh) - unless they botch free agency by tying their hands with an RFA.