Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[KillerLeft]

So our big name is Sasser?

I've never heard that name honestly, not even in dynasty.

My dude...you must chill. 

I don't even think this has officially started yet, and it will all last AT LEAST until like July 9th, a few days after the clock starts on the first official RFA signings. Probably, it will take much longer than that to settle down. 

Just sit back and enjoy the drama!

[SleepingHero]

Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes)
Kawhi Leonard and Toronto Raptors will soon engage to structure out the terms on a two-year extension to lock up the future Hall of Famer through the 2028-29 season, sources say.

[Smitty]

@KeithSmithNBA
The Kawhi Leonard trade is already the 23rd agreed-to or executed trade of the 2026 offseason.

[KillerLeft]

Shams is reporting that Kyrie has reached out to LeBron about James joining the Mavericks.  That would be interesting. The bookend to his career… LeBron would meet Masai’s height requirement, too LOL.

I saw Smitty suggest that this was gleaned accidentally from an old tweet. Did we decide whether or not this info is even current?

[dirkfansince1998]

Would be happy if they go for a "money ball" approach. Analytics/fit/potential over big names. Big name chasing rarely if ever worked out for the Mavs.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Yeah, I just don't agree with the emboldened distinction, at least in terms of solid financial team-building. 

Are there specific fits we'd like better than others? Sure, but Gafford doesn't really check many boxes for me here anymore, and even if he did I don't think it's worth the premium price the Mavs are paying. Just my opinion.

Jock Landale getting $14 million means Gafford's $18 million isn't that bad.  Or bad at all.  That was my clear takeaway from seeing the Jock Landale contract.

We have very different reactions to that news.

[KillerLeft]

Would be happy if they go for a "money ball" approach. Analytics/fit/potential over big names. Big name chasing rarely if ever worked out for the Mavs.

It hasn't done many favors for LAL, LAC or MIA in recent years, either. 

I don't need them to avoid big name chasing, but it would be nice to know they won't stray from their plan at the first sign of some shiny thing being gettable.

[SleepingHero]

Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24)
"The Pistons are not interested in helping facilitate Jalen Duren's exit by setting up a sign and trade with another team" - @mcten

[OBX Maverick]

I saw Smitty suggest that this was gleaned accidentally from an old tweet. Did we decide whether or not this info is even current?

It was an old tweet, but the Mavs have been mentioned today by the talking heads and odds makers as potential suitors.  I guess you have to ask, if LeBron is signing for a reduced salary (I’ll believe that when i see it), isn’t everyone gonna be a suitor then?

[KillerLeft]

Jock Landale getting $14 million means Gafford's $18 million isn't that bad.  Or bad at all.  That was my clear takeaway from seeing the Jock Landale contract.

We have very different reactions to that news.

Indeed. My reaction was that a team preferred to pay Landale at $14 million rather than take on Gafford at $18 million, despite everyone on Earth knowing the latter was very gettable.

[SleepingHero]

Indeed. My reaction was that a team preferred to pay Landale at $14 million rather than take on Gafford at $18 million, despite everyone on Earth knowing the latter was very gettable.

Seems the Mavs price on Gafford is firm. A mid FRP and matching salary. 


I wouldn't call that very gettable.

[omahen]

Indeed. My reaction was that a team preferred to pay Landale at $14 million rather than take on Gafford at $18 million, despite everyone on Earth knowing the latter was very gettable.

Landale didn't cost anything and is a 14 mil expiring that can be used in trade at TDL

[Smitty]

Indeed. My reaction was that a team preferred to pay Landale at $14 million rather than take on Gafford at $18 million, despite everyone on Earth knowing the latter was very gettable.

Aren't those two things very different? Landale or Gafford+FRP outgoing. Doesn't tell me anything about the contract being an overpay for Gaff, just that they didn't value him enough to also give a draft pick for the better player. Gap wasn't big enough.

[Chicagojk]

Ok, now with the Lebron news and the Leonard news finalized, we can finally start talking about the Sasser trade bomb that is coming.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Gafford must've insulted this dude in public or something. OBSESSED. Welcome to the ignore list. I can't do this stuff everyday.

The Mavs are not looking to salary dump Gafford. They have no other centers currently on the roster with two functioning legs.

[KillerLeft]

Seems the Mavs price on Gafford is firm. A mid FRP and matching salary. 


I wouldn't call that very gettable.

Well, which is it? Is that what he's worth, or not? Because if it is...yeah, "very gettable,"

THREE different Mavs regimes have tried to move him, so far. I don't understand why we're all still arguing about this. NOBODY is saying Gafford isn't a good player. I think it's rather obvious the contract is a bit much, personally, and I think if you go back and read the board right after he got the extension you'll see we were all trying to talk ourselves into liking it, even then. 

For sure I don't think they're getting a FRP for him, especially now with the lottery stuff in such a transitional flux.

[KillerLeft]

Aren't those two things very different? Landale or Gafford+FRP outgoing. Doesn't tell me anything about the contract being an overpay for Gaff, just that they didn't value him enough to also give a draft pick for the better player. Gap wasn't big enough.

I personally don't think "demanding a FRP" is the latest, and I'm not sure it's still accurate. 

I kinda think he's dangling out there and teams are looking around for better options - AND, that the contract is the reason for that, NOT the trade cost. 

But, we'll see.

[Chicagojk]

pretty crazy to think in the last day we may have the following players moving to new teams: Lebron James, Lamelo Ball, Kawhi Leonard, and Marcus Sasser.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24)
"The Pistons are not interested in helping facilitate Jalen Duren's exit by setting up a sign and trade with another team" - @mcten

SPICY

[KillerLeft]

The Mavs are not looking to salary dump Gafford.  They have no other centers currently on the roster with two functioning legs.

They literally just drafted one with a top 10 pick - the last pick they're likely to have that high for quite some time.