Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Scott41theMavs]

Bagley gone

https://x.com/shamscharania/status/20725...42378?s=46

Yep. Happened at least a half hour ago, and no one (including me) thought it important enough to post until you did so dutifully. 

Not a big deal. He could fill a stat sheet, but his defense was horrid. One of those players whose defensive efforts seem inexplicably to make the other team’s players better on offense than they would be in an empty gym.

[F Gump]

It doesn't matter but I remember Sasser's uncles played high school ball in Dallas and made the nba.

Sasser himself grew up in the Dallas area (Red Oak) and played NCAA at HOU.

[cow]

Yep. Happened at least a half hour ago, and no one (including me) thought it important enough to post until you did so dutifully. 

Not a big deal. He could fill a stat sheet, but his defense was horrid. One of those players whose defensive efforts seem inexplicably to make the other team’s players better on offense than they would be in an empty gym.

We have so many 4s/5s that it just wouldn't make sense anyway, defensive woes or no.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Santi is not a C, maybe in some situation we can play without a real center.

Obviously he is better than Bagley.

[DanSchwartzgan]

@YossiGozlan

I could see the Isaiah Stewart, Isaiah Joe, John Collins, & Santi Aldama trades expand into a five-team trade between the Pistons, Grizzlies, Clippers, Mavericks, & Thunder.

Pistons need to send out $20M to match for Collins & Joe.

Stewart ($15M) & Marcus Sasser ($5.2M) work.

If you put all of this into one deal including Collins/Joe to Detroit, Stewart/AJ Johnson to Memphis, Sasser/Aldama to Dallas it works financially for everyone.  You have to meet all of the 'touching' rules, but the money works.

From there, you can add Gafford to LAC and it still works.  Then, you can add Mathurin to Dallas at anything between the minimum and $24mm and it still works for everyone.  Recall there were rumors of Gafford to Indy for a pick and Mathurin, but Dallas didn't want Mathurin (reportedly because it didn't want to jeopardize its cap space rather than a problem with Mathurin).  Plus, LAC is still needing a center.  So, maybe this was first broached back in February.  Given what salaries have looked like so far, my guess would be something around the MLE with two of the three years guaranteed.  Yes, Dallas could just sign him outright to that, but LAC could match since he's restricted.

At that point my best guess is the following with a good possibility Klay gets bought out at that point (and Powell gets the 15th slot?).  Suddenly you look more balanced and the second unit looks fairly formidible.  

Lively/Morez/Cisse
PJ/Aldama/Martin
Flagg/Naji/Klay
Christie/Mathurin/Sergio
Irving/Sasser/Nembhard

One interesting note on numbers. Christie just changed from 00 to 0. I'm not sure if you can have a 00 and a 0 on a roster, but Mathurin's number in Indy was 00 (it was 9 in LA after the TDL).

[DanSchwartzgan]

 
From there, you can add Gafford to LAC and it still works.  Then, you can add Mathurin to Dallas at anything between the minimum and $24mm and it still works for everyone.   

FWIW, if you ask ChatGPT about past comments from Schmitz about Mathurin when the latter was going through the draft process in 2022 (Schmitz's last as an ESPN analyist), here is what you get:

BBefore transitioning to front-office roles, Mike Schmitz explicitly stated that Bennedict Mathurin possessed All-Star potential. In his deep-dive evaluations for ESPN, Schmitz broke down Mathurin's game into highly specific technical categories: [1, 2, 3]

Core Offensive Strengths

• Elite "Hang Time" Adjustments: Schmitz highlighted Mathurin’s elite core strength, noting his rare ability to realign his body in midair to convert difficult contested finishes and jumpers. [1]
  
• Movement Shooting: He praised how fluidly Mathurin could sprint off screens, square his shoulders instantly, and execute a pure release with highly disciplined shot preparation. [1]
  
• Open-Court Explosion: Schmitz repeatedly labeled his transition game a premium NBA asset, driven by a combination of light feet, power, and rapid acceleration. [1]
  

Areas for Growth

• In-Between Game: While Schmitz tracked steady growth in Mathurin's playmaking and passing versatility during his final 15 games at Arizona, he noted that Mathurin still needed to develop his shot-creation inside the arc when forced away from simple catch-and-shoot scenarios. [1]
  
• Self-Creation Dependency: He projected that Mathurin's early NBA production would rely heavily on assisted rim cuts and spot-up closeouts before he could become a primary on-ball creator. [1, 2]
  

NBA Projection
Schmitz firmly evaluated Mathurin as a blue-chip lottery pick. He noted that Mathurin's physical profile (6'6" with a 6'9" wingspan) paired with a modern "3-and-D with upside" skill set made him an immediate plug-and-play contributor for a rebuilding franchise. [1, 2]

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

They certainly spent assets. A FRP and 2 SRP’s on an oft-injured Big is not nothing. Sure, he’s 25... So it’s reasonable on that front. But he’s not a starter. Or at least he hasn’t been. 82 starts in 278 career games. 

Most on here have already labeled him a great shooter, but he’s worse than PJ. 

PJW 35.4% on 4.8 attempts per game.

Aldama 34.6% on 4.1 attempts per game.

I will root for him, but acting like assets weren’t spent and that he’s the shooting 4 we need next to Flagg is something…

I think timeline talk is silly. Shouldn’t we be getting future assets in a rebuild if that were the case?

Thank you for your reasonable take.  Everyone thinks I'm just being a dick but this is a meh move.  Sending out 3 picks for another backup big is something.  Maybe it will all make sense if they can trade PJ, Gafford, or both.  

I'm glad everyone (including Mavs2021) has become Mr. Sunshine all of a sudden but so far I'm not impressed. Most people were not on board with sending out these picks for Kawhi Leonard, but for Sandi Aldama oh wow great job.

[hakeemfaan]

Yep. Happened at least a half hour ago, and no one (including me) thought it important enough to post until you did so dutifully. 

Not a big deal. He could fill a stat sheet, but his defense was horrid. One of those players whose defensive efforts seem inexplicably to make the other team’s players better on offense than they would be in an empty gym.

I only made a post and it does pertain to the Mavs. Meanwhile we have a separate thread on Kobe Saunders getting signed. 

[hakeemfaan]

Thank you for your reasonable take.  Everyone thinks I'm just being a dick but this is a meh move at best.  Sending out 3 picks for another backup big is something.  Maybe it will all make sense if they can trade PJ, Gafford, or both.  

I'm glad everyone (including Mavs2021) has become Mr. Sunshine all of a sudden but so far I'm not impressed.  Most people were not on board with sending out these picks for Kawhi Leonard, but for Sandi Aldama oh wow great job.

I am not a fan of sending multiple picks for someone who is not bad and plays hard but does not move the needle much.  I would rather we be the team who hoards picks. 

Treating picks like they don’t matter is what has continuously hurt this franchise even though they have somehow been blessed with 3 generational players and one super talented player in the last 20 years

[Winter]

Aldama is being used quite a bit as a perimeter player - an entirely different player than, say, Lively, Gafford, or even PJ Washington. Since his second year in the league, he's shot between 34-36% every year from 3-point land. In the last four years, PJ Washington has had only one year above 35% and the rest at 33% or below, with Aldama shooting more volume.

If Lively is healthy, I expect him to start. Typically, Aldama is getting 22-25 mpg., so he has been a rotation player, not a starter. But he is a rotation player far different than all our other big men and one that certainly changes the spacing.

I think it's safe to say that the composition of the players has changed - even if it's just in the rotation. There's a point-of-attack defender (Sasser) a perimeter specialist big man (Aldama) and an added rim protector and defensive specialist (Rez). You have Poulikidas coming into his second year as a 3-point threat and a growing Christie with Kyrie. Outside of Kyrie, most of the players are under 25. You have a good two-way player in Naji, and then there's Cooper Flagg as a whole package kind of all-star player.

I think the Mavs will likely trade two more pieces in Klay and Wash\Gafford.... so it continues to change.

[Smitty]

Thank you for your reasonable take.  Everyone thinks I'm just being a dick but this is a meh move at best.  Sending out 3 picks for another backup big is something.  Maybe it will all make sense if they can trade PJ, Gafford, or both.  

I'm glad everyone (including Mavs2021) has become Mr. Sunshine all of a sudden but so far I'm not impressed.  Most people were not on board with sending out these picks for Kawhi Leonard, but for Sandi Aldama oh wow great job.

A couple of things... I like the move. I like the player. My biggest pushback was the "timeline" talk that goes on and on around here as well as the hypocrisy of most when it comes to our own players. So many have said over and over that PJW isn't a fit next to Flagg because he "can't shoot". Those same people are hyping up Aldama for his shooting and the spacing he'll provide at the 4 spot, not realizing that he's worse than PJ, or at the very least 'equal to' or 'similar to'. Then those same people talk about Gafford having an albatross contract and how the $17m he'll earn this year is a massive overpay for a starting center... yet Aldama's $17m as a backup 4 / stretch 5 is juuusstttt fine.

I think a lot of it comes down to wanting what you don't have. Not appreciating what you do have. Grass is always greener... etc., etc..

I get it. I get caught up in all of it too. I like certain guys more than others. Debating all of it is what makes this community great.

BUT the fact remains... this team is thought to be a rebuilding one by most and so far, we've seen them send out 1 of their 4 tradeable first round picks and 4 of their 5 second round picks. For the folks who were in the "get assets for vets crowd this summer" it has to be excruciating to see. Maybe, probably, we'll see more moves, and it'll make sense when it all comes together, but right now a lot of assets outgoing... and that's assuming we're not sending our last SRP in the Sasser deal...

[F Gump]

While I suspect that something entirely unexpected could change the outlook, I think the players outside the 15-man group this season are likely to end up being:
2-way: Cisse, Lawal, Poulakidis
Euro stash: Ishchenko
GL with a Mavs bonus: Kelly and several more (who knows)

Does anyone have a list of the other players they have signed so far (summer league and camp bodies, usually)?

[Smitty]

If you put all of this into one deal including Collins/Joe to Detroit, Stewart/AJ Johnson to Memphis, Sasser/Aldama to Dallas it works financially for everyone.  You have to meet all of the 'touching' rules, but the money works.

From there, you can add Gafford to LAC and it still works.  Then, you can add Mathurin to Dallas at anything between the minimum and $24mm and it still works for everyone.  Recall there were rumors of Gafford to Indy for a pick and Mathurin, but Dallas didn't want Mathurin (reportedly because it didn't want to jeopardize its cap space rather than a problem with Mathurin).  Plus, LAC is still needing a center.  So, maybe this was first broached back in February.  Given what salaries have looked like so far, my guess would be something around the MLE with two of the three years guaranteed.  Yes, Dallas could just sign him outright to that, but LAC could match since he's restricted.

At that point my best guess is the following with a good possibility Klay gets bought out at that point (and Powell gets the 15th slot?).  Suddenly you look more balanced and the second unit looks fairly formidible.  

Lively/Morez/Cisse
PJ/Aldama/Martin
Flagg/Naji/Klay
Christie/Mathurin/Sergio
Irving/Sasser/Nembhard

One interesting note on numbers.  Christie just changed from 00 to 0.  I'm not sure if you can have a 00 and a 0 on a roster, but Mathurin's number in Indy was 00 (it was 9 in LA after the TDL).

This makes some sense to me for sure. The Wing depth is loaded up. Which certainly fits with this new NBA. They will still be a 1 Guard - 3 Wing - 1 Big or 1 Guard - 2 Wing - 2 Big roster for the most part. Leaning on Coop to play make even more in Year 2. Adding Sasser, Aldama, Mathurin, and Sergio will surely increase the 3PA/g numbers. Not to mention adding Kyrie to this years' squad.

[ACMFFL]

I think it's good value for us, Aldama basically went for cap space and three 2nds, that 2030 GSW 1st is a fake first-round pick.

[Moviemavguy]

I am not a fan of sending multiple picks for someone who is not bad and plays hard but does not move the needle much.  I would rather we be the team who hoards picks. 

Treating picks like they don’t matter is what has continuously hurt this franchise even though they have somehow been blessed with 3 generational players and one super talented player in the last 20 years

I do understand this sentiment...provided they don't manage to trade PJ and Gafford.  If they do and we get a legit guard, then it's a much better deal.  

But I can see putting the cart before the horse opinion.  Make the PJ and Gaff trade THEN do this.  But perhaps the Griz needed this to happen sooner vs later, so, there it is.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I think it's good value for us, Aldama basically went for cap space and three 2nds, that 2030 GSW 1st is a fake first-round pick.

I think this is the proper way to look at the GSW pick.  It's highest and best use was to allow another fan base to believe they were getting a real first round pick in a deal.

AD trade is now down to Aldama and Sergio (the Spanish National team) and possibly Middleton.  I guess in fairness, it is also the space or TPE or MLE result as well as that flexibility wouldn't exist without the trade.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Iko] Kings wing DeMar DeRozan, who is owed $25 million for the upcoming season — with only $10 million guaranteed — is hoping to accelerate his exit, either by being waived and testing the open market or being traded sooner rather than later, sources say.

[Chicagojk]

The Gaff, PJ, Marshall (Max?) corundum is fascinating.  All are good players.   They can be really excellent role players in the right environments.   Each have enticing strengths and clear weaknesses.  They can either fit into the current team or stick out like a sore thumb.   They can either show clear upside in the future or be viewed as a poor contract (for the future with Marshall).    I think what is clear that at least one will be moved.   My guess is Max is good and it will be one of the first guys with Klay in a separate move or combined.   

I think it may be more important to consider current value than fit potentially.   That is why I come back to Marshall.   He was good last year and has a unique skill for this team.   He has a great contract and seems like a guy who can play in playoff games.  His lack of shooting sticks out on a team that can't shoot well too.   If so, why don't the Mavs keep him?  Maybe they do.   Although, they need to be ready to commit to him soon if they keep him.    What does he look like as a bench player who signs a 18 million dollar contract (in that range)?  Does he still have value  in that range moving forward?

PJ in theory fits the athletic, physical player that Masai has liked.   Although, he really doesn't fit the quick decision makers that has been mentioned by Schmitz.    Positionally versatility is also a question.   He can play small ball 5, but that may not be a huge need now.   I don't think he is best suited to chase the elite wings on the perimeter.   He is best served as a power forward and that group is pretty crowded.   PJ was not good last year for several reasons.    At his best, he is a player that most good teams would love to have playing off stars.   Even if he can leave you wanting more sometimes.    Is his contract viewed as about right or is he overpaid now?

Gafford is pretty clearly the name most think will be moved.    He too had a poor season.   Is there value there for him?   He is a good teammate and is best served in a rotation big.   He plays hard for 4-5 minutes and then comes out.    At his best, the team can feed off his energy.    Finding bigs who always play hard is harder than you think.   Gafford does that.   With Lively coming back from injury, the Mavs need a innings eater.  With him being a good teammate, do you try to make it work until a deal presents itself?

Then you get to Aldama. If you squint really hard you can say he makes any of the three players above redundant. On the other hand, you can say he fits with any of the three players with the current roster. It is tricky.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I think it's good value for us, Aldama basically went for cap space and three 2nds, that 2030 GSW 1st is a fake first-round pick.

Isiah Stewart was traded for three 2nd rd picks.    Santi Aldama traded for the "fake GS 1st" and two 2nd rd picks.  Is Santi Aldama more valuable than Isiah Stewart?

I don't dislike the player but it's the combination of a roster with too many bigs/not enough guards and a team with very limited assets. I'm not seeing the "value" in trading for another backup big.

[Winter]

Then you get to Aldama.  If you squint really hard you can say he makes any of the three players above redundant.  On the other hand, you can say he fits with any of the three players with the current roster.  It is tricky.

The way I look at it is that Aldama gives you what you don't have (a big who is a threat from the perimeter), while making another of our big men redundant to the point that we can trade him for a guard.

Gafford does not provide defensive rebounds, face-to-the basket offense, and little rim protection. Lively is better at all of that, and Rez now provides extra beef, with Cisse helping.