Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Dundalis]

Smart also signed a small deal. Grimes too but he could get more years out of the Lakers due to their pressure to win. Teams are really cautious with their spending this summer. 

Mavs have done pretty well so far too, getting younger clearly seems to be the objective.

1) Vets“ with NBA experience:

Sasser
Aldama

+ 

2) Rookies

Morez
De Larrea
Lawal
Ishchenko

+

potentially Biberovic who has been a pro for years in Europe but is also only 25

I like the direction. Nothing groundbreaking but there is some upside here to hopefully develop.

I found it interesting that in the May presser Masai harped on "winning" repeatedly as his moto, when his introductory presser, he did mention winning, but seemed to heavily promote being future focused. Wonder if there was anything strategic in that.

It's pretty blatantly obvious to this point, that future focused is taking precedence over the winning concept, will be interesting to see if every acquisition ends up being young players possibly under utilized with potential upside, and no true vet types whatsoever incoming.

[JamesConway816]

I still hope they can get one more guy who fits into the Aldama mold aka relatively young guy who is clearly an improvement of the rotation.

Scoot would be fun but I read Dan bringing up Mathurin. That would intrigue me as well. Gafford for Mathurin would be good.

I would also still try to flip Marshall for assets before he hits UFA next summer. Letting him walk would stinge.

[JamesConway816]

It sounds like Biberovic has a better chance of coming over than Ishchenko.

I am hyped about Biberovic but Ishchenko….phew. He is the epitome of an under the radar nobody knows much but he looks awesome on tape-signing.

[KillerLeft]

Tari Eason gets a new deal. Pretty big commitment for him, given the short deals teams are giving out this summer.

Shams
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/20728...04633?s=20

Restricted free agent Tari Eason has agreed to a five-year, $81.5 million deal to return to the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. The deal is fully guaranteed for Eason.

[F Gump]

Well, both teams seem safely away from the tax line, so I doubt the path to Henderson is or was ever a salary dump, at least now that the Grant contract is gone. 

I think the connection is: Dallas has too many forwards and bigs, Portland has too many guards. 

I'm sure it's relatively easy to build a deal, mathematically, around any of PJW, Gafford or Naji Marshall. How would you feel about any of those deals, provided the details didn't break too far in Portland's favor too much? Which would be your preference? Which do you think Portland would prefer?

I'd offer Martin. I'm borderline on Marshall? But I'm not interested in giving up a solid productive talent like PJ or Gaff.

[F Gump]

I know he hasn't signed yet but I would be shocked if Cisse isn't back given all the Lively concerns.

Also, is Biberovic thinking about coming over?  He seems way more polished than Ischenko but I have no clue with the plan is with all these international players.  We're not even 100% sure Sergio is coming over yet.

Cisse is 2-way eligible, which gives them some potential minutes from him without eating up a 15-man spot. And they have matching rights, in case he gets a better offer. I think a plan to keep Cisse as a 2-way is their answer to the uncertainty of what Lively's path will look like.

[Scott41theMavs]

I'd offer Martin. I'm borderline on Marshall? But I'm not interested in giving up a solid productive talent like PJ or Gaff.

You know that I regard you as a major voice and contributor on this board. But this take is a nice opening negotiation stance for Masai, not a realistic perspective for Mavs fans. If we want to come away with Scoot or Sharpe, you have to give to get. I know they will only pursue this if Schmitz (who knows what the legitimate hopes should be for these two players) signs off and Masai approves. If they think these guys are worth it, of course I’m going to be fine with Gaff or PJW as the outgoing. Martin? How magnanimous of you! Even the penny pinching Portland owner would scoff and hang up. On the other hand, there’s no call for Mav fan hang-wringing or griping if we don’t choose to wheel and deal on this. M&M know what they’re doing.

[F Gump]

Tari Eason gets a new deal. Pretty big commitment for him, given the short deals teams are giving out this summer.

Shams
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/20728...04633?s=20

Restricted free agent Tari Eason has agreed to a five-year, $81.5 million deal to return to the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. The deal is fully guaranteed for Eason.

It's a big TOTAL. But when you realize it's not even MLE-sized (it starts at about 14M, if it's max raises) and they have him locked up for 5 years, it feels like HOU was the big winner on this one.

[windjc]

Biberovic averaging 48.9% on threes on 5.2 per game.

Without NBA spacing.

[F Gump]

You know that I regard you as a major voice and contributor on this board. But this take is a nice opening negotiation stance for Masai, not a realistic perspective for Mavs fans. If we want to come away with Scoot or Sharpe, you have to give to get. I know they will only pursue this if Schmitz (who knows what the legitimate hopes should be for these two players) signs off and Masai approves. If they think these guys are worth it, of course I’m going to be fine with Gaff or PJW as the outgoing. Martin? How magnanimous of you! Even the penny pinching Portland owner would scoff and hang up. On the other hand, there’s no call for Mav fan hang-wringing or griping if we don’t choose to wheel and deal on this. M&M know what they’re doing.

Thanks for your points. I get it. I know Scoot's a "big name" quantity (even while he spares it up). I do appreciate the Schmitz factor.

As for what I would offer, what if I don't highly crave Scoot, but would take a flyer? That's why I would want to offer low value -- as I see it, I'm trading my spare for theirs. I don't pay extra because POR drafted him way too high. So I am willing to not value him very highly, and think even Naji may be an overpay. 

As for the Schmitz factor regarding POR players, imo that only helps when Schmitz knows where a POR overlooked bargain is AND can get that player at a bargain price. Paying more than anyone else would should not be the idea. 

As far as the POR owner and his frugality, I've never seen anything like it. I do think he is a cousin to what Cuban was on entering the NBA, a guy with his own ideas who will do his own ideas for a while until he learns better the hard way. Cuban got pantsed a lot on trades. If Dundon's priority is saving money, let's help.

[F Gump]

Biberovic averaging 48.9% on threes on 5.2 per game.

Without NBA spacing.

SIGNIFICANTLY shorter distance on the 3-point line in Euroball. So the 3-pt shooting pct may not translate to the NBA.

[windjc]

SIGNIFICANTLY shorter distance on the 3-point line in Euroball. So the 3-pt shooting pct may not translate to the NBA.

STILL much higher than other euro league to NBA sharp shooters.

[Knutsen]

SIGNIFICANTLY shorter distance on the 3-point line in Euroball. So the 3-pt shooting pct may not translate to the NBA.

That’s kind of a definition thing with writing significantly in BOLD, isn’t it? 
It’s half a meter - or less than two feet - shorter from the arch, the same in the corners - and exactly the same as in college, so if you can project college sharpshooters to have some extra range the same goes for „international snipers“. 

Supposedly there’s a statistic that college three point percentage drops shot 3-4 per cent in the first year in the NBA.

[Winter]

Biberovic shoots well from everywhere including the FT line. I can't imagine it doesn't translate.

Still, you never know how European rookies react to the NBA.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Biberovic shoots well from everywhere including the FT line. I can't imagine it doesn't translate.

Still, you never know how European rookies react to the NBA.

He did come over for five games of Summer League in 2023.  In 15.5 minutes per game he put up 3.8 threes hitting 42.1% of them and scored 7.4 PPG.  Obviously the definition of small sample size.  On a per 36 basis, that would be 17.2 points and 8.8 three point attempts.

[Winter]

He did come over for five games of Summer League in 2023.  In 15.5 minutes per game he put up 3.8 threes hitting 42.1% of them and scored 7.4 PPG.  Obviously the definition of small sample size.  On a per 36 basis, that would be 17.2 points and 8.8 three point attempts.

Thanks for that. He's 25 years old, so for me the FO needs to go all out on this guy to get him at his optimum.

You mentioned something yesterday about his contract (via Stein's article). About all I was able to fully comprehend from the original article is that it's complicated, and he'll need to help with finances to get out of that contract. However, is it correct to presume the Mavs can offer him a new contract to make up for his investment? I was having trouble putting the pieces together.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Thanks for that. He's 25 years old, so for me the FO needs to go all out on this guy to get him at his optimum.

You mentioned something yesterday about his contract (via Stein's article). About all I was able to fully comprehend from the original article is that it's complicated, and he'll need to help with finances to get out of that contract. However, is it correct to presume the Mavs can offer him a new contract to make up for his investment? I was having trouble putting the pieces together.

I don't think we know his exact salary in dollar terms, but we know he's turned down opportunities to come over in the past.  So, for argument's sake, let's say he makes $3.0mm US currently.  His buyout is reported to be $2.0mm and Dallas can pay $900k of that directly to his European team.  The player has to pay the rest which means you have to gross up his salary to give him $1.1mm net to pay off the buyout before Tarik starts to see any money.  For arguments sake, let's call that $1.8mm

So, it might take $4.8mm in salary before he breaks even with his $3.0mm assumed salary and the $1.8mm it might take to net $1.1mm to pay off his buyout...as an example.  Again, I don't know the numbers, but none of that smacks of a NBA minimum salary being enough to get it done.  If it isn't, then some part of some exception has to be used.

[Chicagojk]

What does it say below Dallas?

Oil, gas and ????

https://x.com/theheatcentral/status/2072...04713?s=46

[Winter]

I don't think we know his exact salary in dollar terms, but we know he's turned down opportunities to come over in the past.  So, for argument's sake, let's say he makes $3.0mm US currently.  His buyout is reported to be $2.0mm and Dallas can pay $900k of that directly to his European team.  The player has to pay the rest which means you have to gross up his salary to give him $1.1mm net to pay off the buyout before Tarik starts to see any money.  For arguments sake, let's call that $1.8mm

So, it might take $4.8mm in salary before he breaks even with his $3.0mm assumed salary and the $1.8mm it might take to net $1.1mm to pay off his buyout...as an example.  Again, I don't know the numbers, but none of that smacks of a NBA minimum salary being enough to get it done.  If it isn't, then some part of some exception has to be used.

At this point, using part of the exception is fine with me. It's a gamble I'd take.

But I suppose it would depend on if you have another player targeted for it. It might be a harder call for the FO.

[mvossman]

At this point, using part of the exception is fine with me. It's a gamble I'd take.

But I suppose it would depend on if you have another player targeted for it. It might be a harder call for the FO.

Who is left?  Is there anybody that would make sense?