Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[FireNicoHarrison]

The Kidd mantra "i want to figure out players and put them in uncomfortable situations" was the new "i stand here and watch what happens"... Aka "i'm a mediocre coach so i need excuses"

May can't be worse. It's impossible.

[KillerLeft]

We all remember what Houston and Detroit looked like 4 years ago. 

Neither had Flagg or anywhere near the talent we do now, so I don't expect it to be that bad.

What a great way to look at it!

[Knutsen]

I think they will pursue winning with these young developing players being involved in the mix to the full extent they can merit. I see some minutes being given because they need them, but some will only be given if they earn them and are the most valuable solution. Hopefully that turns into a huge amount, by the end of the season. But a bit of winning will be what drives it all (or its absence will lead to problems). 

I think Kyrie is going to play way more, and have way more impact, than is generally expected. I think his presence on the floor matters way more than people realize. He and Flagg imo will be the keys to the winning they need.

I mean that’s kind of the conundrum of combining a developmental season with not having a first round pick next year - there’s nothing to lose by being average or even good. 

It shouldn’t be limiting the developmental part, but should instead enhance building winning habits and mindsets that you don’t get when you force loses to maximize your draft position, right?

[KillerLeft]

It shouldn’t be limiting the developmental part, but should instead enhance building winning habits and mindsets that you don’t get when you force loses to maximize your draft position, right?

Totally agree that the time is now to try to win to start building the habits you mention and because there's no incentive to lose. Sadly, I don't think it's a simple matter of choice. If they're good enough (ok) and experienced enough (ehh...) they'll win a lot of games. If not, they won't, regardless of how hard they try. 

I hope they go 82-0, but what I'm happy about is that they haven't chased 42 wins just because they don't have a draft pick or out of some Hail Mary attempt to win the fans back. They correctly identified that Flagg is 19, the team and style didn't exactly fit him like a glove and they're going about their business as if they have all the runway in the world, rather than chasing some sunk cost. They DO have all the runway in the world, btw, because after the checks the Adelsons have been writing this summer to revamp the front office and coaching staff I'll bet Ujiri, Schmitz and May have the most job security of any front office/coach in the sport right now. I think they're doing the right thing.

[Winter]

... and no really stupid contracts.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Yes 42W would be a great season for us this year...

[Knutsen]

Yes 42W would be a great season for us this year...

The blue print isn’t that far away distance wise, here are the last three Spurs seasons 

2023/24 - 22 wins, 60 loses (Wemby’s rookie season)

2024/25 - 34 wins, 48 loses 

2025/26 - 62 wins, 20 loses

We‘ll have to find other ways to accumulate top talent over the next years than just pure lottery luck and great drafting like the Spurs, but who knows how attractive we can be for top free agents one or two years from now, which trade opportunities arise from a team needing Kyrie to win a title or whatever.

[DanSchwartzgan]

FWIW, today is the day Valanciunas becomes guaranteed for $10mm.  I bring it up because he's somewhat key to whatever Denver is planning regarding Watson and trades.  Since LAC is the only rumored landing spot via S&T outside of Denver, it also potentially impacts Mathurin.  My theory has been that Dallas could be involved for Mathurin because LAC has no center beyond 38 year old Brook Lopez.  I would give up substantial value for Watson, but do see value in Mathurin's self-creation ability in a sixth man role.

Listening to Stein just now and he thinks Biber's deal comes out of the MLE.  It can't be announced until the 6-team trade is approved by the league.

We get to a point every summer where we pine for one more deal that never comes.  The idea that there might be one more this summer is largely based on the reporting about Biber having to wait for Dallas to get a "star" player they were trying to get.  I guess there is also some thought we need another creator on the roster, but other than those things, do we have any evidence there is more to come?  It doesn't appear that Biber got the extra $2.0mm he was reportedly hoping for (which would have taken him to the full BAE) and instead got part of the MLE.  Surely Sasser wasn't the "star".  It does appear Dallas prioritized preserving the TPE for something and tried to maintain space under the tax.  So, we can hope.  Often just something a little over the MLE is enough to get a player when the only thing out there is the MLE.  That is what we have available in a S&T right now under the tax...a little more than the MLE (unless we trade match).

I continue to be amazed that we haven't really touched the core from last season losing just AJJ and our Free Agents.  Kyrie, Flagg, PJ, Christie and one of Gafford/Lively are still available to start here and we still have the other center, Naji and Klay (and Martin) who were essentially the top rotation guys from the previous season.  We've added our draft picks (moving up to 25 for Larry) and two real NBA players in Aldama and Sasser and a flier on Biber using basically second round capital.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: The Golden State Warriors decided not to match Quinten Post's three-year, $30 million offer sheet with the Grizzlies, allowing the 7-footer to join Memphis, sources tell ESPN. The Grizzlies add Post to a reshaped frontline that includes No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer, Zach Edey, and Isaiah Stewart. First time since 2020 that an offer sheet of $5M plus goes unmatched. However, the Bogdan Bogdanovic (Sac to Atl) unmatched sheet was during the 2017 CBA and a different set of rules.

bsky.app

[Smitty]

I would expect that's completely and utterly on De Larrea. Young players develop and adapt at speeds that just about no one can predict. Could be really quick, could be really slow or in between. I think it would be smart to plan building the roster so that we can cope with him playing a pretty small role, but leaving room for the role to expand purely depending on how well or not his transition starts off being.

Should be a battle between Sergio, Sasser, and Nemby for that backup PG spot all offseason/training camp. Heck, even throughout the season it will change up some. Playing time will have to be earned...

[mvossman]

I feel like if you have 4 or 5 guys on the floor that can handle the ball solidly and can pass and create, it alleviates the need of that top tier primary ball handler. The more players on the court with zero ball handling or creation, the more a top tier ball handler or two is necessary. If the aim is to end up replacing guys on the roster that cannot create with equivalent players that can, then it starts to make more sense. Think that applies to the bigs as well as the guards. The more I think about it, the more I kind of wonder if Yaxel wasn't the right pick despite his age.

If there is one thing I am confident of given the inside info with May, its that they drafted the right Michigan guy.

[michaeltex]

Couple of thoughts/questions as the dust settles from recent trades...

I think we can all agree that Kyrie is not a typical QB-type point guard, often because his scoring is key to victory. At best (which is REALLY great!) he's a combo guard or a small SG with all-world handles and great scoring ability. If the youngsters can improve team scoring and efficiency (low bar compared to last season), is it possible that Kyrie can (will?), in fact, take on a more QB-type role? Thereby preserving his recently repaired knee and reduce the wear and tear of taking his game into the paint? If he has Flagg and Rez (and Aldama?) to take the abuse inside, is his leadership more valuable helping the team develop together rather than carrying the scoring load game after game? Maybe tweaking the game plan in real time based on what he sees, his experience and his BBIQ?

Also, do we expect May to continue to make Flagg "uncomfortable"? I always felt like Kidd was trying to make him into a more coachable Luka-lite, to everyone's frustration. I do think it helped Flagg learn how to compete in the NBA more rapidly, but it seemed like it was grinding him down to the point that ROTY stats were the only thing keeping him going toward the end. I think that creator/initiator is still a part of his game, but maybe not the main part? IDK what that means exactly.

One of Luka's frustrations (though he rarely said it publicly) was a lack of trust in his teammates. You could see the disappointment when he drew the defense, made a great pass to an open shooter and watched the shot clang off the rim. I think this only reinforced his do-it-all playing style. I am very hopeful that this team, with improved perimeter shooting and higher BBIQ, will develop the trust and respect that you have to have for a successful NBA campaign. This is extends to the overall organization as well, including coaching, training and support staff.

OK. I guess it's back to work now.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Jaylen Brown reveals he is a cousin of Patriots WR A.J. Brown: “My grandpa just told me…His grandfather is a brother of my grandfather.”

x.com


Small world..

[Hooper21]

I liked Bogdan Bogdanovic very much when he was in Europe, he was a superstar here but he became just a role player in NBA.

Tarik has size but less ballhandling than BB, he can be a better role player despite less talent and skills.

My first thought was that Tarik compared to Bojan Bogdanovic.  Bogdan has been a pretty good NBA role player, though it seems like he missed a fair number of games every year.  Him and Bojan both had plenty of fantasizing on these boards about how to obtain them at different times.  If Tarik turns into either one of them, Mavs come out way ahead.

[Hooper21]

I know it's not super sexy, but I'll say it again: I'd take Strus, especially if he comes with a draft capital tip. He can play and I think there's a rotation role for him here.

I'd bet there's a deal cooking to get Bronny to the Cavs.

[Chicagojk]

If I had to guess Marshall and Klay are moved prior to the season.    Marshall is the tricky one.  He was such highly thought of with the previous leadership and one of the teams leaders.  There has been no mention of him by the new staff.   I have also not seen any comments by Marshall who has been vocal pro mavs in the past.    It just seems like they will find a place for him.

Klay may be more tricky now (unless combined).  I think he can help teams but it will need to be the right type of team.

[Chicagojk]

I have very little interest taking on bad contracts like Strus, Schroeder, etc with our trade exception.    They will not bring premium draft equity and we are already pretty full with people expecting playing time.   I sort of like being in a flexible situation and find no real reason to give that up at the moment.

[F Gump]

I mean that’s kind of the conundrum of combining a developmental season with not having a first round pick next year - there’s nothing to lose by being average or even good. 

It shouldn’t be limiting the developmental part, but should instead enhance building winning habits and mindsets that you don’t get when you force loses to maximize your draft position, right?

Yes, I think that's exactly right. The kids will get to play some, on rotation, but the faster they develop into good, winning players, they will play more. Each will determine his own course.

I think the Mavs goal will be one of two things, and either is a great outcome -- 1  the youngster gets so good that there's no longer a need for the veteran, so you trade the veteran for other assets, or 2 the veteran sees the kid coming, and works his rear off to up his game to another level, and becomes so good that you dont want to live without him. 

But doing what it takes to win, making the team win more, making winning plays, that has to be the standard -- and if the talent is there, the winning will bloom (and more rapidly than we expect). We'll see how it goes.

[Chicagojk]

I'd bet there's a deal cooking to get Bronny to the Cavs.

How long do you think Lebron lets this play out?  The summer is long.   Because he is basically going to take the minimum I wonder if he just sits for a month or two.   Maybe by then AD can wiggle his way to Golden State.   Lebron likes people talking about him and he can probably play this off for at least the next few months.

[Winter]

I have very little interest taking on bad contracts like Strus, Schroeder, etc with our trade exception.    They will not bring premium draft equity and we are already pretty full with people expecting playing time.   I sort of like being in a flexible situation and find no real reason to give that up at the moment.

If the Cavs offer picks, I do Strus in a heartbeat.