Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Smitty]

I would also suggest that having a Big MLE slot and a big TPE and room under the tax line to work with would not be a bad place to be at the TDL.

I agree and think that's the most likely place we'll end up.

We all want moves to be made. That's part of the fun. I think what's most likely is that the Mavs are done making moves this summer, unless something blows them away. There's something to be said about maintaining the financial flexibility through the trade deadline in February. There's no rush to use it up now. By keeping the portion of the MLE and TPE unused, and the money below the Tax/Apron, they can be really aggressive and/or opportunistic at the trade deadline.

I would say that a straight salary dump from the Cavs, in Strus, with them giving up an unprotected first round pick would meet the "unless something blows them away" part. I think that it's extremely unlikely, more so than a SnT for Watson even. But it's worth discussing on the board of course. I do think LeBron goes to CLE. I do think they trade one or both of Strus/Schroder. 

Where I think some people might get a little carried away is thinking that they HAVE to dump salary at all costs, therefore they will send a FRP to dump an expiring. That's not how I view their situation at all. 

I think Strus is a really good player, on a good value (expiring) contract.
Didn't most here think Klay would get back a SRP or two for a lot of the same reasons? 

BUT I would take Strus just for the upgrade at the guard/wing position alone. He's a better player right now than both Max and Klay. Offers more ballhandling/playmaking, with similar shooting. He would start at the 2 for this team!

[Chicagojk]

Seems like the clippers have a lot in the air. Maybe trying to re-route Ingram. Mathurin as an RFA. And they are talking with Watson’s agents. From what I understand they are limited in signing him outright so you would think Denver would not be receptive. On the other hand his agency is Klutch and they can be demanding. Also Denver, as currently constructed, would be murdered if they gave Watson the contract he is looking for now with tax penalties. It will be interesting how this plays out.

[DanSchwartzgan]

It is probably too unlikely to spend much time on it.

If you have to get to $23mm or more, then you have to solve the BYC issue without causing Denver to go over the 2nd Apron or take on more salary than being sent out as a 1st Apron team.  There are a couple of ways that work (possibly others) and both involve Denver sending back Zeke Nnaji.  One is Watson ($23mm)/Nnaji straight up for Klay.  The other is pairing Christie and Naji for Watson and Nnaji.  Both of those Dallas outgoing scenarios fit the sweet spot between what Watson counts as outgoing and what matches in the other direction.

I noticed this morning the Bagley deal isn't finalized yet.  So, one more way of doing this would be to include him in a S&T with Naji for Watson and Zeke (Zeke goes into the MLE).  In that case, it can be a trade match at a salary starting at $22mm for Watson and you don't use the TPE at all.  I'm using Bagley's reported $3.5mm minimum salary, but if you needed to get to a higher number for Watson, you could bump Bagley's number using more of the MLE to get there up to a point.

Watson deals have actually been easier to construct than I originally suspected.  There will probably be competition for him as he's by far the best FA still available.  Besides LAC, Detroit still hasn't closed out its space and Brooklyn would be another logical team that might target him.  It isn't just a player decision.  Whoever gets him will have to satisfy both the player and the Nuggets.

Edit: One other note, you could substitute Christie for Naji in this deal if Denver preferred. Christie/Bagley for Watson/Zeke lands Watson at $20.9mm if you assume $3.5mm for Bagley as reported. That would fit into the TPE if Denver wanted that flexibility. Again, if Watson wants more money, you simply slide up Bagley's number using some of the MLE. Biber and Zeke are also coming out of the MLE in this scenario, so there is a limit. Biber at $3.0 = Zeke at $7.47 leaves up to $4.5mm for Bagley to be increased which would take Watson's starting number up to $22mm (and no longer eligible to use the TPE). One of the issues with getting Watson's agreement would be finding a role for him. If you watch his game, he could easily take Chritie's place in the starting lineup whereas Naji's departure would only create an opening as a backup.

[F Gump]

1 Where I think some people might get a little carried away is thinking that they HAVE to dump salary at all costs, therefore they will send a FRP to dump an expiring. That's not how I view their situation at all. 

2 I think Strus is a really good player, on a good value (expiring) contract.
Didn't most here think Klay would get back a SRP or two for a lot of the same reasons? 

BUT I would take Strus just for the upgrade at the guard/wing position alone. He's a better player right now than both Max and Klay. Offers more ballhandling/playmaking, with similar shooting. He would start at the 2 for this team!

1 I am not sure the Cavs cap situation is workable without a salary dump of some sort. If I mathed correctly,, they are at about 190-195 without Harden, much less LeBron. I think the Lebron decision merely defines how much dumping they need to do.

2 I don't share your regard for the "value" of Strus. Major lack of availability. He's played only 50 2 years ago,, then only 12 last season. Not one long injury, but separate stints. He's on the wrong side of 30 (got a late NBA start). A guy who can't stay on the floor is not the answer.

[Smitty]

2 I don't share your regard for the "value" of Strus. Major lack of availability. He's played only 50 2 years ago,, then only 12 last season. Not one long injury, but separate stints. He's on the wrong side of 30 (got a late NBA start). A guy who can't stay on the floor is not the answer.

I'm not saying I want him... And I don't view him as anything more than a Klay replacement type (expiring shooter), for this year only. All I'm really saying is that he is a better basketball player (when he plays) than Max and Klay in year 2026-2027. Better than Naji also...

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Ian Begley: NYK was interested in Jonas Valanciunas in ‘24 offseason. "We had a lot of talks with different teams. New York (was) one of them,” he said then. NYK will have solid depth at center if Valanciunas, a former client of Leon Rose, chooses Knicks in his current free agency. He is among centers on their radar

x.com

[FireNicoHarrison]

I'm not saying I want him... And I don't view him as anything more than a Klay replacement type (expiring shooter), for this year only. All I'm really saying is that he is a better basketball player (when he plays) than Max and Klay in year 2026-2027. Better than Naji also...

I'm not sure about it... And the injury question mark is really a red flag.

I view him just like a salary dump for picks.

[Chicagojk]

I noticed this morning the Bagley deal isn't finalized yet.  So, one more way of doing this would be to include him in a S&T with Naji for Watson and Zeke (Zeke goes into the MLE).  In that case, it can be a trade match at a salary starting at $22mm for Watson and you don't use the TPE at all.  I'm using Bagley's reported $3.5mm minimum salary, but if you needed to get to a higher number for Watson, you could bump Bagley's number using more of the MLE to get there up to a point.

Watson deals have actually been easier to construct than I originally suspected.  There will probably be competition for him as he's by far the best FA still available.  Besides LAC, Detroit still hasn't closed out its space and Brooklyn would be another logical team that might target him.  It isn't just a player decision.  Whoever gets him will have to satisfy both the player and the Nuggets.

Edit:  One other note, you could substitute Christie for Naji in this deal if Denver preferred.  Christie/Bagley for Watson/Zeke lands Watson at $20.9mm if you assume $3.5mm for Bagley as reported.  That would fit into the TPE if Denver wanted that flexibility.  Again, if Watson wants more money, you simply slide up Bagley's number using some of the MLE.  Biber and Zeke are also coming out of the MLE in this scenario, so there is a limit.  Biber at $3.0 = Zeke at $7.47 leaves up to $4.5mm for Bagley to be increased which would take Watson's starting number up to $22mm (and no longer eligible to use the TPE).  One of the issues with getting Watson's agreement would be finding a role for him.  If you watch his game, he could easily take Chritie's place in the starting lineup whereas Naji's departure would only create an opening as a backup.

I read, not sure if accurate, that if the Clippers moved DJJ they could get an offer for around 25 per year for Watson.  I don't believe they want to go down this route.   Would you take DJJ into the MLE if they decided to go this route?

Would you have interest in DJJ where Denver gets Marshall and stuff in a three team sign and trade.   You lose in creation but get better on defense and shooting.

[SleepingHero]

Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral)
Chad Johnson says Klay Thompson is going to be on the Miami Heat this season:

Shannon: Ok, you got defense in Miami, tell me your shooting.

Chad: Tim Hardaway. Klay will be there. I mean, I’m not supposed to be revealing this information but I’m just throwing it out there.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral)
Chad Johnson says Klay Thompson is going to be on the Miami Heat this season:

Shannon: Ok, you got defense in Miami, tell me your shooting.

Chad: Tim Hardaway. Klay will be there. I mean, I’m not supposed to be revealing this information but I’m just throwing it out there.

Miami has some assets?

[Chicagojk]

Miami has some assets?

Would probably be a buyout, I assume.  Or trade to a team who then buys him out.   I don't think a trade to Miami would work.

He would help Miami.  Still though, if they miss out on Lebron, I don't consider the Heat a true contender.    They need a few more good players.   Not sure how they get them at this stage.

[Mavs2021]

Miami has some assets?

Jovic and some picks swaps in 2056.

Jovic to Milwaukee
Herro + X to Dallas
Thompson to Miami

[Smitty]

Would probably be a buyout, I assume.  Or trade to a team who then buys him out.   I don't think a trade to Miami would work.

Yeah, it's hard to see a trade for Klay from another team's perspective. If Klay is gone, it certainly feels like a buyout situation.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Jovic and some picks swaps in 2056.

Jovic to Milwaukee
Herro + X to Dallas
Thompson to Miami

I like your post my friend, i'm not a big fan of Herro but we need offensive talent and a little playmaking.

[SleepingHero]

@LegionHoops

REPORT: The Hawks have a preferred framework in place to execute a sign and trade that would send Jonathan Kuminga to the Lakers, per @khobi_price

Hawks would receive:
Jarred Vanderbilt
2032 first-round pick swap

Lakers would receive:
Jonathan Kuminga

[SleepingHero]

Jovic and some picks swaps in 2056.

Jovic to Milwaukee
Herro + X to Dallas
Thompson to Miami

Thats a very interesting idea, but I doubt MIL trades the foundational piece of the Giannis trade before he suits up a game for them. Especially cause hes a hometown kid.

[Chicagojk]

@LegionHoops

REPORT: The Hawks have a preferred framework in place to execute a sign and trade that would send Jonathan Kuminga to the Lakers, per @khobi_price

Hawks would receive:
Jarred Vanderbilt
2032 first-round pick swap

Lakers would receive:
Jonathan Kuminga

This sounds like Lakers propaganda right?    

Hawks already have a deep team and not sure Vanderbilt would get any playing time.  He has two years left on his contract.    Not sure a 32 swap is enough unfortunately.     I think there are better ways to go.   Losing Kuminga for nothing is not ideal, but I wouldn't want two years of a player who wouldn't play for me and a swap.

[Chicagojk]

Jovic and some picks swaps in 2056.

Jovic to Milwaukee
Herro + X to Dallas
Thompson to Miami

Could he change his name to Herro-ich?

[mvossman]

Yeah, it's hard to see a trade for Klay from another team's perspective. If Klay is gone, it certainly feels like a buyout situation.

Prolly how they make room for Cisse.

[Smitty]

Prolly how they make room for Cisse.

A good possibility. They could also add Poulakidas to the roster and bring back Cisse on a two-way. More than one way to do it. A lot may be determined by how SL goes. Poulakidas is auditioning for a real roster spot. Tyler Smith is trying to keep his Two-way spot. Ishchenko is trying to secure one. Even Nemby has something to prove IMO.