Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

I am convinced the Mavs are working on a deal to solve their roster issue. So far their moves have been unpredictable and fairly complex, so I am doubtful we are imagining what they might be considering.

I am a minimalist, however. The simpler, the better. Cut right to the bottom line as quickly as you can.

So my solution, if nothing else develops, would be to try to work a buyout with Martin. Reduce the payout for each year by the minimum salary (about $3M each year), and do NOT stretch the salary. This cuts off any path to the preferred path of using him in a trade, to get rid of the salary entirely, but no one has ever felt there's a demand for him and his contract. (Another gift from the idiot formerly making decisions. Thanks, Nico. Ugh.)

[mvossman]

I am convinced the Mavs are working on a deal to solve their roster issue. So far their moves have been unpredictable and fairly complex, so I am doubtful we are imagining what they might be considering.

I am a minimalist, however. The simpler, the better.  Cut right to the bottom line as quickly as you can.

So my solution, if nothing else develops, would be to try to work a buyout with Martin. Reduce the payout for each year by the minimum salary (about $3M each year), and do NOT stretch the salary. This cuts off any path to the preferred path of using him in a trade, to get rid of the salary entirely, but no one has ever felt there's a demand for him and his contract. (Another gift from the idiot formerly making decisions. Thanks, Nico. Ugh.)

I would argue the roster issue goes beyond the 16 bodies.  It still seems short on creation (and heavy on power forwards).  I'm curious if there is one more move to balance out the roster.

[Winter]

So my solution, if nothing else develops, would be to try to work a buyout with Martin. Reduce the payout for each year by the minimum salary (about $3M each year), and do NOT stretch the salary. This cuts off any path to the preferred path of using him in a trade, to get rid of the salary entirely, but no one has ever felt there's a demand for him and his contract. (Another gift from the idiot formerly making decisions. Thanks, Nico. Ugh.)

I agree. I said earlier that it literally wouldn't matter if he showed up in street clothes. There is a real need to evaluate these young players and he's just not on the list of options. Would you rather see Biberovik or Martin?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I was arguing with myself in the other thread about the same thing you guys are arguing about in here.

We have a lot of new young players (that people are excited about) but thy aren't cant miss, ready to play types.  They seem to be raw and developmental types.  I include Morez Johnson in that group. DeLarrea.  Risacher.  Tarik. Sasser.

But then we have a bunch of vets that as of right now are clearly superior basketball players.  The young developmental guys shouldnt really be getting the type of minutes (that people want) if Dallas is going to put the best players on the court.

[KillerLeft]

I was arguing with myself in the other thread about the same thing you guys are arguing about in here.

We have a lot of new young players (that people are excited about) but thy aren't cant miss, ready to play types.  They seem to be raw and developmental types.  I include Morez Johnson in that group. DeLarrea.  Risacher.  Tarik. Sasser.

But then we have a bunch of vets that as of right now are clearly superior basketball players.  The young developmental guys shouldnt really be getting the type of minutes (that people want) if Dallas is going to put the best players on the court.

I agree with the bird's eye view of the situation in a general sense. 

But, in some cases it actually is possible that the young guys might be better than the older, established players pretty quickly. Possibly even right away. 

For example, I wouldn't be shocked at all if the opening night version of Biberovic is better than the current version of Klay Thompson. I wouldn't be surprised if Morez Johnson isn't better than Gafford pretty quickly, too. Etc.

But yeah, that's what's got all of us a little off balance. Seems like there are still two paths in front of them. Which will they choose, and are they even mutually exclusive? And, how different will May's systems be? Will that make the "fit" of temporarily lesser players more desirable than the currently superior, more experienced ones? 

My $.02 is that they're bringing in a lot of interesting young players. I hope they play, personally.

[F Gump]

I would argue the roster issue goes beyond the 16 bodies.  It still seems short on creation (and heavy on power forwards).  I'm curious if there is one more move to balance out the roster.

Maybe. But maybe not. 

PG - Kyrie, Sasser, DeLarrea
SG
SF - PJW, Naji, Risacher
PF - Flagg, Morez, Aldama
C

Not sure I see the problem. In theory there is "too much talent" at multiple positions, with several very-playable players. But that's not a problem. It's a good thing.

[mvossman]

Maybe. But maybe not. 

PG - Kyrie, Sasser, DeLarrea
SG
SF - PJW, Naji, Risacher
PF - Flagg, Morez, Aldama
C

Not sure I see the problem. In theory there is "too much talent" at multiple positions, with several very-playable players. But that's not a problem. It's a good thing.

I disagree.  That can be a problem.  Both boosting vets trading value and developing promising young players requires minutes and if you have too many players you are going to have to sacrifice one or the other (or both).

[MaxiThreeba]

The Mavs have used their TPE to bring in players.  Maybe we should be looking at teams with TPEs that would allow them to send player(s) out.  I am the furthest thing from a capologist. Pulled these TPE’s from Spotrac without any further research so no clue if they’re all accurate.

Hornets: $40,770,520
Grizz: $28,872,920
Celtics: $27,678,571
Bucks: $25,456,566
Thunder: $17,722,222 and $11,323,006
Clippers: $17,000,000
Jazz: $15,054,411
Pistons: $15,000,000
Rockets: $13,335,000
Hawks: $11,000,000
Wolves: $10,774,038
Cavs: $10,000,000

Of those teams:
- The Thunder and Wolves have Tax/Apron issues
- The Cavs will have Tax/Apron issues post Lebron/Harden
- The Grizzlies and Bucks aren't likely to be looking to add vets like the Mavs have

That leaves:
- The Hornets and Celtics could absorb any of PJ, Gafford, Klay or Naji.  The Hornets could actually absorb Kyrie (no thanks).
- The Clippers are just short of Klay
- The Clippers, Jazz, Pistons, Rockets and Hawks could all absorb Naji

I am 100% sure I am leaving out some yet to be signed players that change the calculus on some of these teams.  Any roster fits and appropriate picks available that jump out with any of these teams?

[KillerLeft]

That leaves:
- The Hornets and Celtics could absorb any of PJ, Gafford, Klay or Naji.  The Hornets could actually absorb Kyrie (no thanks).
- The Clippers are just short of Klay
- The Clippers, Jazz, Pistons, Rockets and Hawks could all absorb Naji

I am 100% sure I am leaving out some yet to be signed players that change the calculus on some of these teams.  Any roster fits and appropriate picks available that jump out with any of these teams?

The Hornets are on my list of teams potentially still looking for a significant center investment, fwiw.

[Winter]

Mavs wave Tyler Smith

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/07/mave...smith.html

[mvossman]

Mavs wave Tyler Smith

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/07/mave...smith.html

Not much doubt that was happening.

[KillerLeft]

What's the rule on two-ways? I know they're allowed three during the season, but are they allowed more right now, like how they're allowed up to 21 full roster spots and need to reduce it to 15 by the time the season starts?

I'm asking because of the timing of this. Could this be happening now because they're about to offer someone else a two-way contract, or is it just "we've decided we're done with Tyler Smith" with nothing else involved in the timing?

[F Gump]

I disagree.  That can be a problem.  Both boosting vets trading value and developing promising young players requires minutes and if you have too many players you are going to have to sacrifice one or the other (or both).

Yes there will be a fight for minutes (all across the lineup). And players will want more minutes than they have. But that's not a disaster -- it's a good thing to have to figure out. In all but the scrubbiest of teams, you have competition for minutes, and it makes both players better as they work to up their game.

I think the Mavs are smart enough to force players to work for minutes, rather than just arbitrarily select players to play.

[Chicagojk]

I am just really trying to read the tea leaves on Marshall...which is pretty much guessing.  I don't think Dallas moves him just to move him, but I think it is more likely than not that he is moved.    

There is a new organization leading the Mavs.  Marshall was the previous guys guy.  Not saying he couldn't become a Masai guy, but they have invested in three forwards since they came aboard just a little while ago.   These three guys will become the new organization guys probably.   They sort of fit simiarly.   They are big, skilled and can shoot a little (Morez is more of a projection).   They don't need the ball a lot but they cut well and seem to think the game at least average.    Plus, with these three the Mavs best player is also a wing.    

So it is about minutes for Marshall.  Just like Klay.  I think Klay can help teams but there is no minutes here and it is probably why he is eventually released if no deal happens before the season.  Marshall is better than Klay, but his role and minutes have changed.  He may still be one of the top 7 guys on the team, but Masai brought his guys in.   They were brought in to get minutes.

edit- I should say PJ is in the same boat. Maybe unfairly though, I am giving him more of a leash (which may not be accurate). I think with his contract and role, there is a way to rehab him. Simplify his role. He needs to defend better on the perimeter, still rebound well and limit the dribble drive. The minutes are tight in the front court but I think would pick rehabbing PJ than keeping and resigning Marshall.

[cow]

I am just really trying to read the tea leaves on Marshall...which is pretty much guessing.  I don't think Dallas moves him just to move him, but I think it is more likely than not that he is moved.    

There is a new organization leading the Mavs.  Marshall was the previous guys guy.  Not saying he couldn't become a Masai guy, but they have invested in three forwards since they came aboard just a little while ago.   These three guys will become the new organization guys probably.   They sort of fit simiarly.   They are big, skilled and can shoot a little (Morez is more of a projection).   They don't need the ball a lot but they cut well and seem to think the game at least average.    Plus, with these three the Mavs best player is also a wing.    

So it is about minutes for Marshall.  Just like Klay.  I think Klay can help teams but there is no minutes here and it is probably why he is eventually released if no deal happens before the season.  Marshall is better than Klay, but his role and minutes have changed.  He may still be one of the top 7 guys on the team, but Masai brought his guys in.   They were brought in to get minutes.

I can understand that reading of the leaves, but I don't think anyone brought in is as good off the bounce as Naji and in Naji's favor here, we are pathetically thin on guys than can get their spots and create shots for themselves.

[Chicagojk]

Mavs wave Tyler Smith

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/07/mave...smith.html

Not a surprise.  Don' t think he was keeping it regardless.   Although, hopefully he learned a tough lesson if the report is accurate that he missed a film study.   There are hundreds of guys fighting for a two way.    Not much separates them.   100% effort is the minimum.   It is a fine line between finding a way to stick in the NBA for 5-10 years vs spending the rest of your life complaining you never got a fair chance.   Missing out of 2-3 games and not allowing other teams to see you is also a big miss after he was benched.    Hopefully it is something he can learn from and find another chance.

[KillerLeft]

I can understand that reading of the leaves, but I don't think anyone brought in is as good off the bounce as Naji and in Naji's favor here, we are pathetically thin on guys than can get their spots and create shots for themselves.

Can't argue with this!

[cow]

Can't argue with this!

I'm going to put a call into Mike Schmitz and get this settled once and for all.

[dirkfansince1998]

Biggest Naji question is his next contract. How much is he going to ask for/get? Right now he is an asset that could be sold at what is potentially his peak value. Looking around the league the trend seems to be extend or trade. Don't wait for free agency.
Obviously not up to us but how much would you be willing to pay Naji on his next deal?

[MFFLER est 01]

Mavs wave Tyler Smith

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/07/mave...smith.html

John Poulakidis

Tobi Lawal

Vsevolod Ishchenko