Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[ACMFFL]

As for comparisons of players, we will likely need to agree to disagree. Each player has his strength and weaknesses and there are only so few players that are very similar. Only a few are put in a right role on a good team. The season you mentioned for PJ I think is his only season in a winning situation.
PJ is a good overall player. Decent shooter, above average defender. Rui on the other hand is an absolutely elite shooter (he shot 60 % from three in playoffs after over 40 % in the regular season) and an ok defender. Collins is a better scorer but worse defender. Aldama had very similar stats to PJ and is a rare breed of a 4/5 hybrid that can shoot. Watson had arguably better season than prime PJ and is only 23. Of course there is a risk of a small sample. Denver didn't get a rotational player, Cleveland only sent Strus to Clippers because they needed to get under the first apron. Dort went for 3 SRPs - I see this as similar value as 1 SRP and FRP swap.

Hachi and Aldama have never proven as impactful as PJ in the playoffs; that is certainly no minor detail. Statistically speaking, Hachi has consistently been a net negative in the postseason. Collins does have 1 solid playoff run under his belt, but that was five years ago; since then, he has struggled to make a positive impact, even during the regular season, let alone in the post-season.

If an unproven RFA is worth an unprotected first-round pick and a commitment of 12% of the salary cap over the next four seasons—all based on a sample size of just 15 high-level regular-season games played without Jokic—then I think it's even more realistic to expect that, at some point in the season, teams (especially the most desperate ones) would value PJ’s playoff experience, provided he gets off to a strong start.

Cleveland had to give up Strus and unprotected 1st to acquire Watson, it's inconsequential if Denver didn't get him. That's the price Cavs had to pay to get him, 

OKC absolutely needed to trade him, whereas the Mavs aren't in a position of such urgency that it would weaken their negotiating leverage. Furthermore, as I’ve already mentioned, the second-round pick is the price the Lakers have to pay to free up a roster spot; I doubt the Mavs would see any value in Hiero, and they certainly wouldn't see any in Hardy; that leaves only a pick swap six years down the line.
I think those three second-round picks alone hold significantly more value than the aforementioned swap.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Pacers haven’t been a tax-paying team since the 2004-05 season. In the two decades since, the franchise has always finished with a team salary below the luxury tax line and received a distribution of money from the league’s tax-paying teams. Since 2005, the only NBA teams to never cross the luxury tax threshold are the Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, and Sacramento Kings. Reporting suggested that the Pacers may have been willing to do so in the 2025-26 season after their run to the NBA Finals, but Tyrese Haliburton’s injury changed everything before Myles Turner left in free agency.

Forbes.com

[Dahlsim]

As for comparisons of players, we will likely need to agree to disagree. Each player has his strength and weaknesses and there are only so few players that are very similar. Only a few are put in a right role on a good team. The season you mentioned for PJ I think is his only season in a winning situation.

PJ is a good overall player. Decent shooter, above average defender. Rui on the other hand is an absolutely elite shooter (he shot 60 % from three in playoffs after over 40 % in the regular season) and an ok defender. Collins is a better scorer but worse defender. Aldama had very similar stats to PJ and is a rare breed of a 4/5 hybrid that can shoot. Watson had arguably better season than prime PJ and is only 23. Of course there is a risk of a small sample. Denver didn't get a rotational player, Cleveland only sent Strus to Clippers because they needed to get under the first apron. Dort went for 3 SRPs - I see this as similar value as 1 SRP and FRP swap.

Rui is not an elite shooter.  Not nearly enough volume.  Most of those trades were made out of necessity for cap reasons, which obviously can affect value.  Mavs are not in that position.  No reason to sell low.

That made me curious.  Per AI (Grok) 

Summary assessment: Hachimura is a good-to-very-good shooter by NBA forward standards—efficient inside and from mid-range from the start of his career, and a reliable 41–44% three-point shooter on moderate volume (roughly 3.5–4 attempts per game) during his Lakers years. He fits well as a complementary spacer rather than a primary creator or high-volume sniper. Stats are drawn primarily from Basketball-Reference and aggregated sources covering his full career through the completed 2025–26 season.

and AI comparison pretty much verifies what I would have thought and what mostly you both said, although Rui seems definitely the more efficient shooter even if we don't declare him completely "Elite" due to the career line and volume.  

Comparison to Rui Hachimura (Lakers focus)

• Three-point shooting: Hachimura is clearly more accurate (career ~39.4%, Lakers ~41.5% on ~3.5–3.6 attempts) versus Washington’s higher volume but lower accuracy (career 35.4%, Mavericks 34.3% on ~4.5 attempts). Hachimura has been the more reliable floor-spacer by percentage; Washington generates more attempts.
  
• Overall shooting efficiency: Hachimura holds a clear edge in FG% (career ~49.9%, Lakers ~51–52%) and true shooting, thanks to a stronger two-point game and more selective three-point diet. Washington’s higher three-point attempt rate and different role pull his FG% down into the mid-40s.
  
• Role/context: Washington is the higher-usage, higher-rebounding, more versatile two-way forward (better playmaking and defensive versatility on average). Hachimura is the more pure efficient complementary scorer/shooter who thrives in spot-up and mid-range roles.
  
• Bottom line: Hachimura is the better pure shooter (especially from three). Washington is a more complete, higher-volume contributor whose shooting is serviceable but not a standout strength relative to his other skills.
  

From a trade perspective PJ age 27 and Rui age 28 almost a wash, seems like its mostly about shooting vs overall 2-way versatility.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Jake Fischer: In Pistons center news, sources say Detroit has fully guaranteed Paul Reed’s $5.6 million salary for this upcoming 2026-27 season.

x.com

[mvossman]

That made me curious.  Per AI (Grok) 

and AI comparison pretty much verifies what I would have thought and what mostly you both said, although Rui seems definitely the more efficient shooter even if we don't declare him completely "Elite" due to the career line and volume.  

From a trade perspective PJ age 27 and Rui age 28 almost a wash, seems like its mostly about shooting vs overall 2-way versatility.

No doubt he is a better shooter than PJ, but he is far from "Elite".  He has taken less 3s per 36 in his career than Josh Green (and has a lower career true shooting as well).  That is not the profile of an elite shooter.

[omahen]

So with the Kawhi deal likely being finalized now, will there be any other moves? Clippers have 17 players on deals now, so they will need to cut two before the season starts. Looking at their roster it seems like Christie and Broome might be the "victims". They are for sure shell shocked after the decision, so how much time will it take before they figure it out who is making the decisions now?

Toronto only has 13 players on guaranteed deals now and I think the Leonard deal hard caps them at the first apron. They are just 2 mil below it, so it might be one of the camp players will win the final spot. Or will they make another trade using one of their larger contracts?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: Just in: Houston Rockets' Amen Thompson has agreed to a five-year, $208 million rookie-scale contract extension with the franchise, sources tell ESPN. The new deal includes a 10% trade kicker. Amen Thompson, 23, has been an ascending multi-position player for the Rockets since becoming their No. 4 overall pick in 2023. He led the NBA in minutes played last season while averaging career highs in points (18.3), assists (5.3), and steals (1.5), and ranking eighth in total steals and fourth in loose-ball recoveries.

x.com

[Chicagojk]

Shams Charania: Just in: Houston Rockets' Amen Thompson has agreed to a five-year, $208 million rookie-scale contract extension with the franchise, sources tell ESPN. The new deal includes a 10% trade kicker. Amen Thompson, 23, has been an ascending multi-position player for the Rockets since becoming their No. 4 overall pick in 2023. He led the NBA in minutes played last season while averaging career highs in points (18.3), assists (5.3), and steals (1.5), and ranking eighth in total steals and fourth in loose-ball recoveries.

x.com

Houston is one  of my most interesting teams this year.   A Senguin, KD, Thompson is a good threesome.    Not perfect, but a good mix and match.   Something was so off with them last year though.  I thought the coach might be losing the team a bit.    The chemistry just seems off.  Not sure they can get it back on the tracks.  

Behind these three you have good players in Adams, Jabari Smith Jr (young and still trying to find his spot) and Eason.  These are their top 6 players imo.  All front court players.   They are counting on a Sheppard jump and VanFleet coming back from a serious knee injury.   

They could go either way.  Take a step back and trade KD and keep a pretty solid young nucleus and look 2 years out.  Or Make a win now move around KD, Senguin and Thompson.   I don't think standing still is a good option imo.

[numnuts23]

Houston is one  of my most interesting teams this year.   A Senguin, KD, Thompson is a good threesome.    Not perfect, but a good mix and match.   Something was so off with them last year though.  I thought the coach might be losing the team a bit.    The chemistry just seems off.  Not sure they can get it back on the tracks.  

Behind these three you have good players in Adams, Jabari Smith Jr (young and still trying to find his spot) and Eason.  These are their top 6 players imo.  All front court players.   They are counting on a Sheppard jump and VanFleet coming back from a serious knee injury.   

They could go either way.  Take a step back and trade KD and keep a pretty solid young nucleus and look 2 years out.  Or Make a win now move around KD, Senguin and Thompson.   I don't think standing still is a good option imo.

The injury to VanVleet killed them last year.  If he's back and healthy, their gonna be pretty good.

[Chicagojk]

The injury to VanVleet killed them last year.  If he's back and healthy, their gonna be pretty good.

We will see.  I have always like FVV.  He brings competitiveness and toughness.  I believe his injury was more severe than Kyrie's.   They are similar in age, so we will see.   They need to bring a lot of stability to the squad and eat up a lot of minutes.   It feels like that team really missed Brooks last year.   I guess they hope Smart sort of fills that role.   That remains to be seen.

Yes, I think they can be a good team and in that 3-6 mix.   I just feel like they are in a little bit of no mans land though.   Good, but not great.    They do have the Nets first round pick this year and others picks, so they can be aggressive if they choose to be.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

edit: never mind

There are so many "MAX" contracts now, i dont know what I'm talking about.

[Dirknows]

We will see.  I have always like FVV.  He brings competitiveness and toughness.  I believe his injury was more severe than Kyrie's.   They are similar in age, so we will see.   They need to bring a lot of stability to the squad and eat up a lot of minutes.   It feels like that team really missed Brooks last year.   I guess they hope Smart sort of fills that role.   That remains to be seen.

Yes, I think they can be a good team and in that 3-6 mix.   I just feel like they are in a little bit of no mans land though.   Good, but not great.    They do have the Nets first round pick this year and others picks, so they can be aggressive if they choose to be.

Kyrie would be a great fit there if they choose to go all in.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Kyrie would be a great fit there if they choose to go all in.

Between pick equity and salaries that work, they do seem a logical fit if Masai follows his usual pattern of a big mid-season trade his first year.  I wonder what the relationship between KD and Kyrie is these days.

The question I’d have is do you build something around FVV and picks or do you build it around 24 year old all-star Sengun while also sending Gafford with Kyrie?  Sengun seems really unhappy in Houston.

I love Kyrie here, but job one for M&M is to find Cooper’s long term running mate.  I’d love that to be someone like Harper or Edgecombe.  I don’t love having to find that through the draft as it is never a sure thing.  Sengun - who I also like - probably qualifies for that second star title, but is he the greatest fit?  He’d be wonderful if you told me Morez and Cooper are both 38% three-point shooters and Larry is a serviceable starter.  Short of that, we are still hurting for self-creation.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Orlando Magic: We have signed free-agent guards Malaki Branham and JD Davison. → on.nba.com/4gzLY5R

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Per SNY sources, guard-forward John Konchar and forward-center Drew Eubanks are among the players on New York’s radar as we draw closer to training camp. Konchar, recently waived and stretched after a trade to Minnesota, is known as a strong rebounder/defender/offensive connector who can knock down perimeter shots over his seven-year NBA career.

SportsNet New York

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Zach Lowe: Sources say there are *no* escalator clauses in Amen Thompson's extension -- first reported by @ShamsCharania -- if he were to make All-NBA or win Defensive Player of the Year. The deal is below Thompson's max potential deal but still a ton of money, obviously. Amen Thompson's extension with the Rockets comes in at about $44M, which is about 25% of the cap max. AAV of $41.6M vs $50.5M. That's decent flexibility for Houston moving forward and still a monster deal for Thompson.

x.com

[Smitty]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons has agreed on a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe and Ryan Arney tell me and @MarcJSpears. The one-time All-NBA star is back in the NBA for a 10th season after sitting out 2025-26.

[Chicagojk]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons has agreed on a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe and Ryan Arney tell me and @MarcJSpears. The one-time All-NBA star is back in the NBA for a 10th season after sitting out 2025-26.

Depressing to be a Kings fan.

Maybe they are already out there but please no Ben Simmons pick up videos from his team showing him shooting threes.  If he is serious about this than don't make it some kind of gimmick thing.

[SleepingHero]

@ShamsCharania
Just in: Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons has agreed on a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe and Ryan Arney tell me and @MarcJSpears. The one-time All-NBA star is back in the NBA for a 10th season after sitting out 2025-26.

Hard to see the downside for Sac town, but I'm not sure how they expect to be a competitive team at all.

Sabonis and Lavine want out of there ASAP.

[omahen]

Hard to see the downside for Sac town, but I'm not sure how they expect to be a competitive team at all.

Sabonis and Lavine want out of there ASAP.

I don't think they want to be competitive. As for Sabonis and Lavine wanting out, I think the feeling is mutual