Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[DallasMaverick]

In today's NBA, I think Ryan's biggest issue is the one thing you can't teach.

But, what if he becomes a 40% 3-point shooter, leads the league in assists, and ends up with multiple championships?

Then we’d REALLY be kicking ourselves that we had him in our grasp, and failed to recognize his greatness, and he’d probably be winning all those championships with the Lakers or Spurs, which would make it even worse. And maybe by then Nico would be the GM that signed him to a vet minimum deal for the Lakers, so we’d feel even worse. And Luka would be trashing his former team and the Mavs would be mired in mediocrity for several generations.

I think the technical term is “FOMO”.

[SleepingHero]

Especially on a Ujiri team and I mostly agree, but our guard lineup is so anemic.

If you believe in De Larrea, the guard lineup is a bit more appetizing than what first looks may show. 

Sasser is also a wildcard. He was/is a bench player, but theoretically could be due for a breakout if given the chance. That's the best case scenario though.

I'm very much still interested in finding a long term solution at guard, but with Kyrie's size, its hard to find that. I think Garland from LAC is interesting, but I highly doubt the Clippers want to sell off their players after their latest debacle.

[michaeltex]

I'm sneakily optimistic about the guard situation, but we'll know more in a few weeks. FWIW, I liked what Ryan did last season, was disappointed he didn't show out in summer league, but think his size is always going to be a huge barrier to playing time on a competitive team and it was time for DAL to move on.

Speaking of LAC's...

They have really taken a hit with the sanctions the league just handed down. Not expected to be competitive for a while now, but they can lean in to that and come out strong in the long term.

They are committed to ~$193M in salaries this upcoming season. But that falls to $142M next season and ~$20M of that is TOs they can waive and another $7.5M in non-guaranteed contracts. So they could potentially only have ~$115 committed going in to the offseason. FWIW, if you take out TOs and non-guaranteed money, they currently have ZERO salary commitments for the 28-29 season.

With that flexibility, they could be a dumping ground for every unwanted contract in the league, with appropriate draft compensation (of course) for the use of that space. So during the time they aren't expected to be competitive anyway, they can bank draft capital such that they end up in an OKC situation where they could use the draft to replenish rather than rebuild. Maybe a silver lining if they play their cards right?

[F Gump]

1 Not expected to be competitive for a while now, but they can lean in to that and come out strong in the long term.

2 So during the time they aren't expected to be competitive anyway, they can ....

I can't envision Ballmer being willing to embrace a decade of mediocrity for something farther down the road after that -- although that sure seems like LAC's realistic future.

I suspect they may try to utilize what they have to shoot for a "sooner rather than later" rebuild. Where/how can they get more talent? SIDE THOUGHT: The temptation to cheat may be even greater now. Interesting conundrum.

But, a few thoughts...

1 No one says LAC is required to lose. 
2  FWIW the Clipps currently have way more draft assets than the common perception. In the next 7 drafts, they have 4 FRP and 6 SRP, spaced here and there. And by precedent, the potential exists to have one or more picks returned.
3  The use of a big amount of cap room as something you can "sell" is not as simple as it used to be, with the door slammed shut on working with an ultra low payroll, or on having huge cap room during the season. 
4 In attracting talent, they will have no actual disadvantage. They can spend like anyone else. Money and minutes to offer can be quite an equalizer,

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: BREAKING: Golden State’s Stephen Curry has agreed to a two-year, $116 million contract extension with the franchise, with a player option in 2028-29, sources tell ESPN. The extension is $20M less than what Stephen Curry was eligible for. The first year of the extension is $55.7M. The savings will give Golden State significant spending power next summer. Stephen Curry dips below his max and opts for security, locking the franchise legend to the only organization he’s ever known for his 18th, 19th, and (player option) 20th season

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: The Minnesota Timberwolves and Drew Timme have agreed to a deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Timme will compete for a spot in training camp. The former Gonzaga star has averaged 5.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in two NBA seasons with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: The Minnesota Timberwolves and KJ Martin have agreed to a deal, sources told @hoopshype. He’ll compete for a spot in training camp. He’s averaged 8.6 points on 54.5% shooting and 4.0 rebounds in five seasons with the Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Utah Jazz.

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Dorian Finney-Smith ( @doefinney_10 ) will wear No. 8 for the #Hawks. Number last worn by Buddy Hield in 2026. #NBA

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Stein: The Grizzlies make the release of D’Angelo Russell official as they sign guard Brendan Hausen. D’Angelo Russell was on an expiring $6M salary. The Grizzlies still have some work to do with their roster prior to October 19. 17 guaranteed contracts, 1 partial (Jaylen Wells). Needs to be trimmed to 15

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Jake Fischer: Another Clippers move, per a source: LA is waiving two-way center Jamarion Sharp. The Clippers’ current plan is to keep this spot open as training camp begins next week. Perhaps that changes based on who becomes available around the league, but I’m told there’s no immediate two-way signing in the works.

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Knicks tried to trade for Hornets C Moussa Diabate in offseason, but according to a source, the Hornets didn’t want Pacome Dadiet. Pacome Dadiet has no value. Knicks would need to attach draft capital to get rid of his expiring contract.

New York Post

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: The Chicago Bulls are trading Rob Dillingham to the Charlotte Hornets for Buddy Hield and cash, sources tell ESPN.

Twitter

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Sam Quinn: "If the Kings and the Pistons are going to make a trade, Domantas Sabonis would presumably be going back to Detroit. Domantas Sabonis is making the max. You can't just match that with $29.5 million from Jalen Duren. You'd have to presumably put in Duncan Robinson because he's the only salary in that range that closes that gap. And even then, I believe that's not quite enough. You maybe would have to put in a Gary Harris or Taurean Prince.”

YouTube

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Stein: Charlotte is finally waiving Ryan Nembhard as expected after agreeing earlier today to its Buddy Hield-for-Rob Dillingham swap, league sources say. As we’ve reported previously, Denver is prime among multiple teams hoping to sign Nembhard to a two-way deal IF he clears waivers. Hield was traded from Atlanta earlier in the week but can be moved again because his salary isn't aggregated with another player. He has $9.7M and $ 10.1 M (0 GTY) left on his contract. Dillingham has $6.9M and $8.8M (Team) remaining. The team option must be exercised by 11/2. The Bulls add a veteran shooter in Hield, who landed in Charlotte via trade from Atlanta, while the Hornets create a $9.6 million trade exception and take in $3 million less in salary. Chicago gets cash to cover a good chunk of the salary difference.

Twitter

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Heat signed Richards to a nonguaranteed one-year deal in late August to fill the 14th spot on its standard roster for this season. But Richards’ $3.1 million salary for this upcoming season becomes fully guaranteed if he’s on the Heat’s roster on opening night, according to a league source.

Miami Herald

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Jake Fischer: Former first-round pick Blake Wesley is signing a one-year deal with the LA Clippers, sources say.

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Barring an extension of the deadline at Detroit’s discretion, Duren has until 11:59 PM ET on Thursday to do what he has been contemplating for months and sign his $9.6 million qualifying offer for the 2026-27 season with the intent to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Is he truly willing to leave hundreds of millions of dollars on the table — with Detroit said to be offering a five-year deal worth up to $200 million — to gain much more control over his future than he has as an RFA? As we've written before: There will be league-wide skepticism until it actually happens … even though negotiations proved far more contentious than anyone imagined when last season ended.
The Pistons, like 27 other teams, start practicing Tuesday morning. Yet it was clarified to The Stein Line on Sunday night by a source briefed on the process that Duren is not permitted by league rules — even if he wanted to — to participate in any of Detroit's activities this week until his contractual status is resolved.


marcstein.substack.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Every league source I've spoken to over the years and in recent weeks has reiterated that no one really expects Jokić to leave Denver. Waiting also makes financial sense: Next summer, he could sign a projected five-year, $360 million deal — the richest deal in NBA history.

Yahoo! Sports

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Michael Scotto: The Detroit Pistons have waived Gary Harris, league sources told @hoopshype.

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[HoosierDaddyKid]

Chris Haynes: Free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr. has reached a deal with the Miami Heat, his agent Daniel Hazan of Hazan Sports tells me. The Heat have been monitoring the former lottery pick very closely all summer.

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