Summer 2026 Trade/FA Thread

[HeHateMe]

He's an odd case. VERY strong in his belief system, but apparently was still liked and respected in the Magic locker room. Maybe with him, what you see is what you get, and there's always something to say for that. I wonder if he'd sign on a simple vet min. Honestly, I'm not a big fan at all - and his O has fallen off a cliff - but you still probably would be hard pressed to find a better defensive PF in the game. That could be useful vs Wemby and Chet. In the 2024-25 season, he ranked in the 99th percentile for defensive EPM, averaged 1.1 bpg in just over 15 mpg, scored in the 90th perct. for defensive versatility, and had an individual defensive rating of 103.1. His talent on that end is way up there.

I think he and Lonzo might be permanently broken.

[somuchyummy]

He's an odd case. VERY strong in his belief system, but apparently was still liked and respected in the Magic locker room. Maybe with him, what you see is what you get, and there's always something to say for that. I wonder if he'd sign on a simple vet min. Honestly, I'm not a big fan at all - and his O has fallen off a cliff - but you still probably would be hard pressed to find a better defensive PF in the game. That could be useful vs Wemby and Chet. In the 2024-25 season, he ranked in the 99th percentile for defensive EPM, averaged 1.1 bpg in just over 15 mpg, scored in the 90th perct. for defensive versatility, and had an individual defensive rating of 103.1. His talent on that end is way up there.

I think he and Lonzo might be permanently broken.

Or... maybe he could just become another lob threat for Melo.

[somuchyummy]

Free agency officially starts this Tuesday, 5 PM CT.

[somuchyummy]

Lonnie Walker IV wants back in the league after a year with Tel Aviv Maccabee.

The Lakers are thinking about Mitch Robinson - even as Ayton is coming back.

[A$$MAN]

Saw this list of the top Forwards available this off-season. It didn't really clarify if they were restricted or unrestricted.

1. Tobias Harris / Detroit
2. Rui Hachimura / LA Lakers
3. Draymond Green / Golden State
4. John Collins / LA Clippers
5. Tari Eason / Houston
6. Harrison Barnes / San Antonio
7. Kenrich Williams / Oklahoma City
8. Dominick Barlow / Philadelphia
9. Marvin Bagley / Dallas
10. GG Jackson / Memphis
11. Jeremy Sochan / New York
12. Dean Wade / Cleveland
13. Jordan Walsh / Boston
14. Guerschon Yabusele / Chicago
15. Quinten Post / Golden State

[Dan33185]

[somuchyummy]

Hornets are crazy about their threes. Yes, they traded LaMelo and he made a bunch - but they just added Christian Anderson Jr. in the draft (who many think might be the best shooter in his class - 179 of 447 for 40% in two seasons) and now Grayson Allen via trade. Charlotte led the NBA last season with 16.4 made threes per game - at 38%.

[A$$MAN]

Hornets are crazy about their threes. Yes, they traded LaMelo and he made a bunch - but they just added Christian Anderson Jr. in the draft (who many think might be the best shooter in his class - 179 of 447 for 40% in two seasons) and now Grayson Allen via trade. Charlotte led the NBA last season with 16.4 made threes per game - at 38%.

The only problem is, they lost the straw that stirs that drink. Not saying they won't continue to shoot a ton of 3's, just that they may not be as efficient.

For instance, when playing without LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel's three-point percentage drops significantly, sitting at 35.7% in those minutes, compared to an elite 51.4% when sharing the floor with LaMelo.

That's not a small sample size either:

With LaMelo Ball: 51.4% from 3-point range (923 minutes)
Without LaMelo Ball: 35.7% from 3-point range (879 minutes)

[weimy froob]

Hornets are crazy about their threes. Yes, they traded LaMelo and he made a bunch - but they just added Christian Anderson Jr. in the draft (who many think might be the best shooter in his class - 179 of 447 for 40% in two seasons) and now Grayson Allen via trade. Charlotte led the NBA last season with 16.4 made threes per game - at 38%.

The only problem is, they lost the straw that stirs that drink. Not saying they won't continue to shoot a ton of 3's, just that they may not be as efficient.

For instance, when playing without LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel's three-point percentage drops significantly, sitting at 35.7% in those minutes, compared to an elite 51.4% when sharing the floor with LaMelo.

That's not a small sample size either:

With LaMelo Ball: 51.4% from 3-point range (923 minutes)
Without LaMelo Ball: 35.7% from 3-point range (879 minutes)

stats like that and I'm still scratching my head as to why Charlotte moved him. if it isn't the injury concern, I don't know why they'd even think of sending him out.

[SHAFA]

Hornets are crazy about their threes. Yes, they traded LaMelo and he made a bunch - but they just added Christian Anderson Jr. in the draft (who many think might be the best shooter in his class - 179 of 447 for 40% in two seasons) and now Grayson Allen via trade. Charlotte led the NBA last season with 16.4 made threes per game - at 38%.

The only problem is, they lost the straw that stirs that drink. Not saying they won't continue to shoot a ton of 3's, just that they may not be as efficient.

For instance, when playing without LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel's three-point percentage drops significantly, sitting at 35.7% in those minutes, compared to an elite 51.4% when sharing the floor with LaMelo.

That's not a small sample size either:

With LaMelo Ball: 51.4% from 3-point range (923 minutes)
Without LaMelo Ball: 35.7% from 3-point range (879 minutes)

stats like that and I'm still scratching my head as to why Charlotte moved him. if it isn't the injury concern, I don't know why they'd even think of sending him out.

He had arguably his best year, but they had to keep him under 30 MPG to get there and still owe him $130 mil. Probably just trying to sell high.

[weimy froob]

The only problem is, they lost the straw that stirs that drink. Not saying they won't continue to shoot a ton of 3's, just that they may not be as efficient.

For instance, when playing without LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel's three-point percentage drops significantly, sitting at 35.7% in those minutes, compared to an elite 51.4% when sharing the floor with LaMelo.

That's not a small sample size either:

With LaMelo Ball: 51.4% from 3-point range (923 minutes)
Without LaMelo Ball: 35.7% from 3-point range (879 minutes)

stats like that and I'm still scratching my head as to why Charlotte moved him. if it isn't the injury concern, I don't know why they'd even think of sending him out.

He had arguably his best year, but they had to keep him under 30 MPG to get there and still owe him $130 mil. Probably just trying to sell high.

yeah, I looked at his numbers from time to time last season and he had plenty of games in the 20 minute category. they also blew a lot of teams out in the second half and could afford to sit him too. so we'll have to see how that plays out. he's missed a whole helluva lot of games for whatever reason in his career.

[Oriole81]

The only problem is, they lost the straw that stirs that drink. Not saying they won't continue to shoot a ton of 3's, just that they may not be as efficient.

For instance, when playing without LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel's three-point percentage drops significantly, sitting at 35.7% in those minutes, compared to an elite 51.4% when sharing the floor with LaMelo.

That's not a small sample size either:

With LaMelo Ball: 51.4% from 3-point range (923 minutes)
Without LaMelo Ball: 35.7% from 3-point range (879 minutes)

stats like that and I'm still scratching my head as to why Charlotte moved him. if it isn't the injury concern, I don't know why they'd even think of sending him out.

He had arguably his best year, but they had to keep him under 30 MPG to get there and still owe him $130 mil. Probably just trying to sell high.

I wouldn't say they sold high though.
They got a guy that was a bench player on a better team, that will now start for them, and a first round pick in 2033.
Then with the money savings, they turned around and gave $25M to a lesser in house replacement.

That's not very high in my opinion.

[SHAFA]

stats like that and I'm still scratching my head as to why Charlotte moved him. if it isn't the injury concern, I don't know why they'd even think of sending him out.

He had arguably his best year, but they had to keep him under 30 MPG to get there and still owe him $130 mil. Probably just trying to sell high.

I wouldn't say they sold high though.
They got a guy that was a bench player on a better team, that will now start for them, and a first round pick in 2033.
Then with the money savings, they turned around and gave $25M to a lesser in house replacement.

That's not very high in my opinion.

Well, I consider “selling high” to be a relative term. If he’d had a 4th straight year of his availability being severely limited, they likely wouldn’t have gotten what they did. If they instead chose to keep him and he went backwards again next year, they also probably don’t get what they did.

Of course, the opposite could also be true: that he remains healthy, matures as a player and the team jumps into the playoffs. Then he’d have more value and if they still wanted to move on they’d likely get a better package.

All about how you view the odds, I guess.

[Abe Froman]

What’s Bol Bol doing these days?

[Subarudrivingsnowflake]

Just sign the other 2 ball brothers and call it a day. Why do I lowkey believe the father??

[Abe Froman]

Just sign the other 2 ball brothers and call it a day. Why do I lowkey believe the father??

Bol Bol Ball?

[Mnwild1128]

According to Kevin O'Connor,

Warriors are attempting to trade for AD in an effort to entice Lebron to also join.

[somuchyummy]

Zach Lavine opts in to remain with the Kings - $49M frickin American dollars.

James Harden doesn't pick up his option to resign with the Cavs on a longer deal.

Rumor - Clippers and Raptors are in trade talks concerning Kawhi.

[somuchyummy]

What would the Lakers starting lineup be if they snagged both AD and Lebron? That's assuming I would think Butler and/or Zingis would be in the AD trade. Also, to be recalled, is that Moses Moody was stretchered off the court with a nasty as hell knee injury in March. Timeline to return is 9-12 months.

[somuchyummy]

Mamu just declined his option with the Raptors - so he's hitting the open market and looking for a $12M raise.

[DonaldDouchebag]

Hornets are crazy about their threes. Yes, they traded LaMelo and he made a bunch - but they just added Christian Anderson Jr. in the draft (who many think might be the best shooter in his class - 179 of 447 for 40% in two seasons) and now Grayson Allen via trade. Charlotte led the NBA last season with 16.4 made threes per game - at 38%.

The only problem is, they lost the straw that stirs that drink. Not saying they won't continue to shoot a ton of 3's, just that they may not be as efficient.

For instance, when playing without LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel's three-point percentage drops significantly, sitting at 35.7% in those minutes, compared to an elite 51.4% when sharing the floor with LaMelo.

That's not a small sample size either:

With LaMelo Ball: 51.4% from 3-point range (923 minutes)
Without LaMelo Ball: 35.7% from 3-point range (879 minutes)

stats like that and I'm still scratching my head as to why Charlotte moved him. if it isn't the injury concern, I don't know why they'd even think of sending him out.

My guess is they know they're going to need to give max contracts to Knueppel and Miller and looked for the moment when Ball's value was the highest coming off a very good season.

[somuchyummy]

The Nets just picked up the options on both Dayron Sharpe and Josh Minott. The Minott one is a bit of a surprise - but maybe they are working on a trade and needed some extra parts for it.

[SHAFA]

I didn’t expect Draymond to opt out.

[somuchyummy]

I didn’t expect Draymond to opt out.

I would expect it would be to renegotiate a longer deal to stay in GSW. No?

[ForCaleb]

I didn’t expect Draymond to opt out.

I think he'll resign with GS. Gives the team an easier path to acquire Davis and possibly Lebron

[somuchyummy]

Wiggins back to the Heat - 3yrs/$64M. I wonder if they are still lining him up as a trade possibility though. They need bodies in Florida.

[SHAFA]

I didn’t expect Draymond to opt out.

I would expect it would be to renegotiate a longer deal to stay in GSW. No?

Somehow I totally missed the rumors of them flirting with James and AD.

[Style]

Wonder where this places Porzingis if GSW gets AD to pair with Draymond?

Porzingis here would be a pretty elite PF.

[mlhouse]

Wonder where this places Porzingis if GSW gets AD to pair with Draymond?

Porzingis here would be a pretty elite PF.

The Wolves have no mechanism to get Porzingis on the team in the offseason.

[Style]

Wonder where this places Porzingis if GSW gets AD to pair with Draymond?

Porzingis here would be a pretty elite PF.

The Wolves have no mechanism to get Porzingis on the team in the offseason.

He's an UFA, so yes they do.

Whether or not he's open to ~$6M is question.