NBA 2026-27 offseason trades, signings & rumors

[Celtics2021]

NYK is currently $9.4M over the 1st apron with 13 players.  Only $3.3M under the 2nd apron (per Spotrac).  And they are cheap for not signing Mitchell Robinson?  I don't believe that NYK is actually hard capped at the 2nd apron but signing Robinson would have put them well above it.

19 teams are hard capped at the 1st apron so can't spend more even if they wanted to.  4 more are hard capped at the 2nd apron.  So yes, in many cases, these are literal salary caps.  And the penalties associated with the 2nd apron make it so few if any will surpass it.

So, one year of second apron penalties is worth breaking up a championship core?

Yes, James Dolan is cheap.  That championship was worth, minimally, $1 billion in terms of revenue and franchise valuation.

This is why players shouldn't "sacrifice".  Bronson gave up tens of millions of dollars to make James Dolan even richer.

NYK brought back 8 of their top 9 players. Mitchell was replaced with Drummond who may even be an upgrade.   Is that what you consider breaking up a championship core?  It is the equivalent of BOS keeping Holiday, Porziņģis and Horford but losing Kornet and adding a different backup center.

The idea that Andre Drummond may be an upgrade is laughable.  There is the obvious stats argument.  There is Robinson getting votes for a league wide award (6th Man).  And then there is the fact that the Sixers moved on from Drummond in favor of the Knicks 3rd string center, much less Mitchell Robinson also moving on.

Idk, Drummond turned into a stretch 5. He is just now tapping into his true potential..

Wonder who his shooting coach is. We have a few new clients for him.

If you want a stretch 5 who has a true shooting percentage of .539, be my guest.  Teams will prefer Drummond shots from anywhere on the court.  Not to mention his defense is very exploitable.

[Vermont Green]

My main comment was that I did not think NYK "broke up their core" because they swapped out Mitchell Robinson, a younger, more athletic, bad free throw shooting back up center with durability issues historically for an older, less athletic, but more durable back up center who shoots free throws better.

And what does NYK really need from their back up center?  Are they really any worse with Drummond?  In certain situations, they will be better off with Drummond, that isn't even accounting for injury history.  Even if Drummond only gives them half of what Robinson would have (Robinson was 6 pts and 9 rebs last season), how much difference does that really make?

[Roy H.]

My main comment was that I did not think NYK "broke up their core" because they swapped out Mitchell Robinson, a younger, more athletic, bad free throw shooting back up center with durability issues historically for an older, less athletic, but more durable back up center who shoots free throws better.

And what does NYK really need from their back up center?  Are they really any worse with Drummond?  In certain situations, they will be better off with Drummond, that isn't even accounting for injury history.  Even if Drummond only gives them half of what Robinson would have (Robinson was 6 pts and 9 rebs last season), how much difference does that really make?

Ask Brunson if he appreciates Dolan's financial approach this off-season.

[Who]

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania

Free agent forward Ziaire Williams has agreed on a one-year, $3 million deal to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN.

Lakers Rotation

G: A Reaves, C Sexton
G: Q Grimes, Cameron Carr
F: L Doncic, A Thiero
F: Mamu, J LaRavia
C: W Kessler, K Looney

Lakers 3rd Stringers

G: Bronny
G: Jaden Hardy
F: Dalton Knecht
F: Ziaire Williams
C: Jared Vanderbilt

Looks like the Lakers are set. Full 15 man roster.

They look light on backup ball-handlers but you can afford to be when you have Luka & A Reaves as starting wings. They don't need much from their PGs. An offensive guard in C Sexton. A defensive guard in Bronny. Another offensive guard in Jaden Hardy.

I think Cameron Carr is more of a wing. As is Grimes. Thiero a defensive SF. Knecht an offensive SF. Man, if you could combine those 2 together you would have one heck of a player. Unfortunately both are one-way guys for the time being. Thiero is worth keeping an eye on. Lakers fans excited about the speed & athleticism of Carr & Thiero off their bench.

I wonder how much they are planning on using Mamu at PF vs C. He gives them good depth at center alongside Looney behind W Kessler. Vanderbilt can play some center too although is more of a forward. LaRavia a smaller chunky forward. Not a center. Ziaire Williams a forward & not a center.

I am looking forward to the battle between LaRavia and Mamu to be the starting PF. Or perhaps Thiero if he can improve his shot enough. Thiero would be the ideal choice because they need more athleticism & defense alongside Luka at forward. But he has to get that shot up to snuff first. Much like Hugo or J Walsh for us. LaRavia more of a pure forward. Mamu a center / makeshift PF. We'll see.

Cameron Carr is the one I am most excited about. I hope he can beat out Q Grimes for playing time. Again, I'd love to see more athleticism & defense in the backcourt alongside A Reaves. Carr is their best man to do it. Not Grimes.

[Birdman]

Lakers looks horrible & I?m glad!!! Be lucky to be in play in game