2025 Off-Season: Southwest Division - Tell The Board Everything There Is To Know About Your Off-Season

[NYG]

Southwest Division: Tell us any noteworthy detail, how your real life team's regime is likely to operate, who will be traded, what you're looking for in draft/free agency, etc.

Dallas Mavericks

Anthony Davis $54,126,380
Kyrie Irving $43,962,963
Klay Thompson $16,666,667
Daniel Gafford $13,386,320
PJ Washington $14,152,174
Caleb Martin $9,594,044
Naji Marshall $9,000,000
Max Christie $7,714,286
Jaden Hardy $6,000,000
Dereck Lively II $5,253,360
Dwight Powell $4,000,000
Olivier-Maxence Prosper $3,007,080
Brandon Williams $2,270,735
1st Overall Pick $13,825,920
Javale McGee Dead Cap $2,208,856

Total Team Salary 205,168,785
Incomplete Roster Charge -
Adjusted Team Salary (for Cap) 205,168,785
Salary Cap 154,600,000
Cap Space (50,568,785)
Luxury Tax Threshold 187,900,000
Space Below Luxury Tax (17,268,785)
Projected Luxury Tax Bill In Luxury Tax
First Tax Apron 195,900,000
Space Below First Apron (9,268,785)
Second Tax Apron 207,800,000
Space Below Second Apron 2,631,215

===

Houston Rockets

Fred VanVleet $44,886,930
Alperen Sengun $33,944,954
Jalen Green $33,333,333
Dillon Brooks $21,124,110
Jabari Smith Jr. $12,350,392
Reed Sheppard $10,603,560
Amen Thompson $9,690,600
Jock Landale $8,000,000
Tari Eason $5,675,766
Aaron Holiday $4,901,400
Cam Whitmore $3,539,760
Jeenathan Williams $2,270,735
10th Overall Pick $6,016,080

Total Team Salary 196,337,620
Incomplete Roster Charge -
Adjusted Team Salary (for Cap) 196,337,620
Salary Cap 154,600,000
Cap Space (41,737,620)
Luxury Tax Threshold 187,900,000
Space Below Luxury Tax (8,437,620)
Projected Luxury Tax Bill In Luxury Tax
First Tax Apron 195,900,000
Space Below First Apron (437,620)
Second Tax Apron 207,800,000
Space Below Second Apron 11,462,380

===

Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant $39,446,090
Desmond Bane $36,725,670
Jaren Jackson Jr. $23,413,395
Brandon Clarke $12,500,000
Jon Konchar $6,165,000
Zach Edey $6,045,000
Jay Huff $2,349,578
Vincent Williams Jr. $2,301,587
Scotty Pippen Jr. $2,270,735
G.G. Jackson $2,221,677
Jaylen Wells $1,955,377

Total Team Salary 135,394,109
Incomplete Roster Charge 1,272,869
Adjusted Team Salary (for Cap) 136,666,978
Salary Cap 154,600,000
Cap Space 17,933,022
Luxury Tax Threshold 187,900,000
Space Below Luxury Tax 51,233,022
Projected Luxury Tax Bill Below Luxury Tax
First Tax Apron 195,900,000
Space Below First Apron 59,233,022
Second Tax Apron 207,800,000
Space Below Second Apron 71,133,022


===

New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson $39,446,090
Dejounte Murray $31,557,102
C.J. McCollum $30,666,666
Trey Murphy III $25,000,000
Herb Jones $13,937,574
Kelly Olynyk $13,445,122
Jordan Hawkins $4,741,320
Jose Alvarado $4,500,000
Yves Missi $3,353,040
Elfrid Payton $3,153,598
Brandon Boston Jr. $2,349,578
Antonio Reeves $1,955,377
Karlo Matkovic $1,955,377

Total Team Salary 176,060,844
Incomplete Roster Charge -
Adjusted Team Salary (for Cap) 176,060,844
Salary Cap 154,600,000
Cap Space (21,460,844)
Luxury Tax Threshold 187,900,000
Space Below Luxury Tax 11,839,156
Projected Luxury Tax Bill Below Luxury Tax
First Tax Apron 195,900,000
Space Below First Apron 19,839,156
Second Tax Apron 207,800,000
Space Below Second Apron 31,739,156

===

San Antonio Spurs

De'Aaron Fox $37,096,620
Devin Vassell $27,000,000
Harrison Barnes $19,000,000
Keldon Johnson $17,500,000
Victor Wembanyama $13,376,880
Stephon Castle $9,560,520
Jeremy Sochan $7,096,231
Malaki Branham $4,962,033
Blake Wesley $4,726,328
Julian Champagnie $3,000,000
2nd Overall Pick $12,370,200
14th Overall Pick $4,900,320

Total Team Salary 160,589,132
Incomplete Roster Charge -
Adjusted Team Salary (for Cap) 160,589,132
Salary Cap 154,600,000
Cap Space (5,989,132)
Luxury Tax Threshold 187,900,000
Space Below Luxury Tax 27,310,868
Projected Luxury Tax Bill Below Luxury Tax
First Tax Apron 195,900,000
Space Below First Apron 35,310,868
Second Tax Apron 207,800,000
Space Below Second Apron 47,210,868

[LarsV8]

I'm confused on the assignment

[NYG]

I'm confused on the assignment

Tell us any noteworthy detail, how your real life team's regime is likely to operate, who will be traded, what you're looking for in draft/free agency, etc

So as a Rockets fan, what do you expect from them this off-season?

The rosters are just listed as a reference of their cap situation.

[BigGargamel]

Not a fan of any of these teams so I'm only speaking as an outsider. This is something simple I think each team should do.

Spurs - They made their win now move with Fox. Draft Harper at #2. Draft a big man like Asa Newell or Joan Beringer at 14. Stay the course with the guys you have. See how Fox, Harper and Castle work out as a three headed guard rotation. Hope Wemby continues to develop and his issues aren't long term. They should get into the playoffs next year.

Rockets - Consolidate for an All Star, but don't go overboard. Don't trade Thompson or Sengun if you can help it. See what two of Smith, Sheppard or Green plus the #10 pick can get you. If Giannis says he wants to go to Houston, obviously it changes. But don't flip your assets for Kevin Durant, for the love of god.

Grizzlies - I dunno man. I don't think the duo of Morant and Jaren Jackson is enough to get it done, and the role players seem to be iffy. They're in a tough spot.

Pelicans - Pray to whatever basketball God you believe in for some health. Give it one more year with Zion, and if it's not going anywhere, admit defeat and see what you can get for your veterans.

Mavericks - You already got your get out of jail free card with Cooper Flagg. Sign someone like Tyus Jones, tread water and get into the playoffs. Kyrie should come back, and you got enough to make some noise.

[NYG]

Not a fan of any of these teams so I'm only speaking as an outsider. This is something simple I think each team should do.

Spurs - They made their win now move with Fox. Draft Harper at #2. Draft a big man like Asa Newell or Joan Beringer at 14. Stay the course with the guys you have. See how Fox, Harper and Castle work out as a three headed guard rotation. Hope Wemby continues to develop and his issues aren't long term. They should get into the playoffs next year.

Rockets - Consolidate for an All Star, but don't go overboard. Don't trade Thompson or Sengun if you can help it. See what two of Smith, Sheppard or Green plus the #10 pick can get you. If Giannis says he wants to go to Houston, obviously it changes. But don't flip your assets for Kevin Durant, for the love of god.

Grizzlies - I dunno man. I don't think the duo of Morant and Jaren Jackson is enough to get it done, and the role players seem to be iffy. They're in a tough spot.

Pelicans - Pray to whatever basketball God you believe in for some health. Give it one more year with Zion, and if it's not going anywhere, admit defeat and see what you can get for your veterans.

Mavericks - You already got your get out of jail free card with Cooper Flagg. Sign someone like Tyus Jones, tread water and get into the playoffs. Kyrie should come back, and you got enough to make some noise.

If not KD or Giannis.. who makes sense for Houston?

[MoreyWins]

The Rockets should have Carter Bryant #1 on their big board. He's the ideal player to be the successor to Tari Eason (and eventually Dillon Brooks) if he becomes too expensive to retain. Reed Sheppard showed great promise in the second to last game of the regular season when the Rockets C-Team took on the full strength Clippers trying to secure a playoff position. Reed should see a larger/more consistent role next season. Amen Thompson is Ime Udoka's new favorite player and should see an even larger role. Reworking FVV's contract and retaining Steven Adams both seem imperative for the team and negotiations shouldn't be too difficult.

Rafael Stone seems pretty adamant of not rushing the process. There's division within the fanbase over how aggressive Stone should be with making a major swing move, but I can see us having a quieter offseason than what people are expecting. Seeing the landscape of the Western Conference (and more importantly the longevity OKC will have) it seems more logical they don't try to cheat the process (at least this early into our current era).

[daoneandonly]

What likely will happen or what should/I'd like to see? Sadly those are very different for my Mavs

They'll likely double down on the geriatric train and trade for a guy like Jrue Holiday, Givin up assets in the process. Nico will overlook AD missing 39 games.

What should happen? Nico deserves to be fired, and winning the lottery shouldn't change that. They should hire a guy like Jeff Van Gundy whether as coach or GM.

[Texas Chuck]

Little Mavs:

Draft Flagg
Re-sign Kyrie
Get a PG
shed some salary

I would suspect these are the major events.

[BigGargamel]

Not a fan of any of these teams so I'm only speaking as an outsider. This is something simple I think each team should do.

Spurs - They made their win now move with Fox. Draft Harper at #2. Draft a big man like Asa Newell or Joan Beringer at 14. Stay the course with the guys you have. See how Fox, Harper and Castle work out as a three headed guard rotation. Hope Wemby continues to develop and his issues aren't long term. They should get into the playoffs next year.

Rockets - Consolidate for an All Star, but don't go overboard. Don't trade Thompson or Sengun if you can help it. See what two of Smith, Sheppard or Green plus the #10 pick can get you. If Giannis says he wants to go to Houston, obviously it changes. But don't flip your assets for Kevin Durant, for the love of god.

Grizzlies - I dunno man. I don't think the duo of Morant and Jaren Jackson is enough to get it done, and the role players seem to be iffy. They're in a tough spot.

Pelicans - Pray to whatever basketball God you believe in for some health. Give it one more year with Zion, and if it's not going anywhere, admit defeat and see what you can get for your veterans.

Mavericks - You already got your get out of jail free card with Cooper Flagg. Sign someone like Tyus Jones, tread water and get into the playoffs. Kyrie should come back, and you got enough to make some noise.

If not KD or Giannis.. who makes sense for Houston?

Kevin Durant just "led" his team to 36 wins and is basically bouncing around everywhere these days. Ask yourself why? I don't see him as a real difference maker anymore. He can put up stats, but he's not going to single-handedly bring you to that next level. If they can do something like Brooks, one young player and the 10th pick, MAYBE. (I couldn't find anything like this that works on ESPN Trade Machine) But anything more than that is a gross overpay. Just because the Suns gave up a ton doesn't mean the next team should.

[LarsV8]

My prediction is the Rockets mindset is going to be cap management focused. They realize they are extremely asset heavy and it is going to be tough to keep all of these guys. I think the theme of the Rockets this offseason will be lock up guys who you think will outperform their contracts, so they can maintain as much of a stacked roster as possible over the long term, while banking on organic improvement of the youth. 80% of the roster should be a better player next year, and again the year after that, so as long as the costs are controlled, they are playing with house money. They could stagger the money from the vets, potentially rolling off one per year, as extensions kick in, and try to ride just under the second apron.

Draft
- I previously suspected that they would trade out, or back and try to pick up future picks, but I am starting to believe they may actually draft someone at 10 and quietly hedge against losing guys to big contract offers. After all, there is no more value contract than a four year rookie scale deal. They seem to have a type. Hustle guys, who give a ton of effort, especially on defense, and buy into an all effort mindset. Shooting, athleticism, and length would be bonuses. Tari, Bari, Amen, Brooks, FVV, all of these guys they have sought out share this trait, and I think there are a handful who could be available at #10. I see Kasparus mocked too us quite a bit, but I don't think they make this kind of swing. They don't seem to target on ball creation much at all. I think they will draft Boyles or Bryant, who really standout as this type of prospect.


Trades
- I am sure they will look for the big names: Booker, Giannis, or whomever top 15 guy might shake loose, but I put only 35% chance, one of these guys gets moved.
- They will likely make a competitive bid, but I very much doubt they make a godfather offer, or overpay as they are dealing from a position of strength while most of those other teams are in dire straights.
- I do not think they will make any incremental upgrades, which seem to be popular suggestions, like Cam Johnson, White, White or Reeves which would dip into the pick trove. I think they are perfectly content bringing everyone back, with one more year of experience.
- I am fairly confident they will avoid like the plague the mid tier stars on high dollar contracts, who again, likely aren't worth their contracts. Guys like Durant, Lauri, Brown, etc.
- I think there is some chance they swing some sort of consolidation move, out of the blue, if they find a young player who is on a favorable deal. Jalen Johnson, Suggs, not necessarily these guys in particular, but guys like this who have long deals, are young, the money is flat or descending. Again, value contracts.
- I see almost no chance they take on bad or overpaid contracts in basically any scenario.

Free Agency
- I think they will renegotiate FVVs deal, if there is no superstar trade, to something slightly above the MLE. Not sure how BK intends to use their cap, but once they spend theirs, there won't be many dollars to give to Fred (other than MLE), so I think we wind up getting him back on a great deal, with goodwill earned by overpaying him for the first two years of his contract. Probably as much as they can give in the first year, but keeping them under the tax, and then a descending deal, with some opt outs. I see him as a bench guard on a competing roster, so that suits him, when Reed is ready to take over.
- I think they will bring back Adams, again, looking for a descending deal. Not sure where Adams stands, but he might be the guy who gets squeezed out by payroll concerns. One strategy could be to offer him a bigger deal if he is a threat to leave, and then just trade him later, so we preserve some assets. Again, BK is a threat to overpay, but they already have Claxton's albatross deal, so don't see why they would do so. Other than that, just keep it slightly over the MLE and I think you have a great shot to retain him.
- Green, Jock, Holiday, Tate are all crapshoots. These guys could all be cap casualties unless they come back on the minimum.
- I do NOT expect them to use the MLE for any external free agents.

Extensions
- I think both Tari and Bari will be offered reasonable extensions, but they are likely to have a limit. I bet they are targeting about 25m, but if they can't work out a deal, I could see the Rockets look to trade one of them for a guy locked up long term they like.

Overall, despite talking points, I think there is at least a reasonable chance they can keep all of their young guys by savvy contract staggering, With a deep bench of lotto picks waiting in the wings, they can afford to eventually have the vets roll off, and have a "next guy up" ready to go that is actually quite impactful. They could theoretically KEEP doing that with 2027 possibly being our strongest draft position yet (best two of Phx, BK and Hou), if that superstar trade actually materializes.

[Astaluego]

My prediction is the Rockets mindset is going to be cap management focused. They realize they are extremely asset heavy and it is going to be tough to keep all of these guys. I think the theme of the Rockets this offseason will be lock up guys who you think will outperform their contracts, so they can maintain as much of a stacked roster as possible over the long term, while banking on organic improvement of the youth. 80% of the roster should be a better player next year, and again the year after that, so as long as the costs are controlled, they are playing with house money. They could stagger the money from the vets, potentially rolling off one per year, as extensions kick in, and try to ride just under the second apron.

Draft
- I previously suspected that they would trade out, or back and try to pick up future picks, but I am starting to believe they may actually draft someone at 10 and quietly hedge against losing guys to big contract offers. After all, there is no more value contract than a four year rookie scale deal. They seem to have a type. Hustle guys, who give a ton of effort, especially on defense, and buy into an all effort mindset. Shooting, athleticism, and length would be bonuses. Tari, Bari, Amen, Brooks, FVV, all of these guys they have sought out share this trait, and I think there are a handful who could be available at #10. I see Kasparus mocked too us quite a bit, but I don't think they make this kind of swing. They don't seem to target on ball creation much at all. I think they will draft Boyles or Bryant, who really standout as this type of prospect.


Trades
- I am sure they will look for the big names: Booker, Giannis, or whomever top 15 guy might shake loose, but I put only 35% chance, one of these guys gets moved.
- They will likely make a competitive bid, but I very much doubt they make a godfather offer, or overpay as they are dealing from a position of strength while most of those other teams are in dire straights.
- I do not think they will make any incremental upgrades, which seem to be popular suggestions, like Cam Johnson, White, White or Reeves which would dip into the pick trove. I think they are perfectly content bringing everyone back, with one more year of experience.
- I am fairly confident they will avoid like the plague the mid tier stars on high dollar contracts, who again, likely aren't worth their contracts. Guys like Durant, Lauri, Brown, etc.
- I think there is some chance they swing some sort of consolidation move, out of the blue, if they find a young player who is on a favorable deal. Jalen Johnson, Suggs, not necessarily these guys in particular, but guys like this who have long deals, are young, the money is flat or descending. Again, value contracts.
- I see almost no chance they take on bad or overpaid contracts in basically any scenario.

Free Agency
- I think they will renegotiate FVVs deal, if there is no superstar trade, to something slightly above the MLE. Not sure how BK intends to use their cap, but once they spend theirs, there won't be many dollars to give to Fred (other than MLE), so I think we wind up getting him back on a great deal, with goodwill earned by overpaying him for the first two years of his contract. Probably as much as they can give in the first year, but keeping them under the tax, and then a descending deal, with some opt outs. I see him as a bench guard on a competing roster, so that suits him, when Reed is ready to take over.
- I think they will bring back Adams, again, looking for a descending deal. Not sure where Adams stands, but he might be the guy who gets squeezed out by payroll concerns. One strategy could be to offer him a bigger deal if he is a threat to leave, and then just trade him later, so we preserve some assets. Again, BK is a threat to overpay, but they already have Claxton's albatross deal, so don't see why they would do so. Other than that, just keep it slightly over the MLE and I think you have a great shot to retain him.
- Green, Jock, Holiday, Tate are all crapshoots. These guys could all be cap casualties unless they come back on the minimum.
- I do NOT expect them to use the MLE for any external free agents.

Extensions
- I think both Tari and Bari will be offered reasonable extensions, but they are likely to have a limit. I bet they are targeting about 25m, but if they can't work out a deal, I could see the Rockets look to trade one of them for a guy locked up long term they like.

Overall, despite talking points, I think there is at least a reasonable chance they can keep all of their young guys by savvy contract staggering, With a deep bench of lotto picks waiting in the wings, they can afford to eventually have the vets roll off, and have a "next guy up" ready to go that is actually quite impactful. They could theoretically KEEP doing that with 2027 possibly being our strongest draft position yet (best two of Phx, BK and Hou), if that superstar trade actually materializes.

After watching them play in the post season, I would say you need elite spacing/shooting very obviously, even if it's not a big move/name, obviously you're much more informed on Houston's needs than I am, but I would certainly personally look for a different profile of player in the draft than adding more defensive-oriented forwards/wings that are limited on offense, I just think they'll have a hard time finding minutes for that profile of player, I think (If you could move up (I think you have the assets if you want) for someone like Johnson/Knueppel or move down for Yang etc.. it would at least give them more diversity, and mitigate some of the more obvious flaws)...

This is just a prediction, baseless, but I'd bet Booker is a Houston Rocket once the SUNS inevitably fall apart (I think it will be soon).

[MoreyWins]

After watching them play in the post season, I would say you need elite spacing/shooting very obviously, even if it's not a big move/name, obviously you're much more informed on Houston's needs than I am, but I would certainly personally look for a different profile of player in the draft than adding more defensive-oriented forwards/wings that are limited on offense, I just think they'll have a hard time finding minutes for that profile of player, I think (If you could move up (I think you have the assets if you want) for someone like Johnson/Knueppel or move down for Yang etc.. it would at least give them more diversity, and mitigate some of the more obvious flaws)...

This is just a prediction, baseless, but I'd bet Booker is a Houston Rocket once the SUNS inevitably fall apart (I think it will be soon).

We have Reed Sheppard as our elite spacing/shooting prospect. He had a predictable red shirt season while the team made their serious push for the postseason. Year 2 should be where he takes on Aaron Holiday's minutes.

I think drafting a replacement to one of Jabari or Tari is self explanatory. We likely can't keep the both of them long-term without facing harsh apron penalties. They're both key parts to our defense, which is obviously the backbone of what makes us elite. If we come at a crossroads of having to part ways with one of them, at least we'll have a guy fully capable of filling the void that's left.

It's too early to go star hunting before we know what an actualized version of the team looks like. It took us until January to let Amen get starter minutes and took until February for the team to discover the double big lineup. During that entire time we had key rotation players out with injury or mandatory rest (in the case of Tari and Adams). Give the guys an offseason of development, a season to refine themselves, and after that decide what the next move is.

[Kiss of Death]

Rockets:

1. Look into trading for star players who become available. That player's current team will look at what the Rockets have and ask for everything. Trade not likely but could happen.
2. See who is still available at #10, and have some trades lined up if they don't like who is there. Trading down for multiple later picks seems like the move.
3. Decline FVV's option and try to re-sign him at a reasonable price.
4. Try to re-sign Adams. Other teams will be interested but not many teams have cap space. If Adams would prefer to start, he may sign somewhere else.
5. Try to re-sign Tate and Jeff Green.
6. Shop Landale. Contract guarantees on 6-29-25. If not traded, likely will not be guaranteed.
7. Convert N'Faly Dante to a standard NBA contract.
8. Exercise team options on Smith, Eason, Thompson, Holiday & Whitmore. Likely extend Smith and Eason during the season.

Basically, no major roster changes.
Watch other teams overpay for the big names.

[psman2]

Memphis

Likely plan as of right now is to get in a position to renegotiate and extend JJJ. We need to have close to 22m in cap space to get him a raise to his max. 1st thing is they we have to dump Konchar who has 2/12.3m left on his deal. I think max cash to cover his salary this year and a couple 2nds can get it done. He is a 8-10 guy on a playoff team, I don't think he will be hard to move. Then we have to choose between finding a way to dump Clarke for cap space or just release Aldama. I think the preference is to keep Aldama if the cost to get off Clarke is reasonable. If we cannot find an acceptable Clarke deal then Aldama is released.

After that we likely convert Cam Spencer to a regular contact. Draft at 48/57 some more 2 way guys. And then we have the room exception 8.8m. I think our biggest need after losing one of Clarke or Aldama is a 4/3 or a 3/4. Secondary, I think a scoring 6th man would be nice. However the pickings are slim at forward...Boucher, Nance, LaRavia, Oubre? The 6th man names are more interesting Brogdon, Russell, Levert. However I think my number one target would be Bruce Brown, he isn't exactly what we need anywhere but can fill a bunch of roles in case of injuries.

Kennard will likely only be offered a league min, he likely walks. I think Bagley might get a league min to stay which he likely takes.

[Jon1798]

Ohhh the Pelicans, where to start…..

We could literally go any direction. Tons of talent and picks, tons of disaster scenarios too.

Thankfully the draft comes first and I think that sends us a bit in a direction. #7 pick and I think many are narrowing in on Maluach. Fears and Kon probably being the two other good fits for different reasons.

Pg- CJ/ Murray/Jose
SG- Herb Jones/ Hawkins
SF- Trey Murphy/ Brandon Boston
PF- Zion/ Olynyk
C- Maluach/ Missi

Murray back by mid season. And honestly, if he and everyone else were healthy. CJ coming off the bench, I would like our playoff chances even. But everyone healthy? Haha, I’ve never seen it. In like 30 years.

[jayjaysee]

For Nico? But with the Lauri/KD swing because I like it better that way.

KD, 42nd, 43rd, 53rd to Dallas
Martin, Klay, Jonas, Hardy, Powell, 2026 Sac first (top 10 protected 3x), 2029 LAL first unprotected to Utah
PJ and Gafford to Sac
Lauri to Phoenix

Sign Chris Paul and hope to find a semi-useful third center somewhere. Stay under second apron. A really great playoff rotation if you pretend everyone is healthy at that time.

[K_chile22]

My prediction is the Rockets mindset is going to be cap management focused. They realize they are extremely asset heavy and it is going to be tough to keep all of these guys. I think the theme of the Rockets this offseason will be lock up guys who you think will outperform their contracts, so they can maintain as much of a stacked roster as possible over the long term, while banking on organic improvement of the youth. 80% of the roster should be a better player next year, and again the year after that, so as long as the costs are controlled, they are playing with house money. They could stagger the money from the vets, potentially rolling off one per year, as extensions kick in, and try to ride just under the second apron.

Draft
- I previously suspected that they would trade out, or back and try to pick up future picks, but I am starting to believe they may actually draft someone at 10 and quietly hedge against losing guys to big contract offers. After all, there is no more value contract than a four year rookie scale deal. They seem to have a type. Hustle guys, who give a ton of effort, especially on defense, and buy into an all effort mindset. Shooting, athleticism, and length would be bonuses. Tari, Bari, Amen, Brooks, FVV, all of these guys they have sought out share this trait, and I think there are a handful who could be available at #10. I see Kasparus mocked too us quite a bit, but I don't think they make this kind of swing. They don't seem to target on ball creation much at all. I think they will draft Boyles or Bryant, who really standout as this type of prospect.


Trades
- I am sure they will look for the big names: Booker, Giannis, or whomever top 15 guy might shake loose, but I put only 35% chance, one of these guys gets moved.
- They will likely make a competitive bid, but I very much doubt they make a godfather offer, or overpay as they are dealing from a position of strength while most of those other teams are in dire straights.
- I do not think they will make any incremental upgrades, which seem to be popular suggestions, like Cam Johnson, White, White or Reeves which would dip into the pick trove. I think they are perfectly content bringing everyone back, with one more year of experience.
- I am fairly confident they will avoid like the plague the mid tier stars on high dollar contracts, who again, likely aren't worth their contracts. Guys like Durant, Lauri, Brown, etc.
- I think there is some chance they swing some sort of consolidation move, out of the blue, if they find a young player who is on a favorable deal. Jalen Johnson, Suggs, not necessarily these guys in particular, but guys like this who have long deals, are young, the money is flat or descending. Again, value contracts.
- I see almost no chance they take on bad or overpaid contracts in basically any scenario.

Free Agency
- I think they will renegotiate FVVs deal, if there is no superstar trade, to something slightly above the MLE. Not sure how BK intends to use their cap, but once they spend theirs, there won't be many dollars to give to Fred (other than MLE), so I think we wind up getting him back on a great deal, with goodwill earned by overpaying him for the first two years of his contract. Probably as much as they can give in the first year, but keeping them under the tax, and then a descending deal, with some opt outs. I see him as a bench guard on a competing roster, so that suits him, when Reed is ready to take over.
- I think they will bring back Adams, again, looking for a descending deal. Not sure where Adams stands, but he might be the guy who gets squeezed out by payroll concerns. One strategy could be to offer him a bigger deal if he is a threat to leave, and then just trade him later, so we preserve some assets. Again, BK is a threat to overpay, but they already have Claxton's albatross deal, so don't see why they would do so. Other than that, just keep it slightly over the MLE and I think you have a great shot to retain him.
- Green, Jock, Holiday, Tate are all crapshoots. These guys could all be cap casualties unless they come back on the minimum.
- I do NOT expect them to use the MLE for any external free agents.

Extensions
- I think both Tari and Bari will be offered reasonable extensions, but they are likely to have a limit. I bet they are targeting about 25m, but if they can't work out a deal, I could see the Rockets look to trade one of them for a guy locked up long term they like.

Overall, despite talking points, I think there is at least a reasonable chance they can keep all of their young guys by savvy contract staggering, With a deep bench of lotto picks waiting in the wings, they can afford to eventually have the vets roll off, and have a "next guy up" ready to go that is actually quite impactful. They could theoretically KEEP doing that with 2027 possibly being our strongest draft position yet (best two of Phx, BK and Hou), if that superstar trade actually materializes.

Fred is going to get at least $27M aav, probably more slightly above mle is just not realistic for a good starting PG

[NYG]

Memphis

Likely plan as of right now is to get in a position to renegotiate and extend JJJ. We need to have close to 22m in cap space to get him a raise to his max. 1st thing is they we have to dump Konchar who has 2/12.3m left on his deal. I think max cash to cover his salary this year and a couple 2nds can get it done. He is a 8-10 guy on a playoff team, I don't think he will be hard to move. Then we have to choose between finding a way to dump Clarke for cap space or just release Aldama. I think the preference is to keep Aldama if the cost to get off Clarke is reasonable. If we cannot find an acceptable Clarke deal then Aldama is released.

After that we likely convert Cam Spencer to a regular contact. Draft at 48/57 some more 2 way guys. And then we have the room exception 8.8m. I think our biggest need after losing one of Clarke or Aldama is a 4/3 or a 3/4. Secondary, I think a scoring 6th man would be nice. However the pickings are slim at forward...Boucher, Nance, LaRavia, Oubre? The 6th man names are more interesting Brogdon, Russell, Levert. However I think my number one target would be Bruce Brown, he isn't exactly what we need anywhere but can fill a bunch of roles in case of injuries.

Kennard will likely only be offered a league min, he likely walks. I think Bagley might get a league min to stay which he likely takes.

Let's say Brooklyn would take Clarke and Konchar which allows you to keep Aldama and extend JJJ... but they wanted you to send them a future pick, let's call it 2030 Top 5 Protected First Round Draft Pick (2031 - Top 1 Protected or becomes 2031 Memphis 2nd)? You cutting Aldama at that point and keeping the pick?

[NYG]

Memphis with Aldama

Player Name Salary (2025-26)
Ja Morant $39,446,090
Desmond Bane $36,725,670
Jaren Jackson Jr. $23,413,395
Brandon Clarke $12,500,000
Jon Konchar $6,165,000
Zach Edey $6,045,000
Jay Huff $2,349,578
Vincent Williams Jr. $2,301,587
Scotty Pippen Jr. $2,270,735
G.G. Jackson $2,221,677
Jaylen Wells $1,955,377
Mamadi Diakite Dead Cap $464,050
Santi Aldama Cap Hold $11,881,593

Total Team Salary 147,739,752
Incomplete Roster Charge -
Adjusted Team Salary (for Cap) 147,739,752
Salary Cap 154,600,000
Cap Space 6,860,248
Luxury Tax Threshold 187,900,000
Space Below Luxury Tax 40,160,248
Projected Luxury Tax Bill Below Luxury Tax
First Tax Apron 195,900,000
Space Below First Apron 48,160,248
Second Tax Apron 207,800,000
Space Below Second Apron 60,060,248

What do you think Aldama's 2025-26 salary is?
What do you think JJJ's 2025-26 salary is?

[NYG]

After trading Clarke and Konchar then re-signing JJJ...

Player Name Salary (2025-26)
Ja Morant $39,446,090
Desmond Bane $36,725,670
Jaren Jackson Jr. $46,300,000
Zach Edey $6,045,000
Jay Huff $2,349,578
Vincent Williams Jr. $2,301,587
Scotty Pippen Jr. $2,270,735
G.G. Jackson $2,221,677
Jaylen Wells $1,955,377
Mamadi Diakite Dead Cap $464,050
Santi Aldama Cap Hold $11,881,593

Total Team Salary 151,961,357
Incomplete Roster Charge 2,545,738
Adjusted Team Salary (for Cap) 154,507,095
Salary Cap 154,600,000
Cap Space 92,905
Luxury Tax Threshold 187,900,000
Space Below Luxury Tax 33,392,905
Projected Luxury Tax Bill Below Luxury Tax
First Tax Apron 195,900,000
Space Below First Apron 41,392,905
Second Tax Apron 207,800,000
Space Below Second Apron 53,292,905