2026 NBA Trade Discussion Thread

[Handlogten's Heros]

Well the Stepien rule probably won’t let the deal happen as the Lakers didn’t have a 1st in 2025, but;

I’d rather have the pick this year because this is supposed to be a better draft and nobody needs three 1sts in a draft (our current ‘27 draft). We also aren’t out of the woods on having even one pick in this draft or zero and would like to have at least one.

Stepien doesn't look back... only forward. They can't move 26/28/30 because of the 27/29 picks they owe.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I dig your perspective here, but I mostly want to keep Walker (and hope it's for the right price, of course).

My dream is for a Point Center who is above average at defense, but I don't know where we're getting one of those.

Yeah I need to do some digging to see how strained the relationship really is. If you moved him now and signed Ihart in the summer... it would be kinda like trading Walker for Ihart and whatever you got in the trade.

If he was in LA I think he works on a more reasonable deal than he might here. I think he goes out in RFA and has to do the Gordon Hayward dance. Might get something that gives the Jazz enough pause or just hurts his trade value if they match.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Yeah I need to do some digging to see how strained the relationship really is. If you moved him now and signed Ihart in the summer... it would be kinda like trading Walker for Ihart and whatever you got in the trade.

If he was in LA I think he works on a more reasonable deal than he might here. I think he goes out in RFA and has to do the Gordon Hayward dance. Might get something that gives the Jazz enough pause or just hurts his trade value if they match.

I know you can’t answer this, and it’s really more of a pontification, but; I don’t understand why the Jazz couldn’t just work WITH Walker and monitor the landscape and do a SnT if the situation is essentially unsalvageable. Saves the Jazz the asset, widens Walker’s possible landing spots, saves the buying team from paying ultra-premium RFA prices/getting their sheet matched.

In any event, my posture/messaging on Walker right now if I’m the Jazz is basically that: ‘Know that no matter what, we’re not losing him for nothing whether that’s matching any offer or doing a sign and trade. Come correct if you want Walker.’

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I know you can’t answer this, and it’s really more of a pontification, but; I don’t understand why the Jazz couldn’t just work WITH Walker and monitor the landscape and do a SnT if the situation is essentially unsalvageable. Saves the Jazz the asset, widens Walker’s possible landing spots, saves the buying team from paying ultra-premium RFA prices/getting their sheet matched.

In any event, my posture/messaging on Walker right now if I’m the Jazz is basically that: ‘Know that no matter what, we’re not losing him for nothing whether that’s matching any offer or doing a sign and trade. Come correct if you want Walker.’

I think you can get more now for moving him and it would allow you to focus your FA and trade efforts towards a replacement that you prefer. Its partly the FO wishy washy attitude towards him that gives me pause I guess. LA might offer more now than in a sign and trade because it allows them more cap space (which really matters to them).

It would also clear another 15M in cap space to play with for us early in FA. I think a deal is unlikely... but I wouldn't be completely shocked.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

LA also might be loading up with some other guys that have contracts beyond this year... so won't have the space for Walker... so they acquire him now and then give Lebron some help before they send him into the sunset.

 

[tksavis]

Please remember a foundational principle of Jazz trade scenario planning -- we should never do a deal that enables the Lakers to get better.

 

[framer]

LA also might be loading up with some other guys that have contracts beyond this year... so won't have the space for Walker... so they acquire him now and then give Lebron some help before they send him into the sunset.

That is the conundrum of the Lakers. If they ever got their ducks in a row to make a strong offer for Kessler, they would likely use it to go after KAT instead. Just like they got Westbrook. Lakers love washed up dudes that once played in an all star game.

If Lebron stays, there is no way he is pushing for Kessler. That isnt how he rolls.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

That is the conundrum of the Lakers. If they ever got their ducks in a row to make a strong offer for Kessler, they would likely use it to go after KAT instead. Just like they got Westbrook. Lakers love washed up dudes that once played in an all star game.

If Lebron stays, there is no way he is pushing for Kessler. That isnt how he rolls.

The Lakers ownership is completely different now...

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

The Lakers ownership is completely different now...

Anyone following the situation would kinda see that Lebron is almost surely out at year end unless he just take a monster paycut. They won't make decisions around what Lebron wants. Lakers interest in Walker has been consistent and real... no reason to think they wouldn't be interested under either regime.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Like if you are Walker and the Wiz offer 35M a year and you get a 30M offer from the Lakers... which one would you prefer?

That's part of the value from the Lakers perspective. If they make a reasonable offer it gets matched. If they had him in house they have the cap space to do other things and may get a discount.

From the Jazz perspective they just have to decide if they prefer Walker to a guy like Hartenstein or patching the center position together in a cheap way.

 

[framer]

Anyone following the situation would kinda see that Lebron is almost surely out at year end unless he just take a monster paycut. They won't make decisions around what Lebron wants. Lakers interest in Walker has been consistent and real... no reason to think they wouldn't be interested under either regime.

Their interest is wrapped up in getting Walker at a bargain or with the ability to dump their trash. I struggle to think they would be willing to forego other opportunities to pay Walker full boat.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Their interest is wrapped up in getting Walker at a bargain or with the ability to dump their trash. I struggle to think they would be willing to forego other opportunities to pay Walker full boat.

You are making assumptions that just aren't true. They have wanted Walker for a while. FA is not full of stars. They had a deal close to done in the offseason.