What happened: Dallas generated a new $6 million trade exception by moving Jaden Hardy, adding to a cap toolkit that already includes the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception and a $20.3 million trade exception. Marcus Sasser's $5.2 million salary for next season could slot cleanly into the newly created $6 million exception.
Why it matters: The mechanics give Dallas multiple salary-matching paths to add a guard without sending out a player in return, a flexibility that matters for a roster managing the apron. The new exception traces back to the Anthony Davis trade and subsequent moves that reshaped the team's books for the 2026-27 season.
By the numbers: Dallas cap tools in play: full non-taxpayer mid-level exception; a $20.3M trade exception from the Anthony Davis deal; and a newly created $6M trade exception from the Jaden Hardy trade. Sasser's salary next season: $5.2M — under the $6M exception ceiling.
What to watch: Watch whether Dallas applies the $6 million exception to bring in Sasser before it expires, or holds the tools for a larger summer move.