Sports
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
The price for a Dexter Lawrence trade might be cheaper than you thought
TL;DR
A trade for New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence may cost less than expected, potentially resembling the 2023 trade of Leonard Williams for a second and fifth-round pick. Lawrence, currently in a contract dispute, is seeking a new deal despite being under contract for two more seasons.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 2: Dexter Lawrence II #97 of the New York Giants runs on field prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Apparently, a trade for New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence would look a lot more like the 2023 Leonard Williams trade than the 2025 Quinnen Williams trade, if we’re talking about trade assets. Lawrence, arguably the best well-rounded nose tackle in the league, is reportedly in a contract dispute with the Giants, despite his being under contract for the next two seasons. As it stands right now, Lawrence will make $20 million in 2026 and $19.5 million in 2027, but he’s looking for a new deal.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter, talking with ESPN Milwaukee on Wednesday, stated that he could see the Green Bay Packers, who have a hole at the nose tackle position right now, being in the Lawrence trade market. When asked about what the price for Lawrence in a trade could be, Schefter said, “My guess is a two and a five.” He later added, “I don’t know that anyone is trading a first-round pick for a 28-year-old defensive tackle who wants more money.”
This is interesting, because Leonard Williams, who just won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, was traded for a second- and fifth-round pick back in 2023, but Quinnen Williams was sent to the Dallas Cowboys for a first-round pick, second-round pick and former first-round defensive tackle Mazi Smith in November.
At least in Schefter’s mind, a trade for Lawrence could be closer to the ballpark of the Leonard Williams trade than the Quinnen Williams trade, which for the Packers is a huge deal, since Green Bay doesn’t own a first-round pick in the next two drafts. Notably, Green Bay just added an extra fifth-round pick to its 2026 draft class with the trade of receiver Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this month.
If the cost is an immediate second- and fifth-round pick, the Packers could still have picks in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh (two picks) rounds in the upcoming draft. At the moment, Green Bay has $20.1 million in effective cap space, which ranks in the top half of the league. More cap space will free up, too, post-June 1, when some of the Nate Hobbs money comes off their 2026 books.
The highest-paid nose tackle in the league right now is Philadelphia’s Jordan Davis, who just received a $26 million per year number. Lawrence is likely looking for an extension in that ballpark, now that a new high has been set.
The Packers are clearly poking around at defensive tackles with their second-round pick, as they’ve brought in both Christen Miller (consensus board rank of #47) and Lee Hunter (#49) in on pre-draft visits.
Q&A
What is the potential trade value for Dexter Lawrence?
The potential trade value for Dexter Lawrence is estimated to be a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick.
Which teams are interested in trading for Dexter Lawrence?
The Green Bay Packers are reportedly interested in trading for Dexter Lawrence due to their need at the nose tackle position.
Why is Dexter Lawrence seeking a new contract?
Dexter Lawrence is seeking a new contract despite being under contract for the next two seasons, as he aims for a better financial deal than his current $20 million salary in 2026.
