Game 65: Dallas Mavericks (36-28) vs. Chicago Bulls (31-33)

[soog]

It might be the opposite direction of how basketball is evolving but its a direction that maximizes Luka's impact. Luka is his most effective with a rim-running center and the Mavs also need a defensive anchor.
Lively was a perfect choice to fill that role but he's missed quite a few games this year so we got another player who maximizes Luka. In a couple of years, Gafford's contract will expire (or we'll trade him) and we'll be down to the one center.  But in this moment in time we actually NEEDED the player despite how the league is evolving.

I also like how having Gafford frees Lively up to play more aggressively. There were many games early in the season where you could see Lively play more timidly once he got a few fouls. Now he can play aggressively and see what he can get away with knowing Gafford is waiting in the wings.