12-09-2025, 11:45 AM
(12-09-2025, 10:07 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I proposed that the other day. I think you have to give up something else in the deal. Mathurin is a good bit more valuable than Gafford in my mind and like players like White/Grimes, you have to pay him this summer. It would really help if you could simultaneously trade Klay for expiring and a pick. You are going to need more salary space than Gafford gives you to keep restricted Mathurin this summer.
I was also watching Mathurin situation. As Indy obviously doesn't want to pay the tax, they could have a hard time keeping him in the summer, if anyone sees a 25 mil player in him. I think he is great trade chip for them. The other one could be Obi Toppin, if they would target a player in the 20+ mil salary range.
I am not so high on Gafford though. He is a great player to have in the regular season, but very limited defensively when playing top teams (Luka for example absolutely cooked him). Not really sure he could be considered the center of the future.
I think this TDL could see some RFA movement. There will be more teams with cap space in the summer, which will improve RFAs negotiating position. Some teams might be careful as they would not be willing (or able) to match the offered salary from another team. We already mentioned Mathurin. Eason can't get enough playing time in current Houston line-up with Durant and Smith and some team could see a 20+ mil player there. Agbaji almost doesn't play in Toronto after a very good season last year and some team could risk a MLE level money. Someone could see more in Ivey than Detroit does. Utah doesn't seem to be enthusiastic to pay big money to Kessler, although they could afford to wait till summer and still match any offer.