06-21-2026, 10:41 AM
(06-21-2026, 10:16 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: Whether or not OKC would do it depends on how badly they want to shed salary. But Im not sure why there is a pervasive narrative that PJ is a negative asset not worth an end of lotto FRP. Same with Gafford. (Not saying you are the one writing that, using you as more of a jump off point).
Both are good players and fill needs for almost any playoff team and are on good contracts.
It was rumored earlier this year that the Mavs offered Gafford for Mathurin and a future protected first and the Pacers considered it their fallback plan. That should be the value we're looking to extract minimum. PJ for salary and 12 is light given my own restrictions, but OKC wants to move up, not out.
There is a whole lot of room between negative asset and #12 in a strong draft. I think OKC can get off that salary cheaply because those are decent players on decent contracts (there is a reason everyone is more than happy to take on that Joe contract). If I am OKC, I would much rather spend #12 on Yaxel, who will be way more cap friendly and dump those contracts some other way.
As for the potential Gafford trade, the Pacers obviously did not value Mathurin and they were clearly desperate given the crazy trade they made for Zubac. I hope the Mavs can find another desperate trade partner, but its not going to be OKC.