12-21-2023, 11:19 PM
(12-21-2023, 11:00 AM)mvossman Wrote: This is basically sending out an unprotected first for a backup center and to clear some cap space.
Its a weird place to be in. We need a better backup center, but you don't really want to pay a lot for that, and the guys that are reasonably good (like Gafford) are going to want to start somewhere and wont want to be here.
One way around this is to get a 4/5 guy that can play some minutes with Lively so he is not strictly a backup. That's why guys like Stewart and Wendle Carter are brought up.
Another option that you referred to in your first sentence was to get a bigger 4. Powell is useless playing with Williams or Timmy in the frontcourt. He might be tolerable next to a big 4 (too bad Maxi can't seem to get on the court).
It would turn our greatest weakness into a strength. It would make us less small and better able to compete with the West's best teams- Denver and Minnesota.
I think it would be worth it. Gafford is a better player than Isaiah Stewart and a better fit on our roster. He's only 26 so could still improve. I like Wendell Carter as well and I've posted a trade suggestion targeting him. Gafford is just better defensively though- his rim protection and ability to finish at the rim provide exactly what we most need from a center.
Most importantly, I think Gafford is likely actually available. I've seen no indication that Wendell Carter is.
Cap space is no small thing anymore. My proposed trade would allow us to have the full MLE this coming summer. That likely would allow us to re-sign DJJ. Dumping Maxi's contract on the Wizards is another huge benefit. Gafford won't make much more than Maxi over the next 3 years so we solve a major issue without adding much to the cap in 2025-2026.