01-08-2024, 10:29 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-08-2024, 11:01 PM by surfpuckmd.)
(01-08-2024, 06:56 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Here is an idea that I think is clever and fits the NewPF and NewBackupC theory...
The deal is THJ/GWill/Hardy/Draft compensation for Avdija (23)/Gafford (25).
I think Gafford at $12mm is a decent combination of cost and skill behind Lively and you haven't paid him so much that you question Lively's status as #1.
I suspect the trickier one for most here will be Avdija. His D-Reb% is a surprising 20.8 for his career (J. Grant is 12). And his Assist% is 12.6 for his career (and 19 for the current season). He's recognized as a defender, can attack the rim off the dribble and is up to .347 from three (.438 from the corner, but the sample is small). He also fits the mold of DJJ, Exum and Green in that he doesn't have to score to contribute (important on a team with Luka and Kyrie). I also think he can play next to OMax when the time comes.
The clever part of this is THJ/Hardy is a match for Avdija/Gafford and Washington has a TPE that GWill (or Holmes) would fit into. So, you are reducing salary next season ($29mm for Avdija/Gafford vs. $31mm for the outgoing) or you've created a TPE that you can use that is similar to the MLE but wouldn't hard cap you if you use it (I think) in case you can't keep DJJ.
The ball movement here would be incredible and the age of Avdija fits in well with Green, Lively and OMax for when Kyrie has aged out. I would give up a lot to make that happen.
Assuming we're giving up our 2027 1st round pick in this deal, I still don't think it would be fair for Washington. Gafford is worth a 1st by himself. Avdija is a better player than Grant Williams. Jaden Hardy probably isn't a great fit there. They have several shooting guards already with Coulibaly as the most promising player on their roster and Jordan Poole as one of their highest paid players.
Avdija and Gafford would both be good targets for us. I just don't think we have the assets for both.
I think a Richaun Holmes and a 1st for Gafford is probably the most realistic deal. I'd make that personally but I don't think many others on the board would.
I also would love to exchange Grant Williams for Avdija. I think that might also cost a 1st round pick. Avdija has been much improved this season. Grant Williams has been disappointing.