(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.
I mentioned Avdija a couple of pages ago too.
I feel like the lineup after the trade you have suggested will be needing a movement shooter though, especially after getting rid of THJ and Hardy. My pick for that role would be Quentin Grimes.
- Kyrie, Grimes, Luka, Avdija, Lively
And although Kyrie has been great, is the better offensive player and plays smart on defense... I think Dejounte Murray would be an even better fit instead of Kyrie. For these reasons:
- Defense... DM plays great defense. This allows the team to use an SG who can shoot and defend (like Grimes), or at times even an SG that can shoot but is a weakness on defense (like THJ or Hardy)... rather than use an SG who is purely defense but can't shoot (like Josh Green). It's not so easy finding All-NBA defensive players who can also shoot at 38-40% from deep.
- Length... DM 6'5", Kyrie 6'2". Dejounte is more switchable on defense. Opposing teams will only be looking to switch on Luka, rather than Luka + Kyrie.
- Salary... 2024-25 DM $24.8m, Kyrie $40m.
- Offense... although Kyrie is easily more skillful, their impact is not too different when comparing their numbers (apart from free throws).
DM vs Kyrie:
PPG: 21 vs 23.5
FG%: 46% vs 47%
FG3%: 38% vs 42%
FT%: 80% vs 89%
eFG%: 53% vs 55%
USG%: 24.5% vs 28.3%
- Availability: DM get injured less than Kyrie and plays more games. He is more likely to be available in the playoffs.
- Timeline: DM is 27 years old, Kyrie is almost 32. I'm seeing this as a superb opportunity to put together a whole core that is on the same timeline as Luka.
G: Dejounte (27yo) / Exum (28yo)
G: Grimes (24yo) / new SG (who? Another shooter like Grimes is preferable)
F: Luka (25yo) / new SF (who? DJJ is fine for now)
F: Avdija (23yo) / O-Max (22yo)
C: Lively (20yo) / Sims (25yo)
It will need to be fleshed out more... but this is the kind of core that could have Top 10 ORtg and Top 10 DRtg.