05-21-2024, 03:55 PM
In my opinion Gafford was borderline unplayable.
Lively + 11.8 best on the team
Gafford -9.7 worst on the team
It was a bad matchup for him because OKC could put him into pick and roll situations and isos against SGA. He obviously can be more useful in other matchups. He recovered really well in the Clippers series after Zubac bullied him in the first 2-3 games and returned the favor in the last two games.
But I don't think people are trying to make the case that Gafford sucks. The question that is offered is how the Mavs can create space under the second apron. One option is attaching assets to THJ and moving him. Another option is using an asset with positive value like Gafford or Green.
Gafford is an option because Lively is the Mavs starting center of the future. Already better and with more upside. Even without Gafford the Mavs would still have solid backups like Kleber and Powell.
Same case can be made for Green. Mavs would still have Exum and potentially THJ for SG/SF minutes.
Personally I would prefer to use Hardy + 2025 1st + THJ and look for the best possible wing/forward. Trying to double down on DJJ/PJ instead of just resigning DJJ.
Lively + 11.8 best on the team
Gafford -9.7 worst on the team
It was a bad matchup for him because OKC could put him into pick and roll situations and isos against SGA. He obviously can be more useful in other matchups. He recovered really well in the Clippers series after Zubac bullied him in the first 2-3 games and returned the favor in the last two games.
But I don't think people are trying to make the case that Gafford sucks. The question that is offered is how the Mavs can create space under the second apron. One option is attaching assets to THJ and moving him. Another option is using an asset with positive value like Gafford or Green.
Gafford is an option because Lively is the Mavs starting center of the future. Already better and with more upside. Even without Gafford the Mavs would still have solid backups like Kleber and Powell.
Same case can be made for Green. Mavs would still have Exum and potentially THJ for SG/SF minutes.
Personally I would prefer to use Hardy + 2025 1st + THJ and look for the best possible wing/forward. Trying to double down on DJJ/PJ instead of just resigning DJJ.
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