Trade & FA 2023-24: Vezenkov+Kings Are Done

[mvossman]

Can you call it two-headed when one head is so drastically superior to the other?

I don’t get how people watched the OKC series and still feel this strongly that Gafford is a necessary fit here. To my eyes, lively is in a complete different tier, and Gafford is the insurance policy. All I’m saying is I think they could find a cheaper insurance policy (in the context of a conversation about how to keep DJJ).

I do think a five out lineup is absolutely necessary, yes. That’s because I’m looking around the NBA and seeing that almost every single team can play that way. But, it’s also because it’s the best way to combat the size you guys are so worried about. Does the addition of Gafford really have anyone feeling more confident against the Wolves?  I’ll say it again – give me Kleber over him for this series in a heartbeat!

I think the difference between Lively and Gafford will be less this series as the biggest difference between the two is 5 out defense and this is the one team we are going to face that can't do 5 out.

Gafford may be an insurance policy, but Lively missed 29 games this season and Maxi missed 39 plus over half the playoff games.  Its an insurance policy we are going to cash in a lot.  You can make the argument that he is a luxury, but its one we have needed.