Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Winter]

Hard, hard disagree. I think if you look at how he has been used, it's pretty easy to reach the opposite of this conclusion. He's significantly more effective at the 5, and that's where they used him the most, by FAR, when he was healthy. Remember that Kleber/Washington combo that was so effective down the stretch? It was one of the best things they had, and they were leaning on it a ton in important moments. It's how they closed a ton of games (most, maybe).

The place he is ineffective is the 4. They did that a little in the Finals (it didn't go well), but really not much down that stretch when they were winning games at the end of the season. 

I don't think this is a matter of opinion, I think the emboldened statement is factually untrue. No idea if that means they do/don't trade him, I only know what it does for my answer to the hypothetical you posed.

While I think this is generally true, I agree with Chicago that Maxi is not here much longer. The best bet to replace him I think is Omax, but he's a work in progress and the strengths of the two players are not identical.

I think the best bet is to keep Maxi this season. Maybe you see things differently in mid-season when you have a better read on the players, but there's no rush here.

BTW, it may just be me but every time I see Omax play on the court he looks like someone who is about 6'10". Most of the time, he looks a few inches bigger than everyone he's playing with. Maybe I'm just imagining this.