Trade & FA 2024-25:

[mvossman]

That is a good point and may be where we wind up in two years. I just think that position is a lot of wear and tear.  You are driving hard to the basket and jumping high.  A lot of potential injuries there.  I think having two guys to man that spot is smart.  Playoffs may be a different animal.  lively may be too good eventually to share minutes.  We have time to see how it plays out though.

I don't disagree that having center depth is important during the regular season, and given Lively youth and the fact that he missed nearly 30 games in his first season it may be more important for Mavs, but look around the league.  Most teams have vet mins as their backup centers unless its a stretch center that can play the 4 and even then its around 10 mil.  Teams can't afford to spend significant cap on a player that can't be on the court with the starting center.  Gafford is a luxury right now that we can afford for one more season, but there is going to be a strong argument next offseason to get whatever assets we can for him and backfill with a cheaper player.