Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

DJJ played plenty of backup 4, especially when Maxi was out.  Naji is more suited to that role than DJJ was.  He is taller, longer, bigger, stronger and more aggressive.  He is a big wing who can defend either forward position as needed.  A backup PF would need multiple injuries to see significant playing time.

Not sure you're looking at it from total minutes, rather than starter/bench.  Overtime aside, each of the five spots have 3,936 minutes in the regular season (82 x 48).  PJ played 2,219 minutes last year.  That leaves 1,717 minutes left at backup PF.  If you split Naji's 1,254 minutes and split them between SF and PF, that leaves 1,090 minutes (approximately Maxi's minutes last year).  Do we really want to keep riding Maxi?  IMO it's a hole.