10-14-2024, 04:18 PM
(10-14-2024, 12:47 PM)F Gump Wrote: Yeah, I don't think that will have to even be a discussion, because I think those limits are a fantasy. There will be 2 spots that are closer to 1a and 1b, rather than only space for one center plus a few leftover scraps. That's how it works in today's NBA.
There are about 4000 minutes for center in an NBA season, and I think DL is probably a 2000/yr guy or so, like Tyson Chandler was. That leaves a significant chunk for another center. For reference, last season (most of which DL was the ONLY center), he played less than 1300, and only Doncic (2624) played more than the 2000 area.
If Lively misses another 30+ games then they may be close in total minutes, but they will not be 1a and 1b. When it really counts (like in the playoffs) I would expect Lively well into the 30s and Gafford in the 12-15 range, especially in two years which is the time frame being discussed.
As far as how it works in today's NBA, teams don't spend MLE money on backup pure centers. It makes total sense for Mavs right now given Lively was a rookie but its going to make less sense in a year or two when Lively is clearly the starting center and Gafford could be looking at a 15+ million contract in free agency as a starting center.