Trade & FA 2024-25:

[mvossman]

I would say Gafford, OMax and 2 FRPs is a pretty steep price to pay and would be fair value, I think the only way it wouldn't be enough would be if a bidding war starts which very well could happen for a player like Jones.  You could use Maxi or PJs contract instead of Gafford (although I think if you did PJ you'd have to remove OMax or add incoming salary) but knowing the Pels are looking for a center I would assume Gafford is their target based on the betting odds.

I'm with you though, I think Powell/Maxi playing minutes behind Lively would be fine, especially during the regular season.  The other thing to consider when it comes to the minutes behind Lively in a hypothetical like this is that come playoff time you may end up just going small and playing Jones at center the way the Pelicans basically are right now so just noting there's a third option to Powell and Maxi.

We got DJJ on a vet min deal.  We sent 2nds and a THJ salary dump for Grimes.  We spent well under the MLE for Naji in the open market.  I recognize that Herb is an elite defender while those guys are just very good, but Naji and Grimes are probably better on the other end of the floor.  I'm struggling to see that Herb is worth that much more in assets over those guys.  In my mind those assets need to be reserved for the eventual Kyrie replacement.