Trade & FA 2024-25:

[audiosway]

I'm a DJJ guy, so I'm pushing back against some of the comments being made.
1 The money was NOT the issue with DJJ - the contracts were only $1M apart, an amount the Mavs had available. I believe the Mavs probably offered him as much as LAC did, and DJJ just didn't want to be here - the negotiating with him to make sure he knew he was going to be a vital part of the team was not good.
2 I don't think Nico wanted to get rid of DJJ at all, but rather he just blundered in getting him signed. Naji was just a backup plan, just in case.
3 Naji is nowhere near the same level of defender. Naji is solid, but DJJ can be a total disruptor because of his athletic gifts that are off the charts (7' wingspan, 46" vertical). I don't know how to quantify it, but I believe DJJ is far quicker and more agile covering the court.
4 Naji is really not a superior shooter, he's just a different style. Naji scores in more versatile ways. But DJJ has a TS of 60, Naji 59. And on the important ability to shoot 3s, DJJ is actually superior - this season DJJ about 37 (career 33), Naji about 31 (career 31).

I would much rather have DJJ, and think LAC got the much better player at close to the same salary. I would have eagerly swapped Naji for DJJ at any time. In the summer I would swap Naji for DJJ all day long (and hope LAC would want something different and look favorably on Naji and his less-expensive contract).

I gotcha. I think the main thing with Naji is that we haven't gotten to see him just yet. Too much instability this year. Once everyone has their defined roles we'll see what Naji is capable of.