06-19-2025, 10:10 AM
For me, trading Gafford for any of the better guards we've talked about is almost less about Gafford, and more about the AD frontcourt problem. IF Lively and Gafford are on this team, it makes AD the full time "PF", and he's just not a good enough shooter from the mid-range or three to be next to another non-shooting Big. I get that he thinks he's best with another Big in the lineup, but he really needs to get over that. Adding the number 1 pick changes things.
Some think Lively is too good to bring off the bench, but I don't really care if he starts or not. AD is a better Big than he is, period. Lively will get his ~20 MPG regardless.
One thing to keep in mind, in the Kidd era the starting 5 usually only plays 10-12 MPG together. It's a tone setter though, and I just think starting the game with a Flagg/PJW/AD frontcourt is the best way to go. Trading Gafford ultimately signals to me that the FO and coaching staff would move that way.
Some think Lively is too good to bring off the bench, but I don't really care if he starts or not. AD is a better Big than he is, period. Lively will get his ~20 MPG regardless.
One thing to keep in mind, in the Kidd era the starting 5 usually only plays 10-12 MPG together. It's a tone setter though, and I just think starting the game with a Flagg/PJW/AD frontcourt is the best way to go. Trading Gafford ultimately signals to me that the FO and coaching staff would move that way.
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