Preseason Game 4: Dallas Mavericks (2-1) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (1-3) | 9:30pm EST

[Nowitzki Way]

I have a different take than most: I looked it up a while ago, and before LA traded Davis he was playing north of 80% of his minutes at the 5. Anyone with eyes can see that should be his primary position, and I think this idea that he's going to play the 4 is based more on the balance of the roster and the need to get all the good players on the court than on his wishes. I'm sure even he realizes he's more 5 than 4, frankly, and I expect that to be the way things shake out, particularly if the big lineup has all the problems we expect (many of us). If it shakes out how those who like it expect, then none of us will have issues with it, but if it's not working, you have to think the smart basketball minds in the organization will adjust.

With that logic in mind, I think it would be nutbar-factor-9 to trade probably the best defensive center in the league in order to create roster balance. I don't understand how people will claim it's not a big deal for Lively to go halvsies on the center minutes with Gafford, but then balk at the idea of him instead splitting the position with Anthony Davis, who is actually a far superior player at this point in time. FAR superior.

I get that the contract is excessive, but that's a done deal, and you're not getting $60 million of GOOD salary in return, even in a great deal. The reality is that any deal involving AD at this point results in a less talented roster, at least for a year or two (depending on what type of draft capital you get in return and how you're able to flip anything you get in the deal).

The one solid argument in favor of trading AD, imho, is that he's an injury waiting to happen, but clearly that hasn't scared the Mavs to this point. So, my hope will continue to be that they actually play him a lot at CENTER, where he is a difference maker on a level that's being trivialized here aggressively.

i can get on board with this, but what are we doing with Gafford?  AD playing huge minutes at the 5 is the best on court fit. But then we have a 15 million dollar 3rd string center. One that could start for 25 other teams.