02-11-2026, 11:32 AM
(02-11-2026, 02:02 AM)vfromlmf Wrote: First of all PJW shouldn't be creating anything. He's being asked to do too much, just like Max. These are role players. Bullpen wings. Shaq's "others".
Second, fine. Swap Dort for PJW. What's that going to do for the win total?
EPM widely considered the most accurate "all-in-one" advanced metric reflecting overall impact on winning tells us .... Overall EPM:
Dort: -0.2
PJW: 1.1
Defensive Parity: Both players are performing as elite defenders this season. Dort maintains his reputation as a premier perimeter stopper with a +1.3 D-EPM, but PJ has actually graded slightly higher (+1.5) due to his superior interior rim protection and rebounding.
Offensive Gap: The primary reason Washington leads in "Wins" is his offensive floor. While both have negative O-EPM ratings (meaning they are below league average offensively), Washington’s 14.1 PPG and 7.1 RPG provide more value than Dort’s 8.7 PPG and 3.9 RPG.
Efficiency Concerns: Dort's impact is currently hampered by career-low shooting numbers (39.5% FG), which significantly drags down his Offensive EPM and total wins added.
Workload: Washington's lead is also influenced by volume; he has played more total minutes per game (30.7) compared to Dort (27.8), providing more opportunities to accumulate "wins" over a replacement player.
Now ... you can argue with EPM, which is fine, but both of these guy averaged 30+ mpg on Finals teams. Dort won a Championship. Oviously you need your Lukas, SGAs, Tatums etc., but you also need high end role players and PJW is proven to be one. I already said I'd trade him for a lottery pick but he's certainly not at the top of the list of problems. This team is relying on guards with borderline NBA talent and probably at least 2 rotation wings who are below replacement level. Powell and a two-way are getting rotation center minutes. The glaring holes are obvious.
Not sure what you are looking at with EPM numbers? Dort has been higher than PJ just about every year and he is clearly higher overall.
Dort probably makes them a little better, but the goal should be to find a quality 3&D player for the MLE.
Its not that PJ is the top of the list of problems. Its simply that PJ, Gafford and Klay are probably not what you want as starters next to Flagg and they are all making more than the MLE. If you can move any of them for better fitting parts, they should do it.