TDL Archived: The 2nd Rnd Pick Yankee Swap

[mvossman]

I favor OPJ over PJW for the very reasons you do not.

PJW -- Because he is considered to be a player with a future, PJW will be harder/unlikely to acquire. He will be expecting to be a starter, he will be expecting 30 mpg, he has less experience. In a year, he will get a big raise, and may be more than fits with Mavs' payroll. He's neither the 3-and-D nor the BIG that fits the Mavs team around Luka.

OPJ - Because he is considered to be a player on the back side of his career, PJW will be easier to acquire. He will NOT be expecting to be a starter, he will NOT be expecting 30 mpg, he has MORE experience (including deep in the playoffs). He can presumably be locked in for 3 years at a good price, which fits with Mavs' payroll. He's a 3-and-D wing, playable at either big wing or smaller wing, that fits the Mavs team around Luka, and what the Mavs are looking for in a rotation with DFS and Bullock. Better rebounder than PJW.

I really don't get the argument on fit with PJW.  He seems like the perfect fit.  He is a 3&D player that can give room for Wood to operate in the paint on offense, and on defense he can guard the perimeter, but also provides some additional rim protection and bulk for taking on bigs.

I have no issues with him wanting to start as I would start him over Bullock.  The starting unit could use a little more size with Wood being undersized for a 5 and Dorian being undersized for a 4.  He is also already a better player than Bullock and will potentially be significantly so as he reaches his prime.