TDL Archived: The 2nd Rnd Pick Yankee Swap

[F Gump]

A Wood/Powell/Maxi combination is starting to look good.  Any two can be on the court together and all three can handle single big minutes.

It seems to me that the vision was
Wood/_______/Maxi

In the blank, McGee (5.5M) was going to replace Powell (11.0M), who would either be traded or expired.

I'm not convinced Powell is ever really the guy they want (which would required him to be re-signed), given the ongoing playoff inability. But he can work as a minutes eater in the regular season.

Gafford's money starts at 12.4, far north of McGee. Whether that would be a number Powell would get paid if kept, who knows? On paper (I don't watch WAS play), Gafford's fairly close to the right type of player to fill that role - low minutes, rim-runner (high shot pct, mostly point-blank range, more dunks than Powell), lots of blocks, good BR d-rating, solid rebound rate (per-36 in double digits).

To me the question is whether Gafford's salary (12.4) would be acceptable for the role they hoped to fill at 5.5. OTOH, if it takes both McGee/Powell to go forward if you don't do Gafford, then probably the salary total is far beyond 12.4, so maybe they could justify such a deal that brings both an upgrade and a younger player.