TDL Archived: The 2nd Rnd Pick Yankee Swap

[KillerLeft]

Perhaps.

But the Gafford case is interesting. I don't watch those games, so I can't speak from observation as to what you get with Gafford, and whether he does any little things or not. Most informative in the little things would be his screen-setting, of course.

But the Basketball Reference numbers make it look like he's Powell, able to do everything Powell does well, and some of it even better, but with much better defense and rebounding skill too.

https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_find...?request=1&sum=0&player_id1=poweldw01&p1yrfrom=2023&player_id2=gaffoda01&p2yrfrom=2023

Well, I'll say this: Clearly, Kidd/Cuban/Harrison want to see something from the center position that Powell wasn't giving them, because even after acquiring Wood they tried to push Powell completely out of the picture with McGee. 

I'm not saying Powell is the key to the Mavs' future, by any means, but my thinking is still very close to what it was over the summer. You put Wood (in the best case, hopeful scenario) next to Luka as a two-man game tandem that's as lethal as any in the league. Wood has the ability to defend the paint better than Powell, rebound better than Powell (he's already demonstrated both) and in time, I believe he can learn to play off of Luka as well as Powell, only bringing more on-ball skill to the table. I don't know if he'll ever be the dependable switch defender Powell is, but I can see it, because he has the athletic tools necessary. 

Then, you play Kleber behind Wood, but have Powell (at a discount) behind HIM to give you options. Some nights will be 5-out nights, custom made for Kleber. Some nights will scream for more screening, more getting into the paint, and you can play Powell, moving Kleber's minutes mostly to the 4. 

To me, this made so much sense when the Wood trade went down. It's an IMPROVEMENT on the style that has worked so well for them in recent years. It addresses some of the weaknesses we've seen in their approach but without trying to reinvent the wheel (from a Mavs' continuity perspective).

There are definitely other ways they can go.