01-31-2023, 11:24 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-31-2023, 11:26 AM by DanSchwartzgan.)
(01-31-2023, 09:16 AM)omahen Wrote: It might also tell us a bit about Woods future in Dallas
Agreed. I can see versions of this that include him to Phoenix. I can see versions that include Powell and I can see versions that include a third team’s big. They have to do something in the middle if they send out Ayton. I think the later part has more to do with Phoenix than Dallas. Ownership is changing over and they have to figure out Crowder and Paul and what life looks like building around Booker. A possible FVV deal is probably higher on their priority list than dealing with Ayton.
If you read Iztok’s piece, offensive rebounding a defense are his keys. Ignore the current season and go back and look at Ayton’s ratings defensively the last few years. The ‘second star’ here is going to have to contribute in other ways because there just aren’t going to be enough shots available to do it all on the offensive end. Ayton fits the bill, but isn’t a complete embarrassment at the offensive end. I wish he could impose his will more offensively (a tad soft at this point IMHO). To me, that is the key to him staying on the floor in the playoffs. If the other team can’t afford to take their big off the floor because your big is killing them, then they can’t go small against you.
Cost is a huge question mark. It is one thing to say ‘I like Ayton here’. It is another to figure out value given his high salary compared to most centers. Luka/Green/DFS and Ayton (and presumably Maxi since he can’t be traded currently) would be a really nice core. Is there a path to Ayton that gets him here without giving up any of those guys?