Best SF for Gafford

[daoneandonly]

Gaff has been special and a great addition to the team, but may be Mavs best trade chip. Lively is ready for the lion share of minutes.

Provided Dal can use THJ or Green to get a backup 5, what SF can they net for Gafford? Any of the 2nds can be added, and remaining firsts for the right guy.

[hugepatsfan]

When you build your team around 2 really poor defenders like Luka and Kyrie, 48 minutes of strong rim protection is extra important. I agree that the minutes split should move towards Lively, but I’d try to keep Gafford around if possible.

You mention moving Gafford for a SF but then using the salary filler guys to get a new backup 5. I’d just try to attach picks to the salary filler guys and get a SF that way.

[giberish]

I'm not sure Lively will be a huge minute guy by next season. The split time center look is probably for the best.

I'd also think that as wings are generally in demand more than role-playing centers the SF's that would be available are the ones you're not interested in anyways.

[Apz]

When you build your team around 2 really poor defenders like Luka and Kyrie, 48 minutes of strong rim protection is extra important. I agree that the minutes split should move towards Lively, but I’d try to keep Gafford around if possible.

You mention moving Gafford for a SF but then using the salary filler guys to get a new backup 5. I’d just try to attach picks to the salary filler guys and get a SF that way.

If luka and kai counts as really bad defenders after this po, every team outside celtics needs builds around 2 really poor defenders and need 48min rimprotection

[Mavrelous]

I'd be very cautious of rash decisions.
The Mavs looked like a capable contender the entire western PO, teams at the level of the Celtics simply aren't possible in the new CBA environment, it was a fluke being able to get a player of Jrue's calibre in September.
You don't build to beat teams at this level.
I have a 6th man scoring guard at higher level of need than SF, and Gafford Lively pairing has been great.

[daoneandonly]

I'd be very cautious of rash decisions.
The Mavs looked like a capable contender the entire western PO, teams at the level of the Celtics simply aren't possible in the new CBA environment, it was a fluke being able to get a player of Jrue's calibre in September.
You don't build to beat teams at this level.
I have a 6th man scoring guard at higher level of need than SF, and Gafford Lively pairing has been great.

Agree mostly, just thought interesting exercise. And hoping we can find a way to keep DJJ

[R-DAWG]

Agreed that Gafford shouldn’t be the chip. But some combination of Hardaway Jr, Kleber, Powell and the 2025 1st ahould be on the table for a combo forward who can replace Jones Jr and add more offensive punch without sacrificing too much defense.

The candidates here are Jeremi Grant and Kyle Kuzma on the high end. Harrison Barnes and Andrew Wiggins on the low end.

Dallas just didn’t have enough shooting or shot creation off the bench.

[Mavrelous]

I'd be very cautious of rash decisions.
The Mavs looked like a capable contender the entire western PO, teams at the level of the Celtics simply aren't possible in the new CBA environment, it was a fluke being able to get a player of Jrue's calibre in September.
You don't build to beat teams at this level.
I have a 6th man scoring guard at higher level of need than SF, and Gafford Lively pairing has been great.

Agree mostly, just thought interesting exercise. And hoping we can find a way to keep DJJ

I'd explore THJ/Maxi/draft compensation for Wiggins.

[Texas Chuck]

yeah hurt Luka got memed, but healthy Tatum was getting blown by off the dribble all series too. And Dallas didn't ultimately fall short to the best offense of all time because they couldn't defend due to Luka/Kyrie. They lost primarily because they couldn't beat Boston's defense.

I think Dallas can't afford to take Gafford completely off the table as they look to keep improving this team. Of course it would be great to keep him, but this team has other needs and limited assets.

[Godaddycurse]

I wouldn't mind trading Gafford to fill another hole and replacing him with JV in FA. JV gives them a different element on offense for opposing teams to defend and he sets good screens himself and offers the option to pick and pop.

Something like:

Gafford for Joe or Wiggins + 2nds from OKC
JV S&T to Dallas
re-sign DJJ w/ MLE

Lively/JV
Washington/Kleber
DJJ/Green
Irving/Wiggins or Joe
Doncic/Exum

[brackdan70]

I don’t really think they should be looking to move Gafford. He is pretty integral. The Mavs are pretty solid and deep.
The type of SF you could get is like Derrick Jones. Make some moves so you can keep him as first choice.
I hope the Mavs don’t do anything to drastic . This is a good young team.

[daoneandonly]

I don’t really think they should be looking to move Gafford. He is pretty integral. The Mavs are pretty solid and deep.
The type of SF you could get is like Derrick Jones. Make some moves so you can keep him as first choice.
I hope the Mavs don’t do anything to drastic . This is a good young team.

Yea wasn't trying to do knee jerk. I like Gaff a lot and think chemistry is important, but feel Gaff is the best trade chip.

Just respectfully disagree on the young part. Kyrie is 32 and pretty significant piece

[brackdan70]

I don’t really think they should be looking to move Gafford. He is pretty integral. The Mavs are pretty solid and deep.
The type of SF you could get is like Derrick Jones. Make some moves so you can keep him as first choice.
I hope the Mavs don’t do anything to drastic . This is a good young team.

Yea wasn't trying to do knee jerk. I like Gaff a lot and think chemistry is important, but feel Gaff is the best trade chip.

Just respectfully disagree on the young part. Kyrie is 32 and pretty significant piece

Other than Kyrie, they are pretty young. I mean they combine Gaff and other young pieces like Green and Hardy and picks and THJ as filler to try and get a third star type…Ingram level SF. I don’t know if that makes them a lot better. I think Gaff has more value to Mavs than he does trade value.

[daoneandonly]

I don’t really think they should be looking to move Gafford. He is pretty integral. The Mavs are pretty solid and deep.
The type of SF you could get is like Derrick Jones. Make some moves so you can keep him as first choice.
I hope the Mavs don’t do anything to drastic . This is a good young team.

Yea wasn't trying to do knee jerk. I like Gaff a lot and think chemistry is important, but feel Gaff is the best trade chip.

Just respectfully disagree on the young part. Kyrie is 32 and pretty significant piece

Other than Kyrie, they are pretty young. I mean they combine Gaff and other young pieces like Green and Hardy and picks and THJ as filler to try and get a third star type…Ingram level SF. I don’t know if that makes them a lot better. I think Gaff has more value to Mavs than he does trade value.

Yea he's solid. And 48 minutes of solid center play is invaluable.

But West is so stacked. Grizz will be back next year, top3 not going anywhere, Wembyand Rockets rising. I just don't want Dallas to completely run it back or worse yet, invest assets on Kuzma or Wiggins

[JustBuzzin]

Lively and Gafford are untouchable.

Mavs need their rim protection because Kyrie and Luka are cones on defense. They need to get another wing defender.

PJ is pretty much what he is. He was a no show in the Finals. See if you can use him to upgrade the wing defense.

[gswhoops]

I think Dallas can't afford to take Gafford completely off the table as they look to keep improving this team. Of course it would be great to keep him, but this team has other needs and limited assets.

I agree, but ultimately I think that the SF they can get without Gafford plus Gafford is probably better than the SF they can get with Gafford plus whoever they can sign as a backup center.

Gafford is a great role playing C that basically every team could use in some capacity; but I don’t think he’s the difference between, like, Jerami Grant and Mikal Bridges in a trade.

[Texas Chuck]

I think Dallas can't afford to take Gafford completely off the table as they look to keep improving this team. Of course it would be great to keep him, but this team has other needs and limited assets.

I agree, but ultimately I think that the SF they can get without Gafford plus Gafford is probably better than the SF they can get with Gafford plus whoever they can sign as a backup center.

Gafford is a great role playing C that basically every team could use in some capacity; but I don’t think he’s the difference between, like, Jerami Grant and Mikal Bridges in a trade.

Yeah this may well be true. I'm certainly under no illusions that Daniel Gafford holds a ton of trade value. Just trying to keep all options open.

I could really make my fellow Mavs fans mad by saying I'd even consider trading Lively for the right player and just running with Gafford at center. Lively certainly holds more significant trade value. Although again probably not enough to make dealing him the right play.

I just read a bunch of posts where 4-8 guys are untouchable. And the reality for Dallas is that's only Luka. And even then if Denver called with Jokic....

[gswhoops]

I think Dallas can't afford to take Gafford completely off the table as they look to keep improving this team. Of course it would be great to keep him, but this team has other needs and limited assets.

I agree, but ultimately I think that the SF they can get without Gafford plus Gafford is probably better than the SF they can get with Gafford plus whoever they can sign as a backup center.

Gafford is a great role playing C that basically every team could use in some capacity; but I don’t think he’s the difference between, like, Jerami Grant and Mikal Bridges in a trade.

Yeah this may well be true. I'm certainly under no illusions that Daniel Gafford holds a ton of trade value. Just trying to keep all options open.

I could really make my fellow Mavs fans mad by saying I'd even consider trading Lively for the right player and just running with Gafford at center. Lively certainly holds more significant trade value. Although again probably not enough to make dealing him the right play.

I just read a bunch of posts where 4-8 guys are untouchable. And the reality for Dallas is that's only Luka. And even then if Denver called with Jokic....

Oh that is interesting. Lively + salary fillers + pick(s) feels like it could be a package for someone truly a tier above the Grant/Kuzma level.

It's a struggle sometimes when you have good young guys though. I've had similar discussions (both here and IRL) about guys like Kuminga/Podz/TJD. Trying to balance being excited about finding a young guy who hits with realistically appraising their projection as an NBA player and what they might be able to return in a trade while they still have the excitement of "potential" and a cheap rookie deal.

[jayjaysee]

The only trades I really like with Gafford involved are where Dallas adds whatever draft capital the team is willing to trade (definitely 2025 first, seconds, maybe/hopefully the 2031 with light protection) and combines it with whatever Gafford is worth for an actual upgrade on the wings.

I tried playing with who that might be earlier, but have given up.

If it’s just Gafford for a wing, then Dallas can likely use their limited draft capital and keep both centers.

But I do think Lively will be ready for 30mpg next season and Dallas can get by with Maxi/taxMLE-vet mins behind him.

[BeiBeau]

I agree, but ultimately I think that the SF they can get without Gafford plus Gafford is probably better than the SF they can get with Gafford plus whoever they can sign as a backup center.

Gafford is a great role playing C that basically every team could use in some capacity; but I don’t think he’s the difference between, like, Jerami Grant and Mikal Bridges in a trade.

Yeah this may well be true. I'm certainly under no illusions that Daniel Gafford holds a ton of trade value. Just trying to keep all options open.

I could really make my fellow Mavs fans mad by saying I'd even consider trading Lively for the right player and just running with Gafford at center. Lively certainly holds more significant trade value. Although again probably not enough to make dealing him the right play.

I just read a bunch of posts where 4-8 guys are untouchable. And the reality for Dallas is that's only Luka. And even then if Denver called with Jokic....

Oh that is interesting. Lively + salary fillers + pick(s) feels like it could be a package for someone truly a tier above the Grant/Kuzma level.

It's a struggle sometimes when you have good young guys though. I've had similar discussions (both here and IRL) about guys like Kuminga/Podz/TJD. Trying to balance being excited about finding a young guy who hits with realistically appraising their projection as an NBA player and what they might be able to return in a trade while they still have the excitement of "potential" and a cheap rookie deal.

I doubt Lively can return Lauri or Mikal just based on the fact that neither team really needs a center.