NBA Trade Thread #12

[Infinity2152]

Portland's not just moving a pick to move Ayton. Yes, they're getting two smaller expirings that would be easier to trade. The main get is their 2026 pick, which could convey to us as high as 15, and the ability to trade future picks. They have no ability to trade future picks as long as we hold that. It's been like that for them for years now.

Even if the pick doesn't convey next year, they would still be unable to trade picks without making a deal with us. Given the fact that pretty much every team trades first round picks, that's pretty important. Teams are sending 4 and 5 at a time.

AK would quit if he couldn't trade a first for 4 straight years, lmao!

[Infinity2152]

Just a note: Green could still end up coming to us in that Rockets/Suns trade. There are two weeks before that deal is finalized and it's speculated other teams could still be included. Green has a 10% trade kicker, so he might cost $3.3 more than his listed salary. Or we could send Pat Will for Dillon Brooks. Suns save about $3 mill next year and get closer to that 2nd apron, get a younger 3/4 instead of a 2/3 with a guard loaded team. For us, Brooks contract is just under $20 mill in 2026, then expires. He'd be way more useful than Pat.

Would rather trade White for Jabari Smith and a pick, though. Rockets have KD at PF now and lost their starting SG who's very similar to White, White's more ready to win now.

[patryk7754]

As far as fixing our center issue, I think there are two trade targets that won't cost significant money AND assets. Naz Reid would be both so it may be better to focus on other centers. The two I have in mind are Kel'el Ware and Dainel Gafford.

Trade options for Ware

Opition 1: Ayo (or whoever the heat would want not named Matas) 12th pick for Ware and 20th pick


This first one would be the ideal option because it would cost us the least. Ware's second half was really good last season and he played very well next to Ayo. This option may not be enough, but it would be my initial offer.

Option 2: PLayer of heats' choice (other than matas) 12th pick, 2027 1st (ideally protected) for Ware and 20th

Trade options for Gafford

Option 1: one of Ayo, Lonzo or White for gafford

I would prefer them to take Ayo, as i believe Lonzo would be more valuable to us for winning (which i assume is the goal) and white would be better used for another potential trade.


Option 2: Pat Williams and 2nds (from bulls) and protected 1st from Mavs to the Jazz
Sexton and Jalen Smith to the Mavs
Gafford to the Bulls

I think this option is obiviously more valuable to us becase we off-load one of the worst contracts in the nba and fill a need at Center. The trade would be dependent on the Jazz valuing a bunch of seconds and a protected 1st so much they are willing to take on Williams. Maybe unlikely, but bad teams who need to fillout rosters need to aquire players somehow, so you might as well get picks at the same time. I think its a good deal for the mavs because they get a defensive PG who can create his own shot to hold down the fort for Kyrie and a defensive big who can shoot on top of that. I'd say that's worth a protected 1st and a center you're getting rid of anyway.

[dpucane]

As far as fixing our center issue, I think there are two trade targets that won't cost significant money AND assets. Naz Reid would be both so it may be better to focus on other centers. The two I have in mind are Kel'el Ware and Dainel Gafford.

Trade options for Ware

Opition 1: Ayo (or whoever the heat would want not named Matas) 12th pick for Ware and 20th pick


This first one would be the ideal option because it would cost us the least. Ware's second half was really good last season and he played very well next to Ayo. This option may not be enough, but it would be my initial offer.

Option 2: PLayer of heats' choice (other than matas) 12th pick, 2027 1st (ideally protected) for Ware and 20th

Trade options for Gafford

Option 1: one of Ayo, Lonzo or White for gafford

I would prefer them to take Ayo, as i believe Lonzo would be more valuable to us for winning (which i assume is the goal) and white would be better used for another potential trade.


Option 2: Pat Williams and 2nds (from bulls) and protected 1st from Mavs to the Jazz
Sexton and Jalen Smith to the Mavs
Gafford to the Bulls

I think this option is obiviously more valuable to us becase we off-load one of the worst contracts in the nba and fill a need at Center. The trade would be dependent on the Jazz valuing a bunch of seconds and a protected 1st so much they are willing to take on Williams. Maybe unlikely, but bad teams who need to fillout rosters need to aquire players somehow, so you might as well get picks at the same time. I think its a good deal for the mavs because they get a defensive PG who can create his own shot to hold down the fort for Kyrie and a defensive big who can shoot on top of that. I'd say that's worth a protected 1st and a center you're getting rid of anyway.

They wouldn't trade Ware for KD, they are not moving him for Ayo. He's thought of as a budding star now.

Trading one of your only assets for Gafford is an aggressively lateral move.

The goal for the Bulls right now should be taking swings on guys who will matter in June, not filling "needs". They need better players. Not a center.

[patryk7754]

As far as fixing our center issue, I think there are two trade targets that won't cost significant money AND assets. Naz Reid would be both so it may be better to focus on other centers. The two I have in mind are Kel'el Ware and Dainel Gafford.

Trade options for Ware

Opition 1: Ayo (or whoever the heat would want not named Matas) 12th pick for Ware and 20th pick


This first one would be the ideal option because it would cost us the least. Ware's second half was really good last season and he played very well next to Ayo. This option may not be enough, but it would be my initial offer.

Option 2: PLayer of heats' choice (other than matas) 12th pick, 2027 1st (ideally protected) for Ware and 20th

Trade options for Gafford

Option 1: one of Ayo, Lonzo or White for gafford

I would prefer them to take Ayo, as i believe Lonzo would be more valuable to us for winning (which i assume is the goal) and white would be better used for another potential trade.


Option 2: Pat Williams and 2nds (from bulls) and protected 1st from Mavs to the Jazz
Sexton and Jalen Smith to the Mavs
Gafford to the Bulls

I think this option is obiviously more valuable to us becase we off-load one of the worst contracts in the nba and fill a need at Center. The trade would be dependent on the Jazz valuing a bunch of seconds and a protected 1st so much they are willing to take on Williams. Maybe unlikely, but bad teams who need to fillout rosters need to aquire players somehow, so you might as well get picks at the same time. I think its a good deal for the mavs because they get a defensive PG who can create his own shot to hold down the fort for Kyrie and a defensive big who can shoot on top of that. I'd say that's worth a protected 1st and a center you're getting rid of anyway.

They wouldn't trade Ware for KD, they are not moving him for Ayo. He's thought of as a budding star now.

Trading one of your only assets for Gafford is an aggressively lateral move.

The goal for the Bulls right now should be taking swings on guys who will matter in June, not filling "needs". They need better players. Not a center.

I saw that ware was "unattainable" but I wasn't sure if it was from a legit source so i still threw the idea out there. What asset are we giving up for Gafford? Ayo or white, or Lonzo? An elite rim protector who can rebound at a high level and run the floor would definitely matter in June. Maybe not as much as Giannis or someone, but trading for Gafford doesn't restrict us from still pursuing that type of trade.

They need better players AND a center. Why not kill two birds with one stone? sounds to me like you want to do what the Suns did, which would be a major mistake

[patryk7754]

I think our best option for a star is Devin Booker. Obviously, if someone like Giannis and Jokic becomes available, those are better options, but it doesn't seem like they're going anywhere. I think a lot of people forgot how great Booker was before the Suns ruined their roster. He's an elite offensive scorer and a very good defender. I think any combo of players not named matas or giddey plus the going rate of picks is definitely worth it. Giddey/Booker/Matas is an excellet core but the key to success would be supplemental moves following the acquisition of Booker. Trading for a center like gafford or signing capela would be a big move.

Ideally, the best option would to build the team organically like the thunder or pacers, but we dont have a GM who can do that. I am no longer interested in being in "rebuild mode". Booker took a team to the finals in the west. I think he'd be able to take us to the second round.

[sco]

I think our best option for a star is Devin Booker. Obviously, if someone like Giannis and Jokic becomes available, those are better options, but it doesn't seem like they're going anywhere. I think a lot of people forgot how great Booker was before the Suns ruined their roster. He's an elite offensive scorer and a very good defender. I think any combo of players not named matas or giddey plus the going rate of picks is definitely worth it. Giddey/Booker/Matas is an excellet core but the key to success would be supplemental moves following the acquisition of Booker. Trading for a center like gafford or signing capela would be a big move.

Ideally, the best option would to build the team organically like the thunder or pacers, but we dont have a GM who can do that. I am no longer interested in being in "rebuild mode". Booker took a team to the finals in the west. I think he'd be able to take us to the second round.

PHO sounds like they wouldn't trade him, but I'd still take a swing. Problem is that PHO wouldn't want Coby, but if somehow we could turn Coby into 2 picks and add 12 and Por 1st to it (plus filler), maybe they consider it.

I've long complained that we don't have a legit #1. Booker may be our best shot at a guy who could play that role and isn't the defensive liability that Coby is.

[patryk7754]

White, Williams, Ayo, Terry, 4/5 1sts, 2nd(s) to the Suns for Booker (maybe add a third team to take Ayo or Terry)

Sign and trade Vuc for Kuminga

Trade Jalen Smith for Kelly Oubre Jr.

Sign Capela and Hardaway Jr (maybe somone like Beasley, NAW or Kennard if we could still afford them)


Giddey/Lonzo
Booker/Hardaway jr
Hurter/Oubre
Matas/Kuminga
Capela/Collins

[patryk7754]

I think our best option for a star is Devin Booker. Obviously, if someone like Giannis and Jokic becomes available, those are better options, but it doesn't seem like they're going anywhere. I think a lot of people forgot how great Booker was before the Suns ruined their roster. He's an elite offensive scorer and a very good defender. I think any combo of players not named matas or giddey plus the going rate of picks is definitely worth it. Giddey/Booker/Matas is an excellet core but the key to success would be supplemental moves following the acquisition of Booker. Trading for a center like gafford or signing capela would be a big move.

Ideally, the best option would to build the team organically like the thunder or pacers, but we dont have a GM who can do that. I am no longer interested in being in "rebuild mode". Booker took a team to the finals in the west. I think he'd be able to take us to the second round.

PHO sounds like they wouldn't trade him, but I'd still take a swing. Problem is that PHO wouldn't want Coby, but if somehow we could turn Coby into 2 picks and add 12 and Por 1st to it (plus filler), maybe they consider it.

I've long complained that we don't have a legit #1. Booker may be our best shot at a guy who could play that role and isn't the defensive liability that Coby is.

Yea, who knows what the plan around booker is. Doesn't look like they want to trade him but if he wasn't on the team, they'd have a bottom five roster in the nba.

Im not sure they wouldn't want White. If you can squint your eyes, White and Green would be a good backcourt for running an extremely fast-paced offense. So they'd be at least just a tiny bit entertaining while tanking for next year's first. But regardless of how it happens, the goal would be to flip white into the aquisiton of booker (or any star)

[dpucane]

White, Williams, Ayo, Terry, 4/5 1sts, 2nd(s) to the Suns for Booker (maybe add a third team to take Ayo or Terry)

Sign and trade Vuc for Kuminga

Trade Jalen Smith for Kelly Oubre Jr.

Sign Capela and Hardaway Jr (maybe somone like Beasley, NAW or Kennard if we could still afford them)


Giddey/Lonzo
Booker/Hardaway jr
Hurter/Oubre
Matas/Kuminga
Capela/Collins

I am not a fan of mortgaging the next decade for this roster, which might win 48 games,

[dpucane]

As far as fixing our center issue, I think there are two trade targets that won't cost significant money AND assets. Naz Reid would be both so it may be better to focus on other centers. The two I have in mind are Kel'el Ware and Dainel Gafford.

Trade options for Ware

Opition 1: Ayo (or whoever the heat would want not named Matas) 12th pick for Ware and 20th pick


This first one would be the ideal option because it would cost us the least. Ware's second half was really good last season and he played very well next to Ayo. This option may not be enough, but it would be my initial offer.

Option 2: PLayer of heats' choice (other than matas) 12th pick, 2027 1st (ideally protected) for Ware and 20th

Trade options for Gafford

Option 1: one of Ayo, Lonzo or White for gafford

I would prefer them to take Ayo, as i believe Lonzo would be more valuable to us for winning (which i assume is the goal) and white would be better used for another potential trade.


Option 2: Pat Williams and 2nds (from bulls) and protected 1st from Mavs to the Jazz
Sexton and Jalen Smith to the Mavs
Gafford to the Bulls

I think this option is obiviously more valuable to us becase we off-load one of the worst contracts in the nba and fill a need at Center. The trade would be dependent on the Jazz valuing a bunch of seconds and a protected 1st so much they are willing to take on Williams. Maybe unlikely, but bad teams who need to fillout rosters need to aquire players somehow, so you might as well get picks at the same time. I think its a good deal for the mavs because they get a defensive PG who can create his own shot to hold down the fort for Kyrie and a defensive big who can shoot on top of that. I'd say that's worth a protected 1st and a center you're getting rid of anyway.

They wouldn't trade Ware for KD, they are not moving him for Ayo. He's thought of as a budding star now.

Trading one of your only assets for Gafford is an aggressively lateral move.

The goal for the Bulls right now should be taking swings on guys who will matter in June, not filling "needs". They need better players. Not a center.

I saw that ware was "unattainable" but I wasn't sure if it was from a legit source so i still threw the idea out there. What asset are we giving up for Gafford? Ayo or white, or Lonzo? An elite rim protector who can rebound at a high level and run the floor would definitely matter in June. Maybe not as much as Giannis or someone, but trading for Gafford doesn't restrict us from still pursuing that type of trade.

They need better players AND a center. Why not kill two birds with one stone? sounds to me like you want to do what the Suns did, which would be a major mistake

I want to do the opposite of what the Suns did, which is staying young and cheap and ready to take on bad contracts for picks.

Gafford is a good player who does not significantly move your ceiling. He's a fine player who moves you further towards the middle next year, and then you have to overpay him next summer. So when they're possibly in a position to get closer to a real team next summer, they either limit themselves by paying a rim running center who gets played off the court in some series because he can't shoot, or they let him walk and they wasted one of their best assets for a few more wins in a season that doesn't matter and that has 3 superstars in the draft. It's subtraction by addition IMO. Just drives them deeper into hell.

[Infinity2152]

He said trade one of Lonzo, Ayo, or White for Gafford. Ayo and White are expiring just like Gafford. They would have to be resigned just like Gafford. White is more likely to be overpaid as a scorer than Gafford as an older defensive center. Assuming a Vucevic trade, which they have clearly said they're looking for, Gafford could easily provide more value per dollar, especially in 2026 when Coby could get upwards of $35-$40 mill.

We have 10 guards, trading one of them in a lateral move for a center is not a bad move. It's just adjusting your roster. Gafford's only 26, he fits our timeline and could be a long term piece. Ball is 27, White is 25, and Ayo is 25. If you're going to talk about overpaying him, you have to assume you overpay whoever else too. Would want more for Coby, but we could probably work out a deal. We're likely to get another guard/forward in any Vucevic trade anyway.

Who's expecting to get a player that is so good he clearly moves your ceiling even before the season starts, and all you're sending out is Ball, Ayo, or Coby? That's some high expectations for the value you're sending out.

[dpucane]

He said trade one of Lonzo, Ayo, or White for Gafford. Ayo and White are expiring just like Gafford. They would have to be resigned just like Gafford. White is more likely to be overpaid as a scorer than Gafford as an older defensive center. Assuming a Vucevic trade, which they have clearly said they're looking for, Gafford could easily provide more value per dollar, especially in 2026 when Coby could get upwards of $35-$40 mill.

We have 10 guards, trading one of them in a lateral move for a center is not a bad move. It's just adjusting your roster. Gafford's only 26, he fits our timeline and could be a long term piece. Ball is 27, White is 25, and Ayo is 25. If you're going to talk about overpaying him, you have to assume you overpay whoever else too. Would want more for Coby, but we could probably work out a deal. We're likely to get another guard/forward in any Vucevic trade anyway.

Who's expecting to get a player that is so good he clearly moves your ceiling even before the season starts, and all you're sending out is Ball, Ayo, or Coby? That's some high expectations for the value you're sending out.

You trade them for picks, not expiring middling players. Their only chance right now is draft luck. They need to buy lottery tickets or build an asset base to prep for a start move. Gafford on his next deal is not going to be meaningful in a trade for a real dude.

And trading White especially for Gafford would be a massive L. Worse value than the Caruso trade. Not to mention they could have gotten a first for Lonzo at the deadline (yes it was totally worth taking on the Smart contract)

[Infinity2152]

He said trade one of Lonzo, Ayo, or White for Gafford. Ayo and White are expiring just like Gafford. They would have to be resigned just like Gafford. White is more likely to be overpaid as a scorer than Gafford as an older defensive center. Assuming a Vucevic trade, which they have clearly said they're looking for, Gafford could easily provide more value per dollar, especially in 2026 when Coby could get upwards of $35-$40 mill.

We have 10 guards, trading one of them in a lateral move for a center is not a bad move. It's just adjusting your roster. Gafford's only 26, he fits our timeline and could be a long term piece. Ball is 27, White is 25, and Ayo is 25. If you're going to talk about overpaying him, you have to assume you overpay whoever else too. Would want more for Coby, but we could probably work out a deal. We're likely to get another guard/forward in any Vucevic trade anyway.

Who's expecting to get a player that is so good he clearly moves your ceiling even before the season starts, and all you're sending out is Ball, Ayo, or Coby? That's some high expectations for the value you're sending out.

You trade them for picks, not expiring middling players. Their only chance right now is draft luck. They need to buy lottery tickets or build an asset base to prep for a start move. Gafford on his next deal is not going to be meaningful in a trade for a real dude.

And trading White especially for Gafford would be a massive L. Worse value than the Caruso trade. Not to mention they could have gotten a first for Lonzo at the deadline (yes it was totally worth taking on the Smart contract)

Picks are not the Holy Grail. Picks do not play basketball. They are not better than good players. Gafford's PER last year was 24.7. Do you know how outstanding that is? You're trying to get draft picks so you can hopefully get a guy who puts up a 24.7 PER. PER the year before was 25. A player with a 24.7 PER, per 36 of 21 pts, 11.3 rbs, 3 blocks, 72% TS at 25 is not a middling player because he doesn't shoot threes, lmao!

There's no world where you're likely to get a player with those numbers in whatever random draft pick you get for Lonzo. Not like what Lonzo could have gotten at the deadline has a thing to do with what his value is now, that guy is likely not better than Gafford, just younger. Do you know how lucky we'd have to be to draft a center with a 25 PER in back to back years by 25? You're talking about a non-lottery pick? Really?

Worse than the Caruso trade? Where we got a 22 yr old triple-double starter who will probably be on this team 5 years for a 29 yr old expiring bench player? Who's been injured a good chunk of the time he was here? Guess we should have re-signed Caruso to $20 mill instead, like we should sign Coby to $40 mill. Rather than trade him for Gafford who we probably re-sign around between $20-$30 mill and a draft pick. I clearly said if it was for White we would need more. If you think Ball and Ayo are extremely valuable trade assets, don't know what to tell you.

[Guru]

Would you have doe the Desmond Bane trade.

[Infinity2152]

Would you have doe the Desmond Bane trade.

Not for that amount. We're not where the Magic are. Think there should be some balance between incrementally improving the team and taking longshots. The constant improvements are far more controllable. Not saying we should always sacrifice picks for right now, but we have all our picks. People are just thirsty to add more picks for picks sake, not like we'll be drafting 3 players a year. They're good trade pieces, but good players are better. They get you multiple picks in trade, usually at least one first.

I mean, no #1 or #2 pick drafted in the last 20 years has led their team to a championship, I don't think. That's the best 2 picks for the last 20 years. Only a 14% chance for the worst team to get pick #1. Trying to pick which spot a franchise player comes out of college and maneuvering to get a high enough spot in a lottery draft is a super longshot. You just need to have a pick. The higher the better, of course, but's getting more picks is not the secret recipe to winning championships. It helps. Trading for young players like SGA or Haliburton or Zion or Donovan Mitchell or Jalen Brunson or Bane or even say RJ Barrett has a better chance of success. At least you know this player is good-great at an NBA level, with potential to get better. But you know the floor.

You need movable mid-range pieces on good contracts to do those deals usually, not just picks. Or a TON of picks, like 4-5 firsts, which nobody would want to give up anyway. Should see the Thunder's twitter page after they traded PG13. Both Clippers and Thunder fans were pissed, there was a campaign to fire Presti. SGA coming in that trade saved the day. Never really know how a move works out till years later, and teams are on different timeframes. We have two good-great young players and hopefully get a third this draft, we're not starting a rebuild.

They may have required less picks from us in a Bane trade. Would argue KCP and Cole Anthony have negative value by contract, and would cost picks to move, and I think 3 of those picks are expected to be late picks. And Coby's more valuable than any player they got in the deal. Would have offered Coby, Vucevic and one first. Coby's worth two firsts and no negative contracts. Two firsts would be the max, and one would be protected. Then trade Portland back their first, for 4 seconds if I couldn't work a way to get their pick this year, recoup some of the draft assets.

[Dez]

Using PER for Gafford is misleading, his offensive production literally came from Luka and Kyrie.

Also Per36 numbers are meaningless.

He's a defender and lob threat, nothing more.

[Infinity2152]

Using PER for Gafford is misleading, his offensive production literally came from Luka and Kyrie.

Also Per36 numbers are meaningless.

He's a defender and lob threat, nothing more.

He's a great defender and great lob threat, there are levels to it. Use almost any metric you want and Gafford still comes out as an above average center. Not all centers are athletic rim runners, his offense came from being that. If he moved like Vucevic, he doesn't get those alley-oops. Which metrics do you want to use? His offense could "come" from Giddey/Coby.

You want to skip per36, it's meaningless. Even if the plan would be to start him and there's no Lively here? After a Vucevic trade and Collins is traded/expired? Fine. In 21 minutes/gm, he averaged 12pts, 7 rbs and 2 blocks on 72% TS, VORP 1.8, BPM 3.8, OBPM 2.7, pretty effective on offense with a passing PG. WS 5.9, Offensive win shares 4.4, Block rate 7%. Which of those numbers look average, in however many minutes?

He was up to 27 minutes in Washington, he could do 30+ here. If you do't want to use math to calculate what he would do in extended minutes, just imagine it. Nobody's talking about trading for him to play 21 minutes.

[Dez]

Using PER for Gafford is misleading, his offensive production literally came from Luka and Kyrie.

Also Per36 numbers are meaningless.

He's a defender and lob threat, nothing more.

He's a great defender and great lob threat, there are levels to it. Use almost any metric you want and Gafford still comes out as an above average center. Not all centers are athletic rim runners, his offense came from being that. If he moved like Vucevic, he doesn't get those alley-oops. Which metrics do you want to use? His offense could "come" from Giddey/Coby.

You want to skip per36, it's meaningless. Even if the plan would be to start him and there's no Lively here? After a Vucevic trade and Collins is traded/expired? Fine. In 21 minutes/gm, he averaged 12pts, 7 rbs and 2 blocks on 72% TS, shooting no threes, VORP 1.8, BPM 3.8, OBPM 2.7, pretty effective on offense with a passing PG. WS 5.9, Offensive win shares 4.4, Block rate 7%. Which of those numbers look average, in however many minutes?

I'm not debating whether or not he's good, I'm simply pointing out that his entire offensive game is based around getting thrown lobs. He's only going to get whatever his PG creates for him, he doesn't possess the offensive skill to create his own offense.

[Infinity2152]

Using PER for Gafford is misleading, his offensive production literally came from Luka and Kyrie.

Also Per36 numbers are meaningless.

He's a defender and lob threat, nothing more.

He's a great defender and great lob threat, there are levels to it. Use almost any metric you want and Gafford still comes out as an above average center. Not all centers are athletic rim runners, his offense came from being that. If he moved like Vucevic, he doesn't get those alley-oops. Which metrics do you want to use? His offense could "come" from Giddey/Coby.

You want to skip per36, it's meaningless. Even if the plan would be to start him and there's no Lively here? After a Vucevic trade and Collins is traded/expired? Fine. In 21 minutes/gm, he averaged 12pts, 7 rbs and 2 blocks on 72% TS, shooting no threes, VORP 1.8, BPM 3.8, OBPM 2.7, pretty effective on offense with a passing PG. WS 5.9, Offensive win shares 4.4, Block rate 7%. Which of those numbers look average, in however many minutes?

I'm not debating whether or not he's good, I'm simply pointing out that his entire offensive game is based around getting thrown lobs. He's only going to get whatever his PG creates for him, he doesn't possess the offensive skill to create his own offense.

We've been dying for a center who could catch lobs. Giddey has nobody but Matas to throw them too. I'd kill for a really athletic big. We've had the good three point shooting, good passing, bad defense, non-athletic guy for years. Everybody wants him gone. You're not likely to get Wemby, three point shooting, good defensive, rim protecting, athletic guy who's fast and going to catch alley-oops. There's only one of him, though Myles Turner does most of that without the alley oops. He's probably not available. Neither is Embid. Damn near everybody on the team is average-above average shooter already. Dallas traded for him because he's one of the league's best shot blockers.

Pick your poison, especially with what we're willing to spend to upgrade. Or just keep Vucevic, would that make you happier? Maybe we re-sign him again, we'd have an offensively skilled big man who does more than catch lobs. Or just draft Derrick Queen, if he's available. You're not adding Gafford for his offense anyway, any more than you would Caruso. Myles Turner shot 6 for 28 from three in the Finals. Would have rather had the center that wasn't taking those shots.

He averaged roughly the same per minute stats offensively in Washington. Kyrie and Luka did not make him. His numbers his first year in Washington are almost identical to last seasons numbers. The best player on that team was Bradley Beal. Next you had 32 yr old Westbrook. Not exactly Luka/Kyrie..