I read your first explanation of the Gafford deal and was commenting on that. I know now we gave up a first rounder next year and in ‘27 for these two guys. The pick this year should be a bottom 5-7. Who knows in ‘27.
We’re getting a more advanced Lively in Gafford, and we sorely need him with Lively injuries. We’re getting a 3rd/4th scoring option with PJ. I expect him to pretty quickly start at the 4. Gafford could start as well if Lively is down, and if he’s healthy, we get a guy that’ll be in a shortened playoff rotation at worst. If you told me we got two possible starters, both 25 that both help interior D (particularly Gafford who’s more effective than Lively), that bring a combined 24.5 ppg and 13.3 rpg (both in fewer than 29 mpg), I’d part with two first round picks that are sure to be low, and probably non-lottery in ‘27.
I’m not sold on some newfound ability to draft by this franchise yet, and it’s a crapshoot at best even then. Yes, we might miss out on a Josh Howard, but how many of those have we made? I like the Washington deal better because we have an opportunity to get a Brunson quality player next year. It’s sure to be a high second rounder.
Clearly our roster was top heavy and pretty meh in the other starters and rotation guys. We now have significantly upgraded the talent level of the team, addressed significant needs, and gave up nothing, and we are not likely to have given up much after these drafts.