The Washington Wizards will have an important decision to make: which big man should start at center? Daniel Gafford or Marvin Bagley III? Gafford has been a member of the Wizards since 2021 and recently returned from concussion protocol (missed two games) against the Denver Nuggets. Bagley, who recently came to Washington via a trade from the Detroit Pistons, has shown flashes of being a solid starter for Washington throughout his four games for D.C. So, who should be the starting big man in Washington?
Who Should Start for the Wizards, Bagley III or Gafford?
The Case for Gafford
On the year, Gafford averages 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds on 69.2% shooting from the field. He returned to the starting lineup against Denver this past Sunday, posting a stat line of 15 points and seven rebounds and shot 70% from the field. The former Chicago Bull couldn’t contain two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic (42 points, 12 rebounds), but who can?
While Gafford was in concussion protocol, Washington made a trade with Detroit that sent Bagley to D.C. In Gafford’s absence, Bagley III has shown flashes of being a solid starter for Washington, but does that mean Gafford should lose his starting spot? Former Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. didn’t think so since Gafford started his first game back against Denver.
Gafford also added two assists, two steals and a block in his return game. The former Arkansas Razorback looked formidable in his return. So, even though he missed two recent games, should that warrant a benching and fewer minutes?
On Wednesday night, Gafford started in the 118-107 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He had 10 points, four rebounds, and shot 5/5 from the field. He was efficient and also added two blocks in the affair.
Bagley was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2018 NBA draft. Thus far, it’s fair to say that he hasn’t lived up to his draft status. Bagley’s inconsistency has been the story of his career thus far, so even though he is playing well now, will it continue?
The Case for Bagley
Bagley has played four games for the Wizards thus far. Throughout those games, Bagley averaged 18 points, 11.3 rebounds, and shot 57.7% from the field. He can put the ball on the floor to create a shot, but Gafford struggles in that front. Throughout his tenure thus far in D.C., Bagley III has shown to be a solid interior and team defender.
The former Piston brings fresh energy, which the Wizards (7-36) desperately needed. Currently, Washington ranks last in the league in rebounding (40.2 per game). However, his contribution in the rebounding and scoring departments has aided the Wizards immensely. Bagley’s benefactions have also helped Washington be more competitive (they lost by single digits in three of the last four games with him).
It seemed like Bagley would start when Gafford was made available before the Denver game. After all, he produced impressive performances against the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Gafford played 30 minutes in his return, while Bagley’s minutes were reduced to only 17.
In the two games Bagley started (vs. Knicks and Spurs), the total rebounding margin combining both matchups was a difference of only four (96-92), respectively. The former Duke Blue Devil has shown to be a better rebounder, scorer, and defender than Gafford.
In the loss against Minnesota, Bagley came off the bench and posted 17 points, 15 rebounds (season-high), and shot 87% from the field. So far, Bagley has had a mini career resurgence that should be noted going forward. Bagley played 26 minutes, while Gafford played 21 minutes against Minnesota.
The Last Word on Who Should Start
After watching Bagley’s performances as a starter for Washington, he brings more to the table than Gafford. Bagley can not only score from outside the paint (which spaces the floor), but he is also a strong presence down low when defenders attack the rim. Bagley’s impact affects both ends of the court for Washington positively.
The Knicks, Mavericks and Rockets are expressing trade interest in Daniel Gafford, per @MattMooreTAN (https://t.co/Y6mN7RrV0T).
Gafford is averaging 10.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the Wizards this season. pic.twitter.com/VBXAzG5oip
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 21, 2024
As the starting big man for Washington (Gafford) at six-foot-10, averaging only 7.5 rebounds per game is not a recipe for a winning formula. However, perhaps in another environment could Gafford maximize his skills, but Bagley, in such a short period, has proven to be the better starting option for the Wizards.
