I think it's more complicated than that but firstly I think anyone not starting Gawn is doing so because they assume he will at least fall back to his scoring level before the shortened quarters (125-130 range) which would see him drop below 650k before too long. 200-250k is not a stretch for a simple upgrade/downgrade if you plan for it properly.
The complication is factoring in the trades saved by avoiding overpriced players. If you successfully squeeze in an extra premo by focusing on the ones who represent better value then you have one less upgrade to do and are ahead on trades.
My calculator must not be working properly as I am struggling to workout how you get a $ 400k Preuss to a $ 650k Gawn by a simple one down/one up.
Still think you need 2 down to get 1 up.
Rather start Heppell at a similar price and then go a 1 down/1up when he is $ 400k to a fallen premium mid $ 525 k.
Perhaps my brain is fried and my thinking is all wrong.
I guess having used 14-16 trades on my rucks last season I don't really want to go down that path again if I don't have too.
My initial draft side (using the Top 10 draft picks as fillers) has me 3-4-Gawn/Grundy which I am comfortable with , once the rookie shuffle begins I think I can squeeze in a $ 350k mid at M5 and possible one of those "value" pick forwards at F4.
Maybe Preuss becomes a 110+ player and could end up being close enough to the top 2 Rucks for the season.