12-09-2022, 02:29 PM
(12-09-2022, 02:14 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I think there is also reason to question how much usage the 'second star' type is going to get with Luka. I wonder if we'd be better off trying to find a Jarrett Allen type trade instead of the next Donovan Mitchell trade. The former requires giving up a pick in my mind. It also probably blocks the path to a Top 30 type guy anytime soon. It also requires being smart enough to know that the guy you are paying (and will have to pay again soon after acquiring him) is going to fit your scheme and culture.
I'd be in favor of giving up a first now to get that guy, even if he isn't a top 30 type, as long as he's a long term solution and not a 30+ year old rental. The question then is what hole do we most need to fill?
1. People often jump to the need for the third guard (the Dinwiddie replacement assuming you slot Dinwiddie as the Brunson replacement). I'm not overly concerned with this slot long term (and that is what I'm thinking here, not just the rest of the season). We have Hardy waiting in the wings. He can certainly be a second creator (mainly for himself) when one of Luka or SD is sitting (maybe as soon as next season). I'm not calling him a primary ball handler, but he can make the Luka w/o SD and SD w/o Luka minutes work. You also have Green who is now playing that same role. He's starting to get some actions to put the ball in his hands besides just the times he drives against a closeout. Early returns look good. If you believe in Green and Hardy taking some of this role, then the third point guard you is probably in the 11-15 part of the rotation and only costs the TP-MLE or less.
2. People next jump to the need for a 2-way wing. The idea is to upgrade someone from from among DFS, Green, THJ and Bullock.
2-way wings who are good are among the rarest and most highly paid players in the league. Heck, some one-way wings cost a lot. You probably have two of these guys covered moving forward in DFS and Green. The question is how much of an upgrade you'll be able to pull off over and above what THJ provides and at what cost. I'm not sure we need all four of DFS, Green, THJ and Bullock once Hardy works his way into solid rotation minutes. The way I see the Ball handlers and Wings is Ball handlers: Luka/SD/Hardy (not primary, secondary next to a primary). Wings: DFS/Green/THJ. I think SD and THJ are the weaker links, but upgrading either would be SUPER expensive. Is that really our biggest long term hole?
3. I, and the rumor mill, think the big need is a big. I want a starter. I'd probably prioritize mobility over a big plodding rebounder. It would be really nice if they could shoot from deep also (so, a unicorn). I want to keep Wood next year in a super sub role and need someone besides Maxi who can play next to Wood and make Kidd happy (even if it continues to piss off Killer). Imagine what things might look like if we had basically 'another Maxi', but this one was younger and could play a full slate of minutes. Another Maxi (mobile defensive big who can also hit 3's). really opens things up if they are indeed starter level. But like that elusive '2-way Wing Player", this archetype is also hard to come by. So, rounding out the 9 man rotation from what was listed above: Starter in place of Powell/Maxi/Wood. I really like keeping Powell around as a 4th big, but recognize his expiring contract may have to go out in such a deal assuming the other team doesn't want McGee.
I tend to agree with IGT's post above. One and certainly Two top 60 types would probably do us much more good than one top 30 type...especially if you see further development on the horizon for Green and Hardy. The greatest marginal spread over what we currently have probably comes at the C position. Yeah, there are players out there who are better than Dinwiddie and THJ. But the cost for those guys versus the net gain in overall production is a questionable investment. But, I think pretty clearly getting a new Player X at the starting C position would be a big help. We really only have one defender in the starting lineup right now since THJ joined the group. Probably the biggest thing Player X needs to do is make the rest of that lineup work. I feel pretty good about what I think we are going to get from Maxi/Wood/Green with a PG. I'm less confident in Powell/DFS/THJ/Dinwiddie with Luka to start halves unless we can improve upon Powell's D. I get that we could move THJ back to the bench, but for now, he seems to be opening things up for the starters and the combo of him, Wood and Dinwiddie was not working.
So the next question is, who is that center? Can Collins play center on this team? Does Poeltl make sense? Is PJ Washington or Gafford good enough for that role? Who else might be available that is a mobile legit starting center?