AROUND the NBA: Pat Bev Suspended 4 Games Next Season| PHX Fires Vogel

[DanSchwartzgan]

 
I don't want to put words in your mouth, but I feel like your response to the better-than-expected start is along the lines of "well, that's the cue...this must be the time to go for it, because as we've seen, the plan doesn't always work this well." Is that a fair summation of where you are? If so, I think there's validity to it. 

I ALSO think there's validity to the idea that when something's working this well, even seemingly minor alterations of it (minor from our POV) can throw the magic of it all out of whack.  

Like I said, I think both POV's have validity. It's just a matter of choosing the right direction on a case by case basis, 

You are close.  BTW, sorry I'm not always able to engage more in these conversations.  I'm semi-retired now, but busier than ever and my schedule is very inconsistent.  

I'd say that because they appear to be as good as I thought they'd be, they will probably end up on the line between losing a close second round series and making to the WCF (health permitting).  There appears (to me) to be a hole that needs to be filled.  I'd like to see it filled.  That's how I'd phrase it.

I get the chemistry thing and Brunson was probably missed as much off the court as he was on the court.  But it doesn't follow that one personnel change that harmed chemistry means all future personnel changes are doomed to a similar fate.  So, it is a real concern, but not so overwhelming that a quality front office can't make it work. 

I will say that finding the right deal is kind of difficult.  Some of what we've talked about in recent days (more theoretical than specific players):

1. If the target is a center (like when we pursued Naz), he can't be too good or too expensive.  Lively is the starter now and in the future.  I get that, but he's vulnerable to foul trouble and I hate to put a series on the back of Holmes/Maxi/Powell.  I actually like the Hartenstein idea, but that is probably a summer deal and we don't have a path to the MLE right now.
  
2. When I brought up some centers earlier, people told me we need a PF over a center.  But no one seems to really like any of the choices (even all-NBA guys get a thumbs down from some).  If I understand right, what I'm hearing is don't spend assets here because GWill is good and OMax is coming.  Personally I think either could play next to a J. Grant or Siakam type and the other one back up both spots, but that's me.

3. Some designate this need as a big wing rather than a PF.  The nuance is somewhat lost on me as GWill, DJJ and OMax are all probably best at guarding big wings.  Is this really the spot of greatest need?  OG is the poster child here, but I don't think we play that game until the summer (if then), so he's not really on my radar for an in-season trade.

The topic of Exum and his EB status a season from now came up earlier today.  EB maxes out at the average salary and that is very close to an MLE deal (but doesn't require you have the MLE available).  So, in the summer of 25, we should be able to offer him a nice multi-year deal.  The tricky one is DJJ.  Without a deal of some kind that lowers projected salary by about $12mm, we project to be around $5.25mm as our top offer.  We could do a two year with a PO and he could do an EB signing in 2025.  It may end up that the hole that needs to be filled (now or in the summer) is some kind of trade for his spot.  Of course, if Exum pans out at starter level and GWill is as good as you think he'll be, we may have our 4th and 5th starters already.  Even without DJJ, we still have Green, THJ and OMax off the bench (and some something from among Maxi/Holmes/Powell at center).