MAVS NEWS: Luka Wins Community Cares Award! | DLive's Mom Passes Away| Maxi OUT

[DanSchwartzgan]

The Kyrie presser today was really interesting in the sense of him saying he had worked with the front office a little bit this offseason but the most interesting part was him hinting at upcoming free agents...He has a history of recruiting stars that would make Chandler Parsons blush.

Also interesting that he also mentioned Seth running the second unit.  I really am starting to get a bad feeling for those who want to see Hardy get big minutes this season.

I'd highly recommend listening to his media session.  Well worth the 20 minute investment.  It was so refreshing to hear an athlete being so real and not just giving well coached robotic answers.  I can see why teammates seem to love him.  

On the recruiting front, Claxton certainly comes to mind.  Kyrie was in Boston when Robert Williams was a rookie.  I could see something with either of them.  Expiring Holmes plus a pick as a S&T for Claxton this summer (he's unrestricted).  Or something where Dallas gets in the middle of a Jrue to Boston deal as Williams isn't someone Portland would value.  You could to Holmes + 2027 which adds a pick to Portland's haul for Dame.   I'm envisioning Williams and Lively splitting the 48 minutes as neither is probably able to handle a full 30+ minute load.

It makes sense to me that it is Curry's job to lose 'leading' the second unit.  He played a 20 minute a game role in the league last season with some of those being minutes he played as the only PG (thought not many).  The question as relates to him is whether it stays that way all season.  Exum and Hardy will both be nipping at his heels and when Curry suffers his inevitable injury, he may not get his spot back.

As I've thought about and listened to the thoughts of others I don't see both Rookies starting.  I love OMax, but his best position is probably not guarding smaller point of attack guards (and neither is GWill's).  Josh is the better candidate there.  I also think OMax will get a better opportunity to develop his offensive game off the bench. He showed some impressive moves to the basket this summer that I'd like to see developed. Lively getting the "Dwight Role" with the starters until he's ready for expanded minutes makes more sense to me.  So, my best guess is:

Starters - Two scoring savants, three plus defenders and fantastic outside shooting
Lively
Williams
Luka
Green
Irving

Bench - Two plus defenders (OMax/Maxi), vertical gravity (Powell) and good outside shooting
Powell
Maxi
OMax
THJ
Curry

I reserve the right to change my mind once I see the preseason games.  One thing I think they did very well is set up the third unit in such a way as they can handle injuries well.  Holmes, Morris, DJJ, Hardy and Exum can fill in well as needed in very defined roles.