01-12-2024, 12:44 AM
(01-12-2024, 12:24 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: As we think through all of these PF targets, I think we are overlooking one that makes a ton of sense...mainly because we don't think of him as a PF. But, WCJr. played a good bit of PF last season. Four of his five most used lineups had him at PF and he dominated his direct opponent. The team's D was fantastic when he was in last season and horrible when he wasn't (Kind of like Lively for us this season). He's a strong defensive rebounder. He's an excellent passer (will be yet another player who excels in the short roll when Luka is doubled) and he's hitting his 3's (and the shot looks really good). He's got a 7' 4" wingspan and good footspeed to execute multiple types of defensive schemes at the 4 or the 5.
So, what happened and why does Stein say he's on the block? Mainly injuries and the emergence of Goga. This season WCJ started the first 5 games and then missed the next 20 with a broken finger. He started the next five, missed a game, came off the bench a few and has missed the last several games with knee tendinitis. He misses substantial games each season with injuries, so that's a thing. But, when he's in, he fits Nico's description of Force and Rebounding very well and I think could be a real difference maker in the playoffs (if healthy). He's on a declining contract and if THJ was the outgoing, would represent $4mm of savings off of next year's number (which helps with DJJ). We talk about a younger, better, healthier Maxi. This is him (well, two out of three).
I have him in same category as Stewart. If we can get 10 minute of PF from him than he is worth it. He is not terrible from 3