02-24-2024, 09:42 AM
I think the ideal scenario is to turn THJ into a bigger forward who can shoot more consistently than DJJ. That would allow them to keep a life-size SF on the court in the non-Luka minutes as well as provide insurance at PF when Maxi inevitably misses games (or plays as the small ball center).
Of course it's easier said than done to find another player of that type. DFS might work if he has anything left in the tank. It could be difficult to pry him away from Brooklyn though. I wouldn't give more than Phoenix paid for O'Neale, and there's really no reason for the Nets to deal him this offseason if that's the return. They can always get 2nds at the next deadline.
Maybe De'Andre Hunter? He's shooting it extremely well this year. 41.4% overall from 3 and 48.4% on wide open attempts. He's not a guy I've really liked in the past as a starter, but I think he could be effective off the bench. The downside is he's owed 21.7, 23.3, and 24.9m after this season, which is certainly an overpay given the role he would have here. On the other hand, he's only 26 and you could try to obtain him cheaply in a John Collins-like deal. Doing some rough cap math I think you could bring him in and still give new contracts to Exum and Hardy while staying under the 2nd apron.
Of course it's easier said than done to find another player of that type. DFS might work if he has anything left in the tank. It could be difficult to pry him away from Brooklyn though. I wouldn't give more than Phoenix paid for O'Neale, and there's really no reason for the Nets to deal him this offseason if that's the return. They can always get 2nds at the next deadline.
Maybe De'Andre Hunter? He's shooting it extremely well this year. 41.4% overall from 3 and 48.4% on wide open attempts. He's not a guy I've really liked in the past as a starter, but I think he could be effective off the bench. The downside is he's owed 21.7, 23.3, and 24.9m after this season, which is certainly an overpay given the role he would have here. On the other hand, he's only 26 and you could try to obtain him cheaply in a John Collins-like deal. Doing some rough cap math I think you could bring him in and still give new contracts to Exum and Hardy while staying under the 2nd apron.