Next Steps...Assessing the Team

[saX man]

Alright, so we've got the draft in the books. yay.

Added:

Brandon Miller - 6'9, 200 - W/G, bucket getter & good enough defender.  Thrives off-ball, in-space and should defend against 2s well.  NBA level 3s may give him some fits & is not yet refined to be an effective finisher.    

Nick Smith Jr - 6'5, 185 - Combo Guard - Arguably the most natural shooting form in the draft, awesome handles & functional playmaker.  Top-10 prospect that had injuries.

James Nnaji - 6'11 250 - BIG - Mitch Rob meets Nic Claxton type upside.  Love the swing we took here.  If we deal Kai or Richards, he could work his way to some minutes by year 2.  Development is key.     

Amari Bailey - 6'4 190 - Combo Guard - 2-way, super quick, ton of potential, development is key.  Needs some mechanical refinement & better shot creation

 

Pending RFA Decisions:

*Miles Bridges - This could be really tough to accept if he comes back.  Melo's BFF, inevitable choice, but it will be bitter.

PJ Washington - I see him back

 

UFA:

Dennis Smith Jr. - I see him back on a deal.  He played well and resurrected his career

Kelly Oubre - I'm gonna say gone

Svi Mykhailiuk - I could actually see him back but will go with gone for now.  Was our compensation for JMcD and played decent down the stretch.  

 

Team:

G: Lamelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Dennis Smith Jr., James Bouknight, Nick Smith Jr., Bryce McGowens, Amari Bailey

W: *Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward, Brandon Miller, Cody Martin, 

F/C: Mark Williams, PJ Washington, Nick Richards, Kai Jones, James Nnaji

--

Two-Way: Xavier Sneed

 

Next Steps:

We are guard heavy and have no veteran leadership.  Lamelo, Mark, & Miller are the 3 that have a career potential 3rd Team All-NBA type ceiling but can't say much for the rest.

I think it's abundantly clear we need a veteran leader that can play the 3/4 regardless if Bridges comes back.  Absolutely eed more rim presence.  I also am pro-trading Bouknight for anything we can get.  He's not amounting to anything and we're stocked at guard, especially if Miller rotates 2/3.  Ship him before he's even more worthless.  

A few guys that I think we could realistically target (not necessarily like, more expectation setting): Harrison Barnes, Derrick Jones Jr. ... not much out there (realistic)

My two cents: A trade is on the horizon using Terry, Bouknight & Picks but 1000% target a veteran that can help guide this misfit group.    

Edited June 23, 2023 by saX man

[ForJimmy]

Who starts beside Melo at SG if we trade Rozier? Maybe the vet we trade for?

Hayward might also be traded now that we have Miller to start at SF. If not he could be a nice 6th man playing out his last year of that dumb contract.

[saX man]

The higher level obvious needs --

New GM, New Coach

With new ownership coming in, we're at the end of the road with Mitch & Clifford.  We were before.  We're going nowhere with these guys and need someone better for this young group.

[saX man]

13 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

Who starts beside Melo at SG if we trade Rozier? Maybe the vet we trade for?

Hayward might also be traded now that we have Miller to start at SF. If not he could be a nice 6th man playing out his last year of that dumb contract.

I gotta think Miller starts out at the 2 if that's the case.  I don't see him fairing well against NBA level wings on d (at least at the onset) and will need to get eased in.  Plus we've got this dingus in Clifford still here. 

Operating in a 2-role where Bridges can create some spacing at the 3/4.  In our small ball lineup, we'll need a balanced shot creator and rim guy at the 2 w/Miller at 3.  So, maybe the FA/Trade is like you say...

My best idea on, again, a realistic Hornets-level target could be Time Hardaway Jr.  He'd be a great vet presence.  

I think we've gotta eat the end of this Hayward deal and use him for what he's worth (~30-40 games)

 

1st team Rotation Ideas:

During MB's suspension: Lamelo-FA/Miller-Hayward-Washington-Williams

Lamelo-FA-Miller-Bridges-Williams

Lamelo-Miller-Bridges-Washington-Williams

Lamelo-Miller-Hayward-Bridges-Williams

 

 

 

 

     

 

Edited June 23, 2023 by saX man

[jamos14]

33 minutes ago, saX man said:

Harrison Barnes

 

Isn't he too similar of a player to Miller to work?   Both mainly perimeter wings.  Neither really slashers or elite defenders.  Neither playmakers.

But I agree on needing a veteran to help these players develop as professionals on/off the court.  Clearly a few can learn from a solid leader.

 

[saX man]

22 minutes ago, jamos14 said:

Isn't he too similar of a player to Miller to work?   Both mainly perimeter wings.  Neither really slashers or elite defenders.  Neither playmakers.

But I agree on needing a veteran to help these players develop as professionals on/off the court.  Clearly a few can learn from a solid leader.

 

Barnes is definitely more perimeter but he has good rim stats and attacked a lot, not just in transition this year.  High IQ, stand up dude, brings a lot IMO.    

I'm more trying to place myself in what are realistic targets rather than best fits that won't come here haha.  

edit -- also started all 82.

 

Edited June 23, 2023 by saX man

[Cam Lawter]

I don't see anyone jumping out of their seat to pay Hayward 25 million for 1 season. We would probably have to give up a future pick just to offload him. I can see us getting rid of Terry though.

Edited June 23, 2023 by Cam Lawter

[WOW!!]

1 hour ago, ForJimmy said:

Who starts beside Melo at SG if we trade Rozier? Maybe the vet we trade for?

Hayward might also be traded now that we have Miller to start at SF. If not he could be a nice 6th man playing out his last year of that dumb contract.

Cody or Miller

[saX man]

7 minutes ago, WOW!! said:

Cody or Miller

Yeah Cody is a dude to not forget.  He had a nice 21-22 season, +20 min/game avg and was simply out this past year.  His brother shined this postseason for MIA but Cody is the better of the two. Given Clifford's preferences, he'll at least be getting ~15 min/per if there's not a legit guard signing/trade. (All assuming Rozier is gone)  

Edited June 23, 2023 by saX man

[Carl Spackler]

I see a bunch of dogshit, and some good pieces who need a good coaching fit to maximize. That good coaching fit is not here at present.

[saX man]

1 hour ago, Carl Spackler said:

I see a bunch of dogshit, and some good pieces who need a good coaching fit to maximize. That good coaching fit is not here at present.

That's a concise and fair assessment lol

[Shocker]

19 minutes ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

What you guys think about JJ Redick as HC?

[Daddy_Uncle]

Still an awful roster

[33inNC]

12 hours ago, Daddy_Uncle said:

Still an awful roster

I would usually agree with this, but after seeing Miami (and others) do well with our outcasts, I think this team needs an overhaul at coaching/GM.  I do not trust this "brainfart" to do anything no matter who is on the roster.

Let the young guys play and get rid of the dead weight (Hayward and Oubre, especially).