02-14-2025, 12:22 AM
The hole at PG?
1. 2 weeks ago, as Exum was about to return, I wondered if he might prove to be the answer to fill the hole at PG that we have been trying to figure out. Both now, and going forward.
I certainly don't buy the idea that last season's playoffs ended him being useful, or ever being part of their plans, and as we get to see him again, he's even better than he was a year ago when everyone was in love with him.
The one question mark is "If he can stay healthy" - of course. But the other side of the coin is - he is literally EVERYTHING we want in a second PG. He defends, he scores, he's aggressive, he has size, he can handle the ball, he is efficient when he shoots, he pushes the pace, he can run the offense -- and his price tag is modest. He also does a good job as the 2nd guard alongside someone like Kyrie.
Right now I would think that he would be available to return in the $5-9M per range on a 2-3 year deal. His value will be easier to see once we get to June - does he stay healthy from now to then, and does he play well in the playoffs like in the regular season. But if yes to both, to me that's gotta be a guy to keep.
2. Dinwiddie? He's not really a PG answer except in an emergency. He also can give minutes as a combo G because he's 6-5. BUT -- SG may be getting crowded if PJW is playing SF, with Klay, Christie, and Martin all in the SG mix. SD's a useful emergency guy, but will he want to be a minimum salary guy again, and do I want him if the price goes up?
3. I also like what I see of B Williams. I think I'm seeing a contributor at PG, not just a 2-way guy filling spare minutes; he defends and makes plays, and I wonder if he's already a better PG answer when one is needed than SD. And I am a bit torn now on whether he might be more valuable - to give a promotion and the 15th playoff spot - over Edwards. That's something to watch as they both get minutes over the next 2 months imo. He makes a lot of sense financially, as a minimum salary guy, to be their 3rd stringer next season.
4. An external PG idea? I've looked at at Lonzo Ball for Hardy-Powell (where the money is a slight savings) or for Martin (close to same salary). His ball-handling and defense are pluses. But his reliability health-wise scares me, as does his bad shooting, and they probably push me away.
1. 2 weeks ago, as Exum was about to return, I wondered if he might prove to be the answer to fill the hole at PG that we have been trying to figure out. Both now, and going forward.
I certainly don't buy the idea that last season's playoffs ended him being useful, or ever being part of their plans, and as we get to see him again, he's even better than he was a year ago when everyone was in love with him.
The one question mark is "If he can stay healthy" - of course. But the other side of the coin is - he is literally EVERYTHING we want in a second PG. He defends, he scores, he's aggressive, he has size, he can handle the ball, he is efficient when he shoots, he pushes the pace, he can run the offense -- and his price tag is modest. He also does a good job as the 2nd guard alongside someone like Kyrie.
Right now I would think that he would be available to return in the $5-9M per range on a 2-3 year deal. His value will be easier to see once we get to June - does he stay healthy from now to then, and does he play well in the playoffs like in the regular season. But if yes to both, to me that's gotta be a guy to keep.
2. Dinwiddie? He's not really a PG answer except in an emergency. He also can give minutes as a combo G because he's 6-5. BUT -- SG may be getting crowded if PJW is playing SF, with Klay, Christie, and Martin all in the SG mix. SD's a useful emergency guy, but will he want to be a minimum salary guy again, and do I want him if the price goes up?
3. I also like what I see of B Williams. I think I'm seeing a contributor at PG, not just a 2-way guy filling spare minutes; he defends and makes plays, and I wonder if he's already a better PG answer when one is needed than SD. And I am a bit torn now on whether he might be more valuable - to give a promotion and the 15th playoff spot - over Edwards. That's something to watch as they both get minutes over the next 2 months imo. He makes a lot of sense financially, as a minimum salary guy, to be their 3rd stringer next season.
4. An external PG idea? I've looked at at Lonzo Ball for Hardy-Powell (where the money is a slight savings) or for Martin (close to same salary). His ball-handling and defense are pluses. But his reliability health-wise scares me, as does his bad shooting, and they probably push me away.
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