05-21-2025, 11:52 AM
That starting lineup puts a tremendous amount of pressure on Flagg from the jump. Maybe he's up for it, but I'd be shocked if he's thrown to the wolves like that. You're basically replacing Naji with Flagg in a starting lineup that was blown out to end the season. In that game DAL had three turnovers in the first six possessions (PJW 2, AD 1), two bad shots (Klay runner, AD long two), and Klay made a three. PJW was the primary point of attack defender and Morant's speed put him in foul trouble immediately. They gave up open threes and easy transition looks, went down 9-3 and never recovered. Kidd tried Exum on the ball with Martin guarding poa and that didn't work. Kidd swapped Exum for Williams and he immediately forced a bad shot, double teamed off Bane and gave up an open three.
Flagg will likely have the ball in his hands a lot and obviously he projects as an elite team defender but but I think it's asking for trouble unless they find a starting guard who can handle and defend. That could be Ball or someone we haven't identified. Keon Ellis is a guy I like. SAC may decline his option and make him a RFA.
Flagg will likely have the ball in his hands a lot and obviously he projects as an elite team defender but but I think it's asking for trouble unless they find a starting guard who can handle and defend. That could be Ball or someone we haven't identified. Keon Ellis is a guy I like. SAC may decline his option and make him a RFA.