MAVS NEWS:

[mvossman]

I keep seeing this, but it isn't accurate.  His TO was already picked up for 26/27.  He's TO for 27/28.


FWIW, here is how I see the depth chart playing out:

Lively          Bagley (or Gafford)        Powell (or Cisse)

Flagg           PJ                                #30 Pick

Middleton     Naji                             Martin

Christie        Klay                             Johnson

Irving          #7 Pick                         Nembhard (or Williams)


I think Bagley commands more than the Vet Min, so I don't see keeping him as a 3rd string Center.  He stays if Gafford goes (my preference would be to trade Gafford for a 2027 pick or Gafford plus #30 to move up in the 2026 draft)

I think Middleton is the best logical starter next to Flagg from among Naji, PJ and Middleton.  I think he gets a good chunk of the MLE, but not over it (so he can be traded into an exception).  I'd seek to do this as a TO for 27/28.  That way he and Klay can be expiring or you can retain Middleton one more year if it creates an advantage.

I don't think we employ both Williams and Nembhard

We've seen some messaging that Powell will be back.  I'd like to keep Cisse as our 2-way if that happens, though I'm fine with putting Cisse in the top 15 and using our second rounder for a 2-way big.

Guard seems the most likely use of our lottery pick.  If we don't go that route and draft someone like Ament, then #30 can be a guard.  I don't think one of Nembhard/Williams will be our 2nd stringer.  I'm starting to wonder if Burries would fit here.  Can you get enough playmaking out of Flagg/Burries once Kyrie is gone?  So, he's not a traditional PG, but more of a White type for Boston.

Man, I would be wildly disappointed if this is what we walked into next season with.  

I don't get spending a significant portion of our MLE space on a 35 year old declining player who struggles to stay on the court.

That roster has PJ, Klay and potentially Gafford all making 18-21 mil while coming off the bench.

I get that you are working with what we have, but I really hope the new GM is willing to make some significant moves to get this roster younger and better fitting.  They don't have to be as competitive as possible right away.  They should be willing to suffer some growing pains for the future.