2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[ItsGoTime]

My "short list" comment is meant to describe the number of players who can be the type of switchable, quick-feet bigs who I'd judge able to do what Powell is already doing well on defense AND improve on his rim-protection/post defense, along with defensive rebounding. Obviously the list gets even shorter when you factor in what Powell gives this team on offense. 

Off the top of my head, I'd say Adebayo, Williams and JJJ would all be improvements without losing much of what Powell is currently giving the team (though clearly not avaiable). It's possible that Holmes would be, too, but I'm less sure about that than most. I'm honestly not confident he's a good player, at this point, but maybe he's just having a really down year. If so, it would be a good time to target him, so I'll just watch and see what types of teams are interested this summer. 

To be clear, I'm not sure anyone who fits these criteria definitively will be available, which is kind of my whole point. I'm not at all worried about upgrading Powell. Sure, it would be nice, but I don't think it's an emergency situation like many from the board seem to believe. 

I can see some validity in changing course (slightly) to include one stronger, more traditional center for next season, but imho, this only makes sense if the player in question is one of the better players of that type in the league. I suppose I'd be open to Turner, Gobert or Capella to varying degrees, as I can envision ways in which what they bring to the table might offset the negatives that come with being locked into "dinosaur big" mode for portions of each game. But, a player lesser than any of those three (Baynes, Adams, etc, etc) and I think you're in a worse situation than you are right now with Powell/Kleber. And, even with a guy north of the quality line I'm arbitrarily drawing here, I think Powell/Kleber (whoever is left) is still going to be the better option in a lot of situations, so I'm not super thrilled about the idea of having to pay this hypothetical newcomer so much. 

And, to be even more clear about where I stand on this, I would be FINE with an Adams/Baynes type replacing Boban. In fact, I think that should happen, but don't expect it to. But in that scenario, they'd play only slightly more than Boban does, anyway, so it's nothing to get in a huge twist over imho.

The first time I’ve seen you post about the possibility of a slight change in thinking (in terms of a big body C). Glad to see it! I myself put Turner mostly in the Adebayo list as opposed to the big body one. He has played with Sabonis for so long that I’m not fully sure he’s a banger to defend that type and I’ve been a bit concerned with him having 2 foot injuries in a row that’s taken him out for quite a bit. If healthy, I think he’s mostly a direct upgrade to Powell.


If we can’t get one of Turner or Holmes (a lesser upgrade than Turner) who I think would be excellent as a duo partner WITH Powell, I’ve said I’d be ok with a lesser big body (Drummond, Cousins, Howard and McGee are names in this group) to do EXACTLY what they’re doing now (for the most part). Start to bang with all the big bodies that start for most every other team, then sit for most the rest of the game.

We’re not a good 1st quarter team. I think this is a good portion of the reason. Those big bodies are at their freshest, ready to do the most damage then. They slow as the game goes on so it makes sense to put Powell/smallball C in and defend that slowed down big. Haven’t really thought much about minutes distribution cause that big is only in while they are effective and has a pretty short leash. That list is also Boban pay range.

When we started this back and forth, I wasn’t as clear about the specifics of this vision. As we’ve gone back and forth, it’s allowed me to do that fine tuning as I adapt to your thoughts.