2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[DanSchwartzgan]

I don't think there is that big a difference between 4th and 7th best on this team.  I see the following tiers:

Superstar: Luka
Playoff starter:  Brunson, Dorian
Playoff rotation:  Dinwiddie, Bullock, Maxi, THJ
Regular depth:  Powell, Bertans, Green, Frank

We don't have the assets to go after a playoff starter level player unless we trade for an over priced one like Tobias or Hayward

But I think we could find a center that falls into that rotation category. 

Also notice that I have 7 guys in the top three tiers.  If we don't send THJ our in a trade, he would provide much needed depth at the wing.  That plus a functional starting center would go a long way and you have your 8 guys.

I feel like we keep forgetting that we have a core 7.  Timmy was a key piece in the playoffs last two years.  There were struggles early this season, but I feel like Kidd would have figured out how to make it work.  He is the piece we would be most willing to send out in a trade due to fit concerns, but if we don't send him out

I like your tiers.  I used the core-six nomenclature as it has become a popular go-to around here.  But THJ definitely belongs where you put him.  When I spoke of the difficulty of adding a 4th best player, I was envisioning someone on the same tier as you’ve put Brunson and DFS.  I just don’t see how we get that without giving up someone’s sacred cow (but not Cow’s sacred cow).  

I keep saying I’ve got this long post I intend to put up at some point, but one of the things I point out is rotation minutes get cramped pretty quick as Hardaway returns.  Normal regular season minutes for THJ, DFS, Reggie and the 3 ball-handlers wipe out all 1, 2 and 3 minutes and most of the minutes at the 4.  That’s before we give Maxi some kind of load at one of the big spots.  No time to get into the weeds right now, but if you add a real starting center to the mix, then there is very little time for any of Powell, Bertans, Green or Frank and the time available probably best suits Bertans.  A playoff rotation with someone like Turner would probably be:

Turner/Maxi
DFS/Maxi
Reggie/THJ
Brunson/SD
Luka/SD

You probably need some Maxi insurance.  You don’t really have any time outside of injuries to develop Green and Frank.  But, the question is can you get someone at Turner’s level with discards and a pick or two?  If not, would you be willing to give up one of your “playoff rotation” guys for Turner?  

You’ve already said yes to THJ.  I think it more likely another team would ask for Reggie or Maxi.  My point is if you have a shot at someone who is an obvious “Playoff Starter”, you can’t take any of the guys on the “Playoff Rotation” list off the table.  I personally think Reggie is the easiest to replace given the return of THJ and the fact that you already have two younger guys on the roster who are good defenders.  If Indy says no to FG’s Powell based offer, I wouldn’t be the least bit afraid of substituting Reggie for Powell (and adding Chriss to make the matching work).  It just balances out the roster better.