05-27-2022, 01:45 PM
(05-27-2022, 12:28 PM)Not an evil robot Wrote: To me it feels like outside Luka, we’ve got one definite starter (DFS), two starters-ish (Brunson, Bullock), one definite rotation (Maxi), one rotation-ish (Dinwiddie), and one wild-card (THJ).
To make those pieces to fit the optimal roles, we’re “just” missing a definite starter. If we want to stay small - a big3&D wing. If we want to size up, a small-ball center type. The challenge is getting either without creating another hole.
Ignoring contracts, chemistry, and the like - I think the best immediate fit around Luka is swapping Brunson for the player above, moving Dinwiddie into the starting line-up, and backfilling that 6th man type role. That’s very unlikely though for the reasons I was just ignoring.
Honestly if we’re completely theory-crafting, although I love his personality and he’s a huge success story, I’d swap Brunson for more of an equivalently talented FVV-mold instead (plus add the player I mentioned). Luka may improve on defense but he’s likely never going to be a net positive there and Brunson is already maxing out his ability on that end of the floor given his physical limitations.
In the playoffs being forced to “hide” two starters is not ideal. GSW lineup works so well because Curry is the only weak link to target and even then he’s capable enough (the target I’d set for Luka)
I'm not sure why Brunson is "starter-ish"? I think he has been scoring roughly 20 points a game since he started regularly, and that includes the playoffs. In fact I believe he is the number 6 scorer in the playoffs. That's "starter-ish"?
There are all kinds of issues with trying to S&T Brunson and it will likely not be for a great return. We would be better off signing him and trading later if necessary.