2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[Branduil]

So, let’s use this model and assume Wood gets 28 minutes instead of the 23 minutes Powell and Bertans split in the playoffs.  Maxi averaged 25 and combined that is 53, so there are now five minutes where we can reduce the load on other players.  I’m not saying Powell or Bertans are gone.  They will serve useful purposes during the regular season.  I’m just trying to apply a strict interpretation of a playoff rotation and see where we are lacking.  You also have to think about backups in case of injury and foul trouble in the playoffs.

So, we have a CW/MK center rotation and five minutes of Maxi time to use elsewhere.  That is five minutes where DFS can rest bringing his number down from 38 to 33…much more reasonable.  But, we’ve only covered 38 of 48 minutes at the four.  So, there is a 10 minute opening.

The PG’s got 37, 35 and 28 for a total of 100 minutes (96 minutes of two guard and four minutes of three PG lineups).  Let’s trim that back to 96 minutes.  So, we’ve created four minutes.  Bullock averaged 39, let’s bring that back to 32.  We also eliminate the Green/Frank minutes.  Essentially there is about a 14 minute opportunity at the three.

They’ve said this “wing defender” is a priority, so we can’t presume they are counting on Green or Frank doing this job.  Which is fine.  They are still young and don’t have to necessarily do anything just yet (they do need to be ready as players contracts expire).  But, we have about 24 minutes available and someone needs to get about half of that time at the four and half at the three.  Here is how I see it playing out (again in a tight playoff rotation):

CW 28.  MK 23.               

DFS 33. MK 5  New 10.   

Bullock 32. New 14.         

Brunson 34  SD 14.          

Luka. 34. SD 14.              


So, this could just be a 24 minute veteran backup.  But, you could also trim Maxi some more and move more of DFS’s minutes to the three and make this a starting four.  It probably isn’t a starting three.  One issue that Woods causes defensively is you probably have to keep him separated in lineups from THJ.  In fact THJ, who can’t play the four, would be the logical outgoing in an O for D swap for a bigger body who stands a chance against the Kawhi’s of the world.  That guy, whether he starts or relieves DFS when he sits or has foul trouble is the missing piece.

A simple way to look at it: Dinwiddie is going to eat up all of the backup minutes behind Luka and Brunson. So like you said, that part is easy to map out.

With DFS, Bullock, and Wood, I'm sure they will try to limit their minutes in the regular season to a reasonable amount. So let's say there will be 50-60 backup minutes available in our front court. As of now Maxi and THJ will definitely be getting the bulk of those minutes. So there will be maybe 10-20 "flex" minutes for the rest of the time, which will probably depend on the situation and the other team. Green or Ntilikina for defense, Powell for rim-running, and Bertans for shooting. Hard for me to see where there's room for another wing unless we send out THJ.

As constructed, I'd say the biggest needs are a "big" big man for situations that call for it, and a backup PG for when one of our 3 ball-handlers is injured.