02-17-2022, 04:35 PM
(02-17-2022, 03:58 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: If Utah flames out again in the off season you have to really question why you want Gobert. Time and again teams have found a way to neutralize his defensive presence in the post season. If the feeling is pairing with him and Luka gives you a certain guaranteed floor that is higher than today, I don’t disagree. The question is how much higher would that ceiling be though? Getting out of the first round? The second round? Will playing with Luka suddenly causes coaches on good teams who have found a way to neutralize his defensive strengths to have sleepless nights?
If your ceiling with him is not going to be a legit contender then, given his previous failures in the playoffs, would his contract become not just like KPs? A bloated one that really becomes difficult to move even if is able to stay on the court unlike KP?
I don't disagree with your concerns, or your points. In fact, those kinds of issues would certainly have to be evident before UT even trades him, right?
My thinking is merely this: if it's with everything else being equal from the current team, would I rather have Powell or Gobert? I think they do the same sorts of things, but that Rudy is way better at them. I think he raises the ceiling a lot.
That assumes MC will still pay for the rest of the team, because the salary diff is huge. (Powell at $11M for 1 year, or Gobert at $38M-$41M-$44M-$47M at ages 31-34. Helping allay some of it is getting off THJ who is $20M-$18M-$16). If he won't, then I have to pause. In looking at the money, it does make me hesitate, and at least wonder what picks are justified.