2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[DanSchwartzgan]

This is in line with my whole argument that you need to replace at least one of Kleber or DFS. They're both fine role players and starters on most teams ... BUT NOT AT THE SAME TIME.

DFS is a very smart player and a good defender but he's not a game-changing stopper. Good teams leave him totally unguarded. 

Kleber is a plus defender and fantastic, if hesitant, 3pt shooter. Teams won't leave him, which makes him much more valuable than DFS on offense. 

That said, if you run Kleber off the line, he's got nothing, which is why you can't play him with another zero on offense in the playoffs.

If I had the choice, I'd move DFS for Oladipo who can be a lock-down wing defender and give this team 15 efficient points per game. Then you have a decision with JRich & Kleber in the offseason.

Replacing Kleber with Gordon certainly helps but good teams still won't guard DFS in the playoffs.

I agree that Gordon would join KP and Maxi in the 4/5 rotation with Maxi off the bench swinging between the two positions.  When you need something different, you still have WCS at the five or DFS play some four.  But 96 minutes allows all of KP, Maxi and Gordon to get 32 a game if we are in an 8 man playoff rotation.

I don’t agree that DFS is still the logical starter at SF following a Gordon trade.  Gordon is a plus defender, but bad 3 point shooter.  I don’t think you want him and JRich and DFS all in together with KP and Luka.  Logically, you’d go back to THJ as a starter and move Maxi and DFS to the bench with Brunson.  It’s not like we platoon our bench.  The only platoon we tend to run is the starting five.  Post a Gordon trade, I’d propose that be KP/Gordon/THJ/JRich/Luka.