04-09-2021, 12:36 PM
(04-09-2021, 12:13 PM)mvossman Wrote: Brunson is not an option to fill JRich role as a quality guard defender. He is a poor defender and I don't see that changing. I would argue that a team that has asperations to be good defensively (and they need to be in order to truly contend) needs to have at least one quality guard defender who is not a disaster offensively. There is hope that Green can eventually get there, but it is unlikely to be anytime soon.
As for Brunson's role, they have already promoted him. He is the 6th man that leads the second unit and finishes with the starters. We will see how that plays out long term, but not sure why his role needs to be expanded beyond that? We don't have anyone else that can lead the second unit or create their own shot to take some pressure off Luka, so if you are going to trade him you need to replace that.
It's hard to find a guy you can start that is a real two-way player. Danny Green could be an option. Terrence Ross is a guy that might not be too hard to get. He can be streaky from 3 too but I also think his contract is a good number. There's obv the big names like CP3, Conley, Lowry that could be hard to get. One buy-low name is Rubio who is a ball mover and good defender that would be easy to get.
It's hard to find 2-way guys that can start so you might have to just lean into BPA and look more at like a DeRozan who would be a big talent upgrade at least. There are various 2-way guys available that are bench-worthy but its hard to find one that you can start.
Tony Snell is on fire from 3. This is a guy who I want every year as a guy that's under-appreciated. He is a UFA. Pretty much just a catch-and-shoot guy but that's better than J Rich who is hampering this offense.