(06-09-2021, 04:37 PM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: I agree with all of this to be honest and would rather target Ball but it feels like there's a lot of folks in the org focused on bringing Timmy back which makes Ball much less likely.
I'm also less concerned about the fit with KP defensively to be honest because I'm of the belief that we just can't build a championship defense around KP and even if we could I don't really think we should be burning years just to find out when there could be other ways to build a better defense instead of hoping that KP comes around.
I believe that any KP move would actually be done to create more flexibility and bring in assets to then send out again which is why if he's moved I think it may end up being as simple as KP for Horford/pick. That way you would have 40 mil this season which may be cutting it close but would be enough to sign both THJ and Collins and then you can now trade picks again in order to rebuild your defense and I would think the obvious targets are the names that have been floated from Indiana in Brogdon and Turner.
KP for Horford/2023 OKC pick
Maxi/Brunson/2023 OKC pick and maybe our 2025 pick for Brogdon/Turner (this doesn't work out money wise but could be done in separate moves)
Sign Collins/THJ with space
Sign Batum with rMLE (no idea what his market will hold to be honest)
Sign TJ McConnell with the BAE (which to be honest I can't even remember if we have this year)
That's the offseason I've now settled on in my head as something that would put us in a strong position moving forward.
Luka/McConnell/Burke
Brogdon/THJ/Green
DFS/Batum
Collins/Horford
Turner/Powell
Let's assume that the org wants to bring THJ back and they want to give KP at least one more year (maybe partially based on not being able to get any kind of return on him). You could still bring in Ball. S&T Brunson for Ball at roughly 4 for 90-100. That has Ball first year in the 20-22 range. That gives a starting salary for THJ in the 14-16 range which would be 15-18 AAV (right in his range). If you want to keep WCS then you sign him with the BAE. Ideally you could get Batum for the Room, but I think his value has gone over that now.
Just looking at the Clipper series he would have made so much difference. He could take some pressure off Luka by bringing the ball up the floor, hunt for any transition opportunities (his specialty) and then dump into Luka to let him do his magic while providing quality floor spacing. And if Luka gets doubled, Ball has the BB IQ to make quick decisions to take advantage of 4 on 3 situations. He also might be able to help getting KP more involved offensively. You could stagger his minutes with Luka so he is running the second unit, making that group less likely to get trucked every time Luka steps off the floor. Defensively, he is another quality wing defender you can through at Leonard/George.
Looking to next year, I could see a small ball unit with guys like Ball, Green, and maybe even Bey who play hard aggressive defense while running on offense. It would be a great way to get the kids involved, throw a totally different look against teams, and be fun to watch.
If KP and Maxi get back to their previous defensive levels after a healthy off season, that team starts looking very dangerous.
This is probably the one reasonable scenario I can think of where we mostly bring it back where I would not be pissed. The FO gets to save face by landing their "third star" and if KP still doesn't fit with the team, maybe you have raised his value for a trade.