Small ball next year?

Laimbeer · Post #1 » by **Laimbeer** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 3:22 pm

If both Jennings and RJ are back next season along with Dinwiddie, what do you think of playing small ball in spots? KCP or Meeks at the three with two points playing together? Also assuming we come up with nothing special at the three in the draft or free agency.

ImHeisenberg · Post #2 » by **ImHeisenberg** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 3:31 pm

Match-ups would dictate that. SVG really prizes defense first, that's why I believe we rarely ever see KCP at the 3.

But, I can definitely see BJ and RJ playing alongside one another for prolonged stretches. RJ's length doesn't leave him at a disadvantage against the majority of the league's off guards. But, we'll see how the summer shakes out before making any proclamations.

For all we know, Moose could bolt, Jackson forces his way out, Jennings never recovers and we're a lottery team again next year.

topsearch92 · Post #3 » by **topsearch92** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 3:35 pm

Might help with spacing for our bigs, but I think drummond would he to up his defense to cover us and would Jennings or RJ accept an off ball role? Or would we turn into a phoenix complex. We do have great guard depth if Jennings returns close to normal and one of the 3 pgs will be squeezed if we stay traditional. If he comes back a little dampered maybe he would accept tearing up other teams benches.

bstein14 · Post #4 » by **bstein14** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 3:46 pm

Seems really bad for us. I think if Jennings is back and playing great you can make a 3 guard rotation with Jennings, KCP, and Jackson each getting about 30-34 MPG but I don't think you can start all 3 that just wouldn't work. Also, KCP could play a little backup SF against certain teams/matchups but not on a nightly basis. Someone would have to come off the bench. Lets look at opposing teams's 1/2/3s in our division

Detroit:
Jennings: 6'1"
Jackson 6'3"
Pope: 6'5" 205

Chicago:
Rose: 6'3"
Butler: 6'7"
Dunlevy: 6'9"

Cleveland:
Irving: 6'3"
Smith: 6'6"
James: 6'8" 250 lbs

Indiana:
Hill: 6'3"
Miles: 6'6"
George: 6'9"

Milwaukee:
MCW: 6'6"
Middleton: 6'7"
Parker: 6'8" 240 lbs

Liqourish · Post #5 » by **Liqourish** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:14 pm

They won't play 3 guards. Even though SVG likes his spacing, defense comes first. RJ and BJ could play some minutes together, but not for long, and not with another guard at the 3. Nothing wrong with depth though. It's a long season and slumps and injuries happens.

The Penguin · Post #6 » by **The Penguin** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:16 pm

You guys have a lot more faith in Jennings making it back than I do. Unless he really struggles, I expect Jackson is our PG of the future, Jennings MAY get back to 90% of his preinjury form by the time his contract expires, the same summer the cap sky rockets. If money is equal, I'd have to believe he's going to the west coast over resigning here.

Maker_84 · Post #7 » by **Maker_84** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:17 pm

yaaa, no way in hell they can go small

bstein14 · Post #8 » by **bstein14** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:19 pm

I agree that with Jennings likely not being there for training camp and to start the season, Jackson gets the nod to start and then Jennings is a possible trade and or backup PG to finish out the season before he decides to sign somewhere he can possibly start.

The Penguin · Post #9 » by **The Penguin** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:21 pm

bstein14 wrote:Seems really bad for us. I think if Jennings is back and playing great you can make a 3 guard rotation with Jennings, KCP, and Jackson each getting about 30-34 MPG but I don't think you can start all 3 that just wouldn't work. Also, KCP could play a little backup SF against certain teams/matchups but not on a nightly basis. Someone would have to come off the bench. Lets look at opposing teams's 1/2/3s in our division

Detroit:
Jennings: 6'1"
Jackson 6'3"
Pope: 6'5" 205

Milwaukee:
MCW: 6'6"
Middleton: 6'7"
Parker: 6'8" 240 lbs

Add in the Greek Freak and going small against Milwaukee is terrifying in the worst way possible.

DETermination · Post #10 » by **DETermination** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:25 pm

I love Jennings for what he did for us this season but if Reggie plays well for us and if Spencer keeps playing good I think it will be best to trade Brandon while his value is as high as it is. I heard Stan on the podcast and it sounds like he already has an idea of how much money he is going to give to Reggie and is planning on signing him for the future. I just don't think you can have both guys and have to choose one or the other. And Jennings only has 1 year left on his contract while Reggie can easily be re signed.

BadMofoPimp · Post #11 » by **BadMofoPimp** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:36 pm

Depends on the Matchups. I am sure there will be 5-10 minutes going by with both in the backcourt or 3 guard lineups. Won't mean that this will happen often or more than 10 minutes in a game. People here flip out over anything as if we are going to see 30mpg of Jennings/RJ lineups. Hahaha

sc8581 · Post #12 » by **sc8581** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:46 pm

The Penguin wrote:
bstein14 wrote:Seems really bad for us. I think if Jennings is back and playing great you can make a 3 guard rotation with Jennings, KCP, and Jackson each getting about 30-34 MPG but I don't think you can start all 3 that just wouldn't work. Also, KCP could play a little backup SF against certain teams/matchups but not on a nightly basis. Someone would have to come off the bench. Lets look at opposing teams's 1/2/3s in our division

Detroit:
Jennings: 6'1"
Jackson 6'3"
Pope: 6'5" 205

Milwaukee:
MCW: 6'6"
Middleton: 6'7"
Parker: 6'8" 240 lbs

Add in the Greek Freak and going small against Milwaukee is terrifying in the worst way possible.

This is why I like the idea of adding Deng this summer.

epheisey · Post #13 » by **epheisey** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:06 pm

No one is going to trade for Jennings without seeing him play after his injury. IF there are offers out there, it won't be for any kind of return that makes sense, because no team will be willing to part with much to take the risk.

Jennings will play for Detroit next season. How long, and if that stretches beyond next season is anyone's guess.

I personally think there's room for both on this team. Reggie is long enough to guard SGs, and they wouldn't be on the court together for long stretches in most situations. I'll say it again, and I'll keep repeating it until proven otherwise: Stan figured out how to use Dre/Moose, he can figure out how to use Jennings/Jackson.

I don't think small ball is necessary, we don't have 3 guards that are definitive starters. KCP has shown flashes, but he's been mostly inconsistent. I'd be fine with KCP first off the bench, replacing Jennings or Jackson.

sc8581 · Post #14 » by **sc8581** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:09 pm

epheisey wrote:No one is going to trade for Jennings without seeing him play after his injury. IF there are offers out there, it won't be for any kind of return that makes sense, because no team will be willing to part with much to take the risk.

Jennings will play for Detroit next season. How long, and if that stretches beyond next season is anyone's guess.

I personally think there's room for both on this team. Reggie is long enough to guard SGs, and they wouldn't be on the court together for long stretches in most situations. I'll say it again, and I'll keep repeating it until proven otherwise: Stan figured out how to use Dre/Moose, he can figure out how to use Jennings/Jackson.

I don't think small ball is necessary, we don't have 3 guards that are definitive starters. KCP has shown flashes, but he's been mostly inconsistent. I'd be fine with KCP first off the bench, replacing Jennings or Jackson.

Somebody could trade for Jennings as an expiring contract

epheisey · Post #15 » by **epheisey** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:11 pm

sc8581 wrote:
epheisey wrote:No one is going to trade for Jennings without seeing him play after his injury. IF there are offers out there, it won't be for any kind of return that makes sense, because no team will be willing to part with much to take the risk.

Jennings will play for Detroit next season. How long, and if that stretches beyond next season is anyone's guess.

I personally think there's room for both on this team. Reggie is long enough to guard SGs, and they wouldn't be on the court together for long stretches in most situations. I'll say it again, and I'll keep repeating it until proven otherwise: Stan figured out how to use Dre/Moose, he can figure out how to use Jennings/Jackson.

I don't think small ball is necessary, we don't have 3 guards that are definitive starters. KCP has shown flashes, but he's been mostly inconsistent. I'd be fine with KCP first off the bench, replacing Jennings or Jackson.

Somebody could trade for Jennings as an expiring contract

Right, but the return on an $8M expiring isn't going to be exciting.

sc8581 · Post #16 » by **sc8581** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:14 pm

epheisey wrote:
sc8581 wrote:
epheisey wrote:No one is going to trade for Jennings without seeing him play after his injury. IF there are offers out there, it won't be for any kind of return that makes sense, because no team will be willing to part with much to take the risk.

Jennings will play for Detroit next season. How long, and if that stretches beyond next season is anyone's guess.

I personally think there's room for both on this team. Reggie is long enough to guard SGs, and they wouldn't be on the court together for long stretches in most situations. I'll say it again, and I'll keep repeating it until proven otherwise: Stan figured out how to use Dre/Moose, he can figure out how to use Jennings/Jackson.

I don't think small ball is necessary, we don't have 3 guards that are definitive starters. KCP has shown flashes, but he's been mostly inconsistent. I'd be fine with KCP first off the bench, replacing Jennings or Jackson.

Somebody could trade for Jennings as an expiring contract

Right, but the return on an $8M expiring isn't going to be exciting.

We will be under the cap so the return can be much larger, especially if we throw in our pick or future picks etc..

coordinator0 · Post #17 » by **coordinator0** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:44 pm

Useful players aren't acquired by sending out expiring contracts very often these days. The return is mostly a bad contract with a first round pick attached. With the cap set to go up there will be less incentive for teams to shed those bigger deals too.

sc8581 · Post #18 » by **sc8581** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:50 pm

coordinator0 wrote:Useful players aren't acquired by sending out expiring contracts very often these days. The return is mostly a bad contract with a first round pick attached. With the cap set to go up there will be less incentive for teams to shed those bigger deals too.

An expiring contract attached with a mid-first rounder this year and possibly a future one as well is plenty of incentive for a team to trade a pretty good player that either doesn't fit into their current plans or their long term one.

coordinator0 · Post #19 » by **coordinator0** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:58 pm

Sure it is. But do you have any possible targets in mind who would help Detroit and could fit that description? I'm guessing it would be a very short list. Teams aren't going to be sending out useful wings any time soon considering that's probably the most sought-after group right now. Everybody wants more quality guys like that and if their contracts look bad now in another year they won't. This isn't an option I'd be putting too much hope in actually playing out.

bstein14 · Post #20 » by **bstein14** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 12:00 am

From the sounds of it, SVG strongly considered trading Jennings + Meeks for Joe Johnson so that is a trade that could be looked at again if SVG wants Joe to come in and be our SF. But I agree its unlikely we get a good return for Jennings, more likely we get a slightly overpaid player from a team looking to move salary for either lux tax room or capspace for 2016.