Jalen Bluntson wrote:KnixinSix wrote:Wow!!!! This Durant trade makes a Jabari trade EVEN MORE likely. Jabari plays the same spot Durant does and they will want Mikals veteran defense to complement him. Remember they offered FOUR 1st round picks for Mikal just last year.
New optimized line-up:
Rotation (minutes)
C Kessler (28)/KAT (12)/ Huk (8)
PF KAT(20)/OG (18)/ Jabari (10)
SF OG(15)/Jabari (15)/ Hart (5)/MLE (13) - Oubre, Nance, Trent Jr
SG Divo (20)/ Hart (20)/ McBride (5)/MLE (3)
PG Brunson (34)/Divo (8) / McBride (6)
*Kessler offers more durability and more dynamic scoring at the C position than Robinson to complement KAT (Kessler also is CAA)
*Jabari offers a defensively versatile big with more mobility to play vs the 5 out teams that spread the floor and play with Pace.
* Hart plays the more appropriate role off bench as high energy guy.
*Divo in theory if he comes back like NYK Divo is a infinite range shooter who really opens it up for Brunson. Those two played amazingly together in a season that was short circuited by an unprecedented level of injuries that piled up.
*The 14 non Brunson minutes generally will feature KAT on floor as #1 option. This will help stagger them and they would only share about 18-20 minutes on floor together. Minimizing the defensive liability when both are out there same time. Part of the 18-20 minutes they share will also have Kessler or Jabari out there to shield KAT defensively in the front court.
* Great depth and defensive versatility in the backcourt as well as front court.
If we can back 4 FRPs and a young rotation level player or two with upside, that's a trade you can probably sign me up for.
-A KAT/Kessler/Smith front court gives you two guys with different high level defensive traits to counter-balance KAT with. Both are also more durable/less injury prone than Mitchell Robinson.
-Donte gives us a mad bomber back at the SG position which was a dynamic sorely missing from last year's team.
In terms of roster construction this is 100% a better more reliable core built around Jalen/KAT moving forward. I love Mikal and Mitch but both are on last year of deals and you have to give something to get something.....
If you are being honest with yourself pitcture how the different lines up would look......
Starting line-up:
C Kessler
PF KAT
SF OG
SG Divo
PG Brunson
*4 3 ball shooters decent mix of offense and defense. KAT in a simpler role than what Thibs tried to have him do.
5-out line-up:
C KAT
PF OG
SF MLE
SG Divo
PG Brunson
* You are talking 4 -40% level 3 point shooters and maybe 5 depending on the MLE.....wow....
More Defense/Rebounding line-up:
C Kessler
PF KAT/Jabari
SF Jabari/OG
SG OG/Hart
PG Brunson/McBride
*Numerous combinations that can increase defense to point of having an elite defensive line up out there and/or high level rebounding
This is absolutely a better squad than the current. No doubt about it. Deeper , more versatile and hopefully much better utilized under one of Brown/Kidd/Jenkins....
RIP mags
