Post#1516 » by Skybox » Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:44 pm
As to what's next...
Obviously, the lottery and draft are the pinnacles of opportunity coming up, but...
Do we even talk to Otto Porter or just let him walk to a playoff team? If he came back at a reasonable deal, do we even want to deal with the injury risk, or do we relish the financial flexibility his absence creates? He's a nice player, if paid correctly, but does he even want to play for such a young squad? He could definitely fill a need at SF as a solid 3nD young vet.
Do we aggressively try to move Gary Harris' big expiring deal? I'd say more likely at the trade deadline, if some team sees a need for a tough defending, mature player for their playoff run...particularly if he plays well and regains his offense, to some extent. He's another good young (previously solid) 3nD vet who is a really nice piece -if paid correctly. I don't see a need to move too quickly on him as this will be a nursery school of a roster with (potentially) 3 more rookies coming to a team loaded with 2nd year guys.
Is our Center situation strong or weak? WCJ is adequate and sound but does Bamba have a rebirth with a new Coach that he resonates with? Both are coming up for extensions - what's the right move? Bamba has value, IMO - but will be revealed as a certain bust if the new Coach isn't the answer for him-easy to blame Curmudgeon Clifford, but that will ring hollow if Mo still stumbles. I'm Team Mo, but sometimes you have to make a move if you know more about a player's psyche than the other GMs (who think THEY will use him correctly).
Fultz and Isaac - stars on the rise or coulda, shoulda, woulda patients with long deals (see OPJ, Kemba, Hayward, Love, KP, Wall)...all nice players but once the injury bug hit hard, their contracts made them cautionary tales (I realize their deals are reasonable-but will seem less so, if they're in street clothes too often).
It will take a special Coach to survive with this roster...so much potential, so much youthful goofiness. Can Bamba be saved? Which Okeke is the real one? What are Cole's and Hampton's ceilings if their games mature a bit, etc. etc. all the way down the roster.