ArthurVandelay wrote:Jerry Lucas wrote:Duffman100 wrote:
Flagg off the bench for 25-30 mpg would be such a ridiculous cheat code
I didn't think I would have to make this post again after I silenced this ridiculous narrative in the draft thread, but it looks like I'm going to have to make the same post in this thread now before it starts to get seriously discussed again and waste thread space like in the draft thread.
Will Lou on one of his recent pods mentioned a couple of things in regards to RJ, which allude to the organization preparing him for the possibility that he might be the 6th man next season. The 2 things that he mentioned were:
1) Darko has said that he's made RJ watch Manu Ginobili tape.
2) Darko has given a lot of test reps to RJ+bench units this season, regardless of the team's injury situation. Getting him used to playing on bench units in case he's needed in that role next season.
If the Raptors were to win the #1 pick, RJ is the 6th man (if he's not traded in the offseason), and IQ/Scottie/Ingram/Flagg/Poeltl would be the starting lineup.
Many here on RealGM, myself included, have discussed that weeks back and over course of the season.
Will Lou's sources are, sadly, us.
If we draft Flagg I would think that almost guarantees RJ gets moved
1) Flagg + 40th pick puts us $3m over the tax and that’s not including trying to bring Boucher back or a backup C (which we absolutely need)
2) RJ off the bench creates a logjam where someone (Dick or Walter) will get squeezed to 11th man minutes
3) RJ (or at least his team) will probably not be receptive to him off the bench this close to his free agency. Agents don’t like the perception of having “starting level” players come off the bench because it can pigeon hole them and that can hurt contract negotiations
4) shifting some of RJ’s salary toward big man depth would help balance the team
*INGRAM*ALLSTARSEASON* Wemby is HIM - Top 5 Player this year
