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Have been thinking about this a lot the last week or so.

So we know Russ's strengths and weaknesses fairly well as a player.

+:
End-to-end speed—pushes the break well
Rebounding, both personal and team—all players get a rebounding boost with him on court IIRC
Defensive attention—draws defenders well, though it's more compressing a defense than stretching it
Energy
Size—big for a guard
Clutch scoring
Operates well in post, especially midpost

-:
Average efficiency
"Do-it-all" mentality
Not a great defender
Inconsistent shooter

If there's more to add, add it.

So looking at this, my ideal would be

1: Frontcourt facilitators. Guys who can make reads off the pick and roll or pick and pop (especially the short roll), put the ball on the deck without fear of it getting poked out, and can push the break to give Russ the off-ball transition buckets he used to get with the Cupcake. Do you think Sabonis can be that? Maybe eventually, but I'm not optimistic about next year.
2: Good screen-setters. Adams and Kanter both fill that role pretty well.
3: Good rebounders. Hoover up misses inside if Russ is clanking. We have those in Adams and Kanter, and Roberson is an above-average rebounder. But he doesn't get to show it because of...
4: Good transition defenders, to allow Russ to hit the offensive glass where he's effective. Roberson's always getting back to cover Russ's man till he gets back from the O-boards.
5: SHOOTING. Please, please, please. Preferably good on both ends.

I'm going to throw out an ideal team concept, then dial it back to what I think is workable.

IDEAL:

Russ
Danny Green
Giannis (OK. He's not a shooter. But he's a facilitator, a solid defender and a very good rebounder for his position)
Dray
Marc Gasol

SEMI-REALISTIC:

Russ
Danny Green
TJ Warren
Frank Kaminsky
Steven Adams

Or, if you prefer, put Randle in Kaminsky's spot and Batum in Warren's spot.

As far as my semi-realistic one: San Antonio's starting to shuffle to a team built around Kawhi. Parker's unlikely to be moved because of team history, and they're probably capped out, especially if Dedmon opts out to get paid a little more. Green could come available. He's an unbelievable transition defender, an excellent all-around defender and a very good 3pt shooter.

Warren might come available depending on what the Suns do with their pick. It's unlikely, but I'd love to get him. He's not much of a 3pt shooter, but it's developing, and he's a natural-born scorer. He's also one of the best SF rebounders in the NBA by percentage.

Kaminsky's a passable positional defender, a very solid frontcourt passer and a good 3pt shooter (especially post ASB). He'd be a nice frontcourt partner for Adams. Charlotte is capped out and going nowhere at the moment and may move pieces (side note: this could mean Batum or MKG, who would also be good targets).

And Adams is Adams.

Thoughts? What would be your team construction around Russ?

I was part of a GMAT like game a couple years back. I remember I surrounded him with Klay Thompson and Deandre Jordan.

Pillendreher wrote:I was part of a GMAT like game a couple years back. I remember I surrounded him with Klay Thompson and Deandre Jordan.

Yeah, Thompson's not quite as good a defender but he's a much better shooter. Jordan would be nice. I kind of wanted to keep it not quite an all-star team, which is why Adams is still there instead of someone like DJ. But DJ would be excellent and the Clips are lowkey one of my major blowup contenders for next year.

Andre Roberstan wrote:

Pillendreher wrote:I was part of a GMAT like game a couple years back. I remember I surrounded him with Klay Thompson and Deandre Jordan.

Yeah, Thompson's not quite as good a defender but he's a much better shooter. Jordan would be nice. I kind of wanted to keep it not quite an all-star team, which is why Adams is still there instead of someone like DJ. But DJ would be excellent and the Clips are lowkey one of my major blowup contenders for next year.

Oh I was just talking generally, not as in something that we should look for.

A few more names:
Will Barton
and your old favorite James Johnson

and maybe (ducks)

How would you plan on getting Green and/or Batum?

Pillendreher wrote:How would you plan on getting Green and/or Batum?

Green's unlikely, but if there were an Oladipo or Kanter trade out there that SA would consider he'd probably be the main return.

I don't know on Batum. Charlotte likes him a lot. But I think something has to give with that team—they're struggling to make the playoffs with a pretty big payroll.

Andre Roberstan wrote:

Pillendreher wrote:How would you plan on getting Green and/or Batum?

Green's unlikely, but if there were an Oladipo or Kanter trade out there that SA would consider he'd probably be the main return.

I don't know on Batum. Charlotte likes him a lot. But I think something has to give with that team—they're struggling to make the playoffs with a pretty big payroll.

So basically Gasoling a trade.

Man, it is frustrating to be a Thunder fan this season.

I'd argue that before we think about additional moves, we gotta check what our coaching staff is doing. The way players have looked the past two seasons, Green would turn into Kyle Singler 3rd and Batum would follow Oladipo into nothingness.

An ideal team would be:
Russ+
A 3&D SG with emphasis on D that won't need the ball too much (a younger Tony Allen?)
A tough SF that won't shy away from contact (Lebron? Kawhi? Cupcake? haha just kidding)
A kick the balls PF (Dray? Markieff?)
A center that can catch everything Russ throws at him while not being a blackhole on D (prime Pau?)

SF is the key to winning in today's NBA

What Morey has done for Harden is what Presti needs to do for Westbrook.

InTheSabonus wrote:What Morey has done for Harden is what Presti needs to do for Westbrook.

^^^^^

Yep.

InTheSabonus wrote:What Morey has done for Harden is what Presti needs to do for Westbrook.

We're too late. It's taken several years to put that team around Harden. We just don't have the time to do it around Russ. Our best hope is if somehow we miss the playoffs and hit the pingpong ball jackpot.

That's why I have such high and maybe unrealistic expectations for Adams and especially Vic. It was best and maybe only hope.

Oladipo is nice off the bench for this team. I think a guy like Terrance Ross would look good playing next to Westbrook. I like Roberson and Adams out there with him as well. A traditional stretch four is probably ideal but, I think a guy like Aldridge would work out nicely. I would like a player that can provide some reliable offense on his own without Westbrook.

Westbrook
T Ross
Roberson
Wilson Chandler
Adams

I've long felt our own Middleton is the perfect Westbrook teammate, outside of stars and beyond obviously. Great shooter, versatile scorer, point forward-like playmaker to run 2nd units. Great team D, super high IQ, calming presence to balance out Russ' fiery personality. I honestly think if you just added Middleton to the current roster, you'd have a contender. He would cover up so many holes for you guys.

Prez wrote:I've long felt our own Middleton is the perfect Westbrook teammate, outside of stars and beyond obviously. Great shooter, versatile scorer, point forward-like playmaker to run 2nd units. Great team D, super high IQ, calming presence to balance out Russ' fiery personality. I honestly think if you just added Middleton to the current roster, you'd have a contender. He would cover up so many holes for you guys.

Don't give us fantasies like that. It's not nice

Its not perfect b/c he's not a passer, but it hit me again. Covington.

bondom34 wrote:Its not perfect b/c he's not a passer, but it hit me again. Covington.

Yes I agree. At first while Embiid was healthier and Ersan was there I was watching their games and Covington was playing just like Domas is playing now. He was like a talented guy that hit some sort of wall, not being able to hit 3-pts, losing concentration but he is a different beast the last 2 months.

I would definitely consider him for tough defender spot but 76ers value him a lot. We could have much more chance to trade him in the first part of season but no chance with his current play.

I think good tough defenders are bred in house and not easily acquired by trade, as they become integral parts, some kind of glue of their teams and valued too highly. Just like we are hoping Adams will be in future. Team just falls apart without him.

Shooters. Shooters everywhere.

Otto Porter Jr. It won't happen though. I think if Oladipo could average 18-20 and Adams 15 & 10, we would be significantly better. Consistency from our own guys would go a long way.

Also, I continue to read about Portland fans thinking the Dame and CJ aren't a great fit for each other. I would love to see CJ play here but he might not be Presti's ideal player since he's not a great defender.

Knrstz wrote:Otto Porter Jr. It won't happen though. I think if Oladipo could average 18-20 and Adams 15 & 10, we would be significantly better. Consistency from our own guys would go a long way.

Also, I continue to read about Portland fans thinking the Dame and CJ aren't a great fit for each other. I would love to see CJ play here but he might not be Presti's ideal player since he's not a great defender.

I still believe a CJ for Dipo swap would make both teams better.