Wizards 2019 Offseason Thread - Part 2

[doclinkin]

My point is if you have two guys who do pretty much the same thing. You bet on the younger one is all I'm saying !

Not to pile on but to make a point: even if they were equivalent talents but both needed development you’d send the Euro guy back overseas and retain the roster spot.

European teams play once or twice a week and spend the rest of the time in team play and drilling fundamentals. Most teams frown on showboating and selfish play over there. And defense is nastier, allowing a lot more physical play. It’s a better training ground for a young unfinished talent.

The NBA demands production instantly but has no time for skill building. Practice is limited. If you develop outside of games it’s with your own initiative with team trainers, personal trainers, offseason skills work.

Sannon will be back in Europe. Maybe he develops there, but he was struggling already overseas in a weak league. He’s not the competition for JeJones getting a roster spot and age won’t be the determining factor. Unless we are talking between Jones and cutting Bonga.

It all comes down to training camp for ‘Rio Jones. If he shows out as a discount Andre Roberson and impresses coaches and proves indispensable on defense then maybe we cut a guaranteed contract like Tarik Philip or Bonga. So far it’s not looking great for him.

[nate33]

As the smoke clears, it really makes me wonder why they didn't go after guys with 2 year offers. Summer of 2020 is an absolutely horrendous free agent class. I'm looking at their cap sheet over on BBall Insiders: http://www.basketballinsiders.com/washington-wizards-team-salary/

I count about $95 million in guaranteed salaries, with them releasing cap holds on Mahinmi, Miles, etc. Cap is projected to be $117 million, which means we'd have a ballpark of $20 million in space.

Then I look at the 2020 free agents: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2020-nba-free-agency-top-30-players-available-in-next-years-class-led-by-anthony-davis-draymond-green-kyle-lowry/

We have a clear weakness at the 4, and the wing positions need shoring up. My top target would be Paul Millsap. I know he's 34/35....but if we're all about changing the culture, you can bring him in a 1 year deal possibly (the cap is expected to make another jump to $125 million in summer 2021, maybe he goes for 1 last payday then). Derrick Favors would be another option, especially if he shows any outside range this season. Favors has been in the league damn near 10 years and he's only 27.

It is a terrible class. There were much better deals available late in this summer's free agency period.

It's why I wanted to keep Jabari on a 1+1 or 2+1 deal instead of Bertans (or in addition to Bertans). It's why I thought we should sign Noah Vonleh to a 2-year or 3-year deal while we could get him cheap.

The only guy on that list you posted that interests me much is Jerami Grant. If he opts out, he might be interesting as a youngish combo forward who can play D and hit 3's.

[payitforward]

Here's my "how far away are we from being a legit contender" tracker.

The ??? represent what we don't have. We have alot of those. We lack 3 legit starters & 2/3 legit backups. I'm being nice and will give Ish Smith passable backup PG status. I don't trust any big after Bryant.

I would assume the goal is that Hachimura & Brown develop to the point where they can be quality starters. I don't see how this is not a multiyear rebuild.

G ??? ... I. Smith ... I. Thomas ... Ju. Robinson ... Wall
G Beal ... ??? ... McRae
F ??? ... T. Brown Jr ... Miles ... Je. Jones
F ??? ... Bertans ... Hachimura ... Schofield
C Bryant ... ??? ... ??? ... Wagner ... Mahinmi

Under any circumstance, it could only be seen as 1-year on the assumption that Wall comes back strong next year. That would make 3 legit starters. If, in addition, you assume that Brown becomes a "legit starter" in his 3d year, now you're at 4.

Meaning it's all about how quickly Hachimura develops. That is, "all about" in this fictional view. Then, continuing the fiction, since Mahinmi/Howard come off the payroll after this, freeing $21m, & since we will have a R1 & R2 rookie next year for a total of at most $5.5m, we will have room to add a "star" FA a year from now. Rui only has to be our 6th man.

Kaboom! Job done.

I speculate that this is the Ted Leonsis view of the matter -- a very "Ernie" way of looking at things -- rather than the Tommy Sheppard view of things. But... that's just speculation. For which my only evidence, very slight, is Sheppard saying "we are going to build this thing the right way, patiently."

From their work in the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 drafts the Washington Wizards netted a total of 2 players -- i.e. next to nothing. From their work in the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 off seasons -- both trades & FA signings -- the Washington Wizards have 1 player, Thomas Bryant, & 2 boat anchors (Mahinmi & Howard). From their trades within those same seasons, the Wizards have literally nothing. Zip.

Coming out of last season, we had 4 players who were worth anything at all -- Wall, Beal, Brown & Bryant. Wall is injured, seriously injured. Brown is 19, with 730 NBA minutes under his belt. Bryant was a tremendous piece of good luck/work. The 5th was Sato, but we let him go. We were also 4 or 5 picks shy of the usual future draft assets.

How much worse can anyone imagine a 32 win team could be? On any but the most absolutely pie-in-the-sky vision of Wall's recovery (i.e. as significantly better than he ever was), this team has many many non-competitive years in front of it.

Add to that an interim GM who will struggle to manage an owner who still doesn't know what it is that he doesn't know that he needs to know, an owner who could start by learning how to hire a GM & follow it up by learning how to get out the GM's way.

Anyway, "rebuild" to what? From the last 70% of the 2014-15 season until now the Washington Wizards record has been 192 wins vs. 193 losses. We had one stretch of I think @ 21-3 in that time, now almost 3 years ago btw. Except for that fabulous run, we are 171-190 over most of the last 5 seasons. Great, huh? Lets "rebuild" to be like that again?

Of course one should really include all those seasons, right? We've actually averaged a big 42 wins over the 5 last seasons - 1 game over .500. Wow.... Lets use this rebuild to get back to those great heights!

[closg00]

Kiszla: Nuggets need one more big piece to be legit championship contenders. His name? Bradley Beal.
Add Beal, a 26-year-old shooting guard in his prime, and Denver pries open its championship window for the next five years.

https://www.denverpost.com/2019/07/09/nuggets-bradley-beal-trade-nba-kiszla/

[nate33]

Here's my "how far away are we from being a legit contender" tracker.

The ??? represent what we don't have. We have alot of those. We lack 3 legit starters & 2/3 legit backups. I'm being nice and will give Ish Smith passable backup PG status. I don't trust any big after Bryant.

I would assume the goal is that Hachimura & Brown develop to the point where they can be quality starters. I don't see how this is not a multiyear rebuild.

G ??? ... I. Smith ... I. Thomas ... Ju. Robinson ... Wall
G Beal ... ??? ... McRae
F ??? ... T. Brown Jr ... Miles ... Je. Jones
F ??? ... Bertans ... Hachimura ... Schofield
C Bryant ... ??? ... ??? ... Wagner ... Mahinmi

Under any circumstance, it could only be seen as 1-year on the assumption that Wall comes back strong next year. That would make 3 legit starters. If, in addition, you assume that Brown becomes a "legit starter" in his 3d year, now you're at 4.

Meaning it's all about how quickly Hachimura develops. That is, "all about" in this fictional view. Then, continuing the fiction, since Mahinmi/Howard come off the payroll after this, freeing $21m, & since we will have a R1 & R2 rookie next year for a total of at most $5.5m, we will have room to add a "star" FA a year from now. Rui only has to be our 6th man.

Kaboom! Job done.

I speculate that this is the Ted Leonsis view of the matter -- a very "Ernie" way of looking at things -- rather than the Tommy Sheppard view of things. But... that's just speculation. For which my only evidence, very slight, is Sheppard saying "we are going to build this thing the right way, patiently."

I actually think that is the plan. 15 months from now, we will have 4 quality starters (Wall, Beal, Brown and Bryant) and 1 guy whom we hope will be rounding into starting-caliber form (Hachimura). They'll also have a lottery pick in 2020.

I don't really have a problem with that part of the plan. What worries me is that the Ish Smith and Davis Bertans move suggest that they are willing to devote serious resources to short term veteran complements rather than devote all resources (this year at least) toward building an asset base for the future. Also, they seem more concerned with salary cap flexibility in 2020 and 2021 rather than taking the opportunity to buy talented young free agents on the cheap (Noah Vonleh) or future picks.

Dat2U's player chart would look much better with Sato in place of once set of question marks and Vonleh in place of another. Our depth chart in the 2020-21 season could have been:

PG Wall/Sato
SG Beal/Sato
SF Brown/???
PF Hachimura/Vonleh
C Bryant/Vonleh

Not a lot of question marks there, particularly if our 2020 lotto pick is a small forward. Also, maybe Bertans is resigned, giving us a 9-man rotation.

[nate33]

Kiszla: Nuggets need one more big piece to be legit championship contenders. His name? Bradley Beal.
Add Beal, a 26-year-old shooting guard in his prime, and Denver pries open its championship window for the next five years.

https://www.denverpost.com/2019/07/09/nuggets-bradley-beal-trade-nba-kiszla/

From the article:

After being properly chastised for my lack of appreciation for the mighty worth of Millsap as a player in the final year of a $30 million contract, could his expiring deal and multiple future draft picks be sufficient to convince Washington to trade Beal? And if not, Connelly could again use Gary Harris as the centerpiece of a trade proposal, which is a tactic the Nuggets have tried so regularly in recent years it’s a wonder Harris hasn’t developed an inferiority complex.

"Multiple future draft picks" from a Denver team featuring Jokic, Beal, Murray and their excellent depth would be multiple picks in the late 20's. This is what stupid media analysts keep overlooking. We're not trading Bradley freaking Beal for 3 #25 picks and an expiring contract.

The only way this trade gets interesting is if Michael Porter Jr. actually gets healthy and shows some signs of living up to all the hype that has been rumored about him. If we got Porter Jr., Malik Beasley, Monte Morris and a handful of future 1sts, I'd listen.

[payitforward]

Here's my "how far away are we from being a legit contender" tracker.

The ??? represent what we don't have. We have alot of those. We lack 3 legit starters & 2/3 legit backups. I'm being nice and will give Ish Smith passable backup PG status. I don't trust any big after Bryant.

I would assume the goal is that Hachimura & Brown develop to the point where they can be quality starters. I don't see how this is not a multiyear rebuild.

G ??? ... I. Smith ... I. Thomas ... Ju. Robinson ... Wall
G Beal ... ??? ... McRae
F ??? ... T. Brown Jr ... Miles ... Je. Jones
F ??? ... Bertans ... Hachimura ... Schofield
C Bryant ... ??? ... ??? ... Wagner ... Mahinmi

Under any circumstance, it could only be seen as 1-year on the assumption that Wall comes back strong next year. That would make 3 legit starters. If, in addition, you assume that Brown becomes a "legit starter" in his 3d year, now you're at 4.

Meaning it's all about how quickly Hachimura develops. That is, "all about" in this fictional view. Then, continuing the fiction, since Mahinmi/Howard come off the payroll after this, freeing $21m, & since we will have a R1 & R2 rookie next year for a total of at most $5.5m, we will have room to add a "star" FA a year from now. Rui only has to be our 6th man.

Kaboom! Job done. ...

I actually think that is the plan. 15 months from now, we will have 4 quality starters (Wall, Beal, Brown and Bryant) and 1 guy whom we hope will be rounding into starting-caliber form (Hachimura). They'll also have a lottery pick in 2020.

I don't really have a problem with that part of the plan....

Yep. & I too hope that Wall comes back better than ever. That Brown turns into a quality starter by this time next year, & that Hachimura is "rounding into" that too.

Only... that isn't a "plan." It's a dream. A fantasy. It requires the best imaginable results in multiple unrelated situations none of which are under anyone's power to control.

I.e., it's hope as a strategy -- probably the single worst way to proceed. That's why I agree that you are right to worry:

...What worries me is that the Ish Smith and Davis Bertans move suggest that they are willing to devote serious resources to short term veteran complements rather than devote all resources (this year at least) toward building an asset base for the future. Also, they seem more concerned with salary cap flexibility in 2020 and 2021 rather than taking the opportunity to buy talented young free agents on the cheap (Noah Vonleh) or future picks.

Dat2U's player chart would look much better with Sato in place of once set of question marks and Vonleh in place of another. Our depth chart in the 2020-21 season could have been:

PG Wall/Sato
SG Beal/Sato
SF Brown/???
PF Hachimura/Vonleh
C Bryant/Vonleh

Not a lot of question marks there, particularly if our 2020 lotto pick is a small forward. Also, maybe Bertans is resigned, giving us a 9-man rotation.

Well, presumably we wouldn't have Bertans, hence couldn't re-sign him. But other than that, sure.

Except, even better would have been to make Memphis' offer to Tyus Jones instead. With Tyus Jones, Layman & Vonleh instead of Smith, Bertans & Miles, we'd struggle to finish the roster & stay under the tax, but it would be possible.

That would have been a great off season. Not much difference in cap flexibility next year either.

[deneem4]

Under any circumstance, it could only be seen as 1-year on the assumption that Wall comes back strong next year. That would make 3 legit starters. If, in addition, you assume that Brown becomes a "legit starter" in his 3d year, now you're at 4.

Meaning it's all about how quickly Hachimura develops. That is, "all about" in this fictional view. Then, continuing the fiction, since Mahinmi/Howard come off the payroll after this, freeing $21m, & since we will have a R1 & R2 rookie next year for a total of at most $5.5m, we will have room to add a "star" FA a year from now. Rui only has to be our 6th man.

Kaboom! Job done. ...

I actually think that is the plan. 15 months from now, we will have 4 quality starters (Wall, Beal, Brown and Bryant) and 1 guy whom we hope will be rounding into starting-caliber form (Hachimura). They'll also have a lottery pick in 2020.

I don't really have a problem with that part of the plan....

Yep. & I too hope that Wall comes back better than ever. That Brown turns into a quality starter by this time next year, & that Hachimura is "rounding into" that too.

Only... that isn't a "plan." It's a dream. A fantasy. It requires the best imaginable results in multiple unrelated situations none of which are under anyone's power to control.

I.e., it's hope as a strategy -- probably the single worst way to proceed. That's why I agree that you are right to worry:

...What worries me is that the Ish Smith and Davis Bertans move suggest that they are willing to devote serious resources to short term veteran complements rather than devote all resources (this year at least) toward building an asset base for the future. Also, they seem more concerned with salary cap flexibility in 2020 and 2021 rather than taking the opportunity to buy talented young free agents on the cheap (Noah Vonleh) or future picks.

Dat2U's player chart would look much better with Sato in place of once set of question marks and Vonleh in place of another. Our depth chart in the 2020-21 season could have been:

PG Wall/Sato
SG Beal/Sato
SF Brown/???
PF Hachimura/Vonleh
C Bryant/Vonleh

Not a lot of question marks there, particularly if our 2020 lotto pick is a small forward. Also, maybe Bertans is resigned, giving us a 9-man rotation.

Well, presumably we wouldn't have Bertans, hence couldn't re-sign him. But other than that, sure.

Except, even better would have been to make Memphis' offer to Tyus Jones instead. With Tyus Jones, Layman & Vonleh instead of Smith, Bertans & Miles, we'd struggle to finish the roster & stay under the tax, but it would be possible.

That would have been a great off season. Not much difference in cap flexibility next year either.

Pretty sure sato didn’t want to be here anymore...

[Rafael122]

Kiszla: Nuggets need one more big piece to be legit championship contenders. His name? Bradley Beal.
Add Beal, a 26-year-old shooting guard in his prime, and Denver pries open its championship window for the next five years.

https://www.denverpost.com/2019/07/09/nuggets-bradley-beal-trade-nba-kiszla/

From the article:

After being properly chastised for my lack of appreciation for the mighty worth of Millsap as a player in the final year of a $30 million contract, could his expiring deal and multiple future draft picks be sufficient to convince Washington to trade Beal? And if not, Connelly could again use Gary Harris as the centerpiece of a trade proposal, which is a tactic the Nuggets have tried so regularly in recent years it’s a wonder Harris hasn’t developed an inferiority complex.

"Multiple future draft picks" from a Denver team featuring Jokic, Beal, Murray and their excellent depth would be multiple picks in the late 20's. This is what stupid media analysts keep overlooking. We're not trading Bradley freaking Beal for 3 #25 picks and an expiring contract.

The only way this trade gets interesting is if Michael Porter Jr. actually gets healthy and shows some signs of living up to all the hype that has been rumored about him. If we got Porter Jr., Malik Beasley, Monte Morris and a handful of future 1sts, I'd listen.

The NBA media can be annoying at times, they're always looking for the next guy that needs to be traded. Simmons has already been working on that, mentioning Beal, Towns, etc. To be honest, it does appear that Beal is that next guy, and will probably be the last one for awhile with everyone being locked up to 4-5 year contracts.

I would have had a lot more interest in Denver had Murray not signed that contract. And now it looks like Porter is hurt again, so they don't have much. And I doubt Ted's trading Beal to Connelly.

[payitforward]

...It all comes down to training camp for ‘Rio Jones. If he shows out as a discount Andre Roberson and impresses coaches and proves indispensable on defense then maybe we cut a guaranteed contract like Tarik Philip or Bonga. So far it’s not looking great for him.

Tarik Phillip is unguaranteed -- same $$ as Je Jones.

[truwizfan4evr]

As the smoke clears, it really makes me wonder why they didn't go after guys with 2 year offers. Summer of 2020 is an absolutely horrendous free agent class. I'm looking at their cap sheet over on BBall Insiders: http://www.basketballinsiders.com/washington-wizards-team-salary/

I count about $95 million in guaranteed salaries, with them releasing cap holds on Mahinmi, Miles, etc. Cap is projected to be $117 million, which means we'd have a ballpark of $20 million in space.

Then I look at the 2020 free agents: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2020-nba-free-agency-top-30-players-available-in-next-years-class-led-by-anthony-davis-draymond-green-kyle-lowry/

We have a clear weakness at the 4, and the wing positions need shoring up. My top target would be Paul Millsap. I know he's 34/35....but if we're all about changing the culture, you can bring him in a 1 year deal possibly (the cap is expected to make another jump to $125 million in summer 2021, maybe he goes for 1 last payday then). Derrick Favors would be another option, especially if he shows any outside range this season. Favors has been in the league damn near 10 years and he's only 27.

It is a terrible class. There were much better deals available late in this summer's free agency period.

It's why I wanted to keep Jabari on a 1+1 or 2+1 deal instead of Bertans (or in addition to Bertans). It's why I thought we should sign Noah Vonleh to a 2-year or 3-year deal while we could get him cheap.

The only guy on that list you posted that interests me much is Jerami Grant. If he opts out, he might be interesting as a youngish combo forward who can play D and hit 3's.

We should go after caris next offseason. Can nets afford to keep him? Plus of kd will be back.

[truwizfan4evr]

https://www.denverpost.com/2019/07/09/nuggets-bradley-beal-trade-nba-kiszla/

From the article:

After being properly chastised for my lack of appreciation for the mighty worth of Millsap as a player in the final year of a $30 million contract, could his expiring deal and multiple future draft picks be sufficient to convince Washington to trade Beal? And if not, Connelly could again use Gary Harris as the centerpiece of a trade proposal, which is a tactic the Nuggets have tried so regularly in recent years it’s a wonder Harris hasn’t developed an inferiority complex.

"Multiple future draft picks" from a Denver team featuring Jokic, Beal, Murray and their excellent depth would be multiple picks in the late 20's. This is what stupid media analysts keep overlooking. We're not trading Bradley freaking Beal for 3 #25 picks and an expiring contract.

The only way this trade gets interesting is if Michael Porter Jr. actually gets healthy and shows some signs of living up to all the hype that has been rumored about him. If we got Porter Jr., Malik Beasley, Monte Morris and a handful of future 1sts, I'd listen.

The NBA media can be annoying at times, they're always looking for the next guy that needs to be traded. Simmons has already been working on that, mentioning Beal, Towns, etc. To be honest, it does appear that Beal is that next guy, and will probably be the last one for awhile with everyone being locked up to 4-5 year contracts.

I would have had a lot more interest in Denver had Murray not signed that contract. And now it looks like Porter is hurt again, so they don't have much. And I doubt Ted's trading Beal to Connelly.

Gary Harris so overrated. I would want at least 4 or 5 first round picks.

[trast66]

This roster is carnage like I've not seen since the end of Nets 2015, but they turned out OK 4 years later. To me that is a more realistic and achievable time frame for us to be a playoff team that could win a round, Beal or no Beal. Rui, Brown, and Bryant are more likely to never amount to much than become top 50 players, its not a high ceiling bunch in my view. Rui and Brown are still total unknowns if they can play. Bryant has to improve a lot on the defensive end and will see how his production is when more of a focus of opposing defense. We should all be thrilled if Wall can peak out as giving the team 20 solid vet minutes a night. I don't think any of this is negative, just realistic.

[DCZards]

This roster is carnage like I've not seen since the end of Nets 2015, but they turned out OK 4 years later. To me that is a more realistic and achievable time frame for us to be a playoff team that could win a round, Beal or no Beal. Rui, Brown, and Bryant are more likely to never amount to much than become top 50 players, its not a high ceiling bunch in my view. Rui and Brown are still total unknowns if they can play. Bryant has to improve a lot on the defensive end and will see how his production is when more of a focus of opposing defense. We should all be thrilled if Wall can peak out as giving the team 20 solid vet minutes a night. I don't think any of this is negative, just realistic.

Agree with most of this...except the part about Wall. I think you underestimate both Wall and modern medicine. There’s no reason why Wall can’t play 30-35 quality minutes by the 2020-21 season.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Please sign Trey Lyles. I'm not asking for a lot. I'm not saying he's some great player or gonna lead us to a winning season. But I like him as a prospect. 23 skilled and versatile, and I think adding him would balance our roster out nicely. And if we can add him, I would feel a little bit better about losing the likes of Otto, Oubre, Portis and Parker.

You put him in the frontcourt with Rui, we have 2 long athletic, skilled, versatile forwards... defending, spotting up, rolling to the basket, putbacks, alley oops.... I think the 2 of them could make a really good tandem.

If IT is any semblance of his old self.... You got SCORING from the backcourt in Thomas and Beal, with those long versatile forwards, and Bryant in the post. Come off the bench with Ish, Miles, TBJ, Bertans, Mahinmi. That actually looks like a bench. Then end of roster/development squad of Wagner, Admiral, Jones, Bonga.


Thomas / Smith / Bonga
Beal / Miles / Jones
Hachimura / TBJ / Schofield
Lyles / Bertans / Wagner
Bryant / Mahinmi

[gambitx777]

McRae is also no guaranteed. Which just based on age I'd rather keep Jones than him tbh!

...It all comes down to training camp for ‘Rio Jones. If he shows out as a discount Andre Roberson and impresses coaches and proves indispensable on defense then maybe we cut a guaranteed contract like Tarik Philip or Bonga. So far it’s not looking great for him.

Tarik Phillip is unguaranteed -- same $$ as Je Jones.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using RealGM mobile app

[Illmatic12]

Please sign Trey Lyles. I'm not asking for a lot. I'm not saying he's some great player or gonna lead us to a winning season. But I like him as a prospect. 23 skilled and versatile, and I think adding him would balance our roster out nicely. And if we can add him, I would feel a little bit better about losing the likes of Otto, Oubre, Portis and Parker.

You put him in the frontcourt with Rui, we have 2 long athletic, skilled, versatile forwards... defending, spotting up, rolling to the basket, putbacks, alley oops.... I think the 2 of them could make a really good tandem.

If IT is any semblance of his old self.... You got SCORING from the backcourt in Thomas and Beal, with those long versatile forwards, and Bryant in the post. Come off the bench with Ish, Miles, TBJ, Bertans, Mahinmi. That actually looks like a bench. Then end of roster/development squad of Wagner, Admiral, Jones, Bonga.


Thomas / Smith / Bonga
Beal / Miles / Jones
Hachimura / TBJ / Schofield
Lyles / Bertans / Wagner
Bryant / Mahinmi

So , that’s a hard pass. Lyles is a god awful defender . There’s a reason why two teams have cut bait with him , after being drafted in the lottery.

He’s basically an overgrown SF who chucks shots and does nothing else - can’t set screens, can’t pass, can’t defend

[pancakes3]

worst of all, he can't shoot.

[dckingsfan]

Agree with most of this...except the part about Wall. I think you underestimate both Wall and modern medicine. There’s no reason why Wall can’t play 30-35 quality minutes by the 2020-21 season.

I really do think they are going to need to start to think about limiting his minutes. 30 per game, sure. But then some of the back to backs he is going to need to take off or play minimal minutes. If we could get low 2000 (productive) minutes from him in a season that would be a huge win, IMO. The years of him play near to 3000 minutes will have to end.

Not having a 20 min/gm quality backup PG would be a disaster when he returns.

[deneem4]

Please sign Trey Lyles. I'm not asking for a lot. I'm not saying he's some great player or gonna lead us to a winning season. But I like him as a prospect. 23 skilled and versatile, and I think adding him would balance our roster out nicely. And if we can add him, I would feel a little bit better about losing the likes of Otto, Oubre, Portis and Parker.

You put him in the frontcourt with Rui, we have 2 long athletic, skilled, versatile forwards... defending, spotting up, rolling to the basket, putbacks, alley oops.... I think the 2 of them could make a really good tandem.

If IT is any semblance of his old self.... You got SCORING from the backcourt in Thomas and Beal, with those long versatile forwards, and Bryant in the post. Come off the bench with Ish, Miles, TBJ, Bertans, Mahinmi. That actually looks like a bench. Then end of roster/development squad of Wagner, Admiral, Jones, Bonga.


Thomas / Smith / Bonga
Beal / Miles / Jones
Hachimura / TBJ / Schofield
Lyles / Bertans / Wagner
Bryant / Mahinmi

Substitute lyes for tbj and you got a plan...
Rather have a point forward out there to help Beal while wall is out...
Thomas
Beal
Brown
Hachi
Bryant
Its the most versatile lineup we can throw out right now,
Unless, bonga, admiral, Jones or Wagner can make a strong impression