Marvin Martian wrote:
Markkanen is not a foundation piece. He is just another one dimensional scorer that can't pass the ball like Cam T. Acquiring him is not thinking outside the box. That is doubling down on a system and philosophy that doesn't fit modern NBA basketball.
There certainly have been a good number of point forwards, and perhaps we've been spoiled by guys like Draymond and LeBron. But I think it unfair to claim a power forward is one dimensional because he doesn't assist any more than a high usage ball dominant guard who also averages only one assist per. That is not a priority in a four's job description.
Lauri is a versatile 7 footer shooting 48/38/85%, with 8.6 Boards, 23 points, and his team is 11 points worse when he is off the floor. (I've ignored on court numbers because the Jazz have been so bad that every major contributor is negative in that measure.) I do not know if a "foundation piece" means near superstar, but I do believe we'd be substantially better with him in the lineup in any event.
I'm not sure if our recent woes are a result of the caliber of the opposition, fatigue, or the insertion of Cam into the dominant position in the lineup. But I am beginning to wonder. I do know that Mikal is not the mediocrity he has been made out to be during these last six games. I would be ready to see if a starting lineup of Spence, Mikal, CJ, Lauri, and Nic, would be as much better as I suspect, and if it would restore the confidence, competence, and cohesion we had most of the year. As I stated previously, though, I do recognize and appreciate Cam T's scoring prowess and still see him as a plus off of the bench. Anyway, per "RealGM wiretap" it seems like Mitchell might not even be available.