Bernman wrote:German Athens wrote:In the modern NBA, to be a contender it starts with having a top 2 worth a damn, and then there’s basically two methodologies for the remaining top section of the roster:
1) Fill the roster in with versatile capable high-end depth (see 2020 Lakers, probably 2023 Nuggets)
Or
2) Bring in a high-level 3rd option to form a big 3 (see 2021 Bucks)
I think we have a top 2 worth a damn, and we’ve pretty much always tried to form that big 3, but maybe it’s time to swing the other direction. Jimmy, to me, is the only player where the big 3 option makes sense, but Lavine, Beal, probably Ingram all seem like a sizable step down from where we’d need to be.
We should explore option 1 above, and bring that high level depth - players with a more versatile skillset than we’ve had on our roster that can do some shooting, defending, self-creating in a pinch, but just not up to the standards of a third option.
Basically, id rather turn our dudes into Wiggins and Cam Johnson than just Lavine. At that point you’re adding two dudes who are solid defenders, who are more versatile than the wings we’ve thrown out there over the past few years (Grayson, Wes, Prince, Trent, etc).
There also may be more options available who fit this scenario.
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I mean, we didn't have a big 3, cuz Jrue sucked offensively in the playoffs. So we were pretty much just formula #1 also.
Basically since the formula is have your big 2 be healthy enough, which it hasn't been for 3 seasons. We'd just be trying for the 4th & swapping Dame for Khris in that equation.
Of the formulas, I'd ostensibly choose the big 3 route for us, because I don't know how we can bank on both Giannis & Dame being healthy the entire playoffs. Last year we had the leeway of a big 3, & they still couldn't be healthy enough.
That said, who that 3rd guy is makes all the difference. Middleton fit in because of his passing & chemistry. Beal made their big 2 worse in PHX. He would have ours, & LaVine the same. That's why I'd balk at those.
The only one who intrigues me that I've heard is Butler cuz he picks his spots & would be an asset on d. Also may clear cap to add a better fit to the core than LaVine & co. in the offseason.
If I have to choose between great role guys & LaVine/Beal types, give me the former. But I'd rather do the Butler/big 3 formula. And we could hope Middleton turns things around. All 3 come w/ risks-rewards, so all those routes are adequate at least.
How they ultimately performed is beside the point of how the bucks monetarily allocated resources and conceptually built the team.
Yes, Jrue face planted offensively every season in the playoffs, but the bucks were built around the idea that he could succeed as a third option. They were built around his offense looking a lot like the offense he gave us in the regular season which was very good.
In 2023 we spent about 92% of the cap on Giannis, Khris, and Jrue with Jrue making about 28% of it himself.
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The examples I gave for each method above aren’t perfect, although, the laker one is pretty much spot on, but each contender operates on a spectrum between the two. We’ve been much closer to a big 3 construction than big 2 with role guys.
The point is more that if we trade for Beal or Lavine, or whatever dude making close to the max, and I think you agree with this, we’re becoming even more of a big 3. Getting Lavine in here would put us at something like 100% of the cap for our top 3 players. Certain players are worth that, but I think Jimmy would be the only guy of the names thrown out there that may be.
I’d rather get Wiggins and cam Johnson in at 49M than Lavine at 43M or Beal at 50M.
With the available options, we need to consider conceptually building this team differently than we have in the past.
Historically, the big 3 route was the best option, but with the recent cap ramifications, we’re seeing more teams like the 2020 lakers or even the 2022 Warriors rise up who aren’t as reliant on their third option for creating looks for themselves or others.
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