Klomp wrote:minimus wrote:Which brings me back to the original point: team identity. I wonder if an OKC–Indiana Finals run might influence Connelly’s vision. Could it trigger a shift away from the two-big lineup, and more toward a fast, pace-and-space system?
This is something I have been weighing as well
I think there are two ways to look at it.
First, you can see both Randle and Reid as either big wings or hybrid bigs, depending on lineup context.
Second, you build around combinations — lineup packages that work both offensively and defensively. If you go that route, then the Randle vs. Reid dilemma becomes more nuanced. Both are unique players with contrasting offensive profiles but similar defensive limitations:
- Randle is a physical post-up threat and slasher. He enjoys contact, can make high-level kick-out passes, and hits mid-range shots. However, he lacks discipline and positional awareness as a weakside defender and doesn’t consistently box out. When engaged, he can hold his ground in one-on-one defense.
- Reid is a stretch four who can drive and attack closeouts. He also struggles with defensive discipline and positional awareness, and like Randle, doesn’t always box out. But when engaged, he’s a capable one-on-one defender. He avoids mid-range shots entirely.
In my view, both are at their best when surrounded by elite defenders like Gobert, McDaniels, NAW, and DDV. That’s because:
- Gobert provides rim protection and rebounding.
- McDaniels and NAW handle point-of-attack defense.
- DDV, while not a PoA guy, has been excellent as a roamer and backline defender:
So essentially, every major defensive limitation of Randle and Reid is compensated for by teammates:
- Lacks rebounding? Gobert + improved McDaniels
- Lacks space defense? McDaniels, NAW, and (hopefully) Clark
- Lacks rim protection? Gobert, McDaniels, and even DDV
- Lacks defensive awareness? Gobert, McDaniels, and DDV can clean up mistakes
Offensively, both players offer key ingredients that enable lineup functionality:
- Reid brings elite 3PT shooting and exceptional mobility/ball-handling for a big.
- Randle is too powerful for wings, and too mobile and skilled for most bigs. He collapses defenses with his slashing and post work.
Simplified view:
- Take Reid out of the rotation → you lose essential floor spacing; lineups struggle to generate easy offense.
- Take Randle out → you lose slashing, post-up gravity, and drive-and-kick creation.
So it may even make sense to keep both, despite their defensive flaws — because offensive-minded players are harder and more expensive to replace. Defensive glue guys are often cheaper and easier to plug in.
But that raises the key question:
How do you improve this roster if you keep both Randle and Reid?
There are two obvious paths:
1. Improve transition offense/defense
MIN was among the worst in both categories. Randle and Reid don’t run, so you need to surround them with high-motor wings and guards who do.
2. Add more low-profile, high-IQ, high-effort players
Think “Kyle Anderson archetypes”: players who can rebound, pass, defend multiple positions, and don’t need the ball.
2025 Draft Targets Who Fit
If we keep one of Randle or Reid, here are some names to watch:
- Collin Murray-Boyles (CMB) – A potential Kyle Anderson replacement next to Reid. Can rebound, pass, and defend multiple positions.
- Fleming – A Jabari Smith Jr.-type stretch 4/5 who could work well next to Randle.
- Sorber / Niederhauser / Beringer – All project as future Gobert replacements with varying upside.
- Raynaud / Yang / Kalkbrenner – True stretch-5 options who could complement the offense in different ways.
Having picks #17 and #31 in 2025 gives Connelly real flexibility here.
P.S. I still struggle to categorize Wolf, Asa Newell, and Essengue. They don’t slot cleanly into any of these roles — might need more context to evaluate their fit.
