criteriado wrote:Gideon wrote:
Yeah, I know we'd probably want to bring Brewer off the bench to have more spacing in the starting line-up, that Dieng is likely to usurp the starting C position, and that there's zero context to the above other than individual performance last season in one advanced metric. Still, doesn't that look damn good? That's almost 40 wins above replacement for those five guys combined. I insist that the CHI trade would in no way, shape, or form be a rebuilding or treadmill decision -- we'd absolutely have the talent necessary to compete, and our core would include many underrated players who provide significant positive impact in non-traditional ways.
I'd like the trade from the start if we want to compete. But the bench would still be awful. We really need a competent backup PG who is a shooter and can play some minutes with Rubio. Also play Rubio more minutes.
I definitely agree with playing Rubio more minutes; I feel strongly that he should average as many minutes as other top young players, and know that he's going to be counted on in the 4th.
IMO if we make the Bulls trade our bench would be considerably better this year, for the following reasons:
(1) We're trading one player in Love for multiple assets, so we're automatically somewhat deeper.
(2) Chances are at least one of our picks will be able to contribute. Along with our #13, we'll likely get at least one more pick in the Love deal and/or a prospect (such as Mirotic) who is good enough to crack the rotation.
(3) Joerger will use role players much better than Adelman did last year. I have a lot of respect for the coaching jobs Adelman did in POR and SAC, but it seemed to me like he really wasn't coaching his A-game in MIN much of the time, and this was especially true with his odd rotations (most blatantly playing Barea and Dante way too much, and only giving Dieng a chance out of absolute necessity). In contrast, Joerger utilized role players like Calathes, Lee, Koufos, and Miller in a way that played to their strengths and fit into the overall team identity.
(4) As far as our specific needs, I can't imagine it will be too difficult to pick up a solid 12 mpg back-up PG to replace Barea, and then make a small trade to clear our mediocre-wing logjam in exchange for a rotation-level PF.
We will probably need to make a small trade or two and sign a couple of minor FA's to make sure our overall roster fit is correct (but that's the case for most teams in most offseasons, and isn't a big deal). Overall, I think last year's bench disaster was part Adelman/part fluke, and we'll almost surely have a much better rotation this coming season.
