bwgood77 wrote:WeekapaugGroove wrote:My take on the Booker aspect of this. I've been one to downplay that in the past because frankly with the length of his deal he didn't have leverage, and at 4 years he really still doesn't. Plus before last year he wasn't actually accomplished or good enough to have that leverage. BUT every year that changes, when he hits the two years left point he absolutely will have the leverage to make things uncomfortable. So the next two years are important. Now the **** secret of star players playing GM is if they get it wrong they still end up leaving.
The main reason I like the potential Paul deal is I truly think it's a wonderful basketball fit. A three man game with booker Ayton and Paul with shooting around them would be a thing of beauty that could succeed against good teams. Plus no small issue is they HAVE to understand what they really have in Ayton and I think Paul helps with that. This is an important season for Deandre because he's extension eligible next summer and if there's any doubt after this year they might have to quietly explore trades.
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I like the fit, but if he can stay healthy I would not look to trade him after this year...we can't keep shuffling the point guards and continuity and one reason Paul agreed to come here is to be close to his family, and heck, they might move to Scottsdale for all we know.
I think you hope he stays healthy and hope you find that PG of the future. Perhaps if he is healthy, he even sticks around one more year on the cheap...but I imagine he will be about done at 37....or at least 38...I think that would be two more years after this contract.
Also, there is a chance Booker learns from Paul how important the competitiveness and play on the defensive side of the ball is more important than the offensive side, because, as coaches always say, your shots won't always fall, but you can be consistent with the defensive pressure to give other teams' problems.
I think that is one big way Paul helps teams is helping set the tone on defense. I think Ricky was good at this too, but Paul is better.
My main reasoning to mention this, I think with defense AND watching Paul's IQ as primary ball handler after watching Ricky, there is a pretty good chance we won't need that PG in the future, or at least what you would consider a regular primary ball handling smaller guard to guard other PGs, but Booker can be the primary ball handler, or work as the PG, while we have 3 defensive shooting wings along with Ayton, post Paul.
Well there is a least a decent chance that Killian is there at 10. I don't think that Halliburton makes it past NYK but Killian might be better for us anyway-he's younger so keeping him on the bench to learn won't kill us with wasted years and he's more athletic so there's more to work with. Someone with his skills can learn a lot from our HOF point.
