/*long post incoming*/
I don't think it's that hard to be better than last year's play-in team. But to realize that improved potential, there are several factors in play.
First, my chart of what we had then VS now:
| Last Year's Play-In #2 | As of September 2022 | Reason for Improvement |
---|
Center | Jarrett Allen | Jarrett Allen | His hand should be healed now |
Power Forward | Evan Mobley | Evan Mobley | His potential growth into a star |
Small Forward | Lauri Markkanen | TBD *** (several different options) | |
Shooting Guard | Caris LeVert (the only start with the 4 core starters from last year) | Donovan Mitchell | We have a proven scoring all-star with playoff experience |
Point Guard | Darius Garland | Darius Garland | Still a star, very young, still some room to grow |
1st Big off Bench | Kevin Love | Kevin Love | It's a contract year, but also a reliable veteran shooter off the bench |
1st Wing off Bench | Issac Okoro | TBD *** (several different options) | |
1st Guard off Bench | Rajon Rondo | TBD *** (Should be Ricky Rubio) - (Raul Neto could fill in temporarily) | We now have a veteran or 2 who's adaptable to what the team needs |
Limited Utility Big | Moses Brown (no minutes) | Robin Lopez | We have a proven big man in limited minutes with replacement-level ability |
Limited Utility Wing | Lamar Stevens (no minutes) | TBD *** (could be filled with multiple players) | Defining roles means that whoever is in this role can step up when another guy gets injured |
Wild Card | Cedi Osman (no minutes) | Cedi Osman | This is a contract year, so his value could be determined either by his performance or saving a team's salary space |
End of Bench Player | Dylan Windler (no minutes) | Dylan Windler | This could be his last chance, TBD |
End of Bench Player | Ed Davis (no minutes) | | |
Looking at this chart, a few thoughts come to mind:
- Many of the younger ones now have 1 more year of experience (like Mobley and Garland) or a chance to recover from injury (Allen).
- By making the deal for Mitchell, we obtained a legitimate upgrade over last year's core (especially to replace Sexton).
- And other positions were given new life as well (like the signings of Rubio, when he returns, Raul Neto, and Lopez).
- Some have favorable contracts that could be leveraged for other assets come trade season or create cap space for next year (Love).
- And others are what I call "Wild Cards." Cedi Osman is like Jekyll and Hyde. Windler is in a Danny Green situation, to prove he either belongs in the NBA or is kicked out.
In addition, we also have a rather large hole at the wing positions that needs filled, possibly from 4 players:
Players to fill SF and Wing Positions | Pros | Cons |
---|
Issac Okoro | Very young (21), may have another gear (3rd season), already a decent defender | Lacks several key skills that limits ceiling, does not have a lot of length to defend prototype SFs |
Caris LeVert | Has ability to score and create at 3 levels, deadly midrange shot, has shown the ability to defend well
(important note) When healthy: He should either be starting or the first player off the bench, but only IF he's healthy... | Can't stay healthy long enough to be counted on, lacks some length to defend large wings, not a reliable 3 point shooter, not always healthy, may not fit in the starting role with overlapping skillsets that others have, and also not healthy |
Lamar Stevens | Smart b-ball IQ, a stout defender, does not need the ball to be effective | He is who he is, not towering, does not have a proven shot needed to be a 3-and-D player |
Dean Wade | Has the size to defend bigger wings (and power forwards perhaps), has the ability to hit the corner 3, another smart b-ball player, does not need the ball in his hands | He is who he is, has not shown the ability to stay healthy, he's a better fit as an emergency player rather than as a rotational piece |
TL;DR
I think we're deeper. And I think we're gonna grow rapidly, between our 4 potential all-stars (Allen, Mobley, Garland, Mitchell), the quality players who fill a niche role (Rubio/Neto, Love, and Lopez), the 4 players fighting for the wing positions (Okoro, LeVert, Stevens, and Wade), and the guys on the outside looking in (Windler, Osman).
As an example, this could be similar to the breakout season the Cavs had in 1988-89. Nance Senior was acquired at the 1988 Trade Deadline, but once he was there for a whole season, they improved by 15 games (!), Is 57 wins not possible for them? If they can have some good luck and stay healthy (*knocks on wood*), the sky's the limit!