I wish there was a perfect wing player we could get who is young, a shooter, good playmaker, at least neutral on defense, can play on and offball, and is willing to take a backseat at times. If that player exists, he is likely outside our reasonable price range. We are going to be settling some of those things regardless of who we get, not to mention potential contractual hurdles.
EG is all of those things but young and a wing. If he was on a one year deal, this would be a no-brainer. Get EG to be our 3rd guard for this year and call it a wrap. But he has a long expensive contract and is not getting any younger.
Levert is young enough, a ball dominant playmaker, and maybe (?) willing to take a backseat. But his shooting is a bit of a question and his off-ball play isn't super great. Not to mention his up and down defensive performance. There are definite negatives, but I do think Caris comes close to meeting some of the above criteria. One bonus with him is that he is known to be a lunch pail guy and is already close friends with Jarrett Allen. Some relevant injury concerns here too, beyond the kidney issues last year.
In terms of some other dudes we have been linked to
- Harrison Barnes would be interesting as he is a neutral to plus defender, young enough, and can play offball. I worry that he isn't enough of a playmaker to create his own shot, let alone for others. He doesn't solve our dependence on Garland problem, but would be an excellent fit at 3/4 long term. I view Harrison as a move for next 3+ years and not this year.
- Alec Burks is basically a cheaper EG with a shorter deal. He is weaker as a playmaker and defender but about the same level as a shooter. I don't mind him as a stopgap, but if they ask for more than Rubio+2nd, I hang up. Dont want to give up major assets for a short rental.
- Luke Kennard is probably the best shooter of all these guys. He is a better playmaker than people give credit for but he won't be able to run an offense reliably. He is also somewhat of a defensive liability. On the plus side, he is young, went to the best school in NC, and is relatively affordable. Again think he has some of the same issues as Barnes in that we are still really dependent on Garland.
- Kemba is too old and has had too many recent injuries. Do not want.
- Dennis Schroeder would be a one year rental. I doubt we have to give up much, DPE and a 2nd maybe. Could work as a temp combo with the Kennard/Barnes moves but I am not a big fan of Dennis at all. He is a much worse version of what the pessimists think Collin Sexton is. He can playmake a bit, create inefficient shots, and is garbage on D. And he hasn't had a great locker room history...
- Luka Doncic is pretty young and a very good playmaker. Spotty on D and a mediocre shooter. I still really like his combination of size and playmaking though. I would be willing to give up a first here.
- Jerami Grant would actually hit all the criteria I listed above except the very last one. He is a versatile defender, turned himself into a decent shooter and playmaker, and can work on and offball. The problem is he wants shots like a number 1 option when his skillset is much better suited for a number 3 or 4 option. The fact that he left an ideal situation in Denver with Joker just spoonfeeding him buckets to go fill up empty nets with a tanking Detroit should tell you all you need to know about him.
- Gary Harris is a decent fallback if we can't swing Burks as a temporary rental. He is a pure 3nD guy and doesn't do much more. Again, doesn't address our playmaking problem but overall a nice player. I would give up Rubio+2nd max here. If we are trading with Orl, I would rather try to snipe one of their spare young guys (Hampton, Okeke?).
- Ben Simmons. Lol no.
- Brodric Thomas. He is just sitting there. We can easily get this guy. Elite playmaker, elite shooter, elite defender. Only thing missing is the elite height. Get off your hands Ferry.
In the end, I expect us to pick up someone no one has mentioned here that will end up looking like a steal. My early guess would be Nas Little.