With the trade of Markkanen the door is open for Windler. I'm very encouraged by what JBB said - that Windler is looking "phenomenal" this summer. He could have not commented or simply said he's been in the gym and working hard and "doing some good things". But he said that Windler has "brought himself and his game to another level".
The fact that SIX players have a shot at the starting 3 position is incredible. The level of competition and the intensity in practice is going to be through the roof and that's going to help the entire team regardless of who emerges as the starter. The only ones who have significant starting experience are Okoro, LeVert, and Cedi, which leaves Windler, Wade, and Stevens having to try and claw their way into a starting job.
Windler was able to play in just 31 of his first 137 games due to injury and went through two surgeries. Whether his slim build can stand up to NBA punishment is a big question, although I recall the first surgery was due to a stress fracture rather than an impact injury.
Somebody posted a video of Garland playing pickup ball this summer and Windler was in the game and I noticed he looked very smooth and confident. He was working hard to get open and getting off 3's with no hesitation. Of course it's easy to play loose and relaxed in a no-pressure pickup game.
It's going to be interesting to see if somebody nails down the starting 3 job or if it swings back and forth depending on the opponent or JBB's experimentation.
Wade has more recent starting experience than Cedi.
I don’t believe Cedi even belongs in the rotation, let alone in the starting lineup.
This competition is between Wade and Lamar, in my mind.
If Lamar has improved his outside shot enough to take 3-4 per game on 35% shooting from the corners, it’s his. He offers up enough physicality, rebounding, among other things that the outside shot taking a step is the final key to being the right guy for the starting lineup.
If not, you take the stability of Wade’s steady defense and willingness to shoot.
Cedi is erratic, has a low basketball IQ, and he’s terrible defensively. I would trade him as soon as anyone expressed interest.
I’d love for Windler to put himself in the discussion, but it would be a huge leap to even get in the rotation regularly. Get healthy, play a full season, and regular contributions would be a great sign from Windler.
Caris would be wasted as the starting SF and 5th scoring option off-ball, he’s better served coming off the bench and sharing creation duties. Especially when he’s not the defensive player that Wade and Stevens are.
Okoro is just too small to play the SF position regularly and his lack of aggression offensively would only prove worse if he’s constantly playing a defensive position he’s even worse at.
