Ok, so first off it's not exactly a Dream Team, more like a team that came to me in a dream. I was just thinking about what some of our wants/needs as a team are and how I would fix them given the keys to the franchise. This team just kind of coalesced in my head whilst doing that. At first glance to me it doesn't seem too outlandish to assemble (not likely, but not impossible to do it). I'm looking for what everyone else thinks about the idea's feasibility and advisability I guess.
Couple things about my team building in general; I like to have units in complete groups(starters/bench and so on) to go about 10 deep, I like some continuity between starters/bench as in players have similar roles just within different units, and I need pretty much everybody to play at least some defense.
Firstly, the team needs I feel we need to fix (in my order of importance) if we want to be a playoff team next year while still having large room for growth:
1. PG play- Exum/Burke together aren't cutting it. I don't think either of them are busts or anything, they just aren't ready. So somebody a bit more proven here would be nice.
2. Backup for Gobert- We basically have no big-man presence off the bench right now.
3. Bit of roster overlap- I think Hood/Burks kind of overlap as 6th-man scorer types and I'm not really sure we need the both of them. Personally I prefer Hood slightly (think he's a better defender) so he's the one I'll be hanging on to, but I could see Burks being your preference as well.
4. Lack of shooting- Tough to get a ton of shooting with Favors/Gobert as the starters, but I do think we could stand to improve it in general.
So on to the team I guess:
3rd Team-End of bench guys. There for locker room moral, specialist roles, or possibly to develop.
C- Jack Cooley- Just seems like a solid effort guy to have around.
PF- Jeremy Evans- Buddies with Gordon, seems great for practice or end of bench duty.
SF- Joe Ingles- Love Ingles, but don't think it's a great sign if he's in our regular rotation.
SG- Elijah Millsap- Great defender, could be more if he develops a passable spot up shot.
PG- George Lucas de Paula- Project guy, grab him with a late 1st/early 2nd. I prefer bringing him in to learn under Quin over not overseeing his development.
2nd Team- Regular rotation minutes for all these boys. I'm heavy on the youth in this group and the most moves would have to be made to bring them all together, but I think they could gel pretty well.
C- Mouhammadou Jaiteh- French centers are good luck right? But seriously I think having Rudy could really help with his development and he has all the physical tools. Could eventually control the paint from the bench.
PF- Richaun Holmes- I see an Amare that plays defense when I see his peak. Great athlete, some shooting to pair with our other bigs.
SF- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson- Lock-down defender off the bench. If his offense develops he could be the steal of the draft. Probably the toughest of the guys in this group for us to get, not sure what assets we'd have to move to get him.
SG- Rodney Hood- Really impressed with him in his first season, I think he'd be great for carrying the offensive load for a bench squad, probably would receive heavier than normal bench minutes.
PG- Dante Exum- I think he needs more time to develop before handling full-time starter minutes on a playoff caliber team. For now would have more of a chance to show his stuff and grow while coming off the bench.
1st Team- Two new guys in this group, partly about fit with our big three of Hayward/Favors/Gobert.
C- Rudy Gobert- No question here, anchor for our great defense. Hopefully can add one or two reliable moves to his offense.
PF- Derrick Favors- Another no doubter. I'd like to see him slim down just a hair if he's to be our four going forward instead of a hybrid PF/C.
SF- Gordon Hayward- Can run the offense through him as kind of a mini-Harden. Great all-around player.
SG- Devin Booker- We could grab him with our #12 pick I think. Would add some much needed shooting to the starting lineup, without needing the ball in his hands a whole lot. Defensively is my biggest worry but he showed good length and elite quickness at the combine so I have faith that a young guy like him could pick it up. Would probably actually play fewer minutes than Hood, but with the starting lineup due to fit (needing a scorer off the bench, but really only a shooter with the starters).
PG- Milos Teodosic- Along with RHJ the most difficult to get. But Quin is big on him and if he were willing to come over we could certainly afford him. Could take a lot of the offensive pressure off Hayward. Not really sure about his defense, but his size is good and I've never heard any major concerns about it.
So there ya go, what does everybody think? Any ideas on how to bring it all together?(I see Boston with #28 and #33 as a potential trade partner)
New guys: Teodosic (FA), Booker (#12), RHJ (mid-first), Holmes (late-first), Jaiteh (late-first), De Paula (late-first)
Former guys: Burke (probably trade, could see him landing us a late-first), Burks (not really sure how the heck we'd move him, the biggest flaw to me in my master plan), Booker (could be moved, allowed to walk, kept on, lots of options here)
Couple things about my team building in general; I like to have units in complete groups(starters/bench and so on) to go about 10 deep, I like some continuity between starters/bench as in players have similar roles just within different units, and I need pretty much everybody to play at least some defense.
Firstly, the team needs I feel we need to fix (in my order of importance) if we want to be a playoff team next year while still having large room for growth:
1. PG play- Exum/Burke together aren't cutting it. I don't think either of them are busts or anything, they just aren't ready. So somebody a bit more proven here would be nice.
2. Backup for Gobert- We basically have no big-man presence off the bench right now.
3. Bit of roster overlap- I think Hood/Burks kind of overlap as 6th-man scorer types and I'm not really sure we need the both of them. Personally I prefer Hood slightly (think he's a better defender) so he's the one I'll be hanging on to, but I could see Burks being your preference as well.
4. Lack of shooting- Tough to get a ton of shooting with Favors/Gobert as the starters, but I do think we could stand to improve it in general.
So on to the team I guess:
3rd Team-End of bench guys. There for locker room moral, specialist roles, or possibly to develop.
C- Jack Cooley- Just seems like a solid effort guy to have around.
PF- Jeremy Evans- Buddies with Gordon, seems great for practice or end of bench duty.
SF- Joe Ingles- Love Ingles, but don't think it's a great sign if he's in our regular rotation.
SG- Elijah Millsap- Great defender, could be more if he develops a passable spot up shot.
PG- George Lucas de Paula- Project guy, grab him with a late 1st/early 2nd. I prefer bringing him in to learn under Quin over not overseeing his development.
2nd Team- Regular rotation minutes for all these boys. I'm heavy on the youth in this group and the most moves would have to be made to bring them all together, but I think they could gel pretty well.
C- Mouhammadou Jaiteh- French centers are good luck right? But seriously I think having Rudy could really help with his development and he has all the physical tools. Could eventually control the paint from the bench.
PF- Richaun Holmes- I see an Amare that plays defense when I see his peak. Great athlete, some shooting to pair with our other bigs.
SF- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson- Lock-down defender off the bench. If his offense develops he could be the steal of the draft. Probably the toughest of the guys in this group for us to get, not sure what assets we'd have to move to get him.
SG- Rodney Hood- Really impressed with him in his first season, I think he'd be great for carrying the offensive load for a bench squad, probably would receive heavier than normal bench minutes.
PG- Dante Exum- I think he needs more time to develop before handling full-time starter minutes on a playoff caliber team. For now would have more of a chance to show his stuff and grow while coming off the bench.
1st Team- Two new guys in this group, partly about fit with our big three of Hayward/Favors/Gobert.
C- Rudy Gobert- No question here, anchor for our great defense. Hopefully can add one or two reliable moves to his offense.
PF- Derrick Favors- Another no doubter. I'd like to see him slim down just a hair if he's to be our four going forward instead of a hybrid PF/C.
SF- Gordon Hayward- Can run the offense through him as kind of a mini-Harden. Great all-around player.
SG- Devin Booker- We could grab him with our #12 pick I think. Would add some much needed shooting to the starting lineup, without needing the ball in his hands a whole lot. Defensively is my biggest worry but he showed good length and elite quickness at the combine so I have faith that a young guy like him could pick it up. Would probably actually play fewer minutes than Hood, but with the starting lineup due to fit (needing a scorer off the bench, but really only a shooter with the starters).
PG- Milos Teodosic- Along with RHJ the most difficult to get. But Quin is big on him and if he were willing to come over we could certainly afford him. Could take a lot of the offensive pressure off Hayward. Not really sure about his defense, but his size is good and I've never heard any major concerns about it.
So there ya go, what does everybody think? Any ideas on how to bring it all together?(I see Boston with #28 and #33 as a potential trade partner)
New guys: Teodosic (FA), Booker (#12), RHJ (mid-first), Holmes (late-first), Jaiteh (late-first), De Paula (late-first)
Former guys: Burke (probably trade, could see him landing us a late-first), Burks (not really sure how the heck we'd move him, the biggest flaw to me in my master plan), Booker (could be moved, allowed to walk, kept on, lots of options here)
Booker is clearly listed at SG.