If you could add two existing NBA players to the roster....

[kekgeek]

Duncan Robinson and Durant (averaged 0 last year)


*OG would be my other one

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

This is a really hard topic because upon reflection it seems that the good shooting defensive wing, who doesn't want more shots is about as rare as the 2 way superstar. I tried to engage but there are very few players that don't get 15 points who are great defensively. I think the explanation for that is it takes such a great athlete/physical specimen to be dominant defensively that getting 15 points isn't a huge deal for these athletes. My first thoughts were to check Simmons, Gobert, and Bam's ppg who are all just over 15 ppg.

Great question. I'd take smart and OG too following the rules. That being said the choices for real "3 and D" players are about as limited as getting a superstar. Which again is why hitting big with that 17th pick this year is so big to me. We need a Bam type in that spot who way overshoots their draft position. Good drafting seems to be the only way to get these players.

That is exactly one of my main points. DLO + KAT is going to score points and provide gravitational pull. The absolute focus of the front office needs to be finding 6"5 to 6"8 big wings and hybrid forwards that can defend and hit open shots.

And while this skill-set is rare, it isn't necessarily expensive (at least at first). Almost all these guys that are really good grew organically into these kinds of roles as unheralded prospects. No stone should be left unturned!

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Duncan Robinson and Durant (averaged 0 last year)


*OG would be my other one

LOL on Durant. Not sure he, DLO, and KAT could co-exist anyway. The Wolves don't do well with drama.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think Marcus Smart is nearing overrated territory.

[TheFuture]

I think Marcus Smart is nearing overrated territory.

There is not much to overrate. He plays elite defense 1-3. Can hit a 3. Plays with fire, and is on a good contract.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think Marcus Smart is nearing overrated territory.

There is not much to overrate. He plays elite defense 1-3. Can hit a 3. Plays with fire, and is on a good contract.

You brought him up in a thread for as the main piece in a trade for the top overall pick. Others here in this hypothetical thread are choosing him over plenty of more worthwhile picks, in my opinion. Add on to that the tweets I came across during the playoffs and I feel like he's hovering into overrated territory among NBA fans.

Smart is a 13/4/5 guy with a TS% of .518 this season and .523 the last three seasons. League average is .565 for 2020. And while he's definitely a plus defender, he is not an elite defender. In totality, Smart is a very nice super utility player -- a very good role player. But there are also many players who make a bigger two-way impact than him, in my opinion.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Smart has flaws.

But I wouldn't sleep on his defense. He's just one of those guys who does things to help teams win. He's basically a Danny Green type with a more inconsistent shot, better playmaking, more physical D... and a lot more flopping.

A winner.

[thedoper]

I think Marcus Smart is nearing overrated territory.

There is not much to overrate. He plays elite defense 1-3. Can hit a 3. Plays with fire, and is on a good contract.

You brought him up in a thread for as the main piece in a trade for the top overall pick. Others here in this hypothetical thread are choosing him over plenty of more worthwhile picks, in my opinion. Add on to that the tweets I came across during the playoffs and I feel like he's hovering into overrated territory among NBA fans.

Smart is a 13/4/5 guy with a TS% of .518 this season and .523 the last three seasons. League average is .565 for 2020. And while he's definitely a plus defender, he is not an elite defender. In totality, Smart is a very nice super utility player -- a very good role player. But there are also many players who make a bigger two-way impact than him, in my opinion.

I think this is what I was trying to get to. Most of the truly elite defenders are also the elite players. We have seen a few specialist types come and go in the NBA that have a unique knack for defence but ultimately the players that will change your team defensively also seem to be elite all around. Its really a short list of players that could come in and significantly improve team D. Lebron, Kawhi, Anthony Davis, Giannis and Gobert as I see it with Bam, Ben Simmons, and Jimmy Butler deserving consideration too. Specialists are great but if they cant play well within an offense they wont stay on the court. I think the Rodman, Battier, and Ben Wallace's may even be more rare than the superstars who are also great defenders.

Getting back to the draft this may mean an even greater argument to just go highest athletic ceiling and body type with one of our picks.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Smart has flaws.

But I wouldn't sleep on his defense. He's just one of those guys who does things to help teams win. He's basically a Danny Green type with a more inconsistent shot, better playmaking, more physical D... and a lot more flopping.

A winner.

I agree, but I don't think I'm sleeping on his defense when I call him a plus defender. He's very good on that end. He's just not elite despite the accolades and media attention he receives. Replace Marcus Smart with Delon Wright and the Boston Celtics still win the same number of games, if not more. Nobody's calling Wright elite at anything. Smart definitely has name value on his side at this point.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

PJ Tucker, Robert Covington, Patrick Beverley, Myles Turner, Paul Milsap....I think there are a number of non-stars out there that can help change the trajectory of your defense. But yeah, there aren't many of them and there especially aren't many of them at the wing position.