What do we need?

[AussieWolf3]

Yes, but if Naz were promoted to the starting PF role he and Ant would overlap a lot more.

Jaden was really good from the corners in the regular season as well, but he doesn't have as long of a track record as Naz as it was just this year his 3-point shot really emerged (and then disappeared in the playoffs ).

I do think one of the priorities besides finding another ball handler would be to find a 3&D wing that is an upgrade to Clark and allows Jaden to spend more time off ball defensively. That's why the Randle for Wiggins trade that KiwiMatt brought up makes some sense.

Fair point about Naz and Jaden.

I completely agree about getting a 3andD, definitely a top priority for me.
But you've run out of starting spots Q. If Naz is starting PF, Jaden is off ball more, and you get a real PG... Where does Wig or whoever play?

For the record Naz says he wants to play SF

I'd bring Wiggins off the bench, probably for Naz, with Jaden sliding to the 4. I don't think Jaden should completely shed himself of POA responsibilities, but he should do less of it so that he can continue expanding other parts of his game.

Naz can play SF in bigger lineups.

That makes since. Personally I want Jaden to off ball first and then at the point of attack because he's so versatile and switchable, but ultimately he's down low most of the time. I think that's the ideal use of his skills.

The trouble is he also so good on the perimeter. How many players can do what he did to Murray?

[AussieWolf3]

One of the more interesting things about Edwards season this year was how he handled drives to the rim, it was completely different this year.

25-26' was his lowest drives per game in his career at just 11. What's crazy tho? He averaged 10 points a game on drives. Nearly a point per drive is insane!

Here's the contrast from the last two seasons

23-24': 14.6 drives/ 10.7 pts
24'-25': 13.2 drives/ 8.5 pts

Much more efficient scoring when driving to the basket, but where it gets interesting is his passing and assist rate

24': pass%- 30.9, ast%- 8.5
25': pass%- 33.1, ast%- 8.1
26': pass%- 23.4, ast%- 5.3

Was less passing and naturally less assist. The drop in assist from 24 to 26 is more than half an assist per game. It tracks with my eye test too because I can't even remember a drive and kick pass from him. Not that it didn't happen, it just didn't stick out. It would be incredibly interesting to understand the reason or cause for this. How conscious of a decision was it? Can we get back to that drive and kick style he was pretty good at in the 24' season?

It's funny that two of the best drive and kickers are Shai and Luka, neither of which are straight line speed drivers to the basket. Deni is one the others who great at it but it much more of straight line drivers.

Just an interesting thing I followed through the year

Bumping this with another interesting Ant stat.

Here are his points created per game the last 3 years

24: 38.9
25: 38.8
26: 37.8

His ppg has gone up every year but his overall impact (statistically) has remained relatively flat. In fact if you look at oTS --- how much this player improves the teams shooting while on the floor --- Ant's has been at +1.6 every year the last three years.

That's a really good number but not improving it's disappointing