Roster Needs for 2020-21
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:41 pm
Yes, I'm already looking ahead to next season. Let's face it, this team will be lucky to make the playoffs and if they do, they will likely be ousted in the first round. This year is all about implementing a new system and culture and sticking with it. Next year Rosas needs to take a major step forward in having the right players that fit the system.
This is my attempt at taking stock of the current roster that will still be under contract next season and where the big needs are. The good news is that I feel like we have most of the ingredients we need in house. There is just one big hole that needs to get filled.
Bigs - KAT, Dieng, Naz Reid
KAT - Arguably a top 5 player, top 10 at worst. We build around him, period.
Dieng - Gorgui's contract was a mistake, but he is an adequate backup Center. I think the downsizing of the league has actually helped Dieng to a degree in that he isn't being pushed around as much, yet his length relative to the competition enables him to get more deflections than ever before.
Naz Reid - He should be ready for NBA minutes if he stays healthy and in shape. He is still very young and offers an intriguing set of skills that are not too dissimilar to KAT, albeit at a much reduced level.
Forwards - Covington, Laymen, Bates-Diop
Covington - Elite 3&D role player whose impact has been limited this year based on a minutes restriction. If Bates-Diop keeps playing well and developing, RoCo could be dealt to upgrade our guards.
Laymen - Solid bench forward that fits our new system as long as his shot is falling. Absolutely does not need the ball in his hands to be effective and takes almost exclusively 3's and shots at the rim. Another good, bargain deal.
Bates-Diop - Has emerged over the last four games as a reliable 3-point threat and solid defender. Elite length allows us to go a little bigger at times when he's paired with KAT or Dieng. Another cheap deal too.
I actually think this is a solid group with no big weaknesses and on very good deals. I wouldn't look to change much here given the bang for the buck we're getting.
Guards - Wiggins, Okogie, Culver, Nowell
Wiggins - Has emerged as a legit scorer and playmaker this season, similar to his 2nd and 3rd years but with better passing. Still not a great shooter or defender, but can really help shoulder the offensive load with his new found floater, aggressiveness going to the hoop, and better shot selection. The question is whether he can keep this up. Assuming he does, it makes filling out the rest of the roster infinitely easier.
Okogie - Bundle of energy that has become an elite defender, but his poor outside shooting creates spacing problems on offense.
Culver - A big question mark. More advanced defensively than most rookies, but broken outside shot and free-throwing make him another offensive liability, similar to Okogie.
Nowell - Promising prospect, but largely unproven at this point.
The guard position is where we need the most help, which might sound odd since Wiggins has emerged to be a positive contributor this season. But because he isn't a great shooter, it means the guy playing next to him absolutely has to be elite in this area. We currently have no one that fits that bill, including the guys on the roster set to be free agents next year (Teague, Napier, and Graham).
Bottom line is the focus needs to be to find a backcourt starting-caliber player that can shoot the hell out of the ball without being a defensive liability. This could come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as we've seen Saunders is perfectly willing to field a unit without a true PG. Culver is not that guy. Okogie is not that guy. I think Nowell can be part of the solution, but more likely in a backup role next season.
What you got?
This is my attempt at taking stock of the current roster that will still be under contract next season and where the big needs are. The good news is that I feel like we have most of the ingredients we need in house. There is just one big hole that needs to get filled.
Bigs - KAT, Dieng, Naz Reid
KAT - Arguably a top 5 player, top 10 at worst. We build around him, period.
Dieng - Gorgui's contract was a mistake, but he is an adequate backup Center. I think the downsizing of the league has actually helped Dieng to a degree in that he isn't being pushed around as much, yet his length relative to the competition enables him to get more deflections than ever before.
Naz Reid - He should be ready for NBA minutes if he stays healthy and in shape. He is still very young and offers an intriguing set of skills that are not too dissimilar to KAT, albeit at a much reduced level.
Forwards - Covington, Laymen, Bates-Diop
Covington - Elite 3&D role player whose impact has been limited this year based on a minutes restriction. If Bates-Diop keeps playing well and developing, RoCo could be dealt to upgrade our guards.
Laymen - Solid bench forward that fits our new system as long as his shot is falling. Absolutely does not need the ball in his hands to be effective and takes almost exclusively 3's and shots at the rim. Another good, bargain deal.
Bates-Diop - Has emerged over the last four games as a reliable 3-point threat and solid defender. Elite length allows us to go a little bigger at times when he's paired with KAT or Dieng. Another cheap deal too.
I actually think this is a solid group with no big weaknesses and on very good deals. I wouldn't look to change much here given the bang for the buck we're getting.
Guards - Wiggins, Okogie, Culver, Nowell
Wiggins - Has emerged as a legit scorer and playmaker this season, similar to his 2nd and 3rd years but with better passing. Still not a great shooter or defender, but can really help shoulder the offensive load with his new found floater, aggressiveness going to the hoop, and better shot selection. The question is whether he can keep this up. Assuming he does, it makes filling out the rest of the roster infinitely easier.
Okogie - Bundle of energy that has become an elite defender, but his poor outside shooting creates spacing problems on offense.
Culver - A big question mark. More advanced defensively than most rookies, but broken outside shot and free-throwing make him another offensive liability, similar to Okogie.
Nowell - Promising prospect, but largely unproven at this point.
The guard position is where we need the most help, which might sound odd since Wiggins has emerged to be a positive contributor this season. But because he isn't a great shooter, it means the guy playing next to him absolutely has to be elite in this area. We currently have no one that fits that bill, including the guys on the roster set to be free agents next year (Teague, Napier, and Graham).
Bottom line is the focus needs to be to find a backcourt starting-caliber player that can shoot the hell out of the ball without being a defensive liability. This could come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as we've seen Saunders is perfectly willing to field a unit without a true PG. Culver is not that guy. Okogie is not that guy. I think Nowell can be part of the solution, but more likely in a backup role next season.
What you got?