Just my two cents on our issues (perspective mostly unchanged):
1-
Point Guard IS a problem.
I know opinions are split on this because Book has done an admirable job at this. HOWEVER, the reason this IS a problem is because having Book as our primary point guard initiating the offense not only wears book down over 4 quarters trying to carry the load as BOTH a playmaker and still trying to be an offensive weapon for spacing. This has been apparent by his reduced efficiency/PPP by the 4th quarter. Also, it takes away the threat of Booker as a lethal scoring weapon that creates spacing if the opposing team knows he's looking to first get vet min options going before he looks to establish his own rhythm. Book is best at 2 guard being an elite threat for spacing, he may be doing a good job at the point, but he's wired to score not facilitate! Hence the lazy passes/ egregious turnovers. Having a legit natural point guard would allow Book to go back to his natural position as an elite scoring/spacing threat which would also help with spacing. It would also allow our dollar store bench options to get setup in their basic roles more effectively if not having to focus on being a high level scoring option additionally.
2-
We need more size/athleticism/attitude/moxy
Nurkic has been better than expected in that he's at least been relatively solid. HOWEVER, He's not scaring any opponents as a vertical spacing threat or as a rim (protector) deterrent. And Metu although athletic isn't a rim protector paint deterent either. WE NEED a long, physical, elite athletic high flying shotblocker/rim protector (at the 4) to compliment Nurkic's plodding style because he's just not laterally mobile or athletic enough to recover. Adding this type of athlete would help shore up our weak side recovery issues and more importantly energize our oft listless team when they get apathetic. There are actually a number of good- really good options we could add (without trade) from the unsigned free agent/G league pool just by virtue of signing them outright (after maybe waiving some of our end of bench non performers. So even without legit or desirable trade assets, we could if we choose to, actually address/ upgrade these frontcourt issues.
3-
We're a soft and mentally fragile team
As much as everyone touts our culture as wonderful, the downside of the high character/ choir boy culture mentality that prioritizes nice guys/good guys that are intellectual and very likable over legit elite athletes with physicality and who play with aggression is obvious that we get bullied by teams with these attributes in that they all know that they only need to be physical/aggressive/ tough with us and we fold and crumble like a little kid being bullied on the playground. WE NEED some physical, edgy, aggressive smashmouth style enforcers that can shield or insulate us from opposing teams bullying us with ZERO RESISTANCE. As much as people hate the thought of the suggestions of players I've mentioned like Pat Bev, DeMarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard etc, Those are exactly the type of players that we desperately need to add that tenacity,toughness, edginess, reputation and vocal energizing accountability for our roster because unfortunately none of our big three (or the coach) are vocal leaders that'll hold our team accountable or give it back to teams that bully us.
4-
We need to run/push the pace
We need to be pushing the pace constantly because in doing so, it's much easier to maintain an offensive flow/ rhythm. We should be utilizing a swarming zone defense, playing the passing lanes aggressively and looking to score before opposing defenses get set up. This would allow our lesser talented vet min role players to get into an offensive flow without overthinking or wasting too much time on possessions during the shotclock, and would also reduce the propensity to play iso ball out of desperation as the shot clock runs down. Now to optimize this, WE DO NEED to add/upgrade from certain underperforming vet min options to more superior or gifted athletes with high motors. This will help create more easy sustainable offensive creation possessions early on from our bench to help afford our big three greater rest throughout the 1st three quarters of the game so they don't continue struggling from exhaustion in crunch time end of game scenarios. If we can optimize better possessions for our bench players, then our starters just won't be as pressured to carry the load so much. And most importantly, playing fast would help us get to the line more and draw more fouls in fastbreak mismatches with our big three.
Players we SHOULD be looking at (outside of trades) from the unsigned pool/ G league/ overseas?
Understanding our current situation that we just don't have the assets for any optimal high end positional options, our next best realistic options are:
PG-
Rubio, RJ Nembhard, Raul Neto, Kendrick Nunn, Ashton Hagans, John Wall, Elf Payton or George Hill? ........Sorry
***
IF he's found not guilty, I would strongly pursue a Kevin Porter Jr signing on a "prove it" cheap unguaranteed deal to be the guard/6th man scoring option off our bench as opposed to Goodwin/Saban Lee. I get how people feel about him, but his talent and production is undeniable and he'd be significantly better than anyone we currently can field off the bench.
** All players mentioned below are currently unsigned or unrestricted free agents that'd require no assets to trade for, only a roster spot and signing them. So we could easily add them.
SG - (Perimeter/ passing lane/ wing defense)
Marcus Garrett, Zylan Cheatham, Shaq Harrison, PJ Dozier, Javonte Green, Chase Audige (budget TH Tucker).
SF - ( perimeter/ switch defense)
(Again, not top tier options, but better realistic options than we currently have for our bench)
Stanley Johnson, Moe Harkless, Noah Vonleh, Justice Winslow, Lance Stephenson, Feron Hunt, Justin Champagnie, Justin Lewis, Theo Pinson, Dexter Dennis, Vincent Valerio-Bodon.
PF 4/5 options??? - (We need size, athleticism, physicality, tenacity, shotblocking/ vertical gravity- dunking)
For toughness, physicality, tenacity, edginess:
Demarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard, Vernon Carey Jr Donta Hall??
For size, explosive athleticism, vertical gravity, shotblocking/ dunking, etc:
Kai Jones (elite length/explosiveness/ shotblocking/dunking/mobility), Donta Hall (overseas buyout), Royce Hamm Jr (overseas buyout), Kostas Antetekoupo (defense/rim protection switch defense mobility) but little to no offensive tools, Mohammed Gueye ( long, mobile, high IQ, athletic, bouncy two way versatile defender,etc), Makur Makur (basically a thicker yet very fluid, mobile version of bol bol with really good defensive awareness, fundamentals, recovery and offensive two way versatility, Wenyen Gabriel ( High end mobility/athleticism/ defensive versatility). Maybe Nate Roberts (dollar store Dwight howard, but a chiseled 6'11 250 lbs with a 7-6 wingspan and good mobility/athleticism.
** Basic shotblocking/strong rim/post defense, rim running and rebounding:
Nerlens Noel, Norvelle Pelle, Kylor Kelly, Amidah Brimah?
So there are legit decent options IF we're doing our due diligence and looking to improve within our means.