Preferred Starting Five

[RC_Drunkford]

Playing with Wemby is way different from playing with Sabonis.
Everyone except elite defenders looks way worse without a rim protector behind them.

If he plays with Zach Collins That’s like playing with a poor man‘s Sabonis

[8FOR!3]

I'm finding it funny how Collins is on no one's list yet yall know full and well thats exactly who Pop's going to play lol

Yeah lol he's 100% the backup center.

Most likely right now

CP3/Vassell/Barnes/Sochan/Wemby
Tre/Branham/Champagnie/Keldon/Collins
Wesley/Castle/Sidy/Mamu/Bassey

It might make a little more sense to swap Barnes/Champagnie bc Barnes looks like a 4 at this point he doesn't move like a 3 and Keldon is more of a natural fit at the 3 off the bench.

Realistically the only other changes I see room for is if Wesley/Castle get minutes over Branham which obviously could happen bc I think they're both better. Could even cut into Tre's minutes if they're good enough. Really doubt Mamu gets minutes over Barnes/Sochan/Keldon and I doubt Bassey takes Collins' spot.

[CGD]

Strange you would bring up college careers when trying to minimize Sean Elliott while hyping Barnes considering Barnes was just a good college player while Elliott was a Wooden Award winner.

A significant accomplishment no doubt, but in fairness what is the Wooden Award in the 1 and done era? Most recent male winners include Edy, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Luka Garza.

[baseline bum]

A significant accomplishment no doubt, but in fairness what is the Wooden Award in the 1 and done era? Most recent male winners include Edy, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Luka Garza.

And Zion Williamson, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, and Kevin Durant.

[SpurSpike]

If anything this thread shows that we have many good potential combinations this year. Can't wait for the season to start!

[heyheymymy]

If I were coach:

PG	Min	SG	Min	SF	Min	PF	Min	C	Min
CP3	28	Vassell	30	Champ	18	Barnes	20	Wemb	32
Jones	14	Castle	16	Johnson	24	Sochan	24	Bassey	16
Castle	6	Champ	2	Barnes	6	Mamu	4	Collins	0
TOT	48		48		48		48		48

Player	Minutes
Wemby	32
Vassell	30
CP3	28
Barnes	26
Johnson	24
Sochan	24
Castle	22
Champ	20
Bassey	16
Mamu	4
Collins	0

I didn't list every player I'd give zero to, but wanted to especially make it clear that Collins would get ZERO.

Wow, these tables are the best way to visualize it. Nice work.

[KingKev]

Ummm, I set the lines and rake the pot. But lemme know if you need a line of credit

re-read your original post.

[rankingtear]

Should just start Branham and Champ , then push Branham out when Devin comes back to have some continuity on the roster.

[DAF86]

Until Vassell comes back:

CP3, Champ, Sochan, Barnes, Wemby
Jones, Castle, Keldon, Mamu, Collins

When Vassell comes back, just analyze how Champ, Mamu and Collins are doing and just erase from the rotation the guy that's doing worse. If Champ does better than Barnes, I would keep Champ in the SL and move Harrison to the bench.

CP3, Vassell, Champ, Socham, Wemby
Jones, Castle, Keldon, Barnes, Mamu/Collins

[cutewizard]

[cutewizard]

[CGD]

And Zion Williamson, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, and Kevin Durant.

You forgot these legends: Edy, Tshiebwe, Garza, Toppin, Mason III, Heild, Kaminsky, McDermott, Burke, Jimmer, Turner, Crazy ass Hansburough.

[CGD]

Until Vassell comes back:

CP3, Champ, Sochan, Barnes, Wemby
Jones, Castle, Keldon, Mamu, Collins

When Vassell comes back, just analyze how Champ, Mamu and Collins are doing and just erase from the rotation the guy that's doing worse. If Champ does better than Barnes, I would keep Champ in the SL and move Harrison to the bench.

CP3, Vassell, Champ, Socham, Wemby
Jones, Castle, Keldon, Barnes, Mamu/Collins

It’ll be interesting to see what happens to Castle when Vassell returns. Minutes will need to come from somewhere— I suspect that as the season goes on we’ll see Barnes and even Tre have less minutes, and while the assumption might be to cut Champagne’s time, he’s one of the few shooters the team has. Tricky

[scott]

Two games into the season, backup SG is the glaring weakness on this team. Branham isn't necessarily the wrong archetype, he just isn't very good.

Optimal rotation would look something like:

CP3/Castle
Vassell/Branham
Champ/Johnson
Sochan/Barnes
Wemby/Bassey

With Castle displacing CP3 as the starter somewhere around the ASB.

I wonder what it would cost to acquire Cam Thomas who is in the last year of his rookie deal but will be an RFA. I still view him as an ideal backup SG. Self-creating microwave scorer. Not worth giving up any real assets since we aren't trying to compete... but someone like him (or Malik Monk) would fit in so nicely right there.

[exstatic]

Two games into the season, backup SG is the glaring weakness on this team. Branham isn't necessarily the wrong archetype, he just isn't very good.

Optimal rotation would look something like:

CP3/Castle
Vassell/Branham
Champ/Johnson
Sochan/Barnes
Wemby/Bassey

With Castle displacing CP3 as the starter somewhere around the ASB.

I wonder what it would cost to acquire Cam Thomas who is in the last year of his rookie deal but will be an RFA. I still view him as an ideal backup SG. Self-creating microwave scorer. Not worth giving up any real assets since we aren't trying to compete... but someone like him (or Malik Monk) would fit in so nicely right there.

His career 3 % (35.0) is lower than Champenie’s. If you’re wanting spacing, Champ and Vassell are both better options.

[spurraider21]

Two games into the season, backup SG is the glaring weakness on this team. Branham isn't necessarily the wrong archetype, he just isn't very good.

Optimal rotation would look something like:

CP3/Castle
Vassell/Branham
Champ/Johnson
Sochan/Barnes
Wemby/Bassey

With Castle displacing CP3 as the starter somewhere around the ASB.

I wonder what it would cost to acquire Cam Thomas who is in the last year of his rookie deal but will be an RFA. I still view him as an ideal backup SG. Self-creating microwave scorer. Not worth giving up any real assets since we aren't trying to compete... but someone like him (or Malik Monk) would fit in so nicely right there.

I mean… Champagnie has been starting in Vassell’s place and looks fine. So he’d be a pretty solid backup SG, no?

also, no to Cam Thomas. I’d have loved Monk though

[RC_Drunkford]

Two games into the season, backup SG is the glaring weakness on this team. Branham isn't necessarily the wrong archetype, he just isn't very good.

Optimal rotation would look something like:

CP3/Castle
Vassell/Branham
Champ/Johnson
Sochan/Barnes
Wemby/Bassey

With Castle displacing CP3 as the starter somewhere around the ASB.

I wonder what it would cost to acquire Cam Thomas who is in the last year of his rookie deal but will be an RFA. I still view him as an ideal backup SG. Self-creating microwave scorer. Not worth giving up any real assets since we aren't trying to compete... but someone like him (or Malik Monk) would fit in so nicely right there.

just play Mamu instead of him and slide everybody down tbh. No need for a trade for a bench SG.

[cutewizard]

Vassell

We are waiting..,.........

[CGD]

Two games into the season, backup SG is the glaring weakness on this team. Branham isn't necessarily the wrong archetype, he just isn't very good.

Optimal rotation would look something like:

CP3/Castle
Vassell/Branham
Champ/Johnson
Sochan/Barnes
Wemby/Bassey

With Castle displacing CP3 as the starter somewhere around the ASB.

I wonder what it would cost to acquire Cam Thomas who is in the last year of his rookie deal but will be an RFA. I still view him as an ideal backup SG. Self-creating microwave scorer. Not worth giving up any real assets since we aren't trying to compete... but someone like him (or Malik Monk) would fit in so nicely right there.

Those line up are spot on to me, and agree on CP3/Castle swapping later this year. Makes clear the priority in the 2025 draft: upgrading the Champagne position and more shooting off the bench.

I thought Zach looked good yesterday, so I still have him above Bassey for the moment.

[LeBowen]

just play Mamu instead of him and slide everybody down tbh. No need for a trade for a bench SG.

Barnes won't get benched this season and I don't see why woulld he if he keeps his current level.

CP3/Castle
Vassell/Champ
Jeremy/Keldon
Sochan/Mamu
Wemby/Bassey

That would be my rotation.
And I'd look for upgrades with Tre, Zach and even Keldon being available.
Either get another reliable shooter or a legit backup big.

[Ni-G]

Barnes won't get benched this season and I don't see why woulld he if he keeps his current level.

CP3/Castle
Vassell/Champ
Jeremy/Keldon
Sochan/Mamu
Wemby/Bassey

That would be my rotation.
And I'd look for upgrades with Tre, Zach and even Keldon being available.
Either get another reliable shooter or a legit backup big.

You'd need more then one Jeremy Sochan for that rotation.
Also Collins played in first 2 games better then expected (not that we've expected much out of him) he can pass, he is agressive and as long and he's not bricking multiple 3s he seems to be a better back up C then Bassey so far.

[scott]

I mean… Champagnie has been starting in Vassell’s place and looks fine. So he’d be a pretty solid backup SG, no?

also, no to Cam Thomas. I’d have loved Monk though

I like where Champ has progressed to a lot - and I think he fits really well at SF, but I don't love his fit as backup SG when that unit really needs self-creation, which isn't really Champ's strong suit.

[scott]

His career 3 % (35.0) is lower than Champenie’s. If you’re wanting spacing, Champ and Vassell are both better options.

It's almost like self-creation and spacing aren't the same thing.

[Mr. Body]

A bench bucket-getter is a clear need. Champagnie going to the bench doesn't solve the problem - he's not a shot getter. Castle may eventually become one, but iso isn't a huge strong suit right now and I think he'll be starting by next year.

Optimally, Malaki gets to that point. He can get his shots, but may not have the mentality to brutalize teams when needed. I still think they're building him.

Problem is those bucket-getters are usually expensive, want to start, and are terrible at defense.

[LeBowen]

A bench bucket-getter is a clear need. Champagnie going to the bench doesn't solve the problem - he's not a shot getter. Castle may eventually become one, but iso isn't a huge strong suit right now and I think he'll be starting by next year.

Optimally, Malaki gets to that point. He can get his shots, but may not have the mentality to brutalize teams when needed. I still think they're building him.

Problem is those bucket-getters are usually expensive, want to start, and are terrible at defense.

As I said before, Devin should play with the bench unit at the end of first and start of second quarter.
Middleton does it.
KD did it a lot in his career.
Kyrie does it for the Mavs.

He'll have less time on the ball with the starters, but he can easily shred most benches while starting and closing out both halves.