But he's defending him because he's playing his position. If you brought in Carroll instead, then DeRozan is on a perimeter guy, and that's where he struggles the most defensively. I'd rather have him on the ball against a star PF and just know you're gonna have to send some help and even so that the PF will get his than have that PF still get his while DeRozan gives up a big chunk of points to another player. DeRozan's position-defensive numbers aren't good, but they aren't abysmal despite Pop not trying to hide him this year. Last year, Pop would have put Cun out there, and Dante's position stats were so much worse than DeRozan's this year.
If you can get an elite 3-and-D forward, go for it still. Definitely. But I'd almost rather get a legit 6-5 player. I think DeRozan needs to be the clear PF in the Spurs' "death lineup". but there's no reason why Pop should ever have to go for Forbes or Beli, especially when Mills is already on the court. Walker getting legit minutes and living up to them would help, but even still, getting a Bazemore-like wing to fill the 10th spot would be huge and more possible with the assets the team has on hand.