The backlash to the always-incorrect misconception that he was a star made him a punchline. But he has been quietly effective–in 19-20, filling in for Nurkic in Portland when he was injured, he started 61 games, played 30 mpg, averaged 16/14 and 3 blocks, and the team was 8 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor. In 20-21, he went to Sacramento hoping for a bigger role since Nurkic was now healthy and reclaiming his spot in Portland, but wound up barely playing because the Kings wanted to just tank and get the young guys experience (this was the year Richaun Holmes broke out). In 21-22, he was one of the best backup Cs in the league in Utah behind Rudy Gobert, playing 18 mpg with the team 5.7 points better per 100 possessions when he played–they did better when he was on the court (1k mins) than when Rudy was on the court (2k mins) as a like-for-like swap.

I don’t think he’s spectacular but he’s got a very high floor when you compare him to the other min C options available, which is why I think he’ll have multiple options at the minimum and will get to choose his landing spot as far as team quality and role go. I don’t think he’s an above-minimum guy, so it’s not like I *love* him, but I think he’ll probably be among the best 5 or so minimum salary Cs in the league next year again.

Vs a team like Denver, I could see Zu playing 40+ (if his stamina and foul trouble allows) against Jokic as long as we are doing well enough in the other areas to be in control of the series. But of course, if we go down 2-1 then I could see Ty mixing it up a lot more and trying to go small and switch and trap from different spots to create chaos and try to make Denver uncomfortable.

If you cut Morris out, you probably have to give Kawhi some PF minutes, which moves PG to SF and puts another guard on the floor. I’m inclined to say that Reggie/Wall/Norm + Terance + PG + Kawhi + Zu/Batum/Covington is fine, but having 2 of the smaller/less defensively-inclined guards on the floor at the same time is tricky.

Norm, Morris, Reggie, Wall, and Mann with 3 of of these 5 guys that need to get minutes. Norm, Mann, and just one of Reggie/Wall for me being the leaders (depending on how Wall looks).

I think it’ll be: PG, Kawhi, Morris, Batum, RoCo, Zu “locks” + 2/3 of Reggie/Wall/Norm + as needed minutes for Mann as a POA defender. That leaves the third of Reggie/Wall/Norm as a potential extra scorer if needed and of course Luke playing situationally as a sniper.

Obviously Mann isn’t the defender that Smart is, but if anything Batum is more switchable and just more mobile than Horford, and Kawhi/PG are better defenders than Jaylen/Jason.

Only reason I was kind of sad about bringing in Wall is I really wanted to see the potential of leaning into a Mann at the point lineup. But still I guess if it didn’t work as well as you’d hope, you’re glad to have that backup point.