I will say though, it’s not like the Clips had a whole lot of options for their TP MLE – the FO supposedly wanted Otto Porter but he signed w/ the Dubs (and given how they’re playing I can’t blame him), and other players who signed for similar contracts are guys like Jeff Green (slight upgrade, sure), George Hill (Bucks are the defending champs), Terence Davis (we already have a ton of wings), Gorgui Dieng (Hart), and Georges Niang – not exactly a laundry list of guys who are poised to be difference makers during a title run. If anything, I wish we could’ve used the MLE to re-sign Batum to a longer deal, and would’ve lived w/ the FO finding another bargain signing for the minimum.

Anyways, I’m mostly ok w/ Justise, and reasonably confident that he’ll be better as the season goes on. Plus I’m sure we’re gonna need him at some point, given how insane this year has been and will continue to be due to injuries and COVID.

I know it’s not the most flattering archetype but he’s at least a lance Stephenson type athlete

Prime Lance was actually legit great on the court – he just couldn’t keep his head together well enough to stay Prime Lance for long enough.

BBJ: we can all see the ridiculous upside but I’m not sure what’s going on in terms of his player development. It almost appears as though the coaching staff has told him he has to prove himself in other aspects besides scoring. He’s at his best as an alpha score-first player—especially attacking from the outside-in. But he seems to be acquiescing control and trying to play off ball and flow within the system more—-which is resulting in turnovers and bad shots. . It’s not as much fun for us but I’ll trust they know what they’re doing and he will be better off in the long run.

Keon: he’s an NBA player period. I know it’s not the most flattering archetype but he’s at least a lance Stephenson type athlete who will be a disruptive defender and an energizer in transition offense. Like most guys it’s all about the shooting with him.

Justise: like you said “underwhelming.” Classic Jack of some trades who will probably float in and out of various pro leagues. Seems like a good dude. Hope he has good financial advisers and ends up on solid footing someday.

Bledsoe: I’m not as sure that it’s all on him with regard to being a starter as much as he and Reggie are just not cohesive. In a lineup with Kawhi back I’m not sure that a Bled/PG back court might not be better than a Reggie/PG back court. Neither Bled or Reggie is an elite floor general but at least Bledsoe is a better defender and can break the defense down and open things up for guys like PG and Mook. I like Reggie better as our new Lou Williams off-the-bench killer. As a starter Bled is probably better in the best lineup but I would still like us to upgrade that position.