JOHN COLLINS IS 6'9 guys not a good fit here
His size is the least of my concerns in regards to the PF we want next to Sabonis. Last thing we want to do is pair him with a slow footed C. We need an athletic, versatile forward.
My biggest concerns with Collins is he's not really the pure shooter I'd want at PF (he does a lot of his damage within the 3PT line) and he's not the defender we want either.
Ideally, I want our PF to have the following attributes:
- 7’0”+ wingspan
- 8’10”+ standing reach
- 220+ lbs
- 5.0+ 3PAs per 36 min
- .360+ 3PT%
- 7.0+ REBs per 36 min
- 1.5+ BLKs per 36 min
- Great, high IQ PF defender
- Versatile/switchable defender
- 28 years or younger
There may not be a player who even checks all of those boxes, but that's generally what I'm looking for. The guys below seem to have most of those attributes but it's easier said than done to acquire one of them:
- OG Anunoby
- Tari Eason
- Jerami Grant
- Jaren Jackson
- Jaden McDaniels
- Jalen McDaniels
- Trey Murphy
- Aleksej Pokusveski
- Jabari Smith
- PJ Washington
- Grant Williams
- Patrick Williams
I'd imagine that McNair is going to try and clear Holmes salary for cap space either this trade deadline or during the offseason, resign Barnes, and then try and sign one of Jerami Grant, PJ Washington, Grant Williams, Cam Johnson, or Jalen McDaniels. If he strikes out, I could see him gauging trade interest for guys like OG Anunoby, Jaden McDaniels, Trey Murphy, Aleksej Pokusveski, & Patrick Williams with him offering up a 1st or two (depending on who it is).
PG - Fox / Mitchell
SG - Huerter / Monk
SF - Murray / Barnes
PF - ??? / Lyles
C - Sabonis / Free Agent
That's a very solid, well balanced team. Great starting lineup, plenty of spacing, excellent bench, etc. It just depends on who ??? turns out to be.