I don’t see how keeping DeRozan with this new core makes much sense. We desperately need some defense on the wing/forward with Monk & LaVine locked in as our starting guards and Sabonis locked in as our starting C.
We can throw around DeRozan’s contract and add a package like Cam Johnson/Day’Ron Sharpe, De’Andre Hunter/Larry Nance, etc. and the. Use our TPE to trade for a guy like PJ Washington m, Dorian Finney-Smith (maybe LAL would reroute him for a C with Davis being sent out), Bobby Portis, etc.
That would leave us with a rotation of…
PG - Monk / Carter
SG - LaVine / Ellis / Jones
SF - Johnson / Washington / McDermott / Cissoko
PF - Murray / Lyles / Crowder
C - Sabonis / Sharpe / Len
For what it’s worth, that roster has a lot of shooting and some decent defensive pieces to try and keep us afloat on that end of the floor.
Or maybe you take a big swing and look to bring Zion here. However, I think you’d have to at least move Monk back to the bench. Otherwise, you’re stuck with 4 not so great defenders in the starting lineup again (Monk, LaVine, Zion, & Sabonis).
I know he might be out for the rest of the season, but to take it a step further, maybe you open up the war chest of picks and try and get both Zion and Herb Jones (with Monk moving back to the bench)? Then you start LaVine, Zion, & Sabonis with 2 of Jones, Murray, & Ellis. The defense may actually be pretty passable considering Jones and Ellis are elite, defensive play makers, Murray is a good/great defender, and Carter has the potential to be an elite defender. Pair that defense with the offensive firepower of Monk, LaVine, Zion, & Sabonis, and maybe you strike gold?
I do like the offensive hierarchy of that core though…
- Zion can be a #1 option on a great team
- Lavine as a #2 option is much more acceptable
- Sabonis as a #3 option is an ideal role for him as he’s not the best go-to scorer and looks to facilitate first
- Monk as a 6th man scorer/playmaker is his ideal role IMO