I don’t get looping Niang into this greater issue problem because Niang’s role can’t solve it. If Niang was prime Ron Artest, he still can’t change the defensive outlook by playing 4-6 minutes in between quarters. The theoretical players you’d want to shut down are typically taking a rest here anyways. You address the issue by having a high minute starting and closing player. None of which applies to Niang, so simply replacing Niang hardly makes a ripple.
So if we’re going to stress this defensive issue, which is undeniably a big problem, you have to talk about the root of this issue. I’m with you, it is not Niang issue. It cannot possibly be a Niang issue because it can’t be changed by Niang’s role. The root of this issue is that Royce is the only key perimeter player that can play defense...and he’s terrible whenever the other team sets a screen.
To actually address this issue you have to take the step you made and go further. Downgrade Bogey into Niang’s role and have Oni/Morgan play Bogeys minutes....now we’re talking. That is actually a change that could address this larger defensive issue.
I guess we can punt away Niang’s minutes to see if Oni/Morgan is good enough to overtake Bogey...but that’s what would actually need to happen. Niang is not the problem, it’s our core group of 6 perimeter guys that’s the problem.