Trent Jr was one of the best guard defenders last year and might be available. He dropped off a little this year defensively but I think the raptors are struggling Internally this year. He's also only 24 which fits well. He is a decent shooter as well. His contract is coming up so it's a gamble to keep him but he is the type we need. People complain he doesn't create for others or himself much but we can get that from another position like pg. If we could somehow add him and OG our defense might actually be good without sacrificing offense.
Its not even all about getting the stops... its also about having a guy someone like Dame has to worry about. Whether its solid defense, steals, physical play.... we dont have anyone who causes concern for opposing guards. So they can play loose and its all about whether they hit their shots or not.
I honestly wish they would start all the young guys except Lauri. Start Sexton, Agbaji, NAW, Lauri, Kessler. I mean what is the worst that could happen, we lose a few more games? Use Clarkson and Conley as change of pace and in a mentoring role. We aren't chasing a ring this year, why not get the young guys as much burn as possible an improve our odds of getting a better pick? If they have to start Conley and Clarkson at least sub in the young guys earlier and give them more minutes, and insert another one into the starting lineup. Like Conley, Clarkson, Agbaji, Lauri, Kessler. We would be better served I think to approach this more as a development year, with heavy coaching and minutes played for the developing guys. And I think we still win more games than anyone expects. I would bet our win rate wouldn't go down much, if at all.
We have been lit up by Kyrie and Lillard in the last week yet our best perimeter defender in NAW rots on the bench in both games. The NAW situation might be the most baffling that I have ever seen. By all accounts he is a great teammate and he was playing really well but gets benched for no reason. It is so weird.
Of course they should be traded. Anyone with a brain knows that is the right move for this team.
I could get behind that.
I would have love to see NAW and Ochai on Dame.. and if they cannot slow him down then play physical and foul out or whatever. Not dirty handchecks or anything.. but making Dame put his muscles to work. I get it that Hardy might want to develop Sexton with more priority, but its not like NAW and Ochai are waste of developing minutes.. or for the sheer experience of what its like to defend Dame.
I think Lauri is by far the most responsible for our surprising record. Keep Lauri and keep playing him and we probably dont drop off too much.
I'm sure Sexton, NAW, Agbaji all would've benefited from bigger minutes. A bit more doubtful on how much it would've helped to play all those minutes with eachother. Almost certain Lauri and Kessler would not have the growth they've had if all their minutes came with Sexton, NAW and Agbaji.
I agree. Dame shot from ridiculous range and hit seemingly everything. Even thought at that one point he can shoot from further away and took just a random early clock logo 3... after which he settled for the 30 footers lol.
