Solomon Hill would be my pick to fill this role. In fact the more I've thought about him, I can picture Hill providing even more than that here in NY next season. Evan Turner will wind up costing more but I think Hill's the better, more versatile player and will wind up being the better buy in the long run. Going back a few weeks now, Hill's been in my plans but to a lesser degree (a replacement/upgrade over Lance Thomas). I now picture a more important role for Hill here -- I want this guy to be our starting SG next season and I'd be prepared to step up my original offer to be more competitive with Indy and whoever else for his services. I'd look to sell this guy on coming here and being the starting 2G, inheriting Afflalo's offense plus Lance Thomas' too (maybe even some of Derrick Williams' shot attempts as well. Back and forth on D-Will -- I like him but wouldn't mind if he opts out now. I'd like that money available this summer for a select few players and I no longer wish to lock him up long term either--I want max money available next offseason). Back to Hill, I want this dude and would look to sell him on that opportunity. Hill's on the cusp of being a very good player in this league--you can see it and feel it.
• Solomon Hill
• Jerryd Bayless or Seth Curry (I like the idea, however remote, of trying to lure Steph Curry here next yr by signing his younger brother this summer. Plus he's developing into a solid player in his own right. Bayless I'm convinced could be transformed into a 15+ppg/5+apg lead guard with more responsibility and shot attempts (I could actually see this for Seth Curry as well). I really do think it's that simple...This type of production is right where guys like Conley Jr. and Jeff Teague are. No reason Bayless couldn't get there with the same opportunities and he could do it for far less money)
• Willy Hernangomez
Those would be my 3 big FA targets this offseason. I had PJ Hairston and resigning D-Will long-term as part of my initial plan but now wish to divert that money (what probably amounts to $10mm/season combined, maybe more) towards next summer's FA class (I still like Hairston if I couldn't get Hill). The plan I have now would be to sign Solomon Hill and Jerryd Bayless and have them assume the Calderon/Afflalo roles and also chew into Lance Thomas/D-Will's shot attempts as well. I'd be prepared to lean on these two heavily next year and I think each guy would respond well and answer the bell. The rest of the enhancements I'd look to acquire this summer would be quality league minimum signings and possibly one of the few quality PGs projected to go in the 2nd round of this upcoming draft--all guys with upside that fit:
5 - Lopez
4 - Porzingis
3 - Melo
2 - Solomon Hill
1 - Jerryd Bayless or Seth Curry
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4/5 - Willy Hernangomez
4 - Khem Birch or Justin Harper (opt for either a pogo stick defender/offensive rebounder/clean up around the rim guy like Keon Clark or a stretch 4 shooter like Channing Frye -- both underrated and the triangle could utilize either guy's skill set)
2/3 - Terrico White
2/1 - Wroten
1/2 - Grant
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5 - Jordan Bachynski
4 - O'Quinn
2 - Jabari Brown (6'4" skilled offensive bulldog of a 2G that the Lakers should've never cut loose)
1 - Yogi Ferrell/Kay Felder/Marcus Paige from the draft or sign Corey Walden
1 - Calderon
I think we could accomplish a lot this offseason without overspending.
