We are currently 3-12, tied for last in the Western conference. This season couldn’t have started any worse.
We get Ja back in 10 games, on Dec 23rd at Atlanta Hawks. Meanwhile Luke Kennard will be reevaulated after first week of Dec, Tillman is ‘week-to-week’, and Smart is 2-4 weeks out as of today. Clarke is estimated to come back in March, and Adams is out for the season.
That means at worst, we will have these three guys back 4 weeks from now when Ja returns. We have a 9 day break between Dec 2nd and 11th with no games - did I miss something?
Possible scenario:
The next 10 games:
- vs Wolves
- vs Jazz
- @ Mavericks
- @ Suns
- vs Mavericks
- @ Rockets
- vs Rockets
- @ Thunder - Kennard back
- @ Pelicans
- vs Pacers
- @ Hawks - Ja Morant back, Smart back
Being realistic, we probably go at best 2-8 out of these ten games. I would guess we will end up 5-20 by the time Ja, Smart and Kennard are all back.
If we assume Tillman is back within 1-2 weeks from then, we would need to go 35-22 in the remaining games to finish with 40 wins, which might hopefully be enough to squeeze into the play-ins.
Do you see this happening? Is it even worth trying for?
It’s definitely more flawed compared to the start of last year mainly because the true 5 position is completely gone (minus the serviceable job Biyombo is doing). I think we’ve seen what maybe one game this year with the roster outside of Ja/BC/Adams healthy?
I’m not saying it fixes everything but if Ja/Smart/Kennard are back around the same time then the roster fits together so much better. X can still play 8-10 mins a game but he needs to be treated like the 4th big with Biyombo on the roster. And that’s another decision that has to be made when Ja comes back. Who are they cutting? Bc I have to think they’re keeping Biyombo for the rest of the season.
I don’t know if it’s enough to come back/make the play-in because again without our number 1 and 2 options at the center spot I think this season is “capped” at a certain spot anyway.
Id say right now KLJ is the one who’s gonna end up being cut