The problem isn’t the Jays, at least for the most part. It’s the supporting cast, particularly our guards.
I don’t understand why the team neglected shooting so much, but this is the natural consequence of that.
I agree.
The Jays need a solid, pass first, veteran floor general and some better shooting guards but really three point shooting from anywhere, including that vet PG. We have seen the positive effect that Grant Williams and Josh Richardson have recently when the team is healthy and they give them 6-7 shots a game. It takes the team to a different level.
A caveat, JRich hasn't been anything but an average 3 point shooter through his career, so his distance shooting this year is probably an outlier. Given that, replacing him for a better 3 point shooter needs to be done.
If Indy blows it up, could Malcolm Brogdon be a target? He isn't shooting well this year, but he has mostly been a great shooter, once having a 50/40/90 year. Big PG that can create for others and can hit threes sounds perfect to me.
Could Horford, Hernangomez, Langford, the rights to Yam Mader, $3 million and 2 firsts get the Celtics Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon this off-season?
The Pacers clear $85 million in long term salary debt, clear $26 million in salary applied to the cap, get hometown prospect Langford, a promising Euro stashed PG in Yam, $3 million to apply to a Horford buyout and the C's 2022(a weak draft) and 2024 first rounders.
The Celtics get a stretch center that can start and is more reliable than Timelord. That sends Timelord to the bench into a better 20-24 minutes bench center role until the Celtics see him become someone that isn't out every other game due to injuries. It also gives them that vet PG that is a good defender that can run the offense and shoot the ball.
This could then open up Boston to move Richardson and Nesmith and a protected first for Harrison Barnes. Start Barnes and move Smart to a more natural bench roll:
Brogdon/Pritchard
Brown/Smart
Tatum
Barnes/G Williams
Turner/Timelord
Fill in the non-rotation spots with Begarin, an MLE veteran, Sam Hauser and some veteran min guys.