So, let's say we get our two targets as reported by the media:
Sign: Gallinari
Sign: Thomas Bryant
Timelord / Theis / Bryant
Horford / Gallinari / Hauser
Tatum / G. Williams / Nesmith
Brown / White
Smart / Pritchard
Who should be our target with the TPE or via trade?
someone better than Smart.
Such as?
Of the people reasonably available, obviously Durant is the big one, but Collins I think would work. I'd inquire about Simmons, not sure where the Nets are with him, and would do the same with Gobert and Mitchell with the Jazz.
I'd like Sexton or Ayton, but Boston can't sign and trade anyone so they are out.
I'm sure other players are potentially available, guys like MPJ from the Nuggets for example. I don't think I'd want De'Angelo Russell, but I'd kick the tires on him depending on the asking price. Jaren Jackson just got hurt again, maybe you could buy low on him.
apparently Brogdon was the correct answer.
Brogdon isn't a wing and may not be better than Smart but a great pick up non-the-less. We end up with more depth than we need (if there is such a thing) at Combo Guard with Smart, Brogdon, White, and Pritchard and still not enough depth at wing (Tatum, Brown, Hauser?) but this is still a really nice value trade in my opinion.
He is better than Smart when he is healthy. that is the real issue though. Can he stay healthy or at least healthy enough?
I don't think Boston needed a wing, per se, now Brown can just back-up Tatum and I'm fine with that (obviously Brown will start at SG, but Brogdon can come in for either Tatum or Brown and the one staying on the floor is the wing while Brogdon is the SG). Aside from talent, which Brogdon is, the team really needs and has always need another big. They need a guy they can rely on when Rob is injured and Horford is old. I don't think Gallinari or Bryant really fit that mold. They need someone that can defend, rebound, etc. or going the other way that is an excellent scorer. If they could somehow get Collins for Smart or White and draft picks, that would be fantastic. That is the move to make.