It's funny because watching the game last night I was thinking that next year if we don't make any trades starting Sully (hopefully slimmer) and KO would be the way to go. Not that KO has no value.
The biggest observation I have so far in this series is going forward we need to find a way to consolidate our assets. We have too much depth and not enough star power. If we could trade some of our depth and picks for a potential star then i think we can fill in the depth we have lost and really improve.
I tend to agree I think what the post all-star break run and the playoffs are showing us as fans is that DA and BS have a plan/system that can win basketball games. Like you point out the key moving forward is talent consolidation. I don't necessarily think this has to be a home run trade that lands a super star. This can come from turning the teams depth into more talented set 8-9 man rotation either through trades or player development.
I like the current 3 man back-court and would leave that as it is. As long as IT stays happy on the bench I really think he has found a home. AB gets alot of heat but he is still only 24 is on a good contract and I personally like his fit. Marcus is the X factor as he develops this group will improve. The key for me is his ability to become the primary ball handler when IT is not on the floor. This will diminish the need for a point forward (Turner) and allow the Cs to find more of a shooter/scorer at this position.
The front court is where I see the need to adjustment. The current rotation of 2 SF, 4 PF, and 1 C will need consolidation. As I stated above Turners role is dictated by Smarts development. I would ultimately like to see a player in the with size who can shoot the 3. W Chandler H Barnes or Gallinari (if healthy) would be the kind of guys I had in mind. I really like Crowder as the back up SF. His ability to defend multiple positions and play small ball 4 make for a great bench utility player. At PF Ive said it before but I feel either KO or Sully has to go. The Jerebko and Bass have shown the value of mobility at the 4 and neither have it. My preference is to move sully and eventually use KO as a high minute 3rd big. My current pick for PF would be to trade Sully and the necessary picks for Faried (if available). His offense isn't an ideal fit but he brings energy and elite athleticism to the position. I also like that he is capable of switching onto smaller players as well as using his relentless hustle to get by as a small ball 5 (ala the worm). At center im ok for now with Zeller. I envision a rotation where Faried and KO both play around 32mpg leaving 32mpg to be split between Zeller, small ball 4 (crowder) and any other spot minute bench big.
I think this construction of a team can be achieved while still holding many of the teams assets (picks) and with while holding cap flexibility due to the cap jumping up. This group would be a solid playoff team and an attractive destination for a FA.