I’d say they’re probably low key demoralized enough that this doesn’t matter much. I mean...
Rozier: from starter to back up! Plus, he plays well when he starts which would make him think he’s definitely under utilized on this team
Tatum: rookie phenom to a secondary option, with Kyrie throwing jabs at the media about guys taking inefficient shots aka him. From “future all star” to the reality that he has little chance of making the all star team this year
Brown: from 2nd/3rd option to off-the-bench and 5th/6th in the pecking order. Has to find his offense in spots vs getting into a rhythm. From promising prospect to being someone nobody talks about (except being a scapegoat).
Plus, Hayward makes $30m while the 3 of them (who are often better than GH these days) don’t even sum up to $30m combined.
The only happy young guy is probably Smart, who has emerged as a starter and a leader.
Rozier does play well as a starter. He did last year and he has for the most part when Kyrie sits. But he’s not a starter on this team, he’s not as good as Kyrie, and he’ll have an opportunity to find that role for himself next season.
Tatum was a future All-Star last season and is still one this season. He’s 20, doesn’t mean much that he doesn’t make it next month.
Brown should be this role. He should be a super-3-and-D guy who can also cut and bang at the rim. Basically, a Klay Thompson type of player. You don’t see Klay trying to run breaks (how many times is Brown going to cough up the ball on a break or make the wrong pass?). I’d love to see Brown focus on moving more without the ball and really honing in on his spot-up three.
Let’s see them make an All-Star team before they can criticize Hayward. He earned that contract from years of great play. All of the youngsters had what, half a season?