Why NBA Insiders Expect Oladipo to Hit Trade Block This Offseason

Hey, Darryll, thanks for the great comment and questions. Like the way you think.

First, I think Schroder is going to start for several reasons:

1. He was not happy coming off the bench in OKC and Woj said the Lakers have promised him a chance to start. Don’t want to risk his not re-signing next offseason.

2. We saw during the playoffs how much better the team and LeBron and AD were when they had a legitimate point guard like Rondo on the floor with them. Because Dennis is a better 3-point shooter, we should even be better.

3. He is clearly now the third star on the team from salary standpoint. Starting point guard is more important than 6th man and I think we have a better candidate for that in Kyle Kuzma.

As for Kuzma, Pelinka made some intriguing comments today about Kyle filling Danny Green’s role defensively and maybe talking extension down the road. I’ve always wondered about Kuzma starting at the two being a way to get around him playing the same positions as LeBron and AD.

I think KCP is going to start at the two, assuming we don’t include him in a S&T and I think we may see Kuzma play starter minutes as the first backup at both the 2 and the 3. He can definitely defend both positions better than the 4.

The key is Kyle has to fix his broken shot and shoot at least 36% from deep. If he can do that, he might get an extension. If not, he will likely be traded before the midseason trade deadline.

Thanks also for the comments re the modern center tandem. I wolud be thrilled if we ended up with Baynes and WCP or Noel. Defending against the three is as important as making them.