mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Unless we are going 10 deep with 4 guard lineups, I don't see that happening.
I know there are some people on here that respond to questions like this with "trust the staff" but I think this is a fair conversation and is something I'm actively trying to figure out as well. In this specific scenario of Plummer committing and Ace or another transfer coming in (with the assumption of Plummer being the 6th man), there is some interesting roster juggling to consider.
You would have a lot of guards who would deserve minutes: Curbelo, Frazier, Plummer, Miller/transfer, Damonte (if he comes back). None of those guys can play the 3 except Damonte (maybe you can squint and see Miller at the 3 but that would be a small lineup and I would want to see a couple minutes of it before deciding if it was a real solution). Within the 80 minutes of playing time in those positions, you know that Curbelo is going to be given as many minutes as he can handle. Can you play a lineup of Frazier and Plummer based on size concerns? Going with a small(er) wing lineup to maximize shooting is enticing if Kofi was coming back. But that's presents a number-crunch problem.
Kofi coming back leaves one scholarship open and two potential wings coming in (Plummer + Miller/transfer). Damonte coming back is a freebie, so nothing to worry about there (and provides a fun mix+match with Hutcherson at the 3). But to add the second wing would require another player to transfer out. Another transfer would have to be a big, which the team can hardly afford. People seem eager to push Hamlin out the door but even mop-up minutes could be important with only Kofi + Payne + Grandison as sure things in the front court. Maybe BBV showed enough to be able soak up some minutes at the 4 but one injury means Hamlin will get playing time regardless. Lieb leaving wouldn't hurt as much in the short-term, would just mean the staff would have to look harder at some bigs after 2021.
This is why it's tough to decipher on how the staff is selling Plummer on being the 6th man because (1) of his past performance warrants a P5 starter and (2) the roster crunch is subsequently creates. Maybe Plummer's relationship with Curbelo means that much. Maybe the staff is going to start Damonte or Frazier at the 2 and Plummer will provide offense for the second unit and be in the closing lineup. I'm really not sure but let's hope Plummer comes in and Miller comes back and we can figure out how to give everyone their due.