I was shocked when Boogie ditched us, scratched my head over Rondo a bit too. Randle and Payton are steps down on a talent level right now but also still not near their primes. They've both proven they can have big games against NBA competition. Both are triple double threats, both love to attack the rim. These are really underrated signings by Dell and are still super young. This is the reload, the youth movement, the new formula that needs time to gel.
I'm a little glad the West got tougher. I wouldnt even mind a year we miss the playoffs, get a pick around the #10 mark, play Payton and Jackson a tonne and trust one of them will prove they got it. There will be a serviceable SF at #10 in next years draft. That might be the missing piece. Think about someone like Jaylen Hoard:
Jrue had an amazing playoffs and really showed he is a legit #2 option and obviously a top 5 2-way player on the wing. He and Davis also have the intangible of being super unselfish and team oriented. What better position could you be in as Randle and Payton. Playing with 2 superstars who are into the system and play the game the right way on both ends. I legit feel like Jrue will bring it this year with a 25ppg, 4reb, 7ast type year, hes officially in his prime years and he is a special player.
AD has the chance this offseason to get his 3pt shot improved too. He can probably push it up to 38% over the next 2 years in my opinion his stroke is so pure. Davis will miss Rondo. Payton is similar but it's a whole new chemistry to build, I think AD will be posting up more and probably lurking on the 3pt line while Randle gets some burn attacking the paint and drawing the D away.
I also really hope Diallo flourishes this year. I think he has the potential to be as good as Randle or Miro, while being a completely different skillset. It gives us great flexibility and a real trade asset if one of them becomes expendable and worth a real rotation wing player.
Dell deserves a little flack over losing Rondo and Boogie, but he has sneakily kept us afloat while getting young and signing players that make sense on many levels. Can't wait to watch this team next year. I'd say it was a salvaged offseason, as smooth of a transition as we could hope.