Both here and elsewhere on the Internet there's lots of speculations about the C's starters and rotation. And this got me thinking: when trying to project a rotation, is this team trying to win at all costs or are they trying to develop some of the young guys? Because I'd argue that if they're really just trying to win the most games possible, in a close game where foul trouble/injuries come into place NONE of the rookies and most of the young guys should play.
For instance, people have been trying to speculate who is going to be the backup SG: Rozier, Hunter, or Young? But to that I'd ask, why play any of them? There's 96 minutes between the two guards spots. Considering most teams play their stars 35 mpg+, there's really no good reason not to play Smart, Bradley, and Thomas somewhere around 32 mpg and leave no time for anyone else.
So while I'm not necessarily committed to the actual players, I'd ask, if we're really trying to win is there a reason to go much beyond a 9 man rotation on most nights if we are really trying to get the best players on the court?
PG: Smart 32, Thomas 16
SG: Bradley 32, Thomas 16
SF: Crowder 28; Jerbenko or Turner 20
PF: Lee 28; Sullinger 20
C: Johnson 28; Olynyk or Zeller 20
And truly, in a playoff run, we could knock the big man rotation more or less down to 3 players (with a 4th getting spot minutes).
Again, I'm not saying others won't get spot minutes. But is there really any reason to go any deeper than this if our end goal is truly to win the maximum amount of games?