Say the rumor of Schroder is true and we sign him to a good, one-year deal…How do you feel about our team this year versus last year. I think we’re in better shape as a defensive focused team with more than 3 or 4 guys capable of putting up double digit PPG.

PG:

Dennis Schroder is on a mission to shed the image he created for himself last year and improve his stock with other teams going into next year. I can really see him put up number closer to his OKC days, while doing his best to contribute to a playoff team.

If he can put up somewhere close to 16 PPG, 6 Ast on the efficiency from 2 years ago coupled with his amazingly better defense compared to Kemba, I think it’s a definite improvement. Just picture the games at the end of the year versus the Heat. They tore us apart by targeting Kemba on offense and exploiting him as a defensive liability. Not going to happen with Dennis the menace.

PP: Second year, more experience. Hopefully he’s a spark of offensive from the bench. He’s also a pretty good defender for his size. Not to mention he can shoot.

Yam? Possibly – Not sure what we’ll see form him in the summer and if we’ll pick him up after dumping Dunn and Parker for cap space.

SG:

Good ol’ Smart - Hopefully a bit more mature with shot selection. If he can put up similar numbers with better efficiency, I’d say it’s an improvement over last year.

JRich – Similar to Schroder. He has something to prove on a rental year. Boston is going to be defensive focused, which fits him just right. If he can come somewhere close to his Miami days. Say 14 PPG and 4 Ast on decent percentages along with his dogged defensive ability. We’ll be getting a pretty good replacement for Fournier on the cheap.

Langford – Hopefully he takes a step forward on offensive coupled with better decision making on his already above average defense. He’s definitely going to be a contributor.

SF:

Brown – Stay the same or make even more improvements we’re in good hands with our underrated All-Star.

Nesmith – I can imagine him taking the role as a high percentage catch and shoot 3 and D off the bench. He’s beyond tenacious, which we saw last year. That tenacity led to more time and eventually better play. He has a high IQ and works hard. I can see him improving this year for sure.

PF:

Tatum – MVP talks this year? If not, he’s on his way to be one of the top players in the league.

Grant – If he can improve his shot on catch and shoot 3s and increase his foots speed a bit, he’ll be a solid contributor off the bench.

C:

Horford – Sure he’s up there in age, but as we’ve seen players can still more than contribute at 35. He put up 14 and 6 on a team with no gravity and little help from such a young core. Imagine a situation where he has two players drawing double teams, both of which he has plenty of experiencing playing with in the past. I can see him putting up the same, if not better. His defense won’t be what it was a few years ago, but he’s beyond serviceable.

Rob – If he can stay healthy, I see him starting. If not at the start, then not to far into the season. Is this his breakout year? It’s entirely possible we see Rob take a big leap forward.

Kanter – Even if we have to start Kanter, his time with Portland shows he can be a true contributor to a winning team. Sure he’s not anywhere near the defensive player as the other two, but he can give us some much needed offense and offensive rebounds. Plus he’s plug in play with the Jays and Smart.

The other filler players may not offer much this year. Who knows what we’ll see from our two way contracts. Maybe we’ll find our version of Toscano Anderson who can contribute on a regular basis. As much as I love Tacko, he really couldn’t contribute. Tremont was ok when he had a chance, but his size was a liability. Maybe we’ll get more this year.