Power forward

This is the position that really has me excited for this season. Kamani Johnson, Kris Bankston, Nikola Maric, Ruot Monyyong. That is a lot of talent available for the power forward slot. Maric played the 5 last season and may again this year. However, if Monyyong and Besovic pan out in the low block, that might free up Maric to slide over. In any case, the competition for playing time ought to be fierce, and that is a very good thing.

I assume that this spot is Bankston's to lose after the eye-popping season he had. However, it is one he could easily lose if he does not crank his game up a notch. He was not nearly aggressive enough offensively, and ought to be a much better rebounder than he was. What he did well he did superlatively well, but there are some glaring weaknesses in his game that will have to be shored up if he is to keep his spot.

Johnson is potentially that go-to rebounder that we need so badly. He was considerably better in rebounds per minute than Tucker, Maric or Bankston. Plus he was the leading offensive rebounder on the team, even with considerably fewer minutes played than the other principal board men. Plus, Kamani shot a high percentage (55.2%). His upside is very good.

However things work out, I figure the two best big men will be in the two inside spots. Considering the seasons that the three returners had, if Monyyong ends up being one of them, that would be huge for this team.