99%. There are times when a guy like Kerr can bench Klay and get a fat freaking extension but that’s rare. I think you would agree JBB isn’t in that category. So why is it his fault Dean isn’t getting minutes?
Also, JBB DID bench Drummond who had a $28 mil (expiring) contract but clearly Koby was on board with that.
I think a BIG reason why Niang is preferred to Wade is that Georges has 654 playoff minutes over 46 games and 8 series. Dean has 11 playoff minutes in two games. This team is short on playoff experience as it is. This is why I would also expect to see more of TT in the playoffs.
I know this is hugely frustrating because how does one get playoff experience minutes if having those minutes is a qualifying metric? It’s why it’s so tough for newbies to break into a lot of opportunities. All of a sudden you’re a few years in, the opportunities haven’t been open and now you’re a not-so-newbie.
But JBB and Koby’s asses are on the line and they want guys who have been there, done that coming off the bench.
Here’s the key for Dean (and Sam) - if that opportunity comes in the playoffs you need a big game. You may only get ten minutes, not twenty - make them count. Cool off a hot scorer, bang home a few threes, grab a couple of key rebounds. Dean’s time will come. He’s improved every year. One big playoff game can make such a difference.
Matthew Dellavedova played very little in the 2016 Finals and was not a major player in our playoff runs EXCEPT he had one immortal game where he cemented his place in the Valhalla of Cavalier players. 20 points in Game 3 and couldn’t interview after the game because he was rushed to the hospital. He too was an UDFA who many thought could never make it in the NBA. That performance got big bucks from the Bucks.
