Assume that Aldridge comes back (the money is just too hard to resist), and so does Matthews. But also assume that we are unable to add any more players than the ones we have already accumulated since draft day. Do we have a championship-caliber team? I think we might. Aminu is going to give us more toughness, hustle, and defense. Plumlee is going to add athleticism and skill to the center position. Vonleah is going to add a great spark off the bench. With the maturation of McCollum and Leonard, and the continuing development of Lillard, we could be very, very good. Am I wrong?
Wesley Matthews coming off of a torn Achilles, Aminu who can't really shoot (and we don't know if he's up to being a full time starter) and a bench that is still woefully thin. Short answer: No. Long answer: Not even close.
A bench that is woefully thin? I don't see that at all. Our bench is looking pretty solid to me right now. And our defense has taken a big step forward. We had trouble stopping anybody last year, but we're much stronger in that area now.
It's too bad there's no good wings in n this free agent class that fits what we need. We need a Bledsoe type of SG that can defend, shoot, and create his own shot
It sounds like Wes is going to get a huge contract somewhere else. We are too snakebitten by injuries to take the risk. But for the sake of your question if Aldridge and Wes, or Aldridge and another player of Wes' production came here; I'd say its less likely than last year that we would be contenders. Losing Batum, Lopez, Afflalo, Wright, Freeland all has a cost. We would need at least two of Dame, CJ, Meyers, Vonleh, Aminu, Plumlee to have major unexpected improvements; think most improved player level of improvements. And good health. We'd probably have a better shot than half the teams in the west but odds are very against it.
