Sportsnet 960 The FAN
Published Oct 28, 2023
On the eve of the new season, lets take a look at the state of the Jacksonville franchise.
There are only four givens for this team: 1) Ike Akers will start at center, 2) Jon Childs will start at small forward, 3) Kristian Mansell locked up the starting shooting guard job during summer league, and 4) Assaf Nir will play full time minutes, but we don't know where.
Akers and rookie Delvin Allen will man the center position with Chris Marley playing starter minutes in Orlando and available when needed.
Arthur Webber earned a five year contract this offseason and looks like the probable starter at the 4. It will be interesting to see over the next couple years if he can hold onto the job or if the depth of center talent pushes the team to a twin towers look. Adriel Logan will back up both forward slots. Jamal Sims will lurk in Orlando if needed. Surprisingly, 2nd round pick Marquis Smith showed enough in summer league to break camp with the big club.
As mentioned, Mansell is the presumptive starter at the 2. At point, the team returns Nir and summer league standout Brian Broadnax plus the club added veteran Matt Stockman. Shooting guard depth is also strong with Jabari Martin returning plus acquisition Frank Cole (who, sources say, is very available).
The playoffs are a pipe dream, but could this club win 30?