If you could replace Demps and Gentry

I'd hire JVG and tell him to hire and retain whoever he wanted but that the strengths of the FO and coaches should be drafting/scouting and player development.

Side note, one of the guys in the Pels FO is a whiz kid that was basically the DraftExpress of High School recruiting. So he seems like an asset worth keeping as do the 2 assistants that survived the move from Monty's staff, shooting coach Fred Vinson and Bigs coach Kevin Hansen.

I'd hire the GM and let him determine the best coach.

Honestly I wouldn't commit to any one person if this was for real lol. I would conduct a rigorous vetting and interview process that included a collaboration with consultants and brain trusts to help make the best decision.

If I don't get that lol, I guess I like Schlenk, Mike Zarren(though I am mixed on his capacity to draft), and I will get flamed, but I actually like Sam Hinkie.

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goddamnit it doesn't matter who coaches or who GMs until the directive from Benson changes

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I don't buy that. I'm not saying the next GM would be able to tear down and rebuild, but someone on a new 3 year contract is not going to feel the same pressure as Demps to make win now moves. The only moves I'd like to make that I think might get vetoed would be trading Holiday, and I could work with being stuck with Jrue.

I just don't think Benson is the obstacle for long-term success that he is made out to be. Especially now that AD is the main pressure point behind win now.

What happens if Cal doesn't get Wall, Cousins, etc?

I agree and said that in my response to you about a new GM wouldn't feel the same amount of pressure. But even if a new GM wasn't worried about getting fired he'd still have to convince AD of moves. He may not have official veto power but you want him bought in. I doubt he agrees with a trade that sends out Holiday for something like Rondo and future assets. I'm not even sure he'd like Holiday/Asik for Lavine/Pekovic.

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I'm not saying Benson doesn't want to win now, I'm saying AD wants to win now as much or more and isn't so senile that he can be easily distracted and manipulated.

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If we assume that, I think the real question is can this team realistically come out the other end of a situation where Davis does that? And if we can't say yes then that means there needs to be some hard choices considered. Because it might already be too late.

I think if that is the situation, you are basically going to forfeit any elite GM prospects because they are not going to want to operate in such a volatile situation IMO. Which lowers the potential for success even more.

Though I guess it all goes to show how bad decisions early on can have snowballing effects years later that just encourage even more poor decisions.

this franchisedoesn't hsve a 3-5 year window to re-build. That's a pipe dream

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would hire John Calipari and idk who to hire as GM.

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Brett Yormark

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this franchisedoesn't hsve a 3-5 year window to re-build. That's a pipe dream

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yup. like ATL and Bronco point out- pressure is coming from Davis too. and with a paltry asset cupboard (i think 1sts will be somewhat less valuable due to 50% jump in salary), the timeframe+expectations basically mean this is a no win job. if you're an up and comer, why jump to a sinking ship and be the guy who had to trade Anthony Davis or watch him walk?

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if you do something like don't bring back Holiday you need a good alternative

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the alternative here is moving Holiday for a player and then banking on Evans to come back healthy aka 504byrd wet dream

Aldridge had this trade in is Morning Tip:

Noel + 2nd for Holiday

that seems to ignore some obvious Evans/Gentry issues, but it makes sense if you have faith in Evans returning to form