The Cade workload problem
Cade is at 39+ minutes a night with no real backup creator behind him. The roster math says #21 has to help, but the names left at 21 don't move that needle much.
The take
Cade's averaging a near-MVP line in the playoffs at 39+ minutes a night and the national crowd still leaves him off their first-team All-NBA ballots. Since the Ivey trade he's our only true high-usage creator — Daniss Jenkins has been a real find, but he profiles as a connector, not a shot-maker. Every minute Cade sits the half-court stalls. One bad landing and the whole summer turns into a panic.
He's a top-10 player whether ESPN admits it or not. Feed him the touches, build the bench around him, let him cook.
We're one tweak away from a lost summer. Finding a real backup creator has to be the #1 priority before October — Cade can't carry this every single night for 82 + playoffs.
At #21 the realistic bench-creation swings are Bennett Stirtz (low-turnover PnR vet) and Christian Anderson (combo guard with shot-making). The top engines are gone by then — this gap mostly gets solved in free agency.
Names this debate touches
The board moves with the call. Here's who's in range if it breaks each way.
Bennett Stirtz
Heady senior lead guard who captained Iowa's Elite Eight run. Plus pick-and-roll operator, smart decisions, capable shooter.
Combine Day 1 winner. 37.5" max vert was the sleeper-athleticism flag nobody had on their bingo card. Shooting drills were the headline — every rep identical, all-net, only guard who looked like he hadn't broken a sweat by the end. Measurements (6'2.5 barefoot, 6'6 wingspan, 186 lb) check out.
Plug-in backup point guard behind Cade — keeps the second unit organized, doesn't need touches, and lets Ausar/Ron stay on-ball when they're out there together.
Christian Anderson
Plus shooting combo guard with steady ball-screen feel. Knocked down 41.5% from three at Texas Tech.
No combine or workout buzz yet — check back closer to the draft.
Shooting backup PG who can play alongside Cade in two-guard looks.
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