Hmm, Reid Travis is really not that good at basketball. Seems like a prime transfer-out candidate as a sophomore if he had picked Duke. Maybe he makes a leap next season as he gets further away from his prior injuries. He would be a good backup, and Duke will continue to need competent bodies every offseason as long as OAD is going on.
His rebounding numbers from last year are far better than this year. He also leads Stanford is usage, which wouldn’t happen at Duke. Maybe he’s not the best example of the point although I do think that if he can get back to last year’s form on the glass, and if you assume that he’d be more effective than someone like Zion on defense based on him having four plus years of experience, he can function as a valuable garbageman five on next year’s team. Which is probably exactly what they need from that position.
He doesn't block shots and his DBPM isn't good. Zion blocks shots and is way more athletic. Will he be a better defender? Who knows for sure (I think so), but I'm willing to take the risk based on upside on both ends of the court.
Also, Bolden is a MUCH better defender (even better at rebounding!) at the 5 and I have hope for lots of garbage buckets for him next year. Montgomery can spell Bolden- he is taller and longer and more athletic than Travis and therefore has higher upside.
Bolden has a 7 DPBM and a 95.6 DRtg. Travis has a 1.1 DBPM and a 104.3 DRtg.
Travis also doesn't rebound or block shots. Bolden can improve his rebounding (although still better than Travis), but Bolden's BLK% is even higher than Wendell Carter, Jr.'s at 8.1!
#BelieveInBolden #BullishOnBolden