I just want to make sure that we're defining things correctly. In the year they went to the Finals, DA was Phoenix's 3rd leading scorer, he was their leading reabounder by double the next guy and he led the team in blocked shots. I definitely don't think he was the 4th or 5th best player on that team... he was their 3rd best player and I don't think it was close between him and Mikal.
I mean, he was their 3rd option and played an important role on those teams but was he really an ideal 3rd option, especially considering that they lost and he couldn't really break through during the Finals (against a strong interior, as opposed to taking advantage of a weak Lakers and Clippers interior)?
Seems to me nowadays that it's all predicated on the 3 and 4, with a 1 or 2 being able to score alongside them (but the 1 isn't usually the best player). Unless you have a superstar center, it's the positions other than center that will make for a legitimate top 3, on the pecking order. That's not to say the 4th option isn't important. Again, finding that 3rd through 5th option can be just as difficult as finding a legitimate second wheel to the main star.
If the Spurs, for example, already have Wemby as an unstoppable force at the 4, acquire Trae at the 1 as a 2nd option, draft Holland or Williams to be a 3rd/4th option next to Vassell, and put Edey as the 4th/5th option (and let's say Edey pans out as a basic double double guy who can stay on the floor)?
Not saying that works out for them 100% but that seems like a sensible pecking order is established and the team identity is established and well balanced.
Imo, this is why OKC is so incredibly successful at such a young age. SGA and Chet are the two best players, Jalen is up there with them but knows he's a third wheel (arguable sure) even if he's a better scorer than Chet, and anyone of Dort or Giddey can be #4/5.
Likewise, the Celtics and Nuggets have a legitimate pecking order, as well. Tatum, then Brown, then White/Porzingis, then Jrue. Jokic, then Murray, MPJ, Gordon....hence, Murray stinking it up/showing up is the difference maker between a ring or not while MPJ and Gordon are simply expected to just play their roles out.
On a championship squad, I don't see Ayton really being the ideal 3rd option due to his offense not being dominant so I think, with productive centers who aren't major stars, they get relegated to the 4th/5th option in today's NBA. Like a Draymond, Gordon, or Brook Lopez, you want the 4th option to be able to play defense, rebound, make extra passes while getting buckets here and there.
