A big piece is getting the pandemic under control and getting these guys camps, games and proper training
Bingo.
A full offseason of development for Sanogo and AJ is critical. A full offseason of training and residual rehab for Akok is equally critical. None of that occurred last offseason.
Not to mention our net roster loss is (likely): Bouk, Adams, Whaley, Polley, Carlton
And our net roster gain is (likely): Diggins, Hawkins, Johnson
Of course, Bouk is an enormous gap. But there's a strong argument that the net gain outweighs the non-Bouk net losses.
I also think there's an argument that having fewer players worthy of PT is not a bad thing. Removing Springs, Adams, and Akok, there were 9 players who could command PT. You can kind of combine those three into 1 and say DH had to manage minutes for
10 players. That rotation is too big.
Next year's potential rotation is: (in no particular order)
1 - Cole, Gaff, Diggins
2/3 - Martin, Akok, AJ, Hawkins, Springs
4/5 - Sanogo, Johnson
This is still 10, but slightly more manageable. Realistically, if more were to be added (or if seniors cam back) it'd likely result in some on this list transferring. There's only so many minutes available. In a world where Akok is fully healthy, he commands 32-35 mins a game. That's 15-18% of possible minutes taken right there. Similar argument for Sanogo.
Sanogo has the tools - a full offseason to condition and develop can turn him into the top big man in the conference. A truly dominant big man is something we haven't had since Thabeet. I'd love to see him develop a mid-range jump shot, his form as a freshman seemed like it was on its way there. He'd need that to excel at the pro level anyway.
If we determine that Akok and Sanogo take up 30% of available minutes each game, there's not a lot left - and we haven't even allotted minutes for a point guard.