100% agreement on this. I don't think Bowen has to start at the beginning of the season, but he is critical for depth, and hopefully as the year goes on he becomes a dynamic playmaker and scorer from the point. IF he does that he will be a key element of this teams success.
Dix could be a huge bonus if he can come in and provide spot minutes for Tony and then be a threat from 3 point range......he could provide depth in an area that NEEDS depth.
Mulvey could also be crucial....if he can come in to relieve Rebraca while providing a defensive post presence and be a rebounder...that would be significant. Then add being a good screener and a threat to score inside...and he would be another difference maker for this team.
With my expectations for how the rest of the team will play, these three guys fulfilling these three roles could take this from a 20 win team to a 25 win team or better....maybe.
I think that Kris, Patrick, and Payton will be dynamic scorers. I think that Rebraca will score more than he did last year, rebound better, and play better defense....I don't think he will be a big time scorer, but he will be a bigger factor than last year.
I think Ulis can be a steady PG that runs the team and gives great effort and smart play. I don't think he will be a dynamic scorer, but a great team player.
Last but not least I think Connor again fills a role that will be under appreciated. I think he can give us depth at every position other than the post. He will fill in where ever he is needed the most. He will bring a calming, competitive mindset, and be a consistently better 3 point shooter than we have seen (other than that one stretch last year).....in fact, I think he is the insurance policy at PG. Let's say that Ulis struggles against the Duke's and other big dogs we play, and let's say that Bowen isn't quite ready....then Connor can step in and steady that position. Not saying he will be some dynamite scorer etc.....but he is a firewall against disaster. IF Dix isn't ready to contribute, Connor can provide backup minutes at the 2 as well. IF we have injuries among our dynamic forwards....Connor can provide minutes there as well.