Kansas basketball has plenty of lineup possibilities for next season, especially with the addition of Arterio Morris. We explored the best potential rotations for the Jayhawks.
The Kansas Jayhawks roster has adjusted significantly since the offseason commenced. Five players transferred out of the program, while two have transferred in — one of them being Arterio Morris yesterday afternoon.
While Hunter Dickinson remains the top priority for Bill Self, there are other players on the Jayhawks’ radar. The coaching staff will be able to put together several different lineup combinations, so these might come to fruition in 2023-24.
Lineup No. 1
PG: Dajuan Harris
CG: Arterio Morris
G: Nick Timberlake
F: KJ Adams
C: Hunter Dickinson
This lineup is looking more and more likely with each day. It includes three transfers, but that is how college basketball is nowadays. If Hunter Dickinson commits to the Jayhawks, the rotation would look similar to this.
Timberlake is the only true shooter here, but Morris could develop a jump shot under Bill Self. Harris and Dickinson also can sink one from deep if necessary. It would include an elite defensive backcourt and KJ, who can guard all five positions.
With two ball handlers on the floor, they would distribute the rock to Dickinson and allow him to play bully ball. Kickouts to Timberlake and lobs to KJ would be abundant. This would be a fun, fun team to watch.
Lineup No. 2
PG: Dajuan Harris
CG: Arterio Morris
F: Mackenzie Mgbako
F: KJ Adams
C: Hunter Dickinson
Nick Timberlake as the sixth man? It could work. He averaged 17 points per game at Towson, sure, but the CAA was one of the worst conferences in D-I. Although his game is exciting to watch, nothing would signify that he is a lock in the starting rotation.
Mgbako is the real X-factor in this lineup. He would replace the role of Gradey Dick as the tall wing who can shoot the lights out. His addition completes this team, and having Timberlake as the spark plug off the bench would make this an electric offensive squad.
If Mgbako does commit, maybe Self will get crazy and run him at the four. Insert Timberlake into the lineup and rely on Harris/Morris for defense. Shooters everywhere! It would make it practically impossible for opposing teams to double-team Dickinson, as he would just pass it out to a 40-plus percent outside shooter or the nation’s best playmaker.
Lineup No. 3
PG: Dajuan Harris
G: Nick Timberlake
G: Jaylon Tyson
F: KJ Adams
C: Hunter Dickinson
A similar lineup to No. 2 with Jaylon Tyson. Morris also heads to the bench here in lieu of Timberlake. Tyson offers similar qualities to Mgbako, who shot 40.2 percent from deep last season. He also has two years of eligibility remaining, while Mgbako would likely be a one-and-done.
Most Kansas fans would likely prefer Mgbako to Tyson, and Tyson would need to receive a waiver to play immediately next season. Don’t get it twisted, though — this is still a national championship contending lineup.
Lineup No. 4
PG: Dajuan Harris
CG: Arterio Morris
G: Nick Timberlake
G: Jaylon Tyson
C: Hunter Dickinson
This lineup lacks size, but it does not lack talent. 6’1″, 6’3″, 6’4″, 6’6″, and 7’1″. Dickinson’s presence here alone makes it possible. It would be a run-and-gun team with surprisingly good defense.
KJ leaves Kansas in a bit of a deadlock. He is probably too good to send to the bench — he is an elite defender, can jump out of the gym, and plays way bigger than his size. On the other hand, he can not shoot the ball from outside 10 feet and struggles from the line. KJ may start every game next year, and he earned that right with his play this season, but Bill Self will have to make a significant decision with him.
Lineup No. 5
PG: Dajuan Harris
CG: Arterio Morris
G: Nick Timberlake
F: KJ Adams
C: Ernest Udeh Jr.
Assuming Hunter Dickinson will undoubtedly become a Jayhawk is wishful thinking. The reality of the situation is that the probability of him coming here is less than 50 percent. Four other programs are involved in his recruitment and he has not tipped off any signs of where he is going. However, it is challenging to pinpoint an alternative at center to him besides Udeh Jr. or KJ.
This lineup does not possess the firepower the others do, simply because Dickinson is not on the team. Morris and Udeh Jr. would need to improve tremendously. That being said, Self should be able to make Udeh into a terrific player if he gets starting rotation experience as just a sophomore.
KJ at center is still a possibility, but I’d rather not explore that option until we have to. He showed tremendous growth from his freshman to sophomore season and should improve. Still, a 6’7″ player should not be the center of a Big 12 basketball team.
Lineup No. 6
PG: Dajuan Harris
CG: Elmarko Jackson
G: Nick Timberlake
F: KJ Adams
C: Hunter Dickinson
Let’s not forget the five-star combo guard that Kansas recruited! The commitment of Morris has clouded the possible impact that Jackson could have on next year’s roster. His game is very similar to Arterio’s, and his freshman season at Texas certainly was not an indicator of how fans want him to play.
Jackson is a very athletic guard who can rim-run and potentially develop a jump shot. He would be able to play off of Harris while still distributing the ball to others. Assuming he can shoot the ball well next to Timberlake and find Dickinson easy baskets, this team would score many points.
Lineup No. 7
PG: Dajuan Harris
G: Nick Timberlake
G: Kevin McCullar
F: KJ Adams
C: Hunter Dickinson
Most sources suggest that a McCullar return is nearly impossible. That doesn’t mean we cannot explore what the team might look like if he does return to school.
Any lineup with McCullar will lack shooting, so Morris was slotted out, and Timberlake was placed at the two-guard. Super senior McCullar, KJ, and Harris? Nobody is scoring on them. There is a serious chance that less than 100 total points would be scored in some games with this defense. Kansas would be playing slow-paced basketball in boring games like Virginia does.
Lineup No. 8
PG: Dajuan Harris
CG: Arterio Morris
G: Nick Timberlake
F: Mackenzie Mgbako
C: Hunter Dickinson
We saved the best for last. This is how, in my dreams, next year’s rotation would look.
Dajuan and Arterio locking up opposing guards, scoring at the hoop, and distributing. Timberlake sinking multiple threes a game and head-tapping players when he dunks on them. Mgbako pick-and-pops and Dickinson pick-and-rolls with Dajuan. You really cannot assemble a better scenario for 2023-24. This is the preseason consensus No. 1. This is dominant Kansas basketball.
These five combined with KJ, Jackson, and potentially another transfer off the bench, is a scary thought. They would be remarkable. It won’t ever happen, but a team like this would be one of Bill Self’s best.