Good point, depth could be an issue this coming season and if the injury gods were as cruel as they were this past season, our frontcourt could be in some trouble. Another realistic possibility is that we stay healthy and a highly ranked Bamba creates a logjam in the frontcourt. Coach has shown that he likes a shorter rotation so who gets booted out, one of the highly ranked recruits or the program guys that have been waiting for their opportunity. I know that Duke is one of the most prestigious programs around and we'll have no problems recruiting, but I just can't see how the second scenario I proposed doesn't negatively impact us moving forward.
I agree, to a point. If we land Bamba and stay healthy, that certainly creates a logjam for Vrank or Javin. But, as much as I'd like to see those guys get real minutes, those guys failing to get minutes likely doesn't hurt us in the recruiting world.
Now, if Bolden doesn't get minutes for a second straight year that could hurt us, as Bolden was a top-15 prospect. But I don't think Bamba's presence would or should stop Bolden from getting real minutes. Carter, Bolden, and Bamba could split 120 minutes a game fairly evenly, each getting nearly 30 min a game. That's plenty of minutes for a big man.
Here's a list of big men who have averaged 26+ min a game at Duke over the last few years:
2016-17 - Amile - 29 min
2015-16 - Amile - 30; Marshall 30
2014-15 - Jah - 30
2013-2014 - Jabari - 31
My point being that while K plays his guards 35-36 min a game, no big guy should be coming to Duke expecting those kinds of minutes. If Bamba, Carter, and Bolden each averaged 26-30 minutes a game, I don't think any of them could reasonably complain about their minutes.
I think you and I are mostly in agreement, though. Bamba isn't critical to Duke's season (barring Carter or Bolden getting hurt). Without Bamba we still have quality starting big men and quality role-player big men. But I want Bamba (although I think it's very doubtful he comes here), and I think we're a better team with Bamba than without.