@focojayhawk I think you could change your title from "Mercenaries" to "Quitters" and it would fit better.
These transfers are guys who literally quit their teams--they aren't coming to KU to play with pride and leave it all out there on the court. Maybe Mayo, who moved up from a 2nd tier division.
I realize we've had a few key transfers in the past, and clearly you can stick one in the starting lineup and maybe have a key guy off the bench. That's been a pretty good strategy. Beyond that, you water down the culture and tradition of physical--and mental--toughness.
I think that's why KJ is out there so much. He actually cares. He's also the only tie left to the chain of tough big men... Morris brothers, Embiid, T-Rob, Doke, Big Dave and even Mitch Lightfoot. None of those guys would be putting up with half assed effort.