The Rotation Question at Sagesse

 There are moments in a season that force uncomfortable questions.

Sagesse’s rotation against Tadamon Hrajel in the first three quarters is one of those moments.

Jad Khalil: 6 minutes

Ali Haidar: 12 minutes

Elie Ghaleb: 4 minutes

Sikwik: 11 minutes

This is against a Tadamon Hrajel side playing with only one foreign player and relying heavily on young local talent. A team that sits at the bottom of the standings.

And yet, Sagesse approached the game with something close to full power.

It is difficult to understand.

These four names are not fringe players. They are Lebanese internationals, veterans, and proven contributors. Players who have carried big games, big moments, and big responsibilities for years. If this is not a game to give them extended minutes, then which game is?

This is not about disrespecting Tadamon Hrajel. Every opponent deserves to be taken seriously. But there is a difference between respecting an opponent and missing an opportunity to manage your roster intelligently.

Sagesse are competing on multiple fronts. WASL is part of the calendar. The season is long. Fatigue, injuries, and form fluctuations are real. Smart rotation management is not a luxury — it is a necessity.

Playing heavy minutes with imports and main rotation pieces in this context raises legitimate concerns.

Where is the load management?

Where is the confidence in the bench?

Where is the long-term planning?

For a club with Sagesse’s history, identity, and resources, squad depth should be a strength, not a decorative concept.

Head coach Joe Ghattas is an experienced coach who understands the game deeply. That is precisely why this choice feels puzzling. Coaches of his caliber know that championships are often decided by how well minutes are distributed in January, not only by what happens in May.

Giving Jad Khalil 6 minutes does not develop rhythm.

Giving Elie Ghaleb 4 minutes does not build confidence.

Giving Ali Haidar 12 minutes does not reflect his importance.

Giving Sikwik 11 minutes does not allow evaluation.

These numbers are not rotations. They are afterthoughts.

There is also a bigger picture.

Lebanese basketball constantly talks about developing local players, protecting veterans’ longevity, and preparing for national team windows. But development does not happen in theory. It happens on the floor, in real minutes, in real games.

If players cannot get meaningful opportunities against the last team in the league, when exactly will they?

This is not an attack. It is a concern.

Sagesse are one of the flagships of Lebanese basketball. Their decisions set standards, intentionally or not. Rotation philosophy, trust in locals, and long-term squad management send messages across the league.

Right now, the message feels wrong.

With WASL approaching and tougher domestic battles ahead, Sagesse have an opportunity to reassess how they use their roster. Because talent is there. Experience is there. Depth is there.

The only question is whether it will be used.