karl malone
Well-Known Member
As great as Hayward & Favors are (& Exum could be), it has essentially become a requirement for legitimate championship contenders to have multiple superstars. Hayward & Favors both appear to be secondary/complimentary players (a tier or 2 below elite) rather than actual superstars, & while Exum does look to have that type of potential, it's not only far from a guarantee to happen but from also far from happening (if it does). The closest thing to a superstar/franchise player/generational talent/etc on this roster is Gobert & therefore should be the focal point of the team & determining factor in how the roster is constructed. While Gobert is an elite defensive player, he isn't the traditional type of 2-way superstar who can win a championship singlehandedly, meaning (like all superstars these days) he will likely need another one to team up with (preferably an elite scorer & shooter who isn't a defensive liability).
The question comes down to strategy: do we a) attempt to win a title by putting together a starting 5 consisting entirely of all-star caliber players who compliment each other well yet lack that prototypical superstar like DET did or do we b) make a blockbuster trade in order to acquire that 2nd superstar to pair with Gobert? I know it's not that simple as it is rare that young superstars become available, but we certainly have the high-level assets necessary to make such a trade. As of right now, we appear to have 1 currently elite player (Gobert), a potentially elite talent (Exum), 2 all-star caliber players (Hayward & Favors), 2 potential fringe starters/6th men (Hood & Burks), & several other potential role-players (Burke, Cotton, Millsap, Ingles, & Booker), as well as a late lottery pick & several (likely) late future 1st rd picks.
So do we continue down the current path & hope that we find the caliber of offensive player that we will likely need to become legitimate contenders either in house or via FA/draft/(minor) trade or do we make an aggressive trade by packaging some of our most valuable assets? Despite not being a perfect fit alongside Gobert, Favors is the player (aside from Rudy) that I would be most reluctant to part with due to his steal of a contract. I love Hayward (& Exum's potential) & believe that he embodies what this franchise stands for, but the fact that he can (& almost assuredly will) opt out as the team projects to truly become championship caliber (if it stays it's current course) & will likely require the full max under the new salary cap makes me willing to part with him in the right deal. Obviously finding that right deal is the challenge, but we may have the type of assets to make some team an offer that they can't refuse & convince them to part with a player they otherwise wouldn't be willing to part with. I'm not saying any of the other teams would do it, but if we could somehow acquire a Curry/Harden type of offensive talent, I'd have to consider any package not including Gobert.
Some variation of Hayward/Favors/Exum/Hood/#12 + some of our lesser assets would cause any GM to think long & hard before hanging up, even if it was for an elite talent. For the record, I'm not advocating that we trade everyone except for Gobert & completely restart, just that I see Gobert as a generational defensive talent who, if paired with a generational offensive talent, could win multiple NBA Championships (given the right supporting cast) & that it would be worth taking a step back in the short-term to do so. I'm sure I'll catch some flack for suggesting this & know it's unlikely that any superstars are available, but I think that the presence of Rudy Gobert alone gives us a legitimate opportunity to win a title & that as of right now, we don't project to develop onto a championship caliber team (unless Exum turns into one of the best PG's in the league- which I'm not willing to bet the opportunity to win a title on, as much as I do believe in him & Hood becomes an 18-20 ppg scorer). Just feel that it's something that needs to be considered.
The question comes down to strategy: do we a) attempt to win a title by putting together a starting 5 consisting entirely of all-star caliber players who compliment each other well yet lack that prototypical superstar like DET did or do we b) make a blockbuster trade in order to acquire that 2nd superstar to pair with Gobert? I know it's not that simple as it is rare that young superstars become available, but we certainly have the high-level assets necessary to make such a trade. As of right now, we appear to have 1 currently elite player (Gobert), a potentially elite talent (Exum), 2 all-star caliber players (Hayward & Favors), 2 potential fringe starters/6th men (Hood & Burks), & several other potential role-players (Burke, Cotton, Millsap, Ingles, & Booker), as well as a late lottery pick & several (likely) late future 1st rd picks.
So do we continue down the current path & hope that we find the caliber of offensive player that we will likely need to become legitimate contenders either in house or via FA/draft/(minor) trade or do we make an aggressive trade by packaging some of our most valuable assets? Despite not being a perfect fit alongside Gobert, Favors is the player (aside from Rudy) that I would be most reluctant to part with due to his steal of a contract. I love Hayward (& Exum's potential) & believe that he embodies what this franchise stands for, but the fact that he can (& almost assuredly will) opt out as the team projects to truly become championship caliber (if it stays it's current course) & will likely require the full max under the new salary cap makes me willing to part with him in the right deal. Obviously finding that right deal is the challenge, but we may have the type of assets to make some team an offer that they can't refuse & convince them to part with a player they otherwise wouldn't be willing to part with. I'm not saying any of the other teams would do it, but if we could somehow acquire a Curry/Harden type of offensive talent, I'd have to consider any package not including Gobert.
Some variation of Hayward/Favors/Exum/Hood/#12 + some of our lesser assets would cause any GM to think long & hard before hanging up, even if it was for an elite talent. For the record, I'm not advocating that we trade everyone except for Gobert & completely restart, just that I see Gobert as a generational defensive talent who, if paired with a generational offensive talent, could win multiple NBA Championships (given the right supporting cast) & that it would be worth taking a step back in the short-term to do so. I'm sure I'll catch some flack for suggesting this & know it's unlikely that any superstars are available, but I think that the presence of Rudy Gobert alone gives us a legitimate opportunity to win a title & that as of right now, we don't project to develop onto a championship caliber team (unless Exum turns into one of the best PG's in the league- which I'm not willing to bet the opportunity to win a title on, as much as I do believe in him & Hood becomes an 18-20 ppg scorer). Just feel that it's something that needs to be considered.
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