The Consiglieri wrote:If we end up seeing what I suspect, that that the team has a similar trendline as the previous rebuild (implode in '08, attempt to qualify for playoffs in '13-'14 after botching what should have been year 1 of the rebuild ('09 draft), so basically 4-5 years if its ideal, but we all know we're starting from behind in a tougher lottery environment, though a similar idiotic decision which initiated the wrong footed starting of the rebuild. That's part of what I'm after, Bilal could be relevant, Deni could be relevant, both should be, as either building blocks or trade pieces, but it does have me wondering when people reference Kispert as a complimentary part of the rebuild, what they see happening?
Kispert is a '99, he'll be 27 or 28 when we have our first winning season if literally almost everything goes right (of course, if it doesn't, god knows where and when we'll be relevant)....So how relevant is he really? His contract is up after next season when he's restricted, do we trade him? Do we keep him? Do we just let him walk.
In the new CBA it makes sense to re-sign your young productive players. Kispert is a role-playing wing without a great handle or defense, but has been improving marginally in the areas where he was deficient and is a useful offensive piece in the right line-ups. We are nowhere near thinking about championship anything or how to build for the future. I'd say we have exactly one piece right now that is worth anything: Deni. His contract is such a nice value and he has not yet attracted enough attention, that it would be difficult to trade him for anything equivalent.
Everything else is projection and potential, or pieces and role-players at best. Vuk might be a nice stretch 4/5 if he can learn to play defense. Signs suggest he's trending better, while still being bad on that side of the ball. Still, swift improvement in his year overseas bodes well that he may eventually be a useful NBA player. Bilal has length and defensive instincts and can hit an open shot, but does nothing else at an NBA level except remain unrattled. We have a handful of castoffs from other teams who have shown flashes of being better than their stats or reputation, but nothing consistent.
Our best hope is in the arsenal of picks we are accumulating, and the developmental focus of our front office. Hard to say we are even 4-5 years away when some of our biggest assets may be the '28 and '30 pick swaps with the depleted Suns. In this year's draft I expect to pick one developmental talent, and one playable young role-player. Possibly another draft-and-stash candidate. Our front office suggests they select for the combination of upside (athleticism + length) and work ethic more so than finished products who put up solid stats. Anybody we add this year won't contribute towards wins. Not this year, but hopefully by the end of their rookie contracts.
Ultimately we are probably looking to build around next year's lotto pick, plus the guy in the year after. Those two years have some high-end talent that scouts have tabbed for a long time, with a few possible super-novas. So we may be 2 years away from thinking about a 4 year plan. We are realistically looking at a 10 year arc of hauling the nets for draft talent, and developing it into something like a perennial contender. More so than a 4 year plan of a 1st round playoff exit. Unless we strike really unpredictably lucky in these early picks. OR the guys we already have improve way beyond a reasonable projection. In any case, young players are cheap, and we figure to skew young, with a majority of our team on rookie contracts at some point.
But you have to spend at least 90% of the cap to benefit from the kickbacks from those in lux tax hell. No team can afford to pass up that free revenue. The heart of our cap spending is in Kuz on a nice declining contract, and Poole on a negative value deal. And we are talking to teams about trading Kuz for prospects and picks. So: younger and cheaper. We will probably have to eat a few high dollar deals to make the numbers work, but you still need to fill out a team. One that tries, with good chemistry, good work ethic, whatever the record. An eye towards constant improvement.
Kispert is a solid team guy. Plays a useful role. Is a fine add-in on another trade when you have him under contract, and actually has been improving in the one area where he'd fit best. He's a nice size at Guard if his defense and ballhandling allow you to play him there. His D will never be outstanding, but his handle and playmaking show signs. As a key player on a losing team he won't attract unmatchable offers in free agency. You match them, keep him, play him, listen for trades. Same thing we do with every player we draft over this next stretch, until we land the star that's worth building around. Develop them into something useful, play them, listen for trades that fit the timeline or that will work well next to the star of stars.
