dckingsfan wrote:SacKingZZZ wrote:dckingsfan wrote:Yes, you will have lots of players that don't make it through the rebuild. That is why you want to collect assets and not aging NBA players. That is the road to continue to stay in the lottery.
Even picking up 2nd round draft picks is worthwhile. Having Shumpert or Randolph on your team just limits your flexibility. It is the basis of a bad plan.
Young players mostly improve by playing and listening to their coaches - not by watching old players play. And if you need an old vet on the bench - pay him the vet minimum.
I think the signings of Carter, Randolf and Hill set the rebuild back a year - but my opinion.
I agree with the exception of Carter or if they fit your team like a glove. Drafting a top 5 PG then signing a 20 million dollar one was a mistake. I'm OK with picking up 1 year, low money experience, or even huge 1 year deals if that's what it takes, but signing players to 12-20 million dollar a year contracts even beyond what their value is to a contender for more than one year just hamstrings your cap, as it did with the Kings. Flexibility is just as important and acquiring assets. Playing them over young players is a coaching issue, not a GM one necessarily unless the GM created a false scenario to get them signed in the first place.
Can't disagree with any of that... I guess to add - it takes the pressure off the coach to play the youngsters if the vets aren't around.
I think the think that your both missing is that this rebuild wasn't meant to happen in 2-3 years. It was planned as a long term thing. All the things you are saying is assuming that they wanted the rebuild to take the shortest route possible. I don't believe that to be the case. I think the vets were meant to provide stablitiy on the court and in the lockerrom while the the kids in their early 20's learn the NBA game and how to be pros. Adding vet minimum guys does get that accomplished in my opinion.