ConSarnit wrote:brownbobcat wrote:Mikistan wrote:Any team that does not have a option 1 on offense needs stars
Every team can benefit from a star, that's self-evident. How are you getting this #1 option star with the Raptors' current assets?
This team as-is, warts and all, can get to 50 wins with a few more pieces.
So you contend that we don't have the assets to get a true #1 but your solution is to make the team better (by trading away assets), therefore:
-lowering the value of our future assets due to our record improving?
-lowering our available assets by possibly trading for flat out bad players? (Taurean Prince?)
We have 1 avenue to get a star: the draft. Free agents don't come here. The Kawhi deal was a one-off that has never happened before (or since) in NBA history.
It's 1 avenue, but you don't necessarily need to tank to get that star. Guys like Booker, Mitchell, Kawhi, Giannis, Jokic, Butler, Klay, Mitchell were found from the mid-1st round or onwards. Obviously the odds are greater at the top, but dismantling your team or intentionally trying to lose comes with its own flaws. You ruin your culture, getting a star is still statistically low, and your chances of retaining that player long-term are slim because you don't have the culture, identity and strong supporting cast in place.
We can also develop players internally and make smart trades as well. Lowry, for example, was acquired via trade. Pascal was developed.