1 legit Center next to him, to help with post man defense and basket area protection.
2 all-star caliber guard/wings who pass/shoot in a balanced manner (not too passive, not too much tunnel vision)
1 three point sniper who can defend the wing very well.

Right now this team has the all-star wing in Melo. Maybe Melo can continue like this for 3-4 more years (I have some doubts he can sustain an all-star level beyond 2 more years, but maybe he can). Then you have to go out and get another guy that can pass and shoot at a high level. We have Affalo who is too one dimensional. We have Calderon who is too passive. He has the guy inside in Lopez that he needs.

Lopez/Porzingis/Melo/SG/Galloway - in my opinion could be a core group for many years to come. However to attain that shooting guard who can play at a high level who can give you defense, 15-20 points every night and also 3-5 assists - will be tough to find that player. On paper DeRozan can give you all those things. If we get that, we've got enough to work with for years assuming Porzingis keeps improving and Melo can sustain 20 points/5 assists level of play for 3-4 more years.

Lopez/Porzingis/Melo/DeRozan/Galloway. If DeRozan buys in like Melo has, that team can be a contender assuming Porzingis becomes the type of player some think he can be (20 points a night guy).

nyknickzingis wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:The sky is the limit for KP. But I know it's hard to do on fan forum but let's not Jinx this and over hype a good start and potential. KP can be the next Dirk bit he can also be the next Bags. Let just continue to admire the geowth and hope he keeps evolving.

There's no way he's the next Bargs just based on defensive impact, athleticism and all that. When did Bargs dive for loose balls? Dunk on 3-4 players on put backs? Play elite man defense on smaller quicker players? I do agree he could be Bargs on offense - and in the modern NBA Bargnani on offense isn't bad. The whole problem with Bargs is that you had to play him at 4 or 5 and neither was a good spot for him on defense. He didn't rebound very well, he didn't anchor inside. His man defense was shaky at both spots. Offense wise maybe he settled for too many jumpers, but he was a good scorer. Good skills.

If KP is Bargnani on offense with more of an above the rim/garbage man points, that's fine. Because if he stays healthy, his defense and rebounding and will round him out to a 18 points/10 boards/2 blocks versatile player that can play PF or C for you. Again, I may be in the minority but I think teams would love to draft and build around an athletic version of Bargnani. It was all the rest that killed Bargnani's stock as a player - not high enough motor, suspect defense, suspect mental approach to the game etc.

I guess you don't understand the concept of jinxing? And yes, believe it or not, Bargnani did all those things once....once. I'm hoping as much as you, I.just don't like the premature hype as its something thats done way too often with just about every rookie or up and coming player. Think KP deserves better than that. And for me, the test is the sophomore year. Once teams make adjustments to a players strengths. But again, I'm hoping...but pragmatically. But doesn't mean you have to. Free forum.

HofstraBBall wrote:

nyknickzingis wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:The sky is the limit for KP. But I know it's hard to do on fan forum but let's not Jinx this and over hype a good start and potential. KP can be the next Dirk bit he can also be the next Bags. Let just continue to admire the geowth and hope he keeps evolving.

There's no way he's the next Bargs just based on defensive impact, athleticism and all that. When did Bargs dive for loose balls? Dunk on 3-4 players on put backs? Play elite man defense on smaller quicker players? I do agree he could be Bargs on offense - and in the modern NBA Bargnani on offense isn't bad. The whole problem with Bargs is that you had to play him at 4 or 5 and neither was a good spot for him on defense. He didn't rebound very well, he didn't anchor inside. His man defense was shaky at both spots. Offense wise maybe he settled for too many jumpers, but he was a good scorer. Good skills.

If KP is Bargnani on offense with more of an above the rim/garbage man points, that's fine. Because if he stays healthy, his defense and rebounding and will round him out to a 18 points/10 boards/2 blocks versatile player that can play PF or C for you. Again, I may be in the minority but I think teams would love to draft and build around an athletic version of Bargnani. It was all the rest that killed Bargnani's stock as a player - not high enough motor, suspect defense, suspect mental approach to the game etc.

I guess you don't understand the concept of jinxing? And yes, believe it or not, Bargnani did all those things once....once. I'm hoping as much as you, I.just don't like the premature hype as its something thats done way too often with just about every rookie or up and coming player. Think KP deserves better than that. And for me, the test is the sophomore year. Once teams make adjustments to a players strengths. But again, I'm hoping...but pragmatically. But doesn't mean you have to. Free forum.

Bargnani's best numbers in the areas I talked about that Porzingis totally dominates him in - rebounds for Bargnani was 6.2 rpg in 35 minutes. His blocked shots was 1.4 bpg in 35 minutes. In comparison again, Porzingis is already far better at rebounding and blocking shots. He's a far better athlete. He's a far better defender.

Where they're similar at 20/21 years old is their way in creating shots. Both draw/drew Dirk comparisons, yet are a ways away from that. Bargnani never got there. At least with KP, even if he never reaches the level of a Dirk, he's got so much other skills he brings to the table, I think he'll be a phenomenal talent overall. He may not be the man on a championship team. However he'll be much better than Bargnani just based on what he does on the defensive end.

nyknickzingis wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

nyknickzingis wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:The sky is the limit for KP. But I know it's hard to do on fan forum but let's not Jinx this and over hype a good start and potential. KP can be the next Dirk bit he can also be the next Bags. Let just continue to admire the geowth and hope he keeps evolving.

There's no way he's the next Bargs just based on defensive impact, athleticism and all that. When did Bargs dive for loose balls? Dunk on 3-4 players on put backs? Play elite man defense on smaller quicker players? I do agree he could be Bargs on offense - and in the modern NBA Bargnani on offense isn't bad. The whole problem with Bargs is that you had to play him at 4 or 5 and neither was a good spot for him on defense. He didn't rebound very well, he didn't anchor inside. His man defense was shaky at both spots. Offense wise maybe he settled for too many jumpers, but he was a good scorer. Good skills.

If KP is Bargnani on offense with more of an above the rim/garbage man points, that's fine. Because if he stays healthy, his defense and rebounding and will round him out to a 18 points/10 boards/2 blocks versatile player that can play PF or C for you. Again, I may be in the minority but I think teams would love to draft and build around an athletic version of Bargnani. It was all the rest that killed Bargnani's stock as a player - not high enough motor, suspect defense, suspect mental approach to the game etc.

I guess you don't understand the concept of jinxing? And yes, believe it or not, Bargnani did all those things once....once. I'm hoping as much as you, I.just don't like the premature hype as its something thats done way too often with just about every rookie or up and coming player. Think KP deserves better than that. And for me, the test is the sophomore year. Once teams make adjustments to a players strengths. But again, I'm hoping...but pragmatically. But doesn't mean you have to. Free forum.

I totally agree that he could be Bargnani and not Dirk in regards to his offense - specifically creating his own shot and all that. However here are Bargnani's rookie numbers - 11.6 points 3.9 rebounds and 0.8 blocks as a 21 year old. He was older than KP by a year.

Bargnani's best numbers in the areas I talked about that Porzingis totally dominates him in - rebounds for Bargnani was 6.2 rpg in 35 minutes. His blocked shots was 1.4 bpg in 35 minutes. In comparison again, Porzingis is already far better at rebounding and blocking shots. He's a far better athlete. He's a far better defender.

Where they're similar at 20/21 years old is their way in creating shots. Both draw/drew Dirk comparisons, yet are a ways away from that. Bargnani never got there. At least with KP, even if he never reaches the level of a Dirk, he's got so much other skills he brings to the table, I think he'll be a phenomenal talent overall. He may not be the man on a championship team. However he'll be much better than Bargnani just based on what he does on the defensive end.

By no means am I going to get into a comparison of Bargs and KP. Point was simply that over hyping a player does no good. Every good rookie has a chance to hit his ceiling carved out by others or fall flat on his face. I just prefer to not set him up for crazy expectations. Think he will be a very solid player and hope he will be a great player. But still better to wait and see before he is pronounce the next Dirk. Just not fair to him yet.

NardDogNation wrote:I'd look to do a proper rebuild and see if we can find a running-mate for Porzingis for the next decade. Melo and Jae Crowder to the Clippers; Blake Griffin to the Celtics; and David Lee, a future Clippers first rounder, and the Nets' 2016 pick (via BOS) to the Knicks. Should we be able to get Ben Simmons in the draft, we'd have our guy for Przingis...I'd gamble on that.

This would be awesome. When Melo is healthy then things are great but his knee is going to be a problem and he isn't getting any younger. I will take the chance on Simmons being the next Westbrook/Curry immediate impact young star. Look at KD(KP)/Westbrook(Simmons) or Dreymond/Curry. Its a young mans game baby. But no team is going to touch Melo and his knees not in this day in age

mreinman wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:I'd look to do a proper rebuild and see if we can find a running-mate for Porzingis for the next decade. Melo and Jae Crowder to the Clippers; Blake Griffin to the Celtics; and David Lee, a future Clippers first rounder, and the Nets' 2016 pick (via BOS) to the Knicks. Should we be able to get Ben Simmons in the draft, we'd have our guy for Przingis...I'd gamble on that.

whats the point of speculating like this when there is zero chance of these things happening?

The entire point of the thread is to speculate about things that are no lock to happen.

gunsnewing wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:I'd look to do a proper rebuild and see if we can find a running-mate for Porzingis for the next decade. Melo and Jae Crowder to the Clippers; Blake Griffin to the Celtics; and David Lee, a future Clippers first rounder, and the Nets' 2016 pick (via BOS) to the Knicks. Should we be able to get Ben Simmons in the draft, we'd have our guy for Przingis...I'd gamble on that.

This would be awesome. When Melo is healthy then things are great but his knee is going to be a problem and he isn't getting any younger. I will take the chance on Simmons being the next Westbrook/Curry immediate impact young star. Look at KD(KP)/Westbrook(Simmons) or Dreymond/Curry. Its a young mans game baby. But no team is going to touch Melo and his knees not in this day in age

I'd take the gamble on Melo if I were a contender but not for Blake Griffin. Fortunately, Doc Rivers is an idiot (GM), which leads me to believe that he'd be inclined to do what idiots do. After all, this is the same man that was reportedly willing to give up DeAndre Jordan for the ghost of Kevin Garnett. Let's also not forget that he gave up a quasi-all star caliber guard in Eric Bledsoe for Jared Dudley, only to then move Jared Dudley a year later WITH a first round pick. Needless to say, Doc is reckless and he is inpatient, two things that bode well for any negotiations with him. And with Blake being his best asset and largely indispensible, I think that the possibilities are more than just hypothetical.

As for the Celtics, if they were willing to move 4 first round picks (INCLUDING THE 2016 BKN PICK) for Justise Winslow, I think they'd be more than willing to play ball for Blake Griffin. He fits the criteria of a franchise player and just so happens to play a position of need for them. With the cache of assets they'd still have in store, it stands to reason that they could build a perennial contender pretty quickly, which is something Danny Ainge prefers.

There would be no gaurantee that we'd get the no.1 pick but the league does seem to have a number of "coincidences" that occur with teams that select a young phenomenon the year before. Kyrie Irving gets drafted and then all of a sudden, here comes Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins with two top overall selections. Then the Wolves end up with Andrew Wiggins and then, oh look, here comes Karl Anthony Towns to make them one of the most compelling young teams in the league! All I'm saying is that I'd really like our chances to magically end up with the no.1 overall pick with Kristaps already en tow.

NardDogNation wrote:

crzymdups wrote:You just keep building the way they have been - look to add pieces that fit with what we already have and hope to draft well.

You can't plan ahead two years in advance and say "we're gonna draft Steph Curry in 2009 and Klay Thompson in 2011 and then Draymond Green in 2012"... you have to get a little lucky and you have to just capitalize on the opportunities that are there.

I think they need some quality guards - they need a SG who can create his own shot and a penetrating PG. Afflalo is so inconsistent, but sometimes he can fill that role at SG.

Maybe our frontcourt 5 years from now is already set at KP, Hernangomez, and DWill. I'd like to add some guards who can defend, shoot the 3, and at least one plus level playmaker.

Right now I'd try to build around Melo and Rolo and Afflalo and KP as a core, with a solid bench core of Lance, Galloway, DWill, Grant. To me, this group really only needs a major PG piece and they can win 50+ games. Maybe you upgrade SG if that's an option.

Is it only a coincidence that these opportunities seem to only come through the draft?

Because all of these coincidences leave me inclined to feel that the draft should be the primary tool utilized for building Kristaps' supporting cast.

That is correct. The draft is the primary tool especially in todays nba. You don't see lob sided trades anymore like we saw from Boston & LA. Personally I prefer the Duncan/Parker, KD/Westbrook & Curry/Greene utilizing the draft as the primary tool approach over added midlevel or over the hill free agents to what is already in place and always chasing the elite teams and players