Targets Mid-Lotto: Kuminga Franz Wagner Kispert Late-Lotto/mid-first: Garuba Duarte Giddey Late-first/2nd Round: Ayayi Wiescamp Robinson-Earl Late 2nd/UFA RaiQuan Grey McClung Garza
Sounds like we might be shopping CJ? Prior years if there was a CJ rumor it just said the Blazers are not interested.
The best 'superstar' to put next to Dame may be available via the Draft. High Draft picks is most often where superstars come from. They usually contribute early and are stars soon after. Dame contributed right away. So did most of the superstars in the league. It would give Dame fresh legs to team up with and transition to the next generation and be a lower priced contract as well. I just don't trust Olshey to execute it properly.
You won't get an obvious superstar by trading for the pick. (Unless you trade a superstar for it) Because bad teams would prefer to keep them for themselves. So that means you have to get lucky and get a player most other teams missed on. Europe is a good source for this IMO
There are rarely obvious superstars. No one knew Dame would become what he has from the #6 pick. You have to trust your scouting departmet. I have my own personal scouting department who has been knocking it out of the park for years. If he can do it, what the heck is wrong with a professional franchise with tons of resources.
Based on the history for most teams in the last few decades of the draft, I do not doubt what you are saying. So who is this year's best surprise option?
Yeah, that's why I don't buy the idea that the Cavs were willing to do the third pick and Love for CJ. If they are though Mobley is going to be an all star at least if not an all nba player and will contribute right away. At the same time if that offer was on the table I still might consider shopping it to Detroit for Grant and Plumlee or to Toronto for Siakam because those players will contribute more next season than Mobley and we're still all about Dame's window as far as I know. Even though Mobley will be better in the long term barring injury.
Cunningham is the obvious one. Barnes will be the surprise IMO but take a little longer till his shot comes around....but he can do a LOT of other things very well.. I think there will be at least one other real star out of the top 5.