Try impossible.
It's never been accomplished before, and never will be.
It has produced a title or 2, but has always destroyed any chance of a dynasty.
Given that KP has targetted Kobe as his veteran savior, I'd say there is zero chance Portland gets their promised dynasty.
Sad that they are willing to fall victim to the "veteran trap" after coming so close to the ultimate and perfect team.
Just Bake it!
Right., This is your worst "argument" ever - and that's saying something.
Did you miss the fact that the past two NBA titles went to teams that acquired significant veteran help through trades. The Lakers added Pau by giving up young prospects and two future 1st round picks. The Celtics acquired Garnett for multiple young players (Jefferson, Gomes and Telfair) and two 1st round picks. They also acquired Ray Allen for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak and the no. 5 pick in the draft. So, two of their "Big 3" were acquired in the offseason immediately prior to their championship season by trading away young talent and 1st round draft picks.
If recent history is to be believed, it seems the key to winning an NBA championship is to trade away young prospects and draft picks for proven veterans. Not even the Spurs relied totally on home grown talent. They added veterans like Robert Horry and Michael Finley. The Heat added Shaq via trade to a roster full of veterans (Gary Payton, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, Alonzo Morning, James Posey, etc.) that they did not draft, the Pistons added Sheed mid-season to complete a starting five that included only one player (Tayshaun Prince) that they drafted (Ben Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups were all acquired via trades). The Lakers 3-peat team had Shaq - who they did not draft as well as a roster full of veterans (Ron Harper, Brian Shaw, Robert Horry, Glen Rice, Rick Fox) acquired via trades and free agent signings.
The Bulls are probably the closest to winning titles by building through the draft, but they always had multiple veteran starters (Bill Cartright, John Paxson, Dennis Rodman, Ron Harper, etc.) that were acquired through trades. The Lakers and Celtics dymasties of the 1980s acquired key players through trades (Kareem, Parrish, etc.).
So, please name the last team that built a dynasty, or even won a title, by "baking it". Who was the last team to build a dynasty, or even win a single championship, with five starters that they drafted directly or had been with the team since their rookie year.
The fact is trades are part of the NBA, and that most (all) NBA champions in the last three decades have acquired major pieces through trades and/or free agent signings. Expecting to build a championship team, let alone a dynasty, solely through the draft is absurd. The problem being, the better you draft, the better you become, the lower your draft picks become in supsequent seasons. Just look at the Blazers, they have gone from the 1st pick to the 13th to the 24th ion the last three seasons. Do you really think they have all the pieces currently in place to win multiple (or even a single) NBA title? If not, will they pick up what they need to put them over the top with the 24th pick in this year's draft?
BNM
