I agree that the type of team that we become in the future will be mostly determined by our internal growth, which I see great potential for. I also think that, while we will certainly improve as a unit over the next few years, that there are still enough question marks to justify continuing to add to the immense stockpile of talent that we have already compiled. I think it would be a mistake to rely solely on internal development. For one, I don't see anybody other than Hayward who has the offensive potential to become a consistent 20+ ppg scorer. Burks definitely has good offensive potential, but is an ideal 6th man, offensive spark off of the bench, with Hood being a great fit alongside him (because his 3 pt sooting will open up the lane for Burks) in our 2nd unit. If we can bring over Tomic (or if not sign/draft a decent defensive big who can preferably pass as well), & eventually (not necessarily this upcoming year) find a stretch 4 to replace Booker & a PG who can facilitate an offense, not be a defensive liability, & shoot (not chuck) to eventually replace Burke, we could have the perfect bench to compliment our starting unit. The key will be finding that missing 20+ ppg scoring starter, who won't be a defensive liability (Hezonja).
Next year:
Exum/Burke or FA PG
Hood/Burks/Millsap
Hayward/Hezonja/Ingles
Favors/Booker
Gobert/Tomic or a FA C
Future:
Exum/FA PG
Hezonja/Burks/Millsap
Hayward/Hood/Millsap
Favors/stretch 4
Gobert/Tomic or a FA C
Hopefully Hezonja slips to our pick, if not trade the pick + Burke(or 1 of Booker/OKC 1st/GSW 1st)to move up for him (between #8-10). If Burke is traded, you sign a FA PG. If Hezonja drops to where we are picking, maybe we try to package Burke & Booker for a stretch 4 (& sign a PG) or a backup PG (& sign a stretch 4). Starting Hood at SG next year would allow Burks to settle into his role as 6th man (& get Hood even more accustomed to starting at SG incase Hezonja doesn't develop as expected), & let Hezonja be the backup SF (while still getting some time at SG). If Hezonja eventually develops into that go to scorer, Hood should be able to seamlessly transition back to the bench as our backup SF. Getting Hood & Hezonja comfortable with both wing positions would make our lineup more versatile & allow us to let matchups dictate which wing position Hezonja/Hayward plays.
Our future lineup would then consist of:
Exum (great defense/passing &, hopefully, good enough shooting to allow him to penetrate & create)
Hezonja (elite shooting & good playmaking/defense- hopefully an alpha mentality who, along with Hayward, is capable of making clutch shots)
Hayward (great all-around player, capable of making clutch shots/plays)
Favors (good offense/rebounding & great defense, plus- hopefully- good enough mid-range to unclog the paint some)
Gobert (hopefully decent offense & elite defense/rebounding)
That would be a great future starting lineup, which could be very good offensively & potentially elite defensively. One that could be championship caliber, especially with a future bench consisting of:
FA PG (doesn't necessarily have to be a FA from this year, just has to not be Burke- not meant as a knock on Burke, just don't think he fits well next to Burks & is not the ideal mentor for Exum-preferably someone who looks to facilitate first rather than score- which will be Burks' job, is not a defensive liability, & can hit an open 3)
Burks (6th man, instant offense, playmaker, hopefully not a liability on defense)
Hood (very good outside shooter, who will keep defenses honest & allow Burks to drive & finish/kick out for an open 3, not a liability on defense)
Stretch 4 (I think finding our stretch big, who isn't a complete liability on defense, will be vital to our success, as he will be able to play alongside both Favors & Gobert, which will obviously help to unclog what projects to be a very clogged paint)
Tomic (who knows if he finally comes over, but if he does, I think his passing will fit perfectly within our offensive system; only concern is how his defense will translate- if he instead stays overseas, then I hope we are able to find a defensive big who fits alongside our stretch 4.
11th man: E.Millsap (his emergence/signing, imo, is a greatly underrated move by this FO, & is the perfect 11th man, who can be our lockdown wing defender when certain matchups dictate it)
It would be nice to keep Ingles around as well, but Millsap should be the priority between the two due to his defensive ability. Then there is still Neto & Pleiss, both of whom are good to have as insurance just incase of injuries.
We, as fans, are very lucky to be able to have the opportunity to watch as this team transitions from that of a rebuilding team to that of a team in which may be just a player or two away from becoming a legitimate championship contender within a few years, especially as it has occurred in a way that nobody could have possibly predicted.
