Who Is The Next "Dream Big" Target At The Deadline Or Offseason?

[Smartacus]

who is AJ?

AJ Dybantsa = top 3 pick in 2026 draft

thank you....but i think peterson is more highly ranked.

I think Peterson is the #1 right now pretty clearly. Dude is as close to Kobe as anyone since Kobe

AJ is a more of a Tracy McGrady. might be a superior scorer if both reach full potential.

so you're saying he's an overrated gunner that won't win anything without a superior big man carrying the load to a title?  Guess we'd need a better big man than Gafford   

lol, yeah

Peterson is the best player in this draft by a fairly wide margin but it?s completely valid to prefer Dybantsa for Boston. First off, he grew up here and the best player Massachusetts has ever produced so the story writes itself. Second, he has the type of build and scoring ability that could be GOAT level if he were to ever truly develop. Lock him in a gym with Tatum and Brown and you could one day, see the greatest wing rotation of all time.

All that being said, both Peterson in Boozer are leagues ahead of him in their development and polish. It?s possible that AJ never holds a candle to those two as a player but sign me up for the opportunity if the basketball gods made a miracle with the ping pong balls.

?-

All that being said, there is a nasty tier 2 in this draft as well. Caleb Wilson is looking like a monster on both sides of the ball. Nate Ament feels like he?ll be a better NBA player than number 1 option on Tennessee. Tounde Yessoufou Is picking right up where VJ Edgecomb left off on at Baylor and Mikel Brown Jr. has a mature and explosive game game on Louisville. Finally Neoklis Avdalas has so far shattered expectations and given the success of recent Euro prospects it?s getting harder to overlook him by the day.

Point is that this isn?t a Draft that would be a disaster if you fell out of the top 3, so a soft tank for one of the Tier 1 but ending up around 7 could still be a franchise altering swing with minimal long term damage to the core of what this team has built.

[Smartacus]

who is AJ?

AJ Dybantsa = top 3 pick in 2026 draft

thank you....but i think peterson is more highly ranked.

I think Peterson is the #1 right now pretty clearly. Dude is as close to Kobe as anyone since Kobe

AJ is a more of a Tracy McGrady. might be a superior scorer if both reach full potential.

so you're saying he's an overrated gunner that won't win anything without a superior big man carrying the load to a title?  Guess we'd need a better big man than Gafford   

lol, yeah

Peterson is the best player in this draft by a fairly wide margin but it?s completely valid to prefer Dybantsa for Boston. First off, he grew up here and the best player Massachusetts has ever produced so the story writes itself. Second, he has the type of build and scoring ability that could be GOAT level if he were to ever truly develop. Lock him in a gym with Tatum and Brown and you could one day, see the greatest wing rotation of all time.

All that being said, both Peterson in Boozer are leagues ahead of him in their development and polish. It?s possible that AJ never holds a candle to those two as a player but sign me up for the opportunity if the basketball gods made a miracle with the ping pong balls.

?-

All that being said, there is a nasty tier 2 in this draft as well. Caleb Wilson is looking like a monster on both sides of the ball. Nate Ament feels like he?ll be a better NBA player than number 1 option on Tennessee. Tounde Yessoufou Is picking right up where VJ Edgecomb left off on at Baylor and Mikel Brown Jr. has a mature and explosive game game on Louisville. Finally Neoklis Avdalas has so far shattered expectations and given the success of recent Euro prospects it?s getting harder to overlook him by the day.

Point is that this isn?t a Draft that would be a disaster if you fell out of the top 3, so a soft tank for one of the Tier 1 but ending up around 7 could still be a franchise altering swing with minimal long term damage to the core of what this team has built.

AJ Dybantsa played UConn in the Garden and got bottled up by in the first half but went to town on them in the second with UConn's whole defense trying to stop him. This is why the talent is so hard to discount. He is just too big, fast, physical, and skilled.

https://youtu.be/vFezvaNLbMU?si=HmpJkJUTEOeFxWzH

[mobilija]

Who! I knew you were a great contributor on this site but didn?t know you could play center in the NBA. I?m excited to cheer you on as our next Dream Big!

[Vermont Green]

Who! I knew you were a great contributor on this site but didn't know you could play center in the NBA. I'm excited to cheer you on as our next Dream Big!

Get him on a 10-day contract and suit him up!

I am not sure everyone will get this.  Think whose on first (Who's on first)?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

How about Pascal Siakim?

The Pacers have the worst record in the NBA. Could they look to retool to prepare for a run next year when Hali is back?

The trade would have to be Simons, Pritchard, and Hauser. The Pacers got him for contract filler and 3 first round draft picks. Could those three guys be a similar value?

I hate the idea of trading Pritchard and Simons. It leaves us very thin at guard. However, it does double down on our strengths with another rangy wing that has played in a lot of big games. White-Brown-Tatum-Siakim would be a great combo. We'd still have Hugo, Walsh, Queta, and Garza. It's a pretty thin team, but it gets some key positions locked up.

The Pacers may consider it because Siakim is older. It gives them players that fit their system and culture, allowing them to continue to retool this year.

I don't love Siakim (I still don't think I've ever seen him make a jumpshot), but I've been thinking about the options that could maximize our strengths and get us in contention again.

[Darth_Yoda]

How about Pascal Siakim?

The Pacers have the worst record in the NBA. Could they look to retool to prepare for a run next year when Hali is back?

The trade would have to be Simons, Pritchard, and Hauser. The Pacers got him for contract filler and 3 first round draft picks. Could those three guys be a similar value?

I hate the idea of trading Pritchard and Simons. It leaves us very thin at guard. However, it does double down on our strengths with another rangy wing that has played in a lot of big games. White-Brown-Tatum-Siakim would be a great combo. We'd still have Hugo, Walsh, Queta, and Garza. It's a pretty thin team, but it gets some key positions locked up.

The Pacers may consider it because Siakim is older. It gives them players that fit their system and culture, allowing them to continue to retool this year.

I don't love Siakim (I still don't think I've ever seen him make a jumpshot), but I've been thinking about the options that could maximize our strengths and get us in contention again.

Siakam is a nice player, but the issue here is I dont think anything gets done until the offseason unless they can unload someone for a young guy/pick in 2026.

Nothing is available that will turn the team into a legit championship contender overnight, so why bother.

Build for next season and beyond, and the best way to do that is with a big offseason get.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

How about Pascal Siakim?

The Pacers have the worst record in the NBA. Could they look to retool to prepare for a run next year when Hali is back?

The trade would have to be Simons, Pritchard, and Hauser. The Pacers got him for contract filler and 3 first round draft picks. Could those three guys be a similar value?

I hate the idea of trading Pritchard and Simons. It leaves us very thin at guard. However, it does double down on our strengths with another rangy wing that has played in a lot of big games. White-Brown-Tatum-Siakim would be a great combo. We'd still have Hugo, Walsh, Queta, and Garza. It's a pretty thin team, but it gets some key positions locked up.

The Pacers may consider it because Siakim is older. It gives them players that fit their system and culture, allowing them to continue to retool this year.

I don't love Siakim (I still don't think I've ever seen him make a jumpshot), but I've been thinking about the options that could maximize our strengths and get us in contention again.

Siakam is a nice player, but the issue here is I dont think anything gets done until the offseason unless they can unload someone for a young guy/pick in 2026.

Nothing is available that will turn the team into a legit championship contender overnight, so why bother.

Build for next season and beyond, and the best way to do that is with a big offseason get.

I actually think this does that. It accomplishes a few things:
1. It ruins our depth, which makes it easier to rest key players and tank.
2. It frees more minutes for Minott, Walsh, and Hugo, which is key for development.
3. It gets the big pieces in place, which allows Stevens to work on the smaller pieces/role players.
4. It keeps us under the 2nd apron, allowing the repeater tax to be reset

Plus, it does all those things while keeping our draft picks and trade exceptions. Those things can then be used to fill out the roster and go back in the 2nd apron.

[Ilikesports17]

How about Pascal Siakim?

The Pacers have the worst record in the NBA. Could they look to retool to prepare for a run next year when Hali is back?

The trade would have to be Simons, Pritchard, and Hauser. The Pacers got him for contract filler and 3 first round draft picks. Could those three guys be a similar value?

I hate the idea of trading Pritchard and Simons. It leaves us very thin at guard. However, it does double down on our strengths with another rangy wing that has played in a lot of big games. White-Brown-Tatum-Siakim would be a great combo. We'd still have Hugo, Walsh, Queta, and Garza. It's a pretty thin team, but it gets some key positions locked up.

The Pacers may consider it because Siakim is older. It gives them players that fit their system and culture, allowing them to continue to retool this year.

I don't love Siakim (I still don't think I've ever seen him make a jumpshot), but I've been thinking about the options that could maximize our strengths and get us in contention again.

Siakam is a nice player, but the issue here is I dont think anything gets done until the offseason unless they can unload someone for a young guy/pick in 2026.

Nothing is available that will turn the team into a legit championship contender overnight, so why bother.

Build for next season and beyond, and the best way to do that is with a big offseason get.

I actually think this does that. It accomplishes a few things:
1. It ruins our depth, which makes it easier to rest key players and tank.
2. It frees more minutes for Minott, Walsh, and Hugo, which is key for development.
3. It gets the big pieces in place, which allows Stevens to work on the smaller pieces/role players.
4. It keeps us under the 2nd apron, allowing the repeater tax to be reset

Plus, it does all those things while keeping our draft picks and trade exceptions. Those things can then be used to fill out the roster and go back in the 2nd apron.

But what does it accomplish for Indiana. It leaves them in a situation where their second best player is... Nemhard? Nesmith? Especially given theyve had no trouble tanking with Siakam I think its wise for them to mantain a guy proven to be a capable #3 on a championship team.