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.

[Vermont Green]

I like Siakam.  I would put him in the same tier as Sabonis.  But I agree, I don't see why IND would trade him for what we can offer.  Simons, Pritchard, and Hauser are all nice depth players, but IND could find comparable players as FAs, much less expensive trades, or even draft picks.  No need to give up an all star level player to get depth pieces.  Especially depth pieces who have been playing poorly lately and whose trade value is likely diminished.

[SHAQATTACK]

There is bound to be a 5? 7?. All Star prospect we are over looking .  One we can build around

[obnoxiousmime]

Available now:

Dallas is an obvious seller right now. Davis is probably too risky and costly, but Gafford should be available at a reasonable cost. He's more of a traditional big, so I'm not sure if that's something the Cs are interested in at roughly 16.5m/year for four seasons including this one.

Available after this season:

OKC after this season will have a lot of tax pressure, so guys like Hartenstein, Dort, and Caruso might be available. Hartenstein will be making 28.5m on a team option OKC will likely pick up, but an extension would probably be less than that per year. He would be a much better fit in terms of switchability and toughness/rebounding, but he's not an amazing rim protector nor does he spread the floor. There will probably be a lot off demand for him, however, due to his toughness, championship experience, and versatility. Maybe if Boston is one of the options Hartenstein wants to go to, OKC would do him a favor since Presti is a Mass. guy and has a good relationship with the Celtics (he helped Horford get back to Boston, remember).

Cleveland has a humongous tax bill this season (163m-ish according to Spotrac), so regardless if they win the title, they will likely be trying to unload some contracts. That means Jarrett Allen might become available. He's kind of a traditional C so it's not clear the Cs would be that interested in him at an expensive $30m/year. Also, Cleveland would probably prefer not to deal him to a rival.


Some other possibilities:

If Giannis decides he wants out, Myles Turner might become available.

As some have mentioned, Zubac might be available if the Clippers continue to stink.


Not good fits:

Vucevic is likely available, but he's too old and horrible on defense.

Sabonis is probably available soon if not now, but he's horrible on defense and makes a lot for what he actually does.

Porzingis has been a little disappointing in Atlanta and it's not certain they will definitely re-sign him. However, he's extremely risky due to his POTS and other injury concerns. I could only see it if nobody wants to give him a big deal and he gives Boston a discount on a short term deal to rebuild his value.


Out of all the names, I would think the Celtics would be interested in Hartenstein first and Zubac second. I can see them not really wanting Gafford since he might make too much if you think he's better as a backup on a contending team.

Turner is obviously intriguing with his stretch 5 and blocking capabilities, but I wonder if the Celtics really like him considering Turner was in trade rumors for years but never went anywhere when he was in Indy.

[Darth_Yoda]

Okongwu is a guy to Watch for bigmen




If Celtics get offseason luck in the draft (AJ) I can see Brown getting shopped this offseason.

A team like Atlanta would probably offer up Okongwu, Daniels and a few picks for Brown. As they should. Also lets they resign KP for certain and they can rock with:

Trae
Brown
Risacher
Johnson
KP


Got Okongwu who is on the verge of breaking out, and Daniels would be a great PG fit beside White.

Okongwu, imo, is entering into that Bam level of player. Excellent defense, 3pt spacing, rebounding.
16ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1spg, 1bpg


Daniels/Pritchard
White/Hugo
AJ/Minot
Tatum/Hauser
Okongwu/Queta

[Who]

Okongwu, imo, is entering into that Bam level of player. Excellent defense, 3pt spacing, rebounding.
16ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1spg, 1bpg


Daniels/Pritchard
White/Hugo
AJ/Minot
Tatum/Hauser
Okongwu/Queta

I am not sure how good Okongwu's defense is. He seems closer to a middle of the pack defender at center than a high level one. His lack of size regularly gets him into trouble. And he doesn't offer much rim protection.

I am more impressed by his defense when he switches to the PF position and plays alongside a center. He doesn't get overpowered / outsized at PF (except in rare occasions).

[Darth_Yoda]

Okongwu, imo, is entering into that Bam level of player. Excellent defense, 3pt spacing, rebounding.
16ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.5apg, 1spg, 1bpg


Daniels/Pritchard
White/Hugo
AJ/Minot
Tatum/Hauser
Okongwu/Queta

I am not sure how good Okongwu's defense is. He seems closer to a middle of the pack defender at center than a high level one. His lack of size regularly gets him into trouble. And he doesn't offer much rim protection.

I am more impressed by his defense when he switches to the PF position and plays alongside a center. He doesn't get overpowered / outsized at PF (except in rare occasions).

He does get overpowered sometimes, but I do agree with your thoughts.

He is excellent at switching, isnt a strong rim protector, which kind of works in Mazulla ball honestly. Horford wasnt a rim protector either.