OKC Thunder: 10 young cores who offer templates for rebuilding

The long patient view – repeated trips to the lottery:

Perennial lottery teams such as the Wolves and Suns took the long term approach whether that was their initial intention or not. Even landing a generational talent like Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker doesn’t guarantee immediate success.

Although all those lottery picks are burning holes in Presti’s pocket and it seems like a logical move to take this approach it’s not the best strategy.

Minnesota went on to add Andrew Wiggins (via a trade) while the Suns repeatedly hit the lottery drafting talents that often didn’t pan out. They’ve missed the playoffs for a decade and this offseason finally chose to make a big move by bringing in Chris Paul to lead them to the promised land.

KAT has made a single trip to the postseason and many believe that had more to do with Jimmy Butler than Towns.

Mismanagement of draft picks combined with poor roster development can keep a team stuck in the lottery longer than desired as well.

The Pelicans drafted a generational talent with the Anthony Davis selection but then only made it to the playoffs twice during his seven seasons in New Orleans. In his first season with the Lakers he won the chip and while having LeBron James beside him certainly helped there are many who wonder how the Pelicans never managed to add another top-level talent to pair beside AD in New Orleans.

David Griffin is taking a different approach more akin to what the next tier of teams is orchestrating.