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[QUOTE="OttoinGrotto, post: 3053938, member: 297"]
Yup, the odds aren't great, but if you can hit on a guy in the teens or twenties that plays above his draft slot that's franchise altering.

I go back and forth on the Stepien rule.

To me it's dumb it was ever needed.

On the other hand, I think the NBA as a product is better because player development has emerged as a greater priority. Removing the rule could put that at risk because some teams would be tempted to never value development.

Used to be, a team had a lotto pick and expected all-star production right away. If they didn't get it, the problem was the player.

Nowadays I think teams and the Association as a whole have become much more bought in that they control their destiny a bit more when it comes to player production. Skill building is real. I look at how many power forwards have become competent and even good three point shooters of late. Not long ago that seemed ridiculous, now it's a normal part of the game. I take this as one bit of evidence that organizations can foster development to become more competitive.

Personally, I would like to see the NBA put measures in place that encourage low performing franchises to improve through development. One idea I have is to give the teams with the worst records in the league an additional roster spot/two-way contract, as well as a sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds. This would place a higher emphasis on scouting and player development within those franchises. Or, if they don't want to go that route, it gives them another tradeable asset for a franchise that does value those things.
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