Wade doesn't need to. Did you not see how Shabazz played last season?
13.5 PPG
4.1 Rpg
.49% fg%
39% 3fg%
.514 eFG%
19.9 PER
That PER is 5th among SG and 6th among SF. He has a bright future. Most likely not a close to a Wade career but is a starter in this league.
Who here thinks Embiid can't play? Injury concerns aside, the guy has superstar potential. When Dirk hangs them up, you have either Embiid or Porzingis ready to step in. Dirk just now turned 37 while Tim Duncan is 39. That gives my young guys time to develop.
Carmelo Anthony 24 and 7 and is the same age as LBJ.
I like your starting lineup for sure...the now & the future in J-Wall, good defensive presence in Noel at C, and all-star veterans at every other position. I think the issue that comes into play with your squad is what happens past 2-3 years? You'll have Wall, Noel, and Carmelo still...but banking on Embiid and Porzingis to be the next Dirk is a bit of a stretch, considering we haven't seen either on an NBA court yet. Plus, where does your post offense come from 3, 4, or 5 years down the road? Noel's offensive game appears very limited at this point in time. Embiid? Can he even walk by then?
My starters are all proven talents, as well...all-NBA, all-defensive team, all-star type talents. And the best part is they're all still in their prime with many years left to play at their peak whereas 2 of your big names (Dirk & Wade) are on the back side of their playing careers. Korver is the oldest of the bunch (34), but outside of him my lineup average age is 24...26 even counting him. Cousins, Ibaka, Conley, and Parker are going to be forces in this league for years to come. Korver still has some solid years left in him (who gets their first all-star nod at age 34???), and Winslow should be a formidable option (especially on the defensive end) to step into his roll when he departs. The Heat were ecstatic to get him at #10 in this year's draft.
'Bazz to replace Wade isn't a bad option, if he can keep his head on straight. Skill-set is undeniable. However, some people have called him the next Michael Beasley as well. I give the edge to "Bazz over Winslow here, purely due to 'Bazz having proven he can play in this league. I like Winslow's upside a bit better though, if nothing else due to his temperament.
I look at your bench and outside of Jennings & Barnes, you have nothing but question marks to me:
Embiid -- Can he stay healthy? Hell, can he even get healthy?
Porzingis -- Is he Darko or Dirk? Or Dirko?
Young/Oubre -- Will one pan out at this level? Both? Neither? All are possible. Young wasn't exactly effective at any point when he was on the court last season. Still a lot of time, though.
'Bazz -- see above. Michael Beasley 2.0?
Your lineup projected 5 years out as-is:
Wall (29)/ Jennings (30)
'Bazz (27) / Young (24)/ Oubre (24)
'Melo (36)/ Barnes (28)
Noel (26)/ Porzingis (24)
Embiid (26)/ Noel (26)
Mine:
Conley (32)/ Smart (26)
Winslow (23)/ Afflalo (34)/ Korver (39)?
Parker (25)/ Green (33)
Ibaka (30)/ Morris (30)
Cousins (29)/ Dieng (30)
