We will have 4 1st and 2nd year guys of minimal experience sitting on the bench or playing a few minutes per game next year. We are not desperate for youth.
But we are desperate for talent and talent that won't be declining in Cousins' prime.
I'd rather us build that talent through a flurry of young players. Let Joerger establish the culture and let the chemistry build with these players that we will have control over for the next 5-8 years. Not players that can be gone in a year or two (Collison, Lawson, Temple, Afflalo, McLemore, Gay, Barnes, Casspi, Tolliver, & Koufos). In the meantime, the rookie contracts will give us an opportunity to sign good/great FAs in a couple years depending on how attractive the team is beginning to look.
I guess it comes down to do you think this team has enough talent to one day compete for a Championship? I don't, so I think the team should take steps to build towards that vision. Considering we've never been a good FA for stars, that means relying on the draft, developing our current young players, and trades to acquire the talent necessary to be that competitive one day. A playoff appearance is nice, but in the grand scheme of things it's not going to help us in FA as much as people think. A top 10 pick in this years draft is much more valuable than increasing your chances of landing a star in FA from 5% to 10% (for example). Trading off the remaining short term vets for young pieces and picks gives us a couple more shots at finding a game changer or it at least gives us more assets to utilize in a trade for a game changer.
You'll never see me root against the Kings in a game. I'll shout at my TV the entire game, but the GM in me sees it differently. I don't let the emotional highs & lows of how the team is currently doing affect that judgement.