NBA Mentors: Which former stars could help current talent?

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the brightest young stars in all of the NBA, combining an incredible set of physical tools with a rapidly developing skill set to present what appears to be a sky-high upside, potentially in the very near future. In an effort to get the most out of their young asset, the Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly agreed to add Hall of Fame point guard Gary Payton to the payroll in an “advisory” role, as he would theoretically serve as a mentor to Antetokounmpo as the youngster continues his development.

With that potential partnership as the impetus, the minds of many NBA pundits began to race with theoretical mentors that could provide high-end tutelage to some of the game’s rising stars. From skill development on a specific basis to, in some cases, a complete overhaul of mental make-up, these potential pairings could prove incredibly fruitful for the young players and their current squads, and because the league is always better when stars are playing at their maximum output, the “fun” factor rises to the top.

In this space, we will provide five fictional partnerships between current young stars and some of best players from the game’s past, and after the fact, we can dream of a world in which each member of the quintet finishes off big-time improvements to their game. Let’s dare to dream.