He's not the best player on this team. We have no reason to build around him when there's 2-3 guys better than him.

Niko is a bust because he isn't better than Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose? I don't understand what you're getting at, because by that logic this league is absolutely full of busts..

We all geeked over his Spanish League highlights, which half of them were of him posting up, and was the best player on his team averaging no more than 15/game.

Niko was not the some hands down best player on his Spanish League team. He was definitely the best prospect though and he's still a fantastic prospect. Mirotic hasn't found his way as a consistent outside shooter in the NBA yet but he's shown flashes. He's also shown high level skills that people didn't expect him to have. His versatility to attack off the dribble and use his length is underrated. Under Fred, we've seen him turn into a spot up shooter 30 FT from the rim but I don't lay the blame for that solely on Niko.

Is he really that good?

I'm not going to claim Niko is some borderline All Star player, or that he's even super productive this year, but he is still a great prospect. It sucks that we fired one of the best developers of young basketball talent in the world, but for the sake of the team let's hope Fred and his staff can be competent in that regard. I think Niko can be a great complimentary piece to a playoff team in his career and we have him on a decent contract. If his shooting can get on track, while he learns how and when to take advantage of his other skills, then he can compliment Jimmy & Derrick's games well IMO.

Like your first comment alluded to, anyone who expected Niko to come in and go off on the league because of some European highlights was being unrealistic and homerish. It's wayyyyy too premature to give up on Mirotic and pretend he's a bust.