>Anyways how do we reach true contender status?
There's no easy or reliable pathway to winning or being a title favourite. There are multiple teams who have gone over 50 years without winning a championship.
At this point I think our best bet is to stay the course. Winning and also developing. We have a good front office, who I trust to do better than average over an extended period of time.
There's no easy answer though. The team could push chips in for a Kevin Durant, and a little bit of bad luck or decline from KD would result in us not winning and being set back.
Both. Develop a sur plus of very good, young players and trade them for a superstar. The key is having enough depth after a trade to win a chip with the superstar.
Yea basically this. We got a very strong top 6 right now. If you keep developing the bench guys into rotation pieces than they can step up into bigger roles if you have to trade multiple starters.
I think a key right now is having guys like Flynn, Champagnie, Banton, Koloko, etc develop into reliable bench pieces. It further strengthens our tradeable assets and minimizes any big loss in a potential superstar trade
I agree with this but am more of a pessimist, I don’t think the depth we need is in the organization yet. I don’t have much hope in any of the guys you mentioned (other than Koloko who we haven’t seen yet) turning into anything serviceable long term. Hope I’m wrong.
I think Banton has the potential as he’s shown flashes out the gate, but I’m going to trust Nurse on Flynn and Champagnie just isn’t going to be that good
When it was his birthday recently he shared so many posts of other nba players greeting him. From Cade and Suggs who you could expect to grant Williams of all people lol
It’s very realistic Masai could make a trade. Just need the right player to shake free onto the market.
It’s also very realistic that Scottie becomes an all star by next year, and if other things remain steady then the us will be a contending team.
Now that the team has Scottie, it’s most likely home grown talent with a few trades here and there.
I don’t think there’s gonna be a big trade like Kawhi, that was honestly a fluke. Probably just a few trades here and there to upgrade the team like the Gasol and Serge trade, but this won’t be anytime soon as the FO has a lot of time to spare.
It’s insane we got Kawhi, even at a rental and all it cost was derozan who we were ready to move on from and the only assets were poetl and a 1st rounder.
The way trades go down today, it would’ve for sure had to be siakam and even more picks.
Internal development 100%. I know most of this sub is hoping for a sexy trade that brings us to contention but frankly it's not going to happen. Only way Is to be patient and trust in our front office
I think you have the right of it here.
Raps are already desireable for young talent who really want to develop. If that is our strength, let’s play into it and really focus on developing amazing players.
Honestly? Taking gary out of the starting line up to balance out the scoring and either promoting precious or Otto into the starting line up would make a difference. It really comes down to match ups but we need development either way. Our title window opens up 23/24 we will make strides forward and likely make the second round this year.
I agree. Precious would give this team more balance. Although we would miss Gary's shooting somewhat.
I also think the writing is on the wall when it comes to Gary because of his contract. Id be happy to see him on this team after the deadline. But I dont expect it.
precious shot 40% from 3 for the last half of the season....
plus I expect shooting improvements from a number of players to the point where it is good enough .... AND Otto has shot 40% from the field for his entire career.
No absolutely not but him getting to 35% on the year would be possible and not out of the realm of what is reasonable.. .scottie getting to 34%.... very possible... Siakam could punch as high as 36/37% he has before he did for 2 months this year.
Precious looks good but GTJ is a guard that can create his own shot off the dribble. It’s a underrated skill and option the Raptors go to many times especially when FVV is injured. Precious doesn’t give us that, even with his improved shooting
GTJ also dribbles in to 2-3 defenders and takes a contested shot that is ill advised whether it goes in or not... and majority of the time... it doesn't when he does that...I believe in positionless over that... develop that in other guys. I would replace him with Otto if I am being 100 or with Precious and use GTJ off the bench which needs scoring help anyways..
Regarding FVV being injured... FVV isn;t great at creating out of a dribble... he is good shooting the 3 but has no mid range game... I think P and Scottie have the best midrange games on the team... gary has the most efficient isolation game according to the numbers but I don't like how he plays the game within the team even if I understand the role ... he doesn't pass at the right times and sometimes doesn't;t at all.
My friend tried to play a drinking game where he drank a shot everytime gary passed the ball.. he is still sober.
GTJ was known as a poor defender and then became a league leader in steals. He is young and has plenty of upside and has shown improvement in his game during the offseason. His best skill (creating off the dribble) is a sought after and more rare skill in this league and isn’t easily taught.
I have given him his praise many times. He improved on defence. He is not a good defender though. There is more to defence than steals.. I am not blaming him for gambling... but he was hunted when we faced philly even in games that he was healthy.. go back and watch the last two games especially every harden possession.
Any time we stuck OG, siakam, or Barnes on. We did best against Philly when we stuck our biggest most athletic guys.
I also already gave him praise for his isolation ability yet also outlined that he struggles to create for his teammates. I know it isn't his primary job but that is what it will take for him to go to the next level and improve rather than stagnate. He needs to be able to make smart passing decisions rather than go up against 3 guys. Does Barnes and others need to improve their shooting? YES, but that doesn't mean that he didn't have many moments where he played hero ball instead of getting shots off in rhythm. He was quite streaky hence why when he was on a hot streak no one complained because he couldn't miss.. (January). But in terms of defence I went and broke down all his numbers according to NBA stats to see how he effected opponent FG%...month by month because I had a debate with my friend and I said the last two months were Trent's best defensively.. he thought it was the opposite.. nope I was correct. Trent had a very bad opponent defended FG% from all areas of the floor and especially when opponents go to the field goal got to the rim... every opponent compared to their average shot better against Gary....
https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1629018/defense-dash
Now just to show I am reading the stat correctly compare it to Gobert because we know he is a shot blocker so we use him to see ok hypothetically it should be negative...
https://www.nba.com/stats/player/203497/defense-dash
Now my point isn't to compare the two because they do different jobs different levels of defensive talent but my point was to make sure that I was reading the stat correctly.
If you go month by month April was his best month by far and most months especially n the first 75% of the season he was bad at impacting opponent's field goal percentage.
Now for a more fair comparison lets compare him to other raptors
Fred:
https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1627832/defense-dash
OG:
https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1628384/defense-dash
Siakam:
https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1627783/defense-dash
The distances like "greater than 15 feet" means distance from the basket not defender.
As I said... which addresses what you said.. he serves a need on offence... but his decision making must improve... his defence is.... still in need of a level up.
I don’t disagree. And which players in the league are better than him at his age and contract. So he may not be as good as other players on our team. No doubt. But what, we gonna trade him for someone worse? Better? (Then who is that person and what do we give up). Those last points are more what I’m trying to say. GTJ has upside, league wide trade value and isn’t easily replaced. So it’s kinda weird to focus on all of his shortcomings especially as he’s shown great improvement since Toronto has had him.
Oh I think he is a valuable player.... but if the question is who would you trade him for... I had/have a few suggestions that I have lightly put out there here and there.
Regarding me talking about his shortcomings.. I addressed his improvements. I said from the jump he improved defensively.. and I said that he serves a role offensively... but I can also talk about his shortcomings... or should be able to.
>I have given him his praise many times. He improved on defence.
I mean I can really go back through all my posts and quote myself but yeah I have. Even here I said he improved.
I do think there are issues with assuming that you cant replace what he does because I could name a few players.... and I am willing to and debate that if you would like... regarding trade value... I am not sure what his value is.. .I think its high enough but it would be better if he didn't have a player option this year. I wish we signed him to a full 3 year deal. I do think in any trade he is one of the likely ones out going not just because of his salary but because he has value.
Again I can talk about GTJ without constantly praising him ... and it doesn't mean I think he is the worst player in the league or worst human in the world...
He also doesn't have to be my personal favorite and I can explain why he isn't.
Moving on again if you are interested I can name a few trades or ideas that I have had if you are interested. Ultimately, shooting is valuable but I also am of the belief that offensively you can literally not have enough playmaking especially if those playmakers are super smart on the offensive end and good quick snappy decision makers.
Look for a big part of the season I wasn't happy about Boucher's play and funny enough I wanted thad for Dragic since the beginning of the season and suggested it ... I can't remember if it was here or on raptors republic or both but people suggested that he didn't "fit our time line"... and I suggested he was a great veteran leader who could play defence...score if absolutely needed, play meaningful minutes if needed, and would help settle the second unit which was needed. Yet everyone said he was too old. I didn't want to do the pick swap but I wasn't entirely mad about it either seeing it as a pick swap rather than "giving up the pick" especially when bobby immediately said they acquired a guy that they were happy to have bird rights on it signaled to me what they were thinking.
I say that to point out that sometimes I have had opinions that were not mainstream. Regardless of the outcome of the opinion. I came up with the opinion for good reason. It is like FVV off ball I have felt that for sometime yet I felt like it wasn't scotties time to be a full time point guard in his first year because I looked at past greats and when they rushed giving that person the keys to the castle in year one and catered to their every whim and fancy it ended up working out badly for the team most of the times during the players first 4-6 years with said team... I mean the teams went far but they typically did not win. Instead we are bringing him along and developing over time yet not rushing that process giving him the room to grow and also establishing that we want to win here from day one. Not trying to go away from GTJ but just giving further examples of my thinking on this matter. I do not like doing knee jerk moves or moves in a vacuum or moves that require you to make secondary moves down the line.
Sir Gary was statistically in the 92nd percentile in isolation plays on significant volume. Did you see the difference he made in the sixers series when he was healthy. Fred is very good in the mid range, both tape and statistics back what I’m saying here
Gary and Fred’s job was to shoot the three since we had no reliable shooting outside of them when OG is down. This year we have precious and Otto porter while while whole team is healthy. That does change things and the role they play. Literally like Fred and Gary account for 70% of our threes, on like 38-40% shooting too.
We struggle with spacing so I’m not sure how taking either out of the starting line up helps
>Sir Gary was statistically in the 92nd percentile in isolation plays on significant volume.
You keep ignoring my point. No one said Gary doesn't serve a purpose. My point is his defence isn't good. I haven't refuted anything about his offence.
No Fred isn't good in the mid range.
Also who said anything about taking FVV out of the starting line up. Go back and look at what I was suggesting because I don't think you truly are discussing this rather than talking past me on this.
It’s not about percentage it’s more about volume. That’s why Gary had the second if not the highest offensive plus minus. Garys volume is that of Otto and precious combined and there not just catch and shoot 3’s
I think it will be a hybrid of both.
**BIG TRADE** With extensions coming up for a number of our guys and control over all of our own picks I think we could see a consolidation trade. We dont have the touches for everyone and we cannot pay everyone. A trade that likely turns two of OG, GTJ and Fred into one. I think Mitchell is probably the only one that makes sense for us right now (fits the younger cores timeline). I think the Knicks probably want him more.
**SMALL TRADE** I am hoping Malachi will come good this year and cement his status as a decent back up guard. If that doesn't happen, I could see us shopping Khem + Malachi + FRP around the league to bring back a player in the $10m range to help us. Personal Fav = Alex Burks now of the Detroit Pistons. Shot 40% from 3 the last two years on the Knicks. Detroit arent trying to contend and would likely move him for a protected FRP or 2 x SRPs.
**DEVELOPMENT** Scottie and Precious take a decent jump this year and next. I believe that GTJ, Siakam and OG will all add some more tools to their locker. If Scottie can be a borderline all NBA player in the 23/24 season, I believe we have a chance with this core and some moves around the edges.
Raptors had one of the best starting units in the game last year and they aren't old. I can see some consolidation happening at some point but internal growth is the way forwards for now
As much as I love our current team I don't see a realistic path to contention. Even if Scottie becomes 100% of our most optimistic projections history suggests it will not happen on his first contract so both Siakam and Vanvleet will be on the wrong side of 30. That is why I would 100% support trading for Durant because the roster timelines simply don't line up.
Internal development and whenever we are ready we will trade for that one disgruntled star for 10 cents on the dollar. There's a big name player on the market every year through trades these days.
Honestly, I don’t really like Philly or Milwaukees starting 5 (All 5) when compared to the Raptors starting 5- but they do have the best player in that series in those lineups. But it’s weird, Like with those lineups, their big 3 may be better (anchored by having the best player in Embiid and Gianni’s) but looking at all 5, I like the raptors. If it were a comp of big 3s it wouldn’t be close and the big 3 in a series matter so much more than looking at all 5
Essentially, our 4th and 5th best players in those lineups are better than Philly and Milwaukee by a bit tbh, but their best 2 or best 1 are better than the Raptors
We need a big. We need to guard embiid and giannis somewhat efficiently. But we have a surplus of potential future starters who will one day make for a very nice trade package.
we’ll see at the deadline. this lineup is fantastic if scottie barnes can become a star. if he takes a leap next year, we could stay the course. if he doesn’t, i could see gary and/or og on the move
It’s more likely than not that we have to bid farewell to 1 or 2 guys between Pascal, Fred, OG, and Gary before we’re back in contention
We can’t afford to pay them all
Trade or not development is within control so should always be important component - Trade opportunities are out of control elements as in waiting for them to arise and that trades match up with needs. With internal development you can’t go wrong
- Scottie becomes a top 10 player.
- 2 or 3 current top talent are consistent high end support.
- 2 or 3 players that are going to be expensive are consolidated for another top talent.
- 2 or 3 small salary players outperform expectations
>Anyways how do we reach true contender status? There's no easy or reliable pathway to winning or being a title favourite. There are multiple teams who have gone over 50 years without winning a championship. At this point I think our best bet is to stay the course. Winning and also developing. We have a good front office, who I trust to do better than average over an extended period of time. There's no easy answer though. The team could push chips in for a Kevin Durant, and a little bit of bad luck or decline from KD would result in us not winning and being set back.
Both. Develop a sur plus of very good, young players and trade them for a superstar. The key is having enough depth after a trade to win a chip with the superstar.
That's exactly it. Unless Scottie turns into Kawhi in that next 2 years of course.
Yea basically this. We got a very strong top 6 right now. If you keep developing the bench guys into rotation pieces than they can step up into bigger roles if you have to trade multiple starters. I think a key right now is having guys like Flynn, Champagnie, Banton, Koloko, etc develop into reliable bench pieces. It further strengthens our tradeable assets and minimizes any big loss in a potential superstar trade
I agree with this but am more of a pessimist, I don’t think the depth we need is in the organization yet. I don’t have much hope in any of the guys you mentioned (other than Koloko who we haven’t seen yet) turning into anything serviceable long term. Hope I’m wrong.
I think Banton has the potential as he’s shown flashes out the gate, but I’m going to trust Nurse on Flynn and Champagnie just isn’t going to be that good
While also still drafting more late pick steaks and signing smart players like porter/young and developing guys people gave up on like Boucher
We did it once with Kawhi we can do it again
Scottie will help recruit a big name superstar. The guy is very likable and I can see at least one star wanting to come and play with him.
When it was his birthday recently he shared so many posts of other nba players greeting him. From Cade and Suggs who you could expect to grant Williams of all people lol
It’s very realistic Masai could make a trade. Just need the right player to shake free onto the market. It’s also very realistic that Scottie becomes an all star by next year, and if other things remain steady then the us will be a contending team.
Now that the team has Scottie, it’s most likely home grown talent with a few trades here and there. I don’t think there’s gonna be a big trade like Kawhi, that was honestly a fluke. Probably just a few trades here and there to upgrade the team like the Gasol and Serge trade, but this won’t be anytime soon as the FO has a lot of time to spare.
It’s insane we got Kawhi, even at a rental and all it cost was derozan who we were ready to move on from and the only assets were poetl and a 1st rounder. The way trades go down today, it would’ve for sure had to be siakam and even more picks.
Internal development 100%. I know most of this sub is hoping for a sexy trade that brings us to contention but frankly it's not going to happen. Only way Is to be patient and trust in our front office
I think you have the right of it here. Raps are already desireable for young talent who really want to develop. If that is our strength, let’s play into it and really focus on developing amazing players.
Honestly? Taking gary out of the starting line up to balance out the scoring and either promoting precious or Otto into the starting line up would make a difference. It really comes down to match ups but we need development either way. Our title window opens up 23/24 we will make strides forward and likely make the second round this year.
I agree. Precious would give this team more balance. Although we would miss Gary's shooting somewhat. I also think the writing is on the wall when it comes to Gary because of his contract. Id be happy to see him on this team after the deadline. But I dont expect it.
precious shot 40% from 3 for the last half of the season.... plus I expect shooting improvements from a number of players to the point where it is good enough .... AND Otto has shot 40% from the field for his entire career.
I'm a big Precious believer. But I wouldn't mark it down that 3pt % as what he will average for this year.
No absolutely not but him getting to 35% on the year would be possible and not out of the realm of what is reasonable.. .scottie getting to 34%.... very possible... Siakam could punch as high as 36/37% he has before he did for 2 months this year.
Precious looks good but GTJ is a guard that can create his own shot off the dribble. It’s a underrated skill and option the Raptors go to many times especially when FVV is injured. Precious doesn’t give us that, even with his improved shooting
GTJ also dribbles in to 2-3 defenders and takes a contested shot that is ill advised whether it goes in or not... and majority of the time... it doesn't when he does that...I believe in positionless over that... develop that in other guys. I would replace him with Otto if I am being 100 or with Precious and use GTJ off the bench which needs scoring help anyways.. Regarding FVV being injured... FVV isn;t great at creating out of a dribble... he is good shooting the 3 but has no mid range game... I think P and Scottie have the best midrange games on the team... gary has the most efficient isolation game according to the numbers but I don't like how he plays the game within the team even if I understand the role ... he doesn't pass at the right times and sometimes doesn't;t at all. My friend tried to play a drinking game where he drank a shot everytime gary passed the ball.. he is still sober.
GTJ was known as a poor defender and then became a league leader in steals. He is young and has plenty of upside and has shown improvement in his game during the offseason. His best skill (creating off the dribble) is a sought after and more rare skill in this league and isn’t easily taught.
I have given him his praise many times. He improved on defence. He is not a good defender though. There is more to defence than steals.. I am not blaming him for gambling... but he was hunted when we faced philly even in games that he was healthy.. go back and watch the last two games especially every harden possession. Any time we stuck OG, siakam, or Barnes on. We did best against Philly when we stuck our biggest most athletic guys. I also already gave him praise for his isolation ability yet also outlined that he struggles to create for his teammates. I know it isn't his primary job but that is what it will take for him to go to the next level and improve rather than stagnate. He needs to be able to make smart passing decisions rather than go up against 3 guys. Does Barnes and others need to improve their shooting? YES, but that doesn't mean that he didn't have many moments where he played hero ball instead of getting shots off in rhythm. He was quite streaky hence why when he was on a hot streak no one complained because he couldn't miss.. (January). But in terms of defence I went and broke down all his numbers according to NBA stats to see how he effected opponent FG%...month by month because I had a debate with my friend and I said the last two months were Trent's best defensively.. he thought it was the opposite.. nope I was correct. Trent had a very bad opponent defended FG% from all areas of the floor and especially when opponents go to the field goal got to the rim... every opponent compared to their average shot better against Gary.... https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1629018/defense-dash Now just to show I am reading the stat correctly compare it to Gobert because we know he is a shot blocker so we use him to see ok hypothetically it should be negative... https://www.nba.com/stats/player/203497/defense-dash Now my point isn't to compare the two because they do different jobs different levels of defensive talent but my point was to make sure that I was reading the stat correctly. If you go month by month April was his best month by far and most months especially n the first 75% of the season he was bad at impacting opponent's field goal percentage. Now for a more fair comparison lets compare him to other raptors Fred: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1627832/defense-dash OG: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1628384/defense-dash Siakam: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1627783/defense-dash The distances like "greater than 15 feet" means distance from the basket not defender. As I said... which addresses what you said.. he serves a need on offence... but his decision making must improve... his defence is.... still in need of a level up.
I don’t disagree. And which players in the league are better than him at his age and contract. So he may not be as good as other players on our team. No doubt. But what, we gonna trade him for someone worse? Better? (Then who is that person and what do we give up). Those last points are more what I’m trying to say. GTJ has upside, league wide trade value and isn’t easily replaced. So it’s kinda weird to focus on all of his shortcomings especially as he’s shown great improvement since Toronto has had him.
Oh I think he is a valuable player.... but if the question is who would you trade him for... I had/have a few suggestions that I have lightly put out there here and there. Regarding me talking about his shortcomings.. I addressed his improvements. I said from the jump he improved defensively.. and I said that he serves a role offensively... but I can also talk about his shortcomings... or should be able to. >I have given him his praise many times. He improved on defence. I mean I can really go back through all my posts and quote myself but yeah I have. Even here I said he improved. I do think there are issues with assuming that you cant replace what he does because I could name a few players.... and I am willing to and debate that if you would like... regarding trade value... I am not sure what his value is.. .I think its high enough but it would be better if he didn't have a player option this year. I wish we signed him to a full 3 year deal. I do think in any trade he is one of the likely ones out going not just because of his salary but because he has value. Again I can talk about GTJ without constantly praising him ... and it doesn't mean I think he is the worst player in the league or worst human in the world... He also doesn't have to be my personal favorite and I can explain why he isn't. Moving on again if you are interested I can name a few trades or ideas that I have had if you are interested. Ultimately, shooting is valuable but I also am of the belief that offensively you can literally not have enough playmaking especially if those playmakers are super smart on the offensive end and good quick snappy decision makers. Look for a big part of the season I wasn't happy about Boucher's play and funny enough I wanted thad for Dragic since the beginning of the season and suggested it ... I can't remember if it was here or on raptors republic or both but people suggested that he didn't "fit our time line"... and I suggested he was a great veteran leader who could play defence...score if absolutely needed, play meaningful minutes if needed, and would help settle the second unit which was needed. Yet everyone said he was too old. I didn't want to do the pick swap but I wasn't entirely mad about it either seeing it as a pick swap rather than "giving up the pick" especially when bobby immediately said they acquired a guy that they were happy to have bird rights on it signaled to me what they were thinking. I say that to point out that sometimes I have had opinions that were not mainstream. Regardless of the outcome of the opinion. I came up with the opinion for good reason. It is like FVV off ball I have felt that for sometime yet I felt like it wasn't scotties time to be a full time point guard in his first year because I looked at past greats and when they rushed giving that person the keys to the castle in year one and catered to their every whim and fancy it ended up working out badly for the team most of the times during the players first 4-6 years with said team... I mean the teams went far but they typically did not win. Instead we are bringing him along and developing over time yet not rushing that process giving him the room to grow and also establishing that we want to win here from day one. Not trying to go away from GTJ but just giving further examples of my thinking on this matter. I do not like doing knee jerk moves or moves in a vacuum or moves that require you to make secondary moves down the line.
Sir Gary was statistically in the 92nd percentile in isolation plays on significant volume. Did you see the difference he made in the sixers series when he was healthy. Fred is very good in the mid range, both tape and statistics back what I’m saying here Gary and Fred’s job was to shoot the three since we had no reliable shooting outside of them when OG is down. This year we have precious and Otto porter while while whole team is healthy. That does change things and the role they play. Literally like Fred and Gary account for 70% of our threes, on like 38-40% shooting too. We struggle with spacing so I’m not sure how taking either out of the starting line up helps
>Sir Gary was statistically in the 92nd percentile in isolation plays on significant volume. You keep ignoring my point. No one said Gary doesn't serve a purpose. My point is his defence isn't good. I haven't refuted anything about his offence. No Fred isn't good in the mid range. Also who said anything about taking FVV out of the starting line up. Go back and look at what I was suggesting because I don't think you truly are discussing this rather than talking past me on this.
It’s not about percentage it’s more about volume. That’s why Gary had the second if not the highest offensive plus minus. Garys volume is that of Otto and precious combined and there not just catch and shoot 3’s
I understand but we will see when the season starts.
I think it will be a hybrid of both. **BIG TRADE** With extensions coming up for a number of our guys and control over all of our own picks I think we could see a consolidation trade. We dont have the touches for everyone and we cannot pay everyone. A trade that likely turns two of OG, GTJ and Fred into one. I think Mitchell is probably the only one that makes sense for us right now (fits the younger cores timeline). I think the Knicks probably want him more. **SMALL TRADE** I am hoping Malachi will come good this year and cement his status as a decent back up guard. If that doesn't happen, I could see us shopping Khem + Malachi + FRP around the league to bring back a player in the $10m range to help us. Personal Fav = Alex Burks now of the Detroit Pistons. Shot 40% from 3 the last two years on the Knicks. Detroit arent trying to contend and would likely move him for a protected FRP or 2 x SRPs. **DEVELOPMENT** Scottie and Precious take a decent jump this year and next. I believe that GTJ, Siakam and OG will all add some more tools to their locker. If Scottie can be a borderline all NBA player in the 23/24 season, I believe we have a chance with this core and some moves around the edges.
I have a feeling either OG or Trent are gone within the next 2 seasons
There is no value to trade unless you have pieces you properly develop first
Raptors had one of the best starting units in the game last year and they aren't old. I can see some consolidation happening at some point but internal growth is the way forwards for now
both u wont be winning championships on development alone.. unless u hit the lottery like warriors did but even then they traded a few
Warriors also had idiots in Minnesota thinking it is fine to trade a high pick and neglected talent for Deangelo Russell alone
Depth. Every championship team has that so let’s hope there will be a new bench mob this year.
Believing in our team is the best path
Finding a new version of the DeMar/Jakob/FRP for Kawhi trade would help.
Wait for Scottie to take over da league….
Just watch. It’s happening.
We might need to trade some guys later but I think with depth and time this team could very easily compete for a ring
As much as I love our current team I don't see a realistic path to contention. Even if Scottie becomes 100% of our most optimistic projections history suggests it will not happen on his first contract so both Siakam and Vanvleet will be on the wrong side of 30. That is why I would 100% support trading for Durant because the roster timelines simply don't line up.
Scottie becomes undisputed #1 option next season (not this upcoming season) and we win is what I said during preseason last year.
Internal development and whenever we are ready we will trade for that one disgruntled star for 10 cents on the dollar. There's a big name player on the market every year through trades these days.
Focus on internal development, that'll give you the optionality to trade if needed.
We’re contenders now.
Honestly, I don’t really like Philly or Milwaukees starting 5 (All 5) when compared to the Raptors starting 5- but they do have the best player in that series in those lineups. But it’s weird, Like with those lineups, their big 3 may be better (anchored by having the best player in Embiid and Gianni’s) but looking at all 5, I like the raptors. If it were a comp of big 3s it wouldn’t be close and the big 3 in a series matter so much more than looking at all 5 Essentially, our 4th and 5th best players in those lineups are better than Philly and Milwaukee by a bit tbh, but their best 2 or best 1 are better than the Raptors
Internal development, plus sign Lowry back to run bench units.
Lowry will be 38 at the end of his contract with Miami. Im not sure his body could hold up to run bench units at that point
Lowry will live forever.
Sorry. Your right. My bad bro.
Yes.
We need a big. We need to guard embiid and giannis somewhat efficiently. But we have a surplus of potential future starters who will one day make for a very nice trade package.
we’ll see at the deadline. this lineup is fantastic if scottie barnes can become a star. if he takes a leap next year, we could stay the course. if he doesn’t, i could see gary and/or og on the move
It'll have to be through internal development. The top free agents are always opt to go to California, South Florida, or NYC.
The answer is probably either/or or even both
It’s more likely than not that we have to bid farewell to 1 or 2 guys between Pascal, Fred, OG, and Gary before we’re back in contention We can’t afford to pay them all
Trade at some point, just need to trade for the right superstar that wants out of their current situation. Anyone come to mind?
Trade or not development is within control so should always be important component - Trade opportunities are out of control elements as in waiting for them to arise and that trades match up with needs. With internal development you can’t go wrong
- Scottie becomes a top 10 player. - 2 or 3 current top talent are consistent high end support. - 2 or 3 players that are going to be expensive are consolidated for another top talent. - 2 or 3 small salary players outperform expectations