2016-17 Toronto Raptors and General NBA Thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

As far as a Raps trade goes there is really only one player they should target, and it could be pretty expensive to get him even though he's a rental: Serge Ibaka. He's a UFA at the end of the year and if Orlando is still decently out of a playoff spot in a month they might look to trade him. Otherwise I just don't see there being an impact trade the Raps can make that would move the needle much as far as beating the top teams. Paul Milsap is another guy to possibly target but Atlanta will probably be a playoff team so I doubt he becomes available.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

As far as a Raps trade goes there is really only one player they should target, and it could be pretty expensive to get him even though he's a rental: Serge Ibaka. He's a UFA at the end of the year and if Orlando is still decently out of a playoff spot in a month they might look to trade him. Otherwise I just don't see there being an impact trade the Raps can make that would move the needle much as far as beating the top teams. Paul Milsap is another guy to possibly target but Atlanta will probably be a playoff team so I doubt he becomes available.

The question is, if you were to upgrade one position at the moment what would it be and what would the cost be to do it (who would be dealt the other way)? The more I watch the team the more I think it's more than just one player as overall, they're just not strong enough to be a Championship team. I think SF is the position most in need of help personally. Like others here, I've also loosened my position on dealing Valanciunas. He's slightly better than your average C. If someone overvalues him, you deal him for a defensive specialist centre rather than a two way player. I say this but I don't think he's the source of their problems. If an upgrade comes, I'd have to be an all-star specialist in either scoring or defence. I don't think we need another two way mediocre player.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Come on man, we're 32 games into the season. Patience.

32 games into a season in which we're on our best-ever pace and easily the best team in franchise history; a legit second-tier team at a time when the top tier has two, maybe 3 teams. Definitely not time for a knee-jerk move. I'm always open to seeing what the options are out there. But beyond a depth move here and there I think the team likes where they're at. Maybe there's a Rasheed Wallace impact type trade out there, but fringe contenders miss more than they hit on big mid-season trades. Both Casey and Ujiri value continuity... arguably to a fault, yet it's served them well thus far.


I like Ibaka a lot (yes, I said that about Cousins and will say it about more guys before the year is through). I'm skeptical they trade him for anything other than a massive overpay, because he's the perfect Frank Vogel sort of player, and seems to be saying all the right things about believing in the team identity. Unless he sends out warning signs before the trade deadline, I could see them riding it out even if not in the playoff race. Even the worst case of losing him, they'll be nearly $30 million under the cap with a solid core to build around.

Orlando would probably want a starting SF back so they can slide Gordon back to PF. Maybe Ross + Siakam + a first is a package that a deal could be built around (salaries work as-is), with them getting back assets similar in fit to the key parts they gave up for Ibaka... a young 3 and D wing and a rookie PF.

[Drake]

Greak Freak has become one of those must-watch talents. Also, just turned 22.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Pretty good argument he's already the best non-LeBron player in the East. Which is funny considering he could be a Cav too. That draft was brutal and everyone missed on Giannis.

[Johnny199r]

Bucks fans deserve some hope. The franchise has been awful since Geroge Karl coached the big 3 there.

[activeStick]

Close game in LA right now... Raps up by 3 to start the 4th... Need a win after dropping the last game to Phoenix

[activeStick]

Lowry is killing it in the 4th

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Lowry is killing it in the 4th

Beasting

Up 17 now

[octothorp]

Nice to see Poeltl get a bit of burn in meaningful minutes, and look good in them. Ujiri said they saw him as someone capable of playing PF when they drafted him, which I took to be just deflection to avoid questions about his long-term fit beside JV, but just maybe he could play some PF. At least he actually makes an effort to box out, unlike Bebe.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Apparently Milsap is available, and the Raps have inquired at some point, but everything so far suggests he'll be very expensive to acquire. Just gotta hope they tank out although they've actually played better the past few weeks which is a shame.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Apparently Milsap is available, and the Raps have inquired at some point, but everything so far suggests he'll be very expensive to acquire. Just gotta hope they tank out although they've actually played better the past few weeks which is a shame.

Yes I read that as well and MU has been interested numerous times according to the rumor mill. This is one of those top moves which would be costly like a trade for Cousins. But this is the type of player who would be a superb addition for the playoffs. Because it's all about the playoffs no mater how many wins they rack up against the likes of the Sixers etc. They have to beat the Cavs and they have shown so far this season that they are still not capable of doing so. They need the move for the end game. Has nothing to do with the meaningless regular season. That they will cruise through that was never in doubt. But the playoffs is another story.

[octothorp]

Milsap makes me nervous because of his age and contract. Two 31-year-old all-star-level UFAs (although with bird rights to both) isn't a great situation for the upcoming offseason, and it definitely puts them in win-now mode. Although with Lowry playing the best ball of his career they arguably already are in win-now mode. There's more potential for a Milsap trade to go horribly wrong for the Raptors than some of the other hypothetical big-man deals out there, but Milsap also looks more available, too.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Utah, @Chicago, Houston, Boston next. Be a pretty good test to see how they respond to this beatdown.

[Karl]

Dinos getting pumped. San Antonio killing them tonight. Raps have very little jump & energy out there. Done like dinner for this game.

[Karl]

Why isn't Casey putting Bruno out there right now?? This one's long gone. May as well forget about it and onto the next game.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Milsap makes me nervous because of his age and contract. Two 31-year-old all-star-level UFAs (although with bird rights to both) isn't a great situation for the upcoming offseason, and it definitely puts them in win-now mode. Although with Lowry playing the best ball of his career they arguably already are in win-now mode. There's more potential for a Milsap trade to go horribly wrong for the Raptors than some of the other hypothetical big-man deals out there, but Milsap also looks more available, too.

Looks like 0 for six in games against the actual contenders with the thrashing they are getting tonight. It's not a question of do they need to make a deal but just who do they go for. You are right as its a total go for it move and it will be pricey. But how many good years does Lowry have left? The two first round picks aren't getting them anything special / too high. They could give up one of the rookies as well / they are backups at best. They probably have to include Ross for the salary and ? TSN article says they need to send 16 million worth back to the Hawks.

Sounds like it would be a gut the depth move for a major upgrade for the starters. Which is fine for the playoffs where the starters play big time minutes. I'd go for it / anytime any franchise is close they should roll the dice / so hard to win a championship. Plus Sullinger and Wright will be back soon and that will help with the depth that they will give up.

Get er done MU!

[Karl]

Ok finally he's out there.

[bluejays]

What the TSN article was alluding to was the cost would be large to the Raps depth - Ross, Joseph, Powell, Poetl and the 1sts. For a guy who'd likely opt out, I wouldn't make the deal. Simply put, if the guy opted out, it'd gut the team for years. I'm pretty big on Powell personally (more as a borderline starter), but I do like what Joseph brings to the table above all of them. Losing him would be really tough as he pairs up nicely with Lowry. I'm all for the gamble, but there's a high chance this goes completely south a year from now.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by fleury

What the TSN article was alluding to was the cost would be large to the Raps depth - Ross, Joseph, Powell, Poetl and the 1sts. For a guy who'd likely opt out, I wouldn't make the deal. Simply put, if the guy opted out, it'd gut the team for years. I'm pretty big on Powell personally (more as a borderline starter), but I do like what Joseph brings to the table above all of them. Losing him would be really tough as he pairs up nicely with Lowry. I'm all for the gamble, but there's a high chance this goes completely south a year from now.

Yeah, no way I'd do that. Brian Windhorst of ESPN says the best Atlanta could expect is something like Ross and Patterson. Another article quotes sources saying that Atlanta should be content with a good pick and young player.

I'd like something like one of Poeltl and Siakam, Sullinger(basically cap ballast), either Ross or Joseph, and the Clippers 1st. I'd be really reluctant to include Powell, and I'd only include one of Ross or Joseph. I'd also be okay (but a little less enthusiastic) with keeping Poeltl and Sullinger, and including Patterson instead.

An ideal rotation for the Raptors is:
JV / Bebe
Millsap / Patterson
Carroll / Powell
DeRozan / Powell
Lowry / Joseph

That's essentially the existing rotation with Powell for Ross and Millsap for Siakam, which is really an amazing upgrade, as much as I like Ross.