2024-2025 NBA/Toronto Raptors thread

[Paulie Walnuts]

37-45 team in the playoffs getting beat by 40.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Damn could have at least finished off the 60 point loss. Cavs and Thunder should have an exhibition event during their time off, they figure to have lots.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Gobert and Randle sending the Lakers packing is pretty hilarious I must say.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Gobert and Randle sending the Lakers packing is pretty hilarious I must say.

I wonder where the Lakers go from here... I assume they pick up a defensive minded center and run it back with LeBron/Doncic? They went out with a whimper, and I don't see the chemistry between the superstars. Yet, what other choice do they have when James is nearing the end of his career?

Also I forgot that the NBA formatting for the second round is ridiculous. The next round might be 1 vs. 4 and 6 vs. 7. It would be much better to have Denver/OKC in the Western finals than the next round. Like the NHL they need to fix that, the higher ranked teams in the regular season should get the advantage of playing lower ranked teams throughout the playoffs.

Also lots of rumours of Giannis will be leaving the Bucks. Do the Raptors take a shot at him, or does he end up on a superteam somewhere... are the Lakers themselves a possibility?

[Senator Clay Davis]

The Lakers have nothing to offer that can get Giannis, except Luka. Won't stop the media and delusional Laker fans from trying to talk it into reality, but Reeves + 2099 draft picks is a pathetic package. The Bucks I would think will target OKC since they have a lot of young assets and picks. With Lillard likely out all next year I can't see them wanting players to help win now, they'll be tanking for sure if they trade Giannis. Raps have some decent assets, but nothing compared to OKC. I feel like if OKC wants him they will get him. Which is crazy to think a 68 win team could actually go trade for another superstar.

[mr_luck07]

The Lakers need a solid big and a few 3 & D wings.

[SuperMatt18]

The Lakers probably had a better chance of winning this season with a healthy Davis than a healthy Luka based on how the roster was structured.

But that trade wasn't for this season - that trade was to set up the Lakers for the future with a 26 year old superstar, instead of relying on 40 year old Lebron and 32 year old Anthony Davis.

Now the Lakers will build the roster around Luka this offseason, with Lebron being more of the secondary support factor for maybe another season here.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Lakers need to actually re-sign Luka first since he has an opt out next year. With some of the big kickers that were available for re-signing with the Mavs not available to him anymore, the Lakers don't have a meaningful advantage when it comes to dollars or term, and obviously California taxes/LA cost of living isn't gonna help. Would be lots of fun to see him bail and leave them totally ####ed.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Lakers need to actually re-sign Luka first since he has an opt out next year. With some of the big kickers that were available for re-signing with the Mavs not available to him anymore, the Lakers don't have a meaningful advantage when it comes to dollars or term, and obviously California taxes/LA cost of living isn't gonna help. Would be lots of fun to see him bail and leave them totally ####ed.

He will re-sign.

From a total $$$ perspective the only markets where he is going to be able to make nearly as much money is New York when you factor in sponsorship and marketing money.

Lakers and that LA market open up so much more money from that perspective than is available in other markets.

[Senator Clay Davis]

If he goes to the Spurs, for instance, the tax + cost of living difference alone is probably worth a huge endorsement deal. The appeal of LA and NY is about the limelight more than financial, financially they kind of suck as markets.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Yeah he can sign a 2-3 year extension this offseason with an opt out when he has 10 years and can sign his supermax 500M 5 year deal. He can only get that with the Lakers.

[trackercowe]

Hearing speculation of Giannis to The Spurs so they can recreate Duncan and Robinson. Certainly the Spurs should have the assets to make that happen?

[Paulie Walnuts]

That would be cool. The west was the best when the Lakers and Spurs ran things. It was always competitive and the playoffs fun.

They would usually get a 40 win east team and beat the #### out of them in the finals.

[Jason14h]

I can’t see OKC letting anyone else get Giannis if he’s available

Unless their own really doesn’t want to go deep into luxury tax

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I can’t see OKC letting anyone else get Giannis if he’s available

Unless their own really doesn’t want to go deep into luxury tax

I would say if they win the title would they really want to add another superstar to the mix? It might upset the chemistry of the team, and take away possessions from Chet Holmgren. Then again it worked for Durant and the Warriors, so in many ways it makes sense.

Tonight's game should be excellent! It must be a nerve wracking Saturday for sports fans in Denver. Who is the more cluch/better player, Jokic or Kawhi? As much as I dislike Leonard for leaving Toronto it's an absolute treat watching him play. Just a no-nonsense player that's goes about his business. Never cries or calls for fouls; no arrogance or plays cocky. Kawhi is someone respectable that it's hard to cheer against. It's no wonder Popovich treated him like his own son.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Yeah if OKC wins the world title I can’t see them going after Giannis.

It’s a lot different than the Warriors and Durant. The Warriors got him for free and replaced Harrison Barnes. They strategically kept that cap room open when that big cap rise came to target Durant.

[Mathgod]

FVV with a huge night for the Rockets, could be on the verge of dismissing the Warriors in round 1.

[Paulie Walnuts]

What a game from James Big Game Harden

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

What a game from James Big Game Harden

About time he hangs them up... Which probably means they'll attempt to convince Durant to come to the Clippers for another failed super team.

At least Kawhi showed up.

OKC/Denver is going to be a hell of a series.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Warriors with a big lead and Curry with 3 points. Buddy going off.