2022 Toronto Raptors Thread

[octothorp]

I think that's likely a play-in team this year, and getting back to contender status would need a breakout year from Anunoby, Siakam returning to all-NBA level form, Barnes having a ROTY-level year, plus some of those young prospects performing above expectations.

One of the things we haven't had since 2019 is a deep young bench, and I think this is the Raptors' attempt to try and rebuild that.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I think that's likely a play-in team this year, and getting back to contender status would need a breakout year from Anunoby, Siakam returning to all-NBA level form, Barnes having a ROTY-level year, plus some of those young prospects performing above expectations.

One of the things we haven't had since 2019 is a deep young bench, and I think this is the Raptors' attempt to try and rebuild that.

Oh, they’re totally going for that approach based on no superstars. As for if everything will pan out, my own opinion here, but I think it’s rare that everything clicks developmentally for a bunch of players. I don’t know if that’s because there aren’t enough coaches to go around, or if it’s a lack of confidence but my complete guess is:
Siakam is the exact same he was last year, as mentally his confidence is totally shot
Anunoby shows a slight improvement but his jumper will always need help
Barnes will show flashes of Anunoby but really is going to be a WIP for at least a couple seasons
Flynn will probably show some flashes of brilliance of just being a smart player. Plus he’s been working in the g league as their main focus on improvement so I can see him coming and tearing it up because of his composure and hunger.

It’s simply going to be a development year. I think some guys will have it and some just won’t. But I do think Flynn is going to make the biggest stride this year. Siakam I don’t get a good vibe from at all.

[mile]

I'm a lot more optimistic on Siakam. I thought he looked like his All-Star self in the last quarter of the season. And the Raptors had a really tough schedule of opponents during that final stretch. I'm also expecting a big year from Anunoby, his numbers are slightly less impressive than Kawhi's at the same age (except for more efficient 3P%), but trending in the same direction season-by-season.

This is probably a play-in team, but I can never get too down on this team with the elite coaching they have though. And they are going to be pumped to be back in Toronto.

[Jiggy]

Masai signs a multi year extension with the Raps.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.spo...m-stay/sn-amp/

[mile]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1423423067812941831

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I don't know if I'd call that roster thin as much as lacking in superstars. Depth wise that's a nice team, it just lacks a high end player(s).

Ain’t that just the last decade sans 2019 in a nutshell.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I know that it's been one summer league game, but from what I've seen so far I'm confident in saying Scottie Barnes is going to the Hall of Fame

[octothorp]

He's going to have a great statline from this game, and yet he's doing so many great things that won't show up on the stat sheet as well, like his screening, hockey assists, etc.
Malachi also looks fantastic.

Banton is interesting, his offense is really rough, he's had a load of turnovers, but defensively he's been a menace. Champagnie looks solid too.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think how good Malachi looks played into why they went with Barnes over Suggs. Not saying Malachi will be better than Suggs or anything, but he clearly has starting level potential and with FVV already there drafting Suggs would stunt Malachi's development.

[bluejays]

Any idea who Sacramento could offer for Siakam? I’m out of the loop when it comes to prospects. I could see how they’d want him, but more importantly no idea what a package from them would look like.

[octothorp]

I don't think there's a great trade match there. They've got a couple really good young players (Haliburton, Fox) who they're likely reluctant to move, plus Marcus Bagley who was highly-touted and underachieved thus far, and Hield, who is okay but already on his post-rookie contract and possibly overpaid already. They've also got Davion Mitchell this year in the draft, but he's low upside IMO.

If you use the GSW rumour as a benchmark (Wiseman, Moody, Kuminga, Wiggins), It would probably take a package like Haliburton, Bagley, Harrison Barnes (for salary-filler), and a FRP to match that sort of value.

If they aren't willing to include Haliburton or Fox, they'd probably need to offer an all-in draft-pick package, like 2022/2024/2026 first-rounders plus pick-swaps in 2023/2025.

IMO any smoke we're hearing now about trade rumours is the Raptors checking on values in case they decide mid-season that they need to do a full-on rebuild rather than a retooling.

[bluejays]

^ really well thought out and explained. Thank you.

[mile]

haha

https://twitter.com/user/status/1424766095181893632

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I know that it's been one summer league game, but from what I've seen so far I'm confident in saying Scottie Barnes is going to the Hall of Fame

He’s a beanpole, but there’s so much to like about his game.

Needs some of that “administer pain” muscle.

I like him.

[GreenLantern2814]

Oh, and not that it really matters, but I can safely say after one Summer League game that Cunningham over Green is going to be a “we didn’t draft MJ because we had Clyde Drexler” level misstep.

That kid is savagely good.

[octothorp]

Cade vs. Green right now, Cade looks like he's taking your comments personally... striped Green a couple times so far and bodied him up a bit.

[devo22]

nm

[devo22]

Dennis Schröder having to take 1 year deal at $5.9m with the Celtics after declining a 4 year, $84m extension from the Lakers in March ... man, that's got to sting. Shades of Nerlens Noel there.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Not only did he cost himself money he unwittingly facilitated the Westbrook trade because Schröder on that contract doesn't leave any room to get Westbrook, and the Wizards likely do not accept Schröder as part of the package.

[GreenLantern2814]

I’ve always been a “what can you do with $60M that you can’t do with $55M?” Sorta guy when it comes to sports contracts.

But God damn, you can do a lot more with $84M than you can with $5.9 hahahahaha