NBA 2019 Off-Season Thread

[Yoho]

One of the greatest GM moves in NBA history.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

Kawhi leaving for SA was always part of the risk and is also why Toronto didn't have to pay "that" much for him; other teams didn't want to give up a ton of assets for a player that was rumored to head to California after the end of the year. That was going to be the case for any eastern team with the exception of maybe NYC.

I hope the fans give him a huge ovation when he goes back to Toronto... first championship ever in the NBA and first in 25 years since the bluejays is a huge accomplishment.

hopefully, the Raptors will be able to make their own UFA splash in 2020-21

I don't know if there will be a bigger, more celebrated return of a player to their former team/city.

[bluejays]

Also, if the rumoured deal to get George in order to keep Kawhi, was correct, those closed door meetings between Ujiri and Leonard probably have another major implication. If we’re led to believe Ujiri was going to do anything to satisfy Leonard, including getting George despite having Lowry, then that means now Lowry knows his true value in Masai’s eyes. And that’s not much. So knowing what’s out there, I’d almost put money that Lowry gets traded now, at his peak, and assets recouped to avoid the awkwardness of the situation. Sports can be a dirty game.

[kukkudo]

Cousins to the Lakers. They got some nice bigs.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Lakers vs Clippers should be interesting next season. Thank you for everything Kawhi and for delivering this team it’s first title. You’ll always be remembered in Toronto & Canada.

[flames_fan_down_under]

The Raptors get their championship; Kawhi maximized his value and leverage; he created the perfect situation for him to go back home and bring an elite player with him; everyone (for the most part) is happy.

Sort of sucks to see Kawhi go but I think the story of him coming to Toronto for one year and winning a championship and leaving is awesome.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by fleury

Also, if the rumoured deal to get George in order to keep Kawhi, was correct, those closed door meetings between Ujiri and Leonard probably have another major implication. If we’re led to believe Ujiri was going to do anything to satisfy Leonard, including getting George despite having Lowry, then that means now Lowry knows his true value in Masai’s eyes. And that’s not much. So knowing what’s out there, I’d almost put money that Lowry gets traded now, at his peak, and assets recouped to avoid the awkwardness of the situation. Sports can be a dirty game.

Masai tried to trade Lowry for Connelly at the deadline in the Gasol deal and he knows that.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

The Raptors get their championship; Kawhi maximized his value and leverage; he created the perfect situation for him to go back home and bring an elite player with him; everyone (for the most park) is happy.

Sort of sucks to see Kawhi go but I think the story of him coming to Toronto for one year and winning a championship and leaving is awesome.

The one thing that sucks about it as a fan is that we got only a few weeks to enjoy the championship before getting kicked in the teeth and thrust back into rebuild mode. I can't think of any championship-winning team in any sport that had less time to savour their championship.

But yeah, the blessing here is that with the league so wide-open this year, a lot of teams will be looking at this as a chance to do what the Raptors did last year... go all-in and try and get over the top. So Lowry, Gasol, and Ibaka should have solid value, whether now or closer to the deadline. With them on expirings, they're the perfect trade acquisitions for 'all-in' teams. That's going to suck to lose 5 rotation players from a championship-winning lineup over the course of a season, but it's the best way forward.

It should be a great season in the NBA with more parity than we've seen in a decade. Unfortunately, Raptors are probably in the middle third rather than the top third this year.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

Masai tried to trade Lowry for Connelly at the deadline in the Gasol deal and he knows that.

Yup. Which is even worse now because despite him winning with the Raptors Masai is still open to dealing him. Before there were questions whether he was a winner. Kawhi despite winning thought George was more of a winner and wanted him. I don’t see how Lowry puts this one on the back burner when he’s won and the organization still considers dealing him because the star preferred another PG.

[Jeff Lebowski]

With the NBA the players are GMs (or whatever head office title that is responsible for roster construction) too. Not sure if that is a good thing - especially for cities that aren’t highly regarded by top flight players.

Miami
San Francisco
New York
Los Angeles

Atlanta(???)

Even though you hear people mention Toronto as a great city - no players have decided to build there

[Jiri Hrdina]

TSN reported the asking price for George was Pasal, VanVleet, and four unprotected firsts

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

With the NBA the players are GMs (or whatever head office title that is responsible for roster construction) too. Not sure if that is a good thing - especially for cities that aren’t highly regarded by top flight players.

Miami
San Francisco
New York
Los Angeles

Atlanta(???)

Even though you hear people mention Toronto as a great city - no players have decided to build there

Umm Derozan passed up on his hometown Lakers to stay in Toronto.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

TSN reported the asking price for George was Pasal, VanVleet, and four unprotected firsts

If it was for Lowry instead of VanVleet it would be a no brainer.... course it's Lowry and there is no way OKC would want him.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by fleury

Yup. Which is even worse now because despite him winning with the Raptors Masai is still open to dealing him. Before there were questions whether he was a winner. Kawhi despite winning thought George was more of a winner and wanted him. I don’t see how Lowry puts this one on the back burner when he’s won and the organization still considers dealing him because the star preferred another PG.

I think Leonard thinks he can win with both and would rather live in LA. That's it. They needed Paul George or it sounded like no kawhi.

[Johnny Makarov]

One thing is for sure though. No one in LA will be watching the draft the next 5 years.

[GGG]

Masai finally gets to do what he wanted to do when he got hired.

Blow it up and rebuild. The reason the High Risk DeRozen for Lowery trade was done was becuase the alternative was blow it up. The last season ending with the championship was the best possible outcome for the Kawhi trade. Masai made one of if not the greasers trade in NBA history. That Kawhi at least considered Toronto was a win compared to when they traded for him he told the Raptors he didn’t want to be there.

This whole year was a remarkable story in sports.

It will be interesting what they can get for Lowry and Gasols sea as they rebuild around Siakam and Annaouby. Have a max slot ready for 2021, and accumulate 2022 draft picks for the double draft.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Are either of those guys worth anything though?

I guess you try to get Lowry back to form and send him skmewhere near the deadline or hope for an injury on a contender...

[curves2000]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

With the NBA the players are GMs (or whatever head office title that is responsible for roster construction) too. Not sure if that is a good thing - especially for cities that aren’t highly regarded by top flight players.

Miami
San Francisco
New York
Los Angeles

Atlanta(???)

Even though you hear people mention Toronto as a great city - no players have decided to build there

I think you have nailed it when you said the last piece. I am no fan of the Toronto sports scene at all, I hate the fact that they try to make themselves out to be substantially more important than they are. This NBA Championship aside, they try to think they are in the same sports town category as a Boston or a NY and area, they are not.

The biggest problem facing teams like the Raptors and the Jays is that American players generally don't want to play in Canada for a variety of reasons. I've heard everything from taxes, the weather, the health care, the school system, our "socialism" the opportunities off the field/court etc.

Call it whatever you want but the NBA and MLB players really really view Canada as very different and Toronto has a tough time keeping or recruiting top end players who have a choice and doing it consistently.

When Kawai was making a big deal about the weather during the winter in Toronto during his All-Star appear-ance I couldn't help but shake my head at the stupidity. I'd guess probably 8-10 NBA cities have fairly similar weather to Toronto in the winter? It's like not Boston and NY players are walking into a January game wearing sockless loafers and shorts.

It's just different and for whatever reason NHL teams don't have that same issue across the board. A lot of American NHL players came from colder markets, came to Canada for tournaments, training etc

I just can't imagine a situation where Auston Mathews and Chucky from Calgary making a quote like Kawai did and than bolting from Canada to go play in Arizona or something.

"It’s just been cold. But, you know, the snow does look nice on days but you just need a jacket to go outside. I’m not used to wearing boots and everything"

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I think Leonard thinks he can win with both and would rather live in LA. That's it. They needed Paul George or it sounded like no kawhi.

Agree that it appears they needed George to secure Kawhi but if they needed George then clearly he thinks less of Lowry. And if management agrees once again Lowry is on the outside looking in. I can’t say I feel bad for the guy as he is an athlete paid millions but there have been so many near deals for him over the years that you begin to realize what management really thinks of him. I frankly feel the same way. Lowry is a streaky player. At this point I would maximize the value for him and retool. His value specifically will never be higher to a lazy GM who needs a story for his fanbase. Getting a championship winning PG a few months of winning is a good story.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Are either of those guys worth anything though?

I guess you try to get Lowry back to form and send him skmewhere near the deadline or hope for an injury on a contender...

Lowry can be the 2nd/3rd best player on a championship team, especially one that has forwards / Center as a star. Gasol as a 3 point shooting big man will always have value. Plus because the contracts are expiring you can also trade them for bad contracts plus picks.

Philly and Milwaukee need guards, Boston needs a center. Both teams are capped out so you would have to fire up the trade machine to see if something works. At some point this season you should be able to get a young player and a first from one of these teams.

The reality is that Toronto can’t win a championship with the current roster and the older guys on it will not be part of the next run so you trade for what you can get.