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Post by coach on Mar 29, 2021 8:14:23 GMT -5
I haven't crunched numbers on this but just estimating salaries in total I think the championship team salary was likely higher than the current team. In fact every version of the Raptors since the championship team has had lower salaries in total. Three top salaries not replaced. That should allow for flexibility which apparently turned into Baines and the other guy. Not a productive use of flexibility. The core has been well payed, maybe even above market value. Losing the salaries of Leonard, Ibaka, Gasol, and now Norm (and maybe Lowry?) are big pieces of the pie. Norm is likely a 20 million dollar man next year. Dropping Thomas and Davis for draft picks was a surprise too. So on the surface to me it would seem that MU could have paid Norm if he thought the Raptors needed him. I wonder what MU is thinking long term?
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Post by scully19 on Mar 29, 2021 9:54:52 GMT -5
I imagine it is watching this team struggle without a true center and thinking the money should go there, because if it goes to Norm then they don't have enough for a C.
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Post by sutureself on Mar 29, 2021 16:55:50 GMT -5
It's just an offhand comment in a realGM article, so take with a massive grain of salt. But an article about Bradley Beal claims that Raptors are trying to keep max salary space open now for 2022 when Beal becomes a free agent, similar to how they were trying to keep max space open this offseason for Giannis, and that Masai thinks the Raptors will rebound next year as a borderline contender without making any major additions this offseason, and be a more appealing FA destination next offseason.
I hope this rumour isn't true because it's pretty easy to become the early 2010s Knicks, gutting the roster every year to keep cap space open convinced that they'd lure one or two max free agents, and just being stuck in perpetual mediocrity.
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Post by scully19 on Mar 29, 2021 22:06:43 GMT -5
www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strengthTank is on and so it's about time we start tracking it more. So... Cleveland and Washington are basically right behind the Raptors. Orlando and Detroit are behind them but a decent distance back that I don't think it's exactly doable, so let's focus on Cavs and wizards. Raptors have the 7th hardest schedule remaining, Cavs have the 22nd hardest schedule remaining and the Wizards have the 29th. I think that leaves our target is 5th worst. Pick odds leave us with 10.5 percent chance to get any of the top 4 picks, 42 percent chance we end up in the top 4 pick is odds I can live with. www.tankathon.com/pick_odds
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Post by Springer on Mar 30, 2021 15:14:35 GMT -5
I read that some are speculating that the Lakers will buyout Gasol. Even if he's declined a bit more than last year, 20 minutes from Gasol each night would make the Raps a little more bearable to watch
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Post by Springer on Mar 31, 2021 11:45:08 GMT -5
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Post by Springer on Apr 2, 2021 16:46:57 GMT -5
Raps just released an Open Gym episode about the Powell trade and i don't think i can handle watching it
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Post by haisan on Apr 3, 2021 10:05:56 GMT -5
With the new draft lottery system, there's a lot less pressure to tank for the No. 1 bad spot. Just get to fifth or sixth worst and hope for some luck from the basketball gods.
No, the more I think about it, the more I think this was a great year to tank. Two amazing draft prospects, and another 4-5 really good ones. As much as I love our guys, I do think the Raptors need at least one big talent. Go for it in the draft. Maybe go for Beal next year. We could be a serious team again in no time.
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Post by scully19 on Apr 9, 2021 14:11:15 GMT -5
Just had a quick look and thought about going forward so thought we could do a quick lookup of who is available at C assuming our core plus Trent return next year.
Jarrett Allen (RFA) - seems unlikely only because it seems very likely his contract gets matched unless he is massively over paid. I would like him on the team but not for near max level contact.
Serge Ibaka - sometimes mistakes are made and need to be fixed. He has a player option and can leave and come back home. He's not the best guy out there but he would be a great fit for many reasons.
Mitchell Robinson (RFA) - it wasn't long ago that he would have expected a huge payday here but that seems to have tailed off as his role shrunk. He could be a nice defensive center that can rebound and get easy baskets without asking too much else from him on offense.
Andre Drummond - Raps have reportedly been after this guy many many times and now he can be had for a small amount of appears. He could be a nice fit helping in our worst areas this year. He has the questions about good stats but doesn't contribute to winning but I think he just needs a good coach and system to get the most out of him.
Anyone else?
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Post by freewheel on Apr 9, 2021 15:07:09 GMT -5
The Raps should really be looking to sign two centers and there are plenty of third stringers and backups who I would have appreciated this year. Theis and Noel are free agents. Take a look at this list and you'll see that just about anyone would be an upgrade over Baynes. insider.espn.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/c
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Post by Springer on Apr 16, 2021 23:58:35 GMT -5
So last years' "diamonds in the rough" were TD and Matt Thomas, who fizzled in their 2nd year. Thomas was always 1 dimensional, so you could see that he would be a niche contributor if anything at all, where i thought Thomas had more potential (and still believe he does if he can get his mind right).
Of this years' current Raps squad, who do you think has long term value, even just as a rotation player?
905 development of Gillipse has looked good so far. Yuta has been a nice surprise, Malachi is just going to continue to roll. I need to see more Watson before i make an opinion on him, but i like him so far.
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Post by sandman on Apr 17, 2021 14:11:00 GMT -5
Yuta and Watson seem poised to be another Boucher for us.
Don't think they're at FVV's level, but guys who can fit into your best 10-man, even 8-man roster? I think so.
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Post by Pseudonym on Apr 17, 2021 17:35:51 GMT -5
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Post by Springer on Apr 17, 2021 17:47:51 GMT -5
can they please take our win away too???
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Post by Springer on Apr 26, 2021 20:29:04 GMT -5
If we had the team that we had now for the ful season, i reckon we could of had the 4th seed.
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Post by scully19 on Apr 28, 2021 16:02:39 GMT -5
Some non-tank talk. Seems Lowry rumors are still going here, with reports that he will be highly pursued by the same teams that tried to trade for him this year, Miami, Philly and Lakers with only the heat being able to sign him outright. Hopefully if he does go we can get something back for him yet.
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Post by sutureself on Apr 28, 2021 16:20:12 GMT -5
Will be interesting to see what Miami does with Oladipo, because they'll probably only have cap space for Lowry if they let Oladipo walk. I think Oladipo is one of the most overrated players in the league so it won't surprise me if they let him go after seeing him stink it up in a Heat uniform. I got into an argument with someone on realGM who called me an idiot when I said all the teams with cap space this offseason might turn their nose up at Oladipo for the type of 20+ mil contract he wants, and he instead signs 1+1 for the midlevel with someone like the Lakers or Clippers.
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Post by Springer on Apr 28, 2021 17:43:48 GMT -5
Freddie- G signs a 2 year deal! Lovin' it!
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Post by haisan on Apr 29, 2021 7:55:26 GMT -5
I was just looking at the Raps' advanced stats, and I didn't realize just how weird this year was. Although our guys are 10 games below 0.500, they in fact have the league's 14th-best ORat and 12th-best DRat — good enough for an expected W-L record of 32-30. Bizarre.
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Post by freewheel on Apr 29, 2021 9:15:11 GMT -5
Playing on the road for an entire season is doubtless going make for some strange results. I suspect had they played their normal amount of games at home they probably would have a record much like the expected record.
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Post by Pseudonym on Apr 29, 2021 12:02:47 GMT -5
Have actual home court, along with the comforts and amenities that come with being back in Toronto, along with a non-Baynes center and they'd be a top 4 seed at the absolute worst. They are the best "bad" team in the league. It becomes even more apparent whenever they play other bad teams. I've forgotten how truly terrible you've gotta be to ring up those lottery ball. This situation makes tanking so obvious though - A return to normalcy + our A1 development staff + top 7 pick or so would dramatically change the trajectory of everything, rather than sneaking into the playoffs to get likely swept by a healthy Nets team.
Aside: Isn't crazy that Brooklyn is now much closer to winning a title than Boston likely ever will be, despite Ainge stealing a decade away from them?
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Post by sutureself on May 4, 2021 15:13:56 GMT -5
Malachi Flynn won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, pretty cool honour and really nice progression considering he was barely even in the rotation for the 1st half of the season.
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Post by sandman on May 6, 2021 21:47:29 GMT -5
So Freewheel has me thinking ahead to next year and the 15-man group..
Assuming no Lowry.
Birch / Siakam / OG / GTJ / FVV Boucher / Draft Pick / FA / Watanabe / Flynn Deep Bench: Bembry / Watson / Gillispie or Harris / 2 spots available maybe
So, you got some room (not so much cap but physical) to make a FA add. Big question is whether you go with Birch as your starter or look to upgrade there (unless we draft a big). Where does Boucher fit in then? Watanabe could easily be put into the deep bench role so another spot opens up there.
If Lowry returns, things look crowded.
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Post by freewheel on May 6, 2021 22:13:57 GMT -5
The deep bench can be wiped clean. All those guys can be invitation only if no decent free agents can be found. Boucher backs up all all three frontcourt spots. Hes perfect for small ball centre or if you want to go big. He might even be a luxury because of his low contract and versatility.
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Post by coach on May 7, 2021 6:12:17 GMT -5
So Freewheel has me thinking ahead to next year and the 15-man group.. Assuming no Lowry. Birch / Siakam / OG / GTJ / FVV Boucher / Draft Pick / FA / Watanabe / Flynn Deep Bench: Bembry / Watson / Gillispie or Harris / 2 spots available maybe So, you got some room (not so much cap but physical) to make a FA add. Big question is whether you go with Birch as your starter or look to upgrade there (unless we draft a big). Where does Boucher fit in then? Watanabe could easily be put into the deep bench role so another spot opens up there. If Lowry returns, things look crowded. You don't have a 2 on the 2nd line so Lowry could fit there along with Flynn. But there are some interesting possibilities. For example Trent could step into a 3 position on 2nd line. Of course salaries will be the big issue to decide who goes where. Doubtful Raptors pay Lowry 25 mil to come off of the bench. Even 20 mil is a lot for a 2nd option. I say Lowry off of the bench because of wear and tear. He would still be a force in playoffs if managed through the year. With so many moving parts after your starting lineup there are lots of possibilities.
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Post by freewheel on May 7, 2021 10:26:46 GMT -5
With Lowry there is a team leadership and culture issue. It goes beyond just his talent. Can the Raptors maintain this once Lowry leaves? And how much is that worth just to have him on the roster? I think its worth something as long as he can still contribute as a rotation player even in decline. I just hope he will also accept a decline in salary as he ages. If he doesn't then unfortunately I think he has to go and it will be worse for both parties.
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pk
Prospect
Posts: 4
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Post by pk on May 9, 2021 10:51:02 GMT -5
The team should learn better to shoot and play defence. Their shooting skills leave much to be desired. Pascal S is a great player, but should learn not to shoot from impossible positions. He can learn from Kyle L, who creates play for others and does not attempt the impossible when he realizes his shooting is not achieving results. Watanabe is a great player. Always moving, excellent defense and good shooting skills. Reliable team player. Could be a formidable player if he learns to penetrate and attack the basket. Birch could improve his shooting.
Garry Trent jr. is not a team player. Unreliable in his shooting and creating costly turn overs. Should learn to pass the ball and not attempt at all cost to shoot. The team is more successful when he is not playing, l have noticed unfortunately..
Chris Boucher is a great and reliable player. Excellent blocker, delivers generally all the time at 3-point throws or offensive rebounds.
Gillespie: what a great and reliable player, especially at offensive rebounds under the net
Anunoby is a great player. Generally consistent and reliable. Sometimes his 3-pointers do not land, unfortunately.
Fred VV: one of the best players and scorers of the team. Sometimes he tries too much and could refrain from doing so.
Harris: have not seen much of him, but he certainly looks promising with his 3-pointers and agility.
Bambry: smart, but unfortunately outsmarted by opponents lately
Watson: generally aggressive and good. However shooting skills could be more reliable.
Malachi Flynn: I like his aggressiveness, but he could be more effective if he could shoot better and not attempt to shoot when cornered.
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Post by freewheel on May 9, 2021 14:26:29 GMT -5
I don't want to dispute you but I would suggest that the Raptors do not currently have a single great player unless you count an aging Lowry. They have quite a few good players which should keep them in the playoff hunt for the foreseeable future, but not a contender as currently assembled.
Trent can't be judged yet. He's too new and it can be clearly seen that he isn't part of the playbook yet. Most of his shots and points are coming off of isolation and circumstance. He needs a training camp and some coaching to be incorporated. Perhaps then we may find out if he is selfish as you suggest or a good shooter that is desperately needed.
Regardless, come back and keep posting.
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Post by haisan on May 11, 2021 5:50:35 GMT -5
Looks like the Raptors are pretty likely to end up with the seventh-worst record in the NBA this year. That means … a 32% chance of moving into the top 4 picks but a 48% chance of moving down. Just 20% chance of staying at 7. All in all, not terrible odds.
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Post by scully19 on May 12, 2021 7:53:15 GMT -5
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