NBA Off-Season Discussion
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Kin
Active member
Dappleganger said:
There's a Woj article on ESPN that was talking about it but it's been edited since it's publication. Originally it said Ujiri "balked" at the Thunder's price. Now it's saying Toronto didn't have the willingness to throw in as many picks as the Clippers and they weren't sure Leonard would return anyway.
L K
Well-known member
Ultimately it was a 1-year gamble that paid off in the biggest way but I have to say I?m pretty broken down. It?s yet another in an increasingly long line of ?no one wants to play in Toronto? players. I don?t fault Kawhi for waving as he always wanted to play in LA but you had to figure that if any scenario was going to sway a player the organization bending over backwards for him and winning s championship was going to be the time.
Great we have cap space next year for an awful free agent crop where arguably our most high profile UFA signing is Hedo Turkoglu. Hard to be optimistic about this team contending again in the next few years.
Hopefully Siakam can continue to grow and OG can develop into something decent.
Great we have cap space next year for an awful free agent crop where arguably our most high profile UFA signing is Hedo Turkoglu. Hard to be optimistic about this team contending again in the next few years.
Hopefully Siakam can continue to grow and OG can develop into something decent.
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
If this was the Leafs and say Matthews left to go play at home after we won the cup... Best of luck to him and thanks.
Kin
Active member
L K said:
I think it depends on how they're doing. If Siakam takes a step forward and maybe VanVleet decides he's the real deal and they're looking at a 48 or 52 win season? Eh, take a shot at the playoffs.
If not, maybe. See what's out there. Maybe go into the draft with a fistful of picks or use it to trade for whoever next year's disgruntled star is.
Kin
Active member
Deebo said:
I'm not inclined to make a big deal out of it because I'm pretty chill either way but I think it's at the very least a little suspicious that Woj's first draft of the article painted things one way, some people online start killing Ujiri for not making the deal, and then there's an edited version of the article that paints things a very different way.
Especially considering Woj has been criticised in the past for being far too friendly to team execs so as to maintain his sources.
Because, see, I buy the "Leonard wanted to go to the Clippers anyway and the Raps trading for George wouldn't have changed things" but I don't buy the "The Raptors couldn't possibly match the SGA/Galinari and picks package" idea. Siakam is better than the player combo the Clips contributed.
Heroic Shrimp
Active member
Huge viral video opportunity to make a parody of the cringey Islanders fan Tavares video but actually thanking Kawhi for his time here and wishing him well in LA.
What's the Kawhi equivalent of "pajama boy"?
What's the Kawhi equivalent of "pajama boy"?
Not really even a casual fan of the NBA but being a sports fan and cheering for the Raps anyway, I am pretty disappointed
Kawhi left but the Raps did everything right.
It does just reinforce my basic disinterest when the players can decide to create super teams that alter the balance of "power"..
It makes it hard to cheer for a team when all of a sudden they are passed by through no "fault" of their own...
When only 5 players are essentially relied upon it's much easier to alter the results.
Kawhi left but the Raps did everything right.
It does just reinforce my basic disinterest when the players can decide to create super teams that alter the balance of "power"..
It makes it hard to cheer for a team when all of a sudden they are passed by through no "fault" of their own...
When only 5 players are essentially relied upon it's much easier to alter the results.
Kin
Active member
I don't really think you could call the Clippers a super team now. They've got two star players and a bunch of other good pieces but that's not really different than any good, contending team throughout basketball history.
There's going to be incredible balance in the NBA next year. The Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, Nuggets, Blazers, Warriors, Sixers, Nets, Jazz, Celtics...all of these teams are going to be based around two all-stars and then other good players. Even the Raps won't be crazy far behind if Siakam can continue to improve and be supported by Lowry/Gasol.
Throw in exciting young teams like the Hawks and Mavericks, getting to see Zion play on a team full of good prospects...Basketball is going to be phenomenal next year.
There's going to be incredible balance in the NBA next year. The Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, Nuggets, Blazers, Warriors, Sixers, Nets, Jazz, Celtics...all of these teams are going to be based around two all-stars and then other good players. Even the Raps won't be crazy far behind if Siakam can continue to improve and be supported by Lowry/Gasol.
Throw in exciting young teams like the Hawks and Mavericks, getting to see Zion play on a team full of good prospects...Basketball is going to be phenomenal next year.
Apparently Russel Westbrook was also talked about in a trade to the Raptors. This has not gone over well with Russel Westbrook and he may be the next to leave OKC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh4y1VxvdXk
https://www.nba.com/article/2019/07/06/reports-westbrook-thunder-discussing-future
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh4y1VxvdXk
https://www.nba.com/article/2019/07/06/reports-westbrook-thunder-discussing-future
Kin
Active member
A comparison people may want to consider is that this is a little like if the 06-07 Leafs had traded for Chara, won a Cup and then Chara signed with Boston anyway.
Would it have sucked to see him go? Yes. Could the Leafs have potentially challenged for a cup the next year if he re-signed? Sure.
But realistically that team needed to be rebuilt no matter what. Because that team was the tail end of the Quinn years and nearing the end of their run.
The same is broadly true here. I get that the people who aren't big Raptors fans might see this as a team at the beginning of something but it's really more like a culmination of the later Colangelo years and the work Ujiri did to build on them. Luckily though, this did culminate in a Title. Now the inevitable rebuilding is starting. A little sooner than we hoped? Sure. But we knew the risks going in.
Now we get to watch a still entertaining Raptors team, see Lowry set the franchise assists record, see some young guys step up...life could be a lot worse as a Raptors fan. And if you weren't a big Raps fan prior to this run, it was nice having people on the bandwagon but you guys would be gone pretty soon no matter what.
Would it have sucked to see him go? Yes. Could the Leafs have potentially challenged for a cup the next year if he re-signed? Sure.
But realistically that team needed to be rebuilt no matter what. Because that team was the tail end of the Quinn years and nearing the end of their run.
The same is broadly true here. I get that the people who aren't big Raptors fans might see this as a team at the beginning of something but it's really more like a culmination of the later Colangelo years and the work Ujiri did to build on them. Luckily though, this did culminate in a Title. Now the inevitable rebuilding is starting. A little sooner than we hoped? Sure. But we knew the risks going in.
Now we get to watch a still entertaining Raptors team, see Lowry set the franchise assists record, see some young guys step up...life could be a lot worse as a Raptors fan. And if you weren't a big Raps fan prior to this run, it was nice having people on the bandwagon but you guys would be gone pretty soon no matter what.
hockeyfan1
New member
Raptors signing:
[tweet]1147559914228912130[/tweet]
He?s been described as an ?excellent wing defender.?
[tweet]1147559914228912130[/tweet]
He?s been described as an ?excellent wing defender.?
hockeyfan1
New member
Dappleganger said:
This might have been the scenario that didn?t materialize. Gladly.
https://theathletic.com/1065113/2019/07/06/masai-ujiri-had-no-miracle-move-to-retain-kawhi-leonard-now-he-will-need-to-maintain-patience/?article_source=related
hockeyfan1
New member
The Raptors going forward and their subsequent success will depend largely on the shoulders of Masai?s decision-making. What will he do with Lowry, Ibaka, & Gasol (all on expiring contracts)? This puts them over the cap, and Ujiri will most certainly want to explore to see what the return could be.
VanVleet is most likely to get the starter?s role (first unit), while OG Anunoby returns to form. Siakam will continue to rise.
This upcoming season (2019-2020) will most likely be a transition period where the Raptors explore potentials for both the short & long term.
Toronto?s front office obviously has had a ?Plan B? in place for the just-in-case-Leonard-doesn?t-return situation. As patient as Ujiri and Bobby Webster have been in charting the course for this team enroute to a championship, so they will need to be to ensure a good solid foundation will continue bringing success to the franchise.
I can hardly wait.
For now, the Raptors still look good:
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/7/6/20684162/kawhi-leonard-free-agency-raptors-future-itll-be-ok
VanVleet is most likely to get the starter?s role (first unit), while OG Anunoby returns to form. Siakam will continue to rise.
This upcoming season (2019-2020) will most likely be a transition period where the Raptors explore potentials for both the short & long term.
Toronto?s front office obviously has had a ?Plan B? in place for the just-in-case-Leonard-doesn?t-return situation. As patient as Ujiri and Bobby Webster have been in charting the course for this team enroute to a championship, so they will need to be to ensure a good solid foundation will continue bringing success to the franchise.
I can hardly wait.
For now, the Raptors still look good:
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/7/6/20684162/kawhi-leonard-free-agency-raptors-future-itll-be-ok