Raptors Discussion: v93 | Panic level rising significantly

[Greek_physique]

interesting. Could there be more to this story? If he was hurt you would think he would want to be around the guys.

IMO, its the pre-season ..i'm not worried. Let the kids play and give Lowry some time-off to be with his family.

 

[robertmac43]

There goes the dream:

 

[LeafChief]

Well, f***.

 

[Scion]

f***

 

[The Nemesis]

There goes the dream:

I have a feeling wen end up seeing a Harden to the Bucks trade soon.

Which will be kind of funny because I also have a feeling that such a deal might weaken the Bucks' championship aspirations.

 

[trellaine201]

Ugh . Not that I expected we would sign him. At least we can move on now.

 

[Leaftors]

Meh. Who cares.

 

[stickty111]

Masai and Webster already had plans either way. It was never Giannis and thats all. Interesting what the approach will be now though.

 

[Emerica]

Welp. At least he did it early and din't let this drag on. We can turn the page now.

 

[BlueForever75]

Yes and by turning the page if I'm the Raps there is no reason to keep Lowry. Trade him now. Lets get a draft pick and start building via the draft.

Both Powell and Lowry should be dealt. Our next superstar in Toronto will only come from the draft

 

[Jozay]

If you can get a Jrue Holiday esque package for Lowry, you probably do that.

Or you make a move for Harden.

 

[Cor]

Quite Frankly. The next move I want to see is Masai and Webster extensions. They shouldn’t be lame ducks.

If they get extended, I’ll feel better, because Giannis or no Giannis, they are always up to something it seems. (Their drafting has been excellent as well).

 

[DaveMatthew]

Too bad. While I always thought it made sense to maintain flexibility to pursue Giannis in 2021, we all knew the likelihood was low that it would happen. Still, you had to make sure you could potentially sign him if he was available.

Now that he's not though, I think the dominos will start to fall in Toronto pretty quickly. The team, IMO, has two options:

1. Go all-in on Harden to try and extend the window for another 2 years, knowing that the 2021 FA class is no longer very attractive (Kawhi isn't happening, Oladipo is a shell of what he was, Gobert doesn't make us a real contender).

2. Enter a mini "rebuild" and trade Lowry to acquire assets that you can potentially use in a trade next year should someone like Beal become available. Get ready for a transition year and see what you really have in FVV, Siakam and OG - where making a run would be great, but missing the playoffs and getting a top 15 pick wouldn't be a disaster.

But the bigger question is does Masai re-sign? Now that the chance to lure Giannis is gone, which would have been the last big challenge for him (lure a big name FA), he himself may decide it's time for a new opportunity.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Boo

 

[habamillions]

Ugh . Not that I expected we would sign him. At least we can move on now.

This.

 

[DaBadGuy7]

 

[Auston 316]

Sounds fun.

 

[Stephen]

I think now that the Raptors version of the Stamkos pitch has been closed off with Giannis returning to Milwaukee, it will be very interesting to see if Masai has the appetite to preside over a potential transitional era and rebuild not characterized by any kind of excitement and winning and glamour. I’m thinking this is the equivalent of the Toronto Blue Jays ‘94 World Series hang over. Can they successfully pivot to a new era or will we just see the air let out of the tires and decline.

 

[saska sault]

Lots of solid options potentially available that fit a raptors play style. Kawhi can opt out, Oladipo would be a great fit play style wise also. Plus.. Cap flexibility allows for potential trades depending on cap space or matching salaries. There is never a shortage of stars wanting out and franchises ready to move on from their stars in the NBA.

 

[Stephen]

Curious about the Tampa situation. If they have fans in the building, who pockets the money? MLSE or Amalie?

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[DaveMatthew]

Eh, there’s no way of knowing. Easy to say that now, but who knows what would have happened if he sat in a room with Steph and Klay, or Luka. And what if Siakam struggles this year and OG doesn’t take the next step? Too many variables that could have impacted his decision.

At the end of the day, sucks we won’t get the chance to make a pitch, but it is good to see a star finally stay in a small market.

The biggest question is how this affects Masai. With no big FA on the horizon, is he excited to potentially wait for a year or two, or three, until an opportunity opens up to really compete again? Is he motivated to do that here after he’s already won?

Hopefully, but I feel like this might be the first shoe to drop that marks the end of his time here.

Wouldn’t be surprised to see him pull an Epstein and take some time off to “decompress” and wait for a new opportunity.

Who knows, if the Clippers choke again, Ballmer might clean house. I’d bet he’d give Masai a blank cheque to take on the challenge of slaying the Lakers. Or Dolan might get sick of Leon Rose by March.

While there are no clear opportunities open right now, when a guy like Masai becomes available, things tend to happen.

 

[The Nemesis]

Whatever happens from here on out, I trust Masai. He knows what he's doing and will come up with a solid plan B.

 

[donghabs98]

It's tough knowing the Raps wont get a chance at Giannis but at the same time its nice to see a player drafted and developed by a small market decide to commit to that team. It's refreshing to see in a day where top players bolt to big markets and team up with other top players. Props to Giannis for bucking that trend.

 

[donghabs98]

Its definitely a transition year for the Raps which considering the circumstances of the pandemic and the Raps not even in the country, its an ideal season to go through this. There's still a number of top flight free agents and hopefully guys like OG and Pascal can take their game to another level.