Raptors Discussion: v95|Masai's back! The panic and dread can now end.

[djdev]

true story, masai staying means we won the offseason.
what a rollercoaster of emotions for raps fans over the past few days lol

 

[LeafChief]

Thank God. Raps will be back quicker than people think.

 

[al secord]

Thank God. Raps will be back quicker than people think.

Is there a top 3 player in the league available again?

 

[Suntouchable13]

Getting players to sign here is tough when things are good, let alone during a pandemic where there public health measures may be more strict than other markets. It wouldn't surprise me if the pandemic factored into players not wanting to sign with us.

That’s overblown. The Blue Jays signed both Semien and Springer this off season when they didn’t even have a home to start the year. Pandemics end. I doubt pandemic is playing that much of a factor, especially for players that sign long term.

 

[93LEAFS]

Glad to see Masai staying.

 

[djdev]

right in them feelz, man.
this dude is not only a mvp level executive but an all around good man.

 

[JetsWillFly4Ever]

i REALLY hope this is true, i dont want anything to do with simmons...hes never gonna be better than he is now because he doesnt want to be.

Toronto's a bad situation because we would actually make him work on his shot lol.

Also, in Masai we trust. Biggest win of the offseason.

 

[djdev]

Toronto's a bad situation because we would actually make him work on his shot lol.

Also, in Masai we trust. Biggest win of the offseason.

so much truth in that, according to him hes fine because other players "score 40 points of my assists"
simmons with derozan work ethic could be an all time great..but he clearly doesnt care.

 

[sparxx87]

Is there a top 3 player in the league available again?

No, but they’ll continue to stock assets and aim to develop players who exceed their draft position while maintaining their culture and style.

If that situation presents itself again, they’ll be in a position to capitalize.

Nobody expected Kawhi to become available, nobody really thought Harden would demand a trade.

There will be another. Question is when.

 

[djdev]

we need a thread title update.

 

[Transplanted Caper]

Figured he was staying by this point, glad it sounds like it's a long-term commitment.

 

[trellaine201]

I guess he was given the keys to the city basically or at least the Raps etc.

I would say it’s a good thing. Stability.

 

[donghabs98]

That’s overblown. The Blue Jays signed both Semien and Springer this off season when they didn’t even have a home to start the year. Pandemics end. I doubt pandemic is playing that much of a factor, especially for players that sign long term.

It might but then again some players like Lou Williams have complained about basic things like cable or customs. Who really knows how NBAers are approaching free agency but I can definitely see some players (at least the top end guys) just not wanting to bother playing in a different country right now.

 

[phillipmike]

So we are either keeping Dragic or buying him out and getting more assets from Miami

 

[MikeK]

Masai staying is huge in more ways than one. At this point, people probably forget what it was like before him. With Masai the Raptors have somebody who knows what he's doing. He provides much needed stability where it matters the most. There is a reason other teams have been trying to poach him for years. He is one of the best execs in all of sports, not just the NBA. Biggest win of the offseason for me.

 

[djdev]

So we are either keeping Dragic or buying him out and getting more assets from Miami

i dont think whether or not we keep him or buy him out matters, its more if we cant find a 3rd party for him, if we cant then we get extra assets.

edit: i dont think a buyout makes much sense for a player on an expiring contract..those are worth something in the nba...even more when the player is decent.

 

[leafsleafs]

Hope Masai’s contract is for at least seven years.

Folks, this is the best development for the Raps since they won the OB.

 

[BlueForever75]

One thing to understand is Masai placed conditions on MLSE prior to considering any contract. It was never about the money it was about Masai feeling that he was going to continue to lead an organization that was willing to commit to winning.

Last summer was a difficult one where he was forced to let players like Ibaka and Gasol walk. Not because of anything else but MLSE not wanting to commit for a team that had already lost its prized possession in Kwahi. That left a sour taste in Masai's mouth.

Him signing points to him receiving reassurances that MLSE basically is giving him free reign on basketball operations and budget. A budget that will be at the same level and commitment as the other powerhouse team under the MLSE umbrella the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This bodes well for all Raptor fans. There is a meaning to his madness this off season. In Masai we should trust. He did bring the first ever NBA championship north of the border. And if he says he will do it again, he will. This man knows how to build a winner.

I look for this coming season to be a season where we let the team develop under a new leader on court. That leader will be FVV. Players will get better and stronger, we will have more cap space next off season. We may be a lottery team, but its fine. Again in Masai we should trust.

Good times people. Good times ahead. Welcome home Masai.

 

[stickty111]

His heart was here
All though it would be cool and funny to hear "the Leafs introduce Masai Ujiri as new GM"

 

[sparxx87]

Pandemic definitely matters. Players already don’t like the additional travel restrictions with customs etc. Add the pandemic and previous uncertainties about Ujiri and who’d be leading and it’s easy to see why this year especially would be hard to draw free agents.

 

[djdev]

One thing to understand is Masai placed conditions on MLSE prior to considering any contract. It was never about the money it was about Masai feeling that he was going to continue to lead an organization that was willing to commit to winning.

Last summer was a difficult one where he was forced to let players like Ibaka and Gasol walk. Not because of anything else but MLSE not wanting to commit for a team that had already lost its prized possession in Kwahi. That left a sour taste in Masai's mouth.

Him signing points to him receiving reassurances that MLSE basically is giving him free reign on basketball operations and budget. A budget that will be at the same level and commitment as the other powerhouse team under the MLSE umbrella the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This bodes well for all Raptor fans. There is a meaning to his madness this off season. In Masai we should trust. He did bring the first ever NBA championship north of the border. And if he says he will do it again, he will. This man knows how to build a winner.

I look for this coming season to be a season where we let the team develop under a new leader on court. That leader will be FVV. Players will get better and stronger, we will have more cap space next off season. We may be a lottery team, but its fine. Again in Masai we should trust.

Good times people. Good times ahead. Welcome home Masai.

i think part of it was assurances that he would be able to build the team up again(small rebuild)without interference from the board. im sure they would prefer being in the playoffs and would want the extra revenue due to all the time lost with the team in fla. just a guess though.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Pandemic definitely matters. Players already don’t like the additional travel restrictions with customs etc. Add the pandemic and previous uncertainties about Ujiri and who’d be leading and it’s easy to see why this year especially would be hard to draw free agents.

I don't care about free agents that much, it's not the time to sign anyone big anyway, but why were the Jays able to get 2 pretty good FAs in the winter then?

 

[djdev]

I don't care about free agents that much, it's not the time to sign anyone big anyway, but why were the Jays able to get 2 pretty good FAs in the winter then?

i think with nba players, the "brand" is much more of a factor when players choose where to sign than in any other league. i feel like the players in the NBA include their social exposure as almost part of a contract. in MLB its not nearly as bad if we can offer more money.

 

[Suntouchable13]

i think with nba players, the "brand" is much more of a factor when players choose where to sign than in any other league. i feel like the players in the NBA include their social exposure as almost part of a contract. in MLB its not nearly as bad if we can offer more money.

I still don’t get what’s so bad with Toronto for Americans, other than weather in winter. Is it mostly the customs issue? Raptors are now a solid organization, not a joke anymore and hasn’t been for years.

 

[djdev]

I still don’t get what’s so bad with Toronto for Americans, other than weather in winter. Is it mostly the customs issue?

with the NBA its 100% exposure to major us networks for the players. for MLB its less clear, since weather is no different in NY or chicago(true for NBA too) and the social media part isnt nearly as prevalent as in the NBA. i think alot of it has to do with just education and research on toronto and on canada in general personally. you know living in igloos and all that.