Masai Presser @ 11am

[VanWest82]

Seems normal no? Like who the hell would be pumped up after the disaster of a season we just had. It would just make him look fake if he was lol

Sure, but it's still a little jarring. Masai normally oozes confidence. He didn't sound like this after Tampa, or even after that disaster Bulls play-in game where he was more mad/defiant. This was the first time in a long time where he lacked confidence.

Because he was confident with the players still on the team for the Tampa tank and felt covid restrictions ruined the season. There was no excuse for this past season other than we just truly suck, which would be the first time in his Raptora existence.

If he tried to sell the fanbase on being good next year, it would just be a fake. Once he can for sure see a path back to success, his mojo will be back but he won't know that until the roster looks much better lol.

It's his job to sell hope for the future. He didn't do that very well this time imo. I get that it would've sounded fake if done poorly. This felt like more of an acknowledgement that he F'd up, he knows it, and he was wearing that a little bit in some of his answers.

[TimeForChange]

at least he seems committed to a rebuild this time. think he said a proper rebuild can take 3-6 years.

this team is not sniffing the playoffs until 2026 or 2027.

[Tor_Raps]

Sure, but it's still a little jarring. Masai normally oozes confidence. He didn't sound like this after Tampa, or even after that disaster Bulls play-in game where he was more mad/defiant. This was the first time in a long time where he lacked confidence.

Because he was confident with the players still on the team for the Tampa tank and felt covid restrictions ruined the season. There was no excuse for this past season other than we just truly suck, which would be the first time in his Raptora existence.

If he tried to sell the fanbase on being good next year, it would just be a fake. Once he can for sure see a path back to success, his mojo will be back but he won't know that until the roster looks much better lol.

It's his job to sell hope for the future. He didn't do that very well this time imo. I get that it would've sounded fake if done poorly. This felt like more of an acknowledgement that he F'd up, he knows it, and he was wearing that a little bit in some of his answers.

Im happy hes finally realized that. Ive been saying how horrible of a job hes done since the title for a while now lol.

The lack of interest in this team down the stretch made it evident that no one cares about this team right now. If he doesn't have a big offseason then it'll continue into next year. Let's hope we get a motivated Masai to make the Raptors Great Again.

[nestea]

Did he cry...

No...

Lol

[Jim Todd Jr.]

These are the Raptors im more familiar with. Last 7-8 years were a glitch in the matrix.

[WaltFrazier]

Read on Twitter

What does that mean, how the summer starts off? What different ways can it start that are yet to be determined?

[ForeverTFC]

Read on Twitter

What does that mean, how the summer starts off? What different ways can it start that are yet to be determined?

It was pretty obvious based on Masai's answers that they're going to use the cap flexibility to maximize assets, not to maximize the team for next year. Whether it's bringing back BB's salary or not, re-signing GTJ or not, signing an FA or taking on a contract for assets, they are indifferent. Their goal is asset accumulation. By nature, that depends a lot more on their counterparts.

For example:
- Do the Sixers and Magic go the cap space route? If they do, you're going to get some FAs become available which they can either sign (Fultz as a backup 1?) or use their cap space to facilitate them signing with a team that needs to open up room for them
- Do they move BB on draft night and take on salary or waive him to open up room? Surely depends on what packages are available to them at the end of June
- Does GTJ have offers available to him in FA or can he be had on a contract they like? It sounded like Gary will not be prioritized to be re-signed at all costs but he will make sense at a certain term and price point

They're definitely not going into next year to tank, but they are also not going in to make the play-in at all costs. They'll make the best use of their assets as they can for the long term and live with the results in the short term.

[Mikistan]

Read on Twitter

What does that mean, how the summer starts off? What different ways can it start that are yet to be determined?

Ping pong balls bruh

[ForeverTFC]

Seems normal no? Like who the hell would be pumped up after the disaster of a season we just had. It would just make him look fake if he was lol

Sure, but it's still a little jarring. Masai normally oozes confidence. He didn't sound like this after Tampa, or even after that disaster Bulls play-in game where he was more mad/defiant. This was the first time in a long time where he lacked confidence.

Because he was confident with the players still on the team for the Tampa tank and felt covid restrictions ruined the season. There was no excuse for this past season other than we just truly suck, which would be the first time in his Raptora existence.

If he tried to sell the fanbase on being good next year, it would just be a fake. Once he can for sure see a path back to success, his mojo will be back but he won't know that until the roster looks much better lol.

Ujiri isn't Colangelo. Bryan would have told us about the injuries holding us back, how much of a star RJ is, and how we are going to compete. Masai was very honest today and I really appreciated it. He was steadfast in his belief in Scottie and Darko but otherwise, he was very open: we need a 2nd piece to emerge and that player may not be on the roster yet, IQ and Barrett have potential but need to learn and improve, re-builds take a while and this isn't going to happen overnight. Not a single excuse made regarding injuries in a 45 min press conference. Transparent that some of the games last year were flat out unwatchable but that is what it's going to take to rebuild.

I didn't take it for a lack of confidence. I took it more as the path forward is not as clear and we need to all be wide eyed regarding that.

[mrdressup]

Other teams are playing basketball. We are focusing on bingo balls and stopping our players from being federally indicted for making us lose for profit. Also, our ownership is committed to extracting as much profit from the entertainment commodity as is humanly possible. We should probably be focusing of corporate bottom lines for our thrills. I'm torn between wanting the team to be good and having these guys make money. It's robbing me of some of my enjoyment.

[MiamiSPX]

They're definitely not going into next year to tank, but they are also not going in to make the play-in at all costs. They'll make the best use of their assets as they can for the long term and live with the results in the short term.

This was the best part of his PC IMO. He never once made reference to trying to win next year. Sounds like we're in this for the long haul, and that was music to my ears.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Masai's credibility is in the crapper right now. Not much he can do but offer crumbs.

[Smalltown]

this team is not sniffing the playoffs until 2026 or 2027.

This team is "sniffing" the playoffs next year. 36 wins get you to the play-in in the east right now. That's hardly an unsurmountable number for this group. When Masai talk 3-6 years he's talking about being an actual contender for the championship.

[WuTang_OG]

proper rebuilds MINIMUM 2 tanking/development years and he knows next year is ggoing to be another

this is the right path

Scottie, IQ, RJ, Dick

If we think IQ is that PG for us, we still need AT LEAST ONE top end talent added to the core core and then build out the depth

[tecumseh18]

Read on Twitter

What does that mean, how the summer starts off? What different ways can it start that are yet to be determined?

It was pretty obvious based on Masai's answers that they're going to use the cap flexibility to maximize assets, not to maximize the team for next year. Whether it's bringing back BB's salary or not, re-signing GTJ or not, signing an FA or taking on a contract for assets, they are indifferent. Their goal is asset accumulation. By nature, that depends a lot more on their counterparts.

For example:
- Do the Sixers and Magic go the cap space route? If they do, you're going to get some FAs become available which they can either sign (Fultz as a backup 1?) or use their cap space to facilitate them signing with a team that needs to open up room for them
- Do they move BB on draft night and take on salary or waive him to open up room? Surely depends on what packages are available to them at the end of June
- Does GTJ have offers available to him in FA or can he be had on a contract they like? It sounded like Gary will not be prioritized to be re-signed at all costs but he will make sense at a certain term and price point

They're definitely not going into next year to tank, but they are also not going in to make the play-in at all costs. They'll make the best use of their assets as they can for the long term and live with the results in the short term.

Excellent answer. But all of this hinges on the draft lottery in three weeks. The salary of a top 6 pick will affect our cap space, and hopefully help to address the lack of talent problem (along with the players drafted with the Pacers and Pistons picks). If we keep our own pick, then it's practically impossible to plan for a top 6 pick the following season, so might as well operate above the cap and bring back BB and Gary (on an acceptable deal for a bench scorer) and try for the play-in. Ownership will certainly push for that.

[Senbonzakura]

If we get the #6 pick we need to trade up and select Sarr.

[T-d0t]

Grange definitely confused his own damn self lol. I think what he meant was if the pick conveys this season, then would the team commit to still be bad next season ( no win now moves, trade off vets)

I wonder who will rep the Raptors at the draft lottery

[youngRAPZ]

Grange definitely confused his own damn self lol. I think what he meant was if the pick conveys this season, then would the team commit to still be bad next season ( no win now moves, trade off vets)

I wonder who will rep the Raptors at the draft lottery

Who else but our lucky Dick

[JB7]

What does that mean, how the summer starts off? What different ways can it start that are yet to be determined?

It was pretty obvious based on Masai's answers that they're going to use the cap flexibility to maximize assets, not to maximize the team for next year. Whether it's bringing back BB's salary or not, re-signing GTJ or not, signing an FA or taking on a contract for assets, they are indifferent. Their goal is asset accumulation. By nature, that depends a lot more on their counterparts.

For example:
- Do the Sixers and Magic go the cap space route? If they do, you're going to get some FAs become available which they can either sign (Fultz as a backup 1?) or use their cap space to facilitate them signing with a team that needs to open up room for them
- Do they move BB on draft night and take on salary or waive him to open up room? Surely depends on what packages are available to them at the end of June
- Does GTJ have offers available to him in FA or can he be had on a contract they like? It sounded like Gary will not be prioritized to be re-signed at all costs but he will make sense at a certain term and price point

They're definitely not going into next year to tank, but they are also not going in to make the play-in at all costs. They'll make the best use of their assets as they can for the long term and live with the results in the short term.

Excellent answer. But all of this hinges on the draft lottery in three weeks. The salary of a top 6 pick will affect our cap space, and hopefully help to address the lack of talent problem (along with the players drafted with the Pacers and Pistons picks). If we keep our own pick, then it's practically impossible to plan for a top 6 pick the following season, so might as well operate above the cap and bring back BB and Gary (on an acceptable deal for a bench scorer) and try for the play-in. Ownership will certainly push for that.

Masai is also saying though that the Raps moves hinge on what other teams do. Do the Warriors try to resign Klay, and dump Wiggins? At this point, there are so many moving pieces. But the core is probably here for the next season (BBQ, Dick, Yak).

[ash_k]

at least he seems committed to a rebuild this time. think he said a proper rebuild can take 3-6 years.

this team is not sniffing the playoffs until 2026 or 2027.

ARe you sure? a team that went 7-7 with IQ|RJ|Scottie|Yak without a training camp and with a coach learning on the job? A team that was clearly headed to the Play-In until injuries struck.

Did you think Orlando would go from 34-48 to 47-35(5th seed)?
If your predictions become through, it will only mean one thing that SCOTTIE IS NOT THAT GUY!