Tor_Raps wrote:I have outlined the 3 main holes that the Raptors need to address this offseason to help compile a balanced roster.
In:
Backup PG - Monte Morris - Great buy low candidate coming off an injury plagued season.
Backup C - Jalen Smith - Indiana won't be able to afford all their talent so I believe we can take him away. He shoots 40%+ from 3 while being a good rebounder so it's a great pairing with Olynyk off the bench and good contrast to Poeltl.
Starting Wing - Wiggins - Now hear me out, im not saying he is the answer long term. I think we can get him while also receiving additional assets from Gstate to help with our rebuild. For the short term, he fills the need of a starting versatile wing defender. Long term, we need to hit on one of our draft picks to take over from Wiggins.
Out:
Trent (let go or accept whatever you get in sign and trade)
Brown (used in Wiggins trade)
PG Quickley/ Morris/ JFL
SG RJ/ Dick/ Ochai
SF Wiggins/ 2024 Draft pick/ McDaniels
PF Barnes/ Olynyk/ Boucher
C Poeltl/ Smith/ 2024 draft pick
I generally was thinking the same route. Focus on the lineup with player movement, so that the team can just draft the best available talent and give them time to develop.
So first was the deal for Wiggins. There are other better players than Wiggins out there that the Raps could try to pursue (like TM3, Herb & Pat Williams, etc.) but I think they either won't be available, or the cost would be too much. Wiggins is the cheapest option to obtain the lengthy wing defender the team needs, and his contract is not atrocious. See Raps renouncing the rights to GTJ, and not picking up Brown's option, and then moving McDaniels (and possibly Boucher if they need his contract included). In terms of draft pick compensation, I would not count on much. Another alternative to the deal is if GSW is interested in Brown and then we pick up his option and move him.
Next, backup PG. I think reaching out to Lowry might be a good move. While his game has dropped off, his leadership on the bench could be used. Also they could resign Temple, to give them the requisite two vets they seem to like to have on the bench. I guess a couple of different voices.
For the back-up C option, I would just be looking for a player that would not cost a lot, or require many years on their deal. The roster is young, so they don't need too much depth, which can develop into a situation of players complaining about playing time, since most will go to the young core. That's why vets like Temple, Lowry and Thad previously, were perfect. Vets that would not complain about playing time, but would be ready to step in when needed, and be the positive voice from the bench. I would possibly even resign Thad again, as a backup option at the 4/5.
The minutes would generally go to this group:
C) Poeltl (Olynyk)
PF) Barnes
SF) Wiggins (Dick)
SG) Barrett (Agbaji)
PG) Quickley (Lowry)
Then if there are injuries, bench would consist of Temple, maybe Thad, Boucher?, JFL?, and 2-3 rookies.
