Post#112 » by Wizop » Wed Jun 23, 2021 2:44 am
Here's the report from Toronto.
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There will be plenty of talk about flipping 4 for 2 and getting Mobley who is the perfect non-Cunningham fit for the Raptors. What would it cost to get the flip?? Next year's first and maybe more?? If it's ONLY two firsts for the switch, it'll be an instant deal for the Raptors since they'd expect to be giving up a middish 20's next year. And with Wood in Houston and the lack of talent in Houston meaning a multi-year rebuild, there's hope. If it also costs the Raptors somebody like Trent Jr. or Boucher, might STILL be worth it. There's SOME talk of Sengun being the pick if no deal is possible. Defence be damned.
Now, assuming no Mobley and no Sengun, it appears the pick comes down to Suggs or Green. The Raptors really like Flynn and VanVleet, so it comes down to Lowry resigning to play out his career in T.O. or not. If it's a sign and trade for a middle big and stuff, then Suggs would be the preference. But if Lowry stays, which is about a one in four shot, then Green would be the pick. There IS some talk about that Barnes would fit into the Raptor defence and that he could be taught to shoot, but I'd be surprised if the draft goes Cunningham-Mobley-Green/Suggs-Barnes. REALLY surprised.
The one remaining name is Kuminga. He's Green-like or Green-Lite, can't honestly say which. I only saw three Ignite games and he didn't look NBA-ready to me. But he DOES have a high ceiling.
My guess, Ujiri gets the trade done for Mobley. Next year's first and a pick swap in 23. Jalen Harris might get attached. With the Raptors the faves to get Ishmael Wainwright who's the wing from France and Trent Jr. as shooting guards to go with VanVleet, Flynn and HOPEFULLY Lowry, there's the five-man guard group right there. Watson and Bembry fill out the backcourt. So, Harris, who had some decent games (including 31 points in one) down the stretch, would be a lottery ticket addition for Houston.
Second round picks hopefully brings them Herb Jones to start his pro life in the G League. The second one will be a developmental big to go with Gillespie.
Ujiri would then sign Birch into the empty cap space economically as possible and then it's the Lowry Decision time. I expect Lowry to end up in Philly and it might be as little as Simmons straight up. Philly has to explode things there and Simmons' value ranges some where between McCollum to Lowry. Lowry wants a 60 million buck retirement package and if he and the Sixers would go with 4x15, there would be other options. 3x20 might be the sweet spot. Might be all Toronto can afford. Depends on Boucher and whether he gets traded for draft picks. The Raptors will concentrate on bigs coming back. And with Siakam being late to the season come fall, a solid backup is really vital. One can dream of one of the thug Morris twins or maybe Thaddeus Young in a multi-team Lowry deal.
Lastly, we will have Bjorkgren to the right of Nurse next year (he's already assisting on the Canada National team for the qualifying tournament starting next week). Another TWO assistants will still be needed. If Stotts doesn't get a HC gig, you might find him spending a year in T.O. to study Nurse's D. But YOU guys seem to have him in the hairs given that he's 'local.'
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I get out of touch sometimes with sports even though I am watching the playoffs. Had to look up that the draft lottery happens in 20 minutes
