zimpy27 wrote:Are Raptors trying to tank or make playoffs?
IQ, GTJ, RJ, Barnes, Poeltl -- Brown, Dick, Ochai, Boucher, Olynyk
I kind of think they got better..
And it makes sense, better to give the 2024 FRP than the 2025 FRP.
They are trying to add pieces that make sense. Now hear me out...lol.
Schroeder openly said he was promised the starting PG position and was not happy coming off the bench. Add in that Darko loved him, and used him at times instead of the young guys to develop, and Masai had to step in and remove him.
Dim would have caused the same lockerroom issues and Masai didn't want that around the young guys. And add in, tge deal creates more cap space next year for a "re-do" on a backup PG that KNOWS that's his role.
Masai said after the Siakam deal he would not use all the picks in the 2024 draft on draft picks. He likely wants to keep the #31 from Detroit due to the cheaper cap hit that guy gets. And of course, keep the Indy pick since it's likely much better than the one he traded.
As for the Jazz trade itself, they have had to use Thad Young as the backup C and their #3 C is hurt(2-way Porter ). Adding Olynyk gives them a backup C that can hit a 3. And all the talk up here is they want to sign him to a deal to fill that position the next few years. That will give time for JPorter to prove if he can become that or if they draft a C, it buys time. Ochai is a good POA defender on guards and the Raps have that hole open since OG was traded....need a 3+D guy to develop. So in the end, the Raps might fill 2 rotation holes with a pick #27-30 is great value.
Then add in that now Barnes doesn't "need" to run around chasing guards and also banging against C's in D, and instead should get more PG reps for his development on offense, and things as a whole make more sense.
In a press conference, Webster(GM) made the comment about SAS getting the pick this year. Seems like they are quite ok with it and the more important thing is for these new guys to get reps together, build chemistry, and build a new team culture.
Oh, and still have 2 picks in the top 31 this year and an extra 1st in 2026 to keep building the future.