The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 3

[enigmatics]

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Keep an eye on water too. I heard it's wet.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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Wouldn't surprise me too much if true? KD put out a report denying it though. But really, what else is he supposed to say.

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[sunsbum]

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Wouldn't surprise me too much if true? KD put out a report denying it though. But really, what else is he supposed to say.

lol, no one in that locker room is throwing hands. They are all a bunch of pussies.

[WuTang_OG]

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The reports that the Raptors are monitoring his situation are credible and make sense, given Toronto had conversations with the Suns back in February about the possibility of a Durant trade.

But to cut through some of the smoke: multiple sources have confirmed to me that Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl would not be part of any deal — however unlikely a Raptors-Suns deal might be — centred around Durant. The Suns were asking for Poeltl at the trade deadline and got a firm ‘no’ back then, but that hasn’t stopped them from asking, apparently.

The best way to understand any mention of Poeltl being in a trade for Durant — or anyone else, but in this case with the Suns — is to recognize that Phoenix is trying to drive up the price. They are looking to recoup value after trading two quality starters, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with four unprotected first-round picks, for just over two seasons of Durant that yielded a second-round playoff exit, a first-round playoff exit, and no Play-In appearance this past season.

If the Raptors are presented as having a strong offer waiting in the wings, perhaps one of Durant’s preferred suitors steps up with something richer, or a team like Minnesota — another team with interest that’s outside Durant’s list — sweetens the pot.

Toronto’s goal this summer is simple: build a roster competitive enough to at least have a puncher’s chance at reaching the Conference Finals and beyond next season. So yes, they are monitoring the Durant marketplace. Even as he’s about to turn 37, Durant can lift a team like few others, given he has averaged 26.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 57 percent on two-point attempts and 42.1 percent on threes across nearly 139 games.

But there’s no point in adding a player like Durant if the team around him can’t compete. As Poeltl has repeatedly shown since Toronto re-acquired him at the trade deadline in 2023, the Raptors struggle significantly when he doesn’t play.


A more likely scenario is that the Raptors reach a contract extension with Poeltl sooner rather than later, with the structure and timing designed to offer the club flexibility as they build out a competitive roster.

Poeltl is eligible for a three-year, $88.2 million extension if he opts into the final year of his current deal, or a four-year, $121.8 million extension if he opts out and signs a new contract starting this season. Opting into the final year of his current $19.5 million deal would give the Raptors some additional cap flexibility for any acquisitions they might want to pursue this summer.

The Raptors need Poeltl to be competitive in any scenario, and just as importantly, Poeltl — coming off a career year at age 29 — wants to remain in Toronto for whatever turnaround lies ahead, as he told me when we spoke in Orlando at season’s end:

“I’ve bought into this process and I’ve kind of gone through the tough times already,” he said. “So this is my home right now, and I really hope it’s going to be in the future as well.”

The Raptors do too.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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I'd actually love this! Cam Whitmore will be a 20 point per game player very soon and is loaded with potential. He's kind of a poor man's Jaylen Brown/ more athletic DeRozan.

[BobbieL]

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The reports that the Raptors are monitoring his situation are credible and make sense, given Toronto had conversations with the Suns back in February about the possibility of a Durant trade.

But to cut through some of the smoke: multiple sources have confirmed to me that Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl would not be part of any deal — however unlikely a Raptors-Suns deal might be — centred around Durant. The Suns were asking for Poeltl at the trade deadline and got a firm ‘no’ back then, but that hasn’t stopped them from asking, apparently.

The best way to understand any mention of Poeltl being in a trade for Durant — or anyone else, but in this case with the Suns — is to recognize that Phoenix is trying to drive up the price. They are looking to recoup value after trading two quality starters, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with four unprotected first-round picks, for just over two seasons of Durant that yielded a second-round playoff exit, a first-round playoff exit, and no Play-In appearance this past season.

If the Raptors are presented as having a strong offer waiting in the wings, perhaps one of Durant’s preferred suitors steps up with something richer, or a team like Minnesota — another team with interest that’s outside Durant’s list — sweetens the pot.

Toronto’s goal this summer is simple: build a roster competitive enough to at least have a puncher’s chance at reaching the Conference Finals and beyond next season. So yes, they are monitoring the Durant marketplace. Even as he’s about to turn 37, Durant can lift a team like few others, given he has averaged 26.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 57 percent on two-point attempts and 42.1 percent on threes across nearly 139 games.

But there’s no point in adding a player like Durant if the team around him can’t compete. As Poeltl has repeatedly shown since Toronto re-acquired him at the trade deadline in 2023, the Raptors struggle significantly when he doesn’t play.


A more likely scenario is that the Raptors reach a contract extension with Poeltl sooner rather than later, with the structure and timing designed to offer the club flexibility as they build out a competitive roster.

Poeltl is eligible for a three-year, $88.2 million extension if he opts into the final year of his current deal, or a four-year, $121.8 million extension if he opts out and signs a new contract starting this season. Opting into the final year of his current $19.5 million deal would give the Raptors some additional cap flexibility for any acquisitions they might want to pursue this summer.

The Raptors need Poeltl to be competitive in any scenario, and just as importantly, Poeltl — coming off a career year at age 29 — wants to remain in Toronto for whatever turnaround lies ahead, as he told me when we spoke in Orlando at season’s end:

“I’ve bought into this process and I’ve kind of gone through the tough times already,” he said. “So this is my home right now, and I really hope it’s going to be in the future as well.”

The Raptors do too.

If this is true- I knew the Raptors were never a real option with Ujiri as GM.

[wheezy]

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?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

I love how in every single trade rumor, it’s always, the team that is trading the player under contract has no leverage. Brooklyn was told the same thing when they traded KD to us and they got a haul. It’s never about leverage, it’s always about who is and who isn’t good at negotiating a trade.

Yeah the talk about the Suns supposedly losing leverage is stupid. KD is by far the best player involved in any of these fake trade scenarios. Other teams can consolidate assets to get a great player to help get them a title (+ sell jerseys and help fill seats in their arena), but the Suns don't need to just trade the guy for free.... They can just not trade him at all or one of these teams can have their direct competition trade for him and lose to him in the playoffs next season (HOU/SAS or MIA/TOR).

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[mkot]

Man I wish Ishbia bought the Lakers instead. Mfer should’ve waited just few more years.

Lakers is relevant again by getting Luka AND now a rich owner with hopefully a more competent management team.

****!

[starbosa10]

If the best offer is really just green+10 then just run it back lol

Greens contract isn't even a positive asset

[Slim Charless]

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Go

Pacers!!!!!

Presti HAS to look at a Durant deal if they lose, and Durant at least considers a return home to help them get over the top if he's asked.

The rental won't even bother OKC as it's probably better for them.

[Blonde]

I would be shocked, SHOCKED, if OKC would have any interest in acquiring Durant should they lose the finals.

[RaisingArizona]

I said OKC. LETS GO INDYYYYYYYYY

[RaisingArizona]

I would be shocked, SHOCKED, if OKC would have any interest in acquiring Durant should they lose the finals.

Ain't nothing shocking about it. Player ending a hall of fame career with a team he started with in hopes of winning them their first title.

[Fo-Real]

MAGA sucks and Trumpanzees are morons....and are ruining this country/world.

Also learn to spell, its "Douche". Use it correctly if you're gonna say it.

Not a coincidence that the lack of education has led to that clown being elected.

Also, you're right but wrong. Not Douche.... supposed to be DEUCE- EY!! ya know, like taking a #2.... ****!! I fat fingered it!! What an uncultured swine I must be!

Here I was thinking you were making a play on words with his username. I know I lurk here more than I post, but I gave it a little audible chuckle. Love me a good play on words, lol.

It was, the poster was suns-DEUCE!!

[Slim Charless]

I would be shocked, SHOCKED, if OKC would have any interest in acquiring Durant should they lose the finals.

Explain why.

They blow a 68 win season vs a 4 seed. They had the MVP and multiple all defense guys and were considered the pick in a route.

The reason they lose, if they lose is because the offense bogged down outside of SGA and JDubb. Durant would be a massive boost to them and wouldn't cost them either of those 2 or Chet.

So I'm confused as to why you think OKC would be ok losing this series. Which BTW if they lose.....it would be the biggest upset in NBA history...

[BobbieL]

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Go

Pacers!!!!!

Presti HAS to look at a Durant deal if they lose, and Durant at least considers a return home to help them get over the top if he's asked.

The rental won't even bother OKC as it's probably better for them.

I don't see Presti taking on Durant. I can see him improving the roster - just not Durant. The guy has been patient. He isn't going to do something out of character

Plus, they are going to win Game 7

[Ghost of Kleine]

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So now if they're unwilling to include Poetl, how do they make a deal work?? The deal would then have to become Quickly/ Barrett/ Castleton/ 9th pick/ 39th pick/ TOR 28' 1st.

Then I'm trading Barrett/ O'neale/ Richards to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson/ Nik Claxton/ 19th pick/ 26th pick/ 36th pick AND Philly 27' 1st (Top 8 protected).

And then I'm trading Quickly to New Orleans for Herb Jones/ Olynyk/ 23rd pick.
OR
To Utah for Collins/ Hendricks/ 21st pick.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I would be shocked, SHOCKED, if OKC would have any interest in acquiring Durant should they lose the finals.

Aside from the fact that KD is still elite offensively, and the ultimate goal is to win a championship if at all possible. Just take a closer look at their payroll and looming extensions and increases. And then figure how much a 54 million expiring contract could help with accommodating that interest from that much cap reduction.

Personal feelings aside, trading for KD would obviously not only help put them over the top considering how very close they are already.


But having his 54 million come off their books in 1 season would also significantly help them absorb their increasing payroll obligations and not be forced to make some tough decisions about breaking up their core under the new CBA.

[mkot]

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It's kinda silly to say that a 68 wins team is a one trick pony, but they sort of are lol They are not a passing team so right off the bat they are not very hard to guard. Half their offense is points off TOs by fouling and hacking ball handler and flying around in passing lane, that's 20+ points pencil in every night. Last night Game 6 they only turnover the Pacers 10 times. And the Pacers were good on offering late help in containing SGA, shrinking the court so less kick out opportunity. the Thunder made 8 threes last night but only 1 when the game was still meaningful.

Again for a 68 wins team with historic defensive ratings they look very beatable, the Nuggets who only played 6 guys with a starter playing injured should not have pushed them to 7 games, the Pacers are on a run right now but they are kinda of a finest team with suspect defense, they should not need all 7 games to finish them if they are as dominant as they were in the regular season.

They have load of picks to improve their roster, but I think the most logical "move" they need is internal growth. With SGA and JDub dominating possessions they probably will never be a good passing team, but maybe Chet can improve his offense, guys like Wiggins and Wallace can also improve with more consistent minutes. I doubt they trade any of their draft picks for another star. OKC is taking advantage of cheap rookie deals to have the depth they have now and they will continue to do so by trading spare picks for future picks, like an addict. And I think for small market like OKC it makes a lot of sense.