Stein/Fischer: Toronto willing to deal RJ Barrett, IQ, Poeltl for Significant Upgrades // #9 Available

[djsunyc]

KOC said on his pod that Masai is under a lot of organizational pressure to win next year he’d be surprised if we stayed at 9…

koc has no real connections

so i listened to it. it was esfander berhami that said it. he's a local raptors podcaster who has zero connections. then later in the conversation koc just re-iterated what esfander said.

while there may be pressure, i don't think the local guys would know about it.

[ArthurVandelay]

This year's team genuinely loved playing with and for one another. You could see it on the court and bench regardless if they were tying to lose or not. And BI fit into that as well as a cheerleader.

I personally hope we get to see how that carries over to next year when wins are the only goal. And meshing as a team can go a long way in getting extra wins.

I hope we don't lose that "closeness" if they make a deal for a "name".

Draft at 9, get a reliable backup C, add a 905 piece at #39 and I would be quite happy with our offseason.

I've been thinking about that idea of late as well. Has to be a wake up call for the young guys. And if guys are back next year, I hope the resentment of the business doesn't sour the vibe. Many aren't a fan of Darko, personally I think he is better than he has shown because except for a 15 game stretch starting in January it didn't seem like wins mattered, but one thing I don't think anyone can deny is the positivity he has brought to the team atmosphere after NN.

Maybe Masai valuated this team and realizes it does not have a chance to actually win....And Masai is pretty smart when it comes to that....Maybe he knows if he runs it back even with the 9th pick the chances to be a legit winner is slim to none....And thats why we are having all this talk and trades this offseason.....Could be coming from pressure from the higher ups but if Masai was actually confident in the current team actually winning i doubt he would be trying to trade for someone....

Possibly. My guess is the cap/luxury tax threshold is also playing a part. Looking out after 2025-2026, they likely recognize they can't pay Poeltl $30m and iQ/RJ $30+ each in addition to what they already have with BI and Scottie and guys needing extensions. The new CBA at work, for better or worse.

[ArthurVandelay]

I'm all for the maximum chaos option. Poeltl+KD+Ingram+Barnes...who the hell knows if that will work, but I'm willing to watch to find out.

It would truly be interesting to watch Barnes go from #1 option to having Ingram and Durant taking the pressure off.

He would thrive. He'd be playing to all his strengths and killing it.

[WuTang_OG]

I'm all for the maximum chaos option. Poeltl+KD+Ingram+Barnes...who the hell knows if that will work, but I'm willing to watch to find out.

It would truly be interesting to watch Barnes go from #1 option to having Ingram and Durant taking the pressure off.

He would thrive. He'd be playing to all his strengths and killing it.

[OakleyDokely]

It would truly be interesting to watch Barnes go from #1 option to having Ingram and Durant taking the pressure off.

He would thrive. He'd be playing to all his strengths and killing it.

[Jerry Lucas]

Masai would want a big salary number and his performance for the past several years does not warrant that. Rogers are coming in as the new majority owners and would want to see some results, especially when Ed Rogers wasn't high on Masai even after winning a championship.

Let's just hope Masai doesnt do anything stupid/shortsighted to hurt us longterm.

Masai may be LA bound…

I doubt Masai is doing this for his own job. The guy will have a job if he wants one. Rogers will want to see results, Tannenbaum will want the highest valuation…. think it through for a bit.

i don't think he's going to LA Lakers

Wouldn't be so sure about that now. Dodgers' owner bought the Lakers. If they want to make a change because Pelinka wasn't their hire, anything is possible.

[bboyskinnylegs]

so if we end up dealing IQ+Yak in this fishing expedition, and we're only able to address one of those positions via an RJ trade, who are some C's or PG's we might go dumpster diving for? If we remain under the cap do we get the full MLE?

[Tripod]

This year's team genuinely loved playing with and for one another. You could see it on the court and bench regardless if they were tying to lose or not. And BI fit into that as well as a cheerleader.

I personally hope we get to see how that carries over to next year when wins are the only goal. And meshing as a team can go a long way in getting extra wins.

I hope we don't lose that "closeness" if they make a deal for a "name".

Draft at 9, get a reliable backup C, add a 905 piece at #39 and I would be quite happy with our offseason.

I've been thinking about that idea of late as well. Has to be a wake up call for the young guys. And if guys are back next year, I hope the resentment of the business doesn't sour the vibe. Many aren't a fan of Darko, personally I think he is better than he has shown because except for a 15 game stretch starting in January it didn't seem like wins mattered, but one thing I don't think anyone can deny is the positivity he has brought to the team atmosphere after NN.

Maybe Masai valuated this team and realizes it does not have a chance to actually win....And Masai is pretty smart when it comes to that....Maybe he knows if he runs it back even with the 9th pick the chances to be a legit winner is slim to none....And thats why we are having all this talk and trades this offseason.....Could be coming from pressure from the higher ups but if Masai was actually confident in the current team actually winning i doubt he would be trying to trade for someone....

In fairness, he isn't just trying to trade for "someone".

The 2 names we have been linked to trying to get were both top 6 scorers this year, top 5 the year before, and are superstars.

Yes KD is old but you can't deny his skill and ability. Giannis is...well Giannis.

To me if Masai WASN'T at least trying to see what the cost would be and dies it make sense, he wouldn't be doing his job. Get in the talks....because even if you don't get them...you might gain insight, build relationships, can be a facilitator, etc... that can possibly help the team later.

Even as good as the 17/18 Raptors were, finishing 2nd in the league, Masai went and changed 3 starters in Kawhi, Green then later Gasol.

I like our team and the fight and grit they showed. I just don't want to lose that tightness we developed of/when we do make future trades. That's all.

[OakleyDokely]

so if we end up dealing IQ+Yak in this fishing expedition, and we're only able to address one of those positions via an RJ trade, who are some C's or PG's we might go dumpster diving for? If we remain under the cap do we get the full MLE?

FA C's:
B Lopez
C Capela
A Horford
K Looney
T Gibson
M Plumlee
T Bryant
J Hayes
P Reed

FA G's:
M Brogdan
T Hardaway Jr
D Russell
C Lavert
D Schroder
C Paul
G Payton Jr
G Harris
N Alexander-Walker
C Joseph
R Westbrook
K Lowry
S Curry
D Wright
G Trent Jr
B Simmons

[elecblue]

Masai may be LA bound…

I doubt Masai is doing this for his own job. The guy will have a job if he wants one. Rogers will want to see results, Tannenbaum will want the highest valuation…. think it through for a bit.

i don't think he's going to LA Lakers

Wouldn't be so sure about that now. Dodgers' owner bought the Lakers. If they want to make a change because Pelinka wasn't their hire, anything is possible.

Pelinka got Luka to the Lakers, I’d think that secures his job for at least a few seasons.

[FOB]

I honestly think kick the tires on Trae Young.

He's gonna opt out next summer and leave Atlanta.

Buy low candidate - acquire him and extend with his bird rights.

One of the best playmakers in the league and pretty durable - would do wonders for this team.

I firmly believe you don't win anything with Trae Young as one of your main pieces, and want absolutely nothing to do with him.

Because of his defence? I think we can win with him just gotta get great interior defence for him.

The man takes 18 shots and still averages 12 ast a game. His play making is best in the league. But the thing is he is not a shooter but a scorer.

Yeah, I think his defence is so bad that having to hide it creates too many other holes and issues - you'd need a Wemby or Giannis to compensate that. He would be a great floor raiser, no doubt, but I just don't believe in the idea of building a (potential) contender around a defensive liability. I'd much rather have a Jrue archetype than a Trae archetype for that.

[MiamiSPX]

so if we end up dealing IQ+Yak in this fishing expedition, and we're only able to address one of those positions via an RJ trade, who are some C's or PG's we might go dumpster diving for? If we remain under the cap do we get the full MLE?

I am disgusted even typing this out but Ayton is available. I only mention him because we have been linked to him in the past (for reasons unknown).

[anotherhomer]

i don't think he's going to LA Lakers

Wouldn't be so sure about that now. Dodgers' owner bought the Lakers. If they want to make a change because Pelinka wasn't their hire, anything is possible.

Pelinka got Luka to the Lakers, I’d think that secures his job for at least a few seasons.

i think 1 or 2 more seasons

[TerryTate]

I saw some mention Trae, dude is a hot garbage fire. Horrible efficiency, takes horrible shots, wastes a tonne of clock, plays ZERO d.
Trae has made the playoffs once, I'm not talking about some trash play-in tournament.... I would rather bring DD back than trade for Trae.
Even an inefficient Derozan brought the raps to the playoffs multiple times.

Whoever suggested him does not look at D or FG% or TO's or BPM....

[anotherhomer]

IQ+Jak+2026 protected FRP for Durant

[niQ]

I'm all for the maximum chaos option. Poeltl+KD+Ingram+Barnes...who the hell knows if that will work, but I'm willing to watch to find out.

If we can somehow keep Poeltl in a KD trade then that's a win.

Otherwise, its... Chomche?

Wolf?

Yang?

[Ball4life32]

I saw some mention Trae, dude is a hot garbage fire. Horrible efficiency, takes horrible shots, wastes a tonne of clock, plays ZERO d.
Trae has made the playoffs once, I'm not talking about some trash play-in tournament.... I would rather bring DD back than trade for Trae.
Even an inefficient Derozan brought the raps to the playoffs multiple times.

Whoever suggested him does not look at D or FG% or TO's or BPM....

Hawks make PO last yr if Jalen Johnson doesn’t go down (17-14 when he went down) and they had start a bunch of young first yr statrters next to him. And somehow Hawks consistently have good offense every yr thanks to Trae playmaking. Fg% and TO with his usage rate are clickbait stats.

I honestly think kick the tires on Trae Young.

He's gonna opt out next summer and leave Atlanta.

Buy low candidate - acquire him and extend with his bird rights.

One of the best playmakers in the league and pretty durable - would do wonders for this team.

He likes the young players on the hawks so don’t think so. Hawks definitely aren’t trading him on a discount.

[OakleyDokely]

I'm all for the maximum chaos option. Poeltl+KD+Ingram+Barnes...who the hell knows if that will work, but I'm willing to watch to find out.

If we can somehow keep Poeltl in a KD trade then that's a win.

Otherwise, its... Chomche?

Wolf?

Yang?

They'd probably pick up someone via another trade or the MLE.

[CazOnReal]

I'm all for the maximum chaos option. Poeltl+KD+Ingram+Barnes...who the hell knows if that will work, but I'm willing to watch to find out.

If we can somehow keep Poeltl in a KD trade then that's a win.

Otherwise, its... Chomche?

Wolf?

Yang?

Daniel Gafford and Mark Williams are the only realistic options given how little the Raptors can cobble together in salary - and Danny needs to be extended.

[Zeno]

Any new info today, even fake new info?