[Smith] No Raptors Trade Imminent - Could Wait Until End Of Summer League To Find Backup Center

[tsherkin]

I am the complete opposite of the people ok with some min guy. F that!

Go get an actual GOOD backup so we don't have to have this major drop in team play when Yak sits.

Assuming our top 5 guys start...

Shead, Walter, Ochai, Dick, Battle, CMB, Mogbo are fighting for the 2nd unit. We CLEARLY have extra 2's/3's/4's....go move one for a legit backup.

Not only will it give us a better 2nd unit but someone we can start when Yak misses games....and he will miss games.

And it doesn't force guys like Barnes and CMB to take a beating vs 5's keeping them healthier.

And it thins out the middle of the lineup freeing up that logjam a bit.

Adding that C is a MUST IMO if they want to get the most out of this team.

I think Castleton will Poeltl’s backup next season, which is unfortunate because the guy stinks.

No no no.

I would be adding 2 C's...and cutting Castleton

Did they pick up Castleton's option?

[Tor_Raps]

You mean 2020 and 2022?

2020, when Kyle and Fred played 58 and 54 games, Pascal played 60, Powell played 52, Ibaka played 55 and Marc Gasol played 44? Injuries screwed that team, not roster.

2022? When Fred played 65 games, Pascal played 68, OG played 48 and we were 4th-worst in the league at making shots?

C'mon, man. Injuries are a thing. Not having your core players for huge stretches of the season overrides any concerns over a backup center.

Again, I didnt say that was the ONLY reason but it was a massive part of the problem. Those years youre responding to is when this front office went with the stupid "vision 6'9" and neglected Cs all together and backup PGs.

It was only after getting Poeltl did they acknowledge that Centers actually do matter. Now we just want them to prioritize the backup so the season doesnt fall apart if Poeltl gets hurt or cant play 48 minutes depending on particular matchups.

Its one thing if this was a 1 or 2 year problem but we are entering YEAR 6 with this particular issue still not being addressed.

Yup.

And when people say "xxxx tram doesn't have a real backup. Neither does xxxx", I look at it that it's a way to get a leg up on those teams.

It's about option. Having another big ALLOWS you to have a big with the 2nd unit if you want it. It doesn't mean you have to do it 100%.

But in games Yak misses, we are going to get crushed having NO legit C.

It just shocks me that this needs to be explained to anyone who has watched this team over the past several years. Let's hope this is the offseason we finally address it so we can move onto other issues with the roster lol.

[tsherkin]

It just shocks me that this needs to be explained to anyone who has watched this team over the past several years. Let's hope this is the offseason we finally address it so we can move onto other issues with the roster lol.

I think the more shocking is that you believe the backup center is more important than major issues with the team, in a season where no one sane projects as advancing anywhere meaningful, to be honest.

[Tor_Raps]

It just shocks me that this needs to be explained to anyone who has watched this team over the past several years. Let's hope this is the offseason we finally address it so we can move onto other issues with the roster lol.

I think the more shocking is that you believe the backup center is more important than major issues with the team, in a season where no one sane projects as advancing anywhere meaningful, to be honest.

Not sure how its this hard for you to understand this is ONE issue people and most of the outside world see, which is why its been brought up NUMEROUS TIMES BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE. This is a very easy fix by just making an effort to sign or trade for a backup that are available all over the league.

Yes, we know this team has other issues so please tell us what us what major issues you see with the team and how you'd like them addressed?

[TimeForChange]

It just shocks me that this needs to be explained to anyone who has watched this team over the past several years. Let's hope this is the offseason we finally address it so we can move onto other issues with the roster lol.

I think the more shocking is that you believe the backup center is more important than major issues with the team, in a season where no one sane projects as advancing anywhere meaningful, to be honest.

Not sure how its this hard for you to understand this is ONE issue people and most of the outside world see, which is why its been brought up NUMEROUS TIMES BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE. This is a very easy fix by just making an effort to sign or trade for a backup that are available all over the league.

Yes, we know this team has other issues so please tell us what us what major issues you see with the team and how you'd like them addressed?

It's not an easy fix though

[tsherkin]

This is a very easy fix by just making an effort to sign or trade for a backup that are available all over the league.

This is the part you've got wrong. It isn't an easy fix. There exists no plethora of guys available at a reasonable price who will fill the role a lot better than what we've got and are also larger in the process.

Meantime, we've gone over what other issues there are. We have major problems offensively, and we don't need 7-footers to address our deficiency on the defensive boards. We aren't a particularly good playmaking team and we HEAVILY lack in slashing and rim pressure. We're also abysmal from three, though of course Quickley and BI will help with that. We're also quite bad at the line, both in getting there and in hitting our FTs. Whilst even in a tanking season we managed to be the 17th-ranked defense, we were 25th on offense. That's an area of CONSIDERABLY greater concern at the moment.

And as much as folks poo-poo him, we could easily pick up Castleton's option if all we want is another body for the rotation. Finding someone meaningfully better than that at any kind of reasonable price won't be simple, and we're better off looking for a real table-setter and/or someone else who can get to the rim and score efficiently than we are to worry about our reserve center. Yeah, we struggle when Yak's off the floor. He's very good. He isn't an ATG but he was a 15/10/3 center who played decent defense and crushed the O-boards for us. We'd do worse without him on the floor regardless of who we put behind him, so there's some degree of diminishing returns on chasing a reserve center.

[Tor_Raps]

I think the more shocking is that you believe the backup center is more important than major issues with the team, in a season where no one sane projects as advancing anywhere meaningful, to be honest.

Not sure how its this hard for you to understand this is ONE issue people and most of the outside world see, which is why its been brought up NUMEROUS TIMES BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE. This is a very easy fix by just making an effort to sign or trade for a backup that are available all over the league.

Yes, we know this team has other issues so please tell us what us what major issues you see with the team and how you'd like them addressed?

It's not an easy fix though

It is an easy fix when there are vet minimums who could be stopgaps available every offseason. We will see during free agency who was available and circle back if we did a good or bad job.

[Tha Cynic]

I do get the sense that the Raptors view a 5 as the lowest priority lol

[Tripod]

I think Castleton will Poeltl’s backup next season, which is unfortunate because the guy stinks.

No no no.

I would be adding 2 C's...and cutting Castleton

Did they pick up Castleton's option?

If I understand it correctly, he and Lawson can be cut anytime as their contracts are non-guaranteed until January.

The 2 of them appreeared to be signed when they were so we could use them in a trade this offseason if needed to send cap back that the other team could just make go away.

[Tripod]

Again, I didnt say that was the ONLY reason but it was a massive part of the problem. Those years youre responding to is when this front office went with the stupid "vision 6'9" and neglected Cs all together and backup PGs.

It was only after getting Poeltl did they acknowledge that Centers actually do matter. Now we just want them to prioritize the backup so the season doesnt fall apart if Poeltl gets hurt or cant play 48 minutes depending on particular matchups.

Its one thing if this was a 1 or 2 year problem but we are entering YEAR 6 with this particular issue still not being addressed.

Yup.

And when people say "xxxx tram doesn't have a real backup. Neither does xxxx", I look at it that it's a way to get a leg up on those teams.

It's about option. Having another big ALLOWS you to have a big with the 2nd unit if you want it. It doesn't mean you have to do it 100%.

But in games Yak misses, we are going to get crushed having NO legit C.

It just shocks me that this needs to be explained to anyone who has watched this team over the past several years. Let's hope this is the offseason we finally address it so we can move onto other issues with the roster lol.

You and I will rejoice if/when this hole is filled.

[dballislife]

barnes and cmb are around 235-240 with length...plenty big and athletic enough to handle bench lineups but they both need to be on a same time imo

[tsherkin]

No no no.

I would be adding 2 C's...and cutting Castleton

Did they pick up Castleton's option?

If I understand it correctly, he and Lawson can be cut anytime as their contracts are non-guaranteed until January.

The 2 of them appreeared to be signed when they were so we could use them in a trade this offseason if needed to send cap back that the other team could just make go away.

Hoopshype shows it as a team option, is why I was asking.

It is an easy fix when there are vet minimums who could be stopgaps available every offseason. We will see during free agency who was available and circle back if we did a good or bad job.

We will see, indeed. And it won't just be who, but "at what cost" which matters. That cost-benefit analysis is still significant.

[TimeForChange]

barnes and cmb are around 235-240 with length...plenty big and athletic enough to handle bench lineups but they both need to be on a same time imo

mogbo and cmb can handle it as well.

that's why a lineup of mogbo/cmb with shooters like gradey and battle could work.

[YogurtProducer]

Its the years where we had Fred/OG/Siakam where we were trying to win and failing. It was pretty clearly not having a true C and then just not having enough depth overall (where a backup C played a part) were some of the big reasons.

You mean 2020 and 2022?

2020, when Kyle and Fred played 58 and 54 games, Pascal played 60, Powell played 52, Ibaka played 55 and Marc Gasol played 44? Injuries screwed that team, not roster.

2022? When Fred played 65 games, Pascal played 68, OG played 48 and we were 4th-worst in the league at making shots?

C'mon, man. Injuries are a thing. Not having your core players for huge stretches of the season overrides any concerns over a backup center.

Again, I didnt say that was the ONLY reason but it was a massive part of the problem. Those years youre responding to is when this front office went with the stupid "vision 6'9" and neglected Cs all together and backup PGs.

It was only after getting Poeltl did they acknowledge that Centers actually do matter. Now we just want them to prioritize the backup so the season doesnt fall apart if Poeltl gets hurt or cant play 48 minutes depending on particular matchups.

It’s one thing if this was a 1 or 2 year problem but we are entering YEAR 6 with this particular issue still not being addressed.

Year 6?

2021 - we brought in Baynes. Not really out fault he just fell off a cliff. Even then, that was a lost season and we tanked so who cares.

2022 - we didn’t expect to be good. Why would we give up assets that year? Overachieved

2023 - we brought in Jak on a completely fair deal. So it took us literally less than 2 years, not 6, to address

2024 / 2025 - had Jak the entire time.

You seem to point to our failures as not having a C. The bigger issue always was a lack of depth, and more recently just poor health.

You act like a backup center was gonna win us 15 games lol

[Brinbe]

Not much they can do unless some trade option emerges. Maybe they take a look at some unattached summer league options and take a flier on someone or wait to add a vet at the minimum later on closer to training camp.

[SpezNc]

I think Castleton will Poeltl’s backup next season, which is unfortunate because the guy stinks.

No no no.

I would be adding 2 C's...and cutting Castleton

Did they pick up Castleton's option?

It’s non guaranteed until January 2026.

No rush to take any decision

[Tripod]

You mean 2020 and 2022?

2020, when Kyle and Fred played 58 and 54 games, Pascal played 60, Powell played 52, Ibaka played 55 and Marc Gasol played 44? Injuries screwed that team, not roster.

2022? When Fred played 65 games, Pascal played 68, OG played 48 and we were 4th-worst in the league at making shots?

C'mon, man. Injuries are a thing. Not having your core players for huge stretches of the season overrides any concerns over a backup center.

Again, I didnt say that was the ONLY reason but it was a massive part of the problem. Those years youre responding to is when this front office went with the stupid "vision 6'9" and neglected Cs all together and backup PGs.

It was only after getting Poeltl did they acknowledge that Centers actually do matter. Now we just want them to prioritize the backup so the season doesnt fall apart if Poeltl gets hurt or cant play 48 minutes depending on particular matchups.

It’s one thing if this was a 1 or 2 year problem but we are entering YEAR 6 with this particular issue still not being addressed.

Year 6?

2021 - we brought in Baynes. Not really out fault he just fell off a cliff. Even then, that was a lost season and we tanked so who cares.

2022 - we didn’t expect to be good. Why would we give up assets that year? Overachieved

2023 - we brought in Jak on a completely fair deal. So it took us literally less than 2 years, not 6, to address

2024 / 2025 - had Jak the entire time.

You seem to point to our failures as not having a C. The bigger issue always was a lack of depth, and more recently just poor health.

You act like a backup center was gonna win us 15 games lol

That's not entirely true.

19/20 ran it back with Serge and Gasol
20-21 barf C"s
21-22 barf C's
22-23 barf C's...till Feb.
We didn't add Yak until Feb when 2/3 of season gone.

So we went 2 2/3 seasons without a starting level C on the roster. That just should not happen.

And we have not had 2 good C's since 2019-20. Maybe we should actually try and have 2 good C's and make it a STRENGTH instead of " well we could try this or that". Just go get another C that keeps Yak fresher, doesn't cripple up when an injury occurs, etc...

We have 15 guaranteed spots for 5 positions. Wanting 2 C's is not a crazy expectation....lol.

[YogurtProducer]

Again, I didnt say that was the ONLY reason but it was a massive part of the problem. Those years youre responding to is when this front office went with the stupid "vision 6'9" and neglected Cs all together and backup PGs.

It was only after getting Poeltl did they acknowledge that Centers actually do matter. Now we just want them to prioritize the backup so the season doesnt fall apart if Poeltl gets hurt or cant play 48 minutes depending on particular matchups.

It’s one thing if this was a 1 or 2 year problem but we are entering YEAR 6 with this particular issue still not being addressed.

Year 6?

2021 - we brought in Baynes. Not really out fault he just fell off a cliff. Even then, that was a lost season and we tanked so who cares.

2022 - we didn’t expect to be good. Why would we give up assets that year? Overachieved

2023 - we brought in Jak on a completely fair deal. So it took us literally less than 2 years, not 6, to address

2024 / 2025 - had Jak the entire time.

You seem to point to our failures as not having a C. The bigger issue always was a lack of depth, and more recently just poor health.

You act like a backup center was gonna win us 15 games lol

That's not entirely true.

19/20 ran it back with Serge and Gasol
20-21 barf C"s
21-22 barf C's
22-23 barf C's...till Feb.
We didn't add Yak until Feb when 2/3 of season gone.

So we went 2 2/3 seasons without a starting level C on the roster. That just should not happen.

And we have not had 2 good C's since 2019-20. Maybe we should actually try and have 2 good C's and make it a STRENGTH instead of " well we could try this or that". Just go get another C that keeps Yak fresher, doesn't cripple up when an injury occurs, etc...

We have 15 guaranteed spots for 5 positions. Wanting 2 C's is not a crazy expectation....lol.

Sure.

But saying 2 2/3’s is ignoring we did address it in 2021 it just don’t work out so we tanked, and that we didn’t expect to be that good in 2022.

[Tripod]

Year 6?

2021 - we brought in Baynes. Not really out fault he just fell off a cliff. Even then, that was a lost season and we tanked so who cares.

2022 - we didn’t expect to be good. Why would we give up assets that year? Overachieved

2023 - we brought in Jak on a completely fair deal. So it took us literally less than 2 years, not 6, to address

2024 / 2025 - had Jak the entire time.

You seem to point to our failures as not having a C. The bigger issue always was a lack of depth, and more recently just poor health.

You act like a backup center was gonna win us 15 games lol

That's not entirely true.

19/20 ran it back with Serge and Gasol
20-21 barf C"s
21-22 barf C's
22-23 barf C's...till Feb.
We didn't add Yak until Feb when 2/3 of season gone.

So we went 2 2/3 seasons without a starting level C on the roster. That just should not happen.

And we have not had 2 good C's since 2019-20. Maybe we should actually try and have 2 good C's and make it a STRENGTH instead of " well we could try this or that". Just go get another C that keeps Yak fresher, doesn't cripple up when an injury occurs, etc...

We have 15 guaranteed spots for 5 positions. Wanting 2 C's is not a crazy expectation....lol.

Sure.

But saying 2 2/3’s is ignoring we did address it in 2021 it just don’t work out so we tanked, and that we didn’t expect to be that good in 2022.

But trying and not finding a starting level guy is not getting a starting level guy.

And after that 48 win season in 2022...they STILL didn't add a starting level C until the team floundered and once again showed it was a big hole that need filling. They filled it in Feb after the hole was already dug deep.

I just don't think it's an unrealistic ask to allocate 2 of your 15 spots, to playable C's.

[NoBias]

Don’t understand the direction of this team. If we wanted to be young, why go after Brandon Ingram? Do we want to win? Do we want to tank? Or is 8th place the goal?