2021 Free Agency News & Discussion Part 2

[WeTheNorth123]

Boucher S&T for Josh Hart?

I think they need another Guard

Damn! i never realized how good of a rebounder Hart was

[pingpongrac]

As for the roster itself, ignoring financials, it looks something like this.

PG: VanVleet, Flynn
SG: Trent, Dragic
SF: Anunoby, Barnes
PF: Siakam, Boucher, Watanabe
C: Birch, Achiuwa, Gillespie
905: Banton, Johnson, Champagnie
Tryout: Dekker, Wainright, three more TBD

https://theathletic.com/2747849/2021/08/06/raptors-offseason-breaking-down-kyle-lowrys-departure-where-goran-dragic-fits-the-cap-sheet-and-more/

Not sure why people are so down on this team. I think our depth and roster construction looks significantly better -- and far more intriguing -- than it did 6 months ago. We had way too many guards (Lowry, FVV, Flynn, Davis, Thomas, Harris + undersized 3s like Powell and Bembry) last season, but our roster looks a whole lot more balanced now. There's obviously some uncertainty (how good Barnes can be out the gate, how much of an impact Flynn/Achiuwa can have playing 15-20 MPG, etc.), but I'm really looking forward to this season. We went from a team with very little room for internal growth to one of the youngest teams in the league; we swapped out Davis and Thomas for two younger players, Powell for GTJ, Lowry for Achiuwa and added Barnes with the #4 pick. Dragic is the only player in his 30s and it's possible we trade him for additional assets by the trade deadline.

[dgr81]

As for the roster itself, ignoring financials, it looks something like this.

PG: VanVleet, Flynn
SG: Trent, Dragic
SF: Anunoby, Barnes
PF: Siakam, Boucher, Watanabe
C: Birch, Achiuwa, Gillespie
905: Banton, Johnson, Champagnie
Tryout: Dekker, Wainright, three more TBD

https://theathletic.com/2747849/2021/08/06/raptors-offseason-breaking-down-kyle-lowrys-departure-where-goran-dragic-fits-the-cap-sheet-and-more/

Not sure why people are so down on this team. I think our depth and roster construction looks significantly better -- and far more intriguing -- than it did 6 months ago. We had way too many guards (Lowry, FVV, Flynn, Davis, Thomas, Harris + undersized 3s like Powell and Bembry) last season, but our roster looks a whole lot more balanced now. There's obviously some uncertainty (how good Barnes can be out the gate, how much of an impact Flynn/Achiuwa can have playing 15-20 MPG, etc.), but I'm really looking forward to this season. We went from a team with very little room for internal growth to one of the youngest teams in the league; we swapped out Davis and Thomas for two younger players, Powell for GTJ, Lowry for Achiuwa and added Barnes with the #4 pick. Dragic is the only player in his 30s and it's possible we trade him for additional assets by the trade deadline.

Sent from my Pixel 4 using RealGM mobile app

I agree with you. It is going to be enjoyable watching a young athletic team grow together.

People need to keep their expectations in check though. This is not a playoff team. This is a 30-35 win team.

[Bruin]

Boucher S&T for Josh Hart?

I think they need another Guard

Damn! i never realized how good of a rebounder Hart was

He’s a pretty underrated player. Still just 26

Definitely wouldn’t mind him as a backup for GTJ

[dgr81]

My opinion Achiuwa will eat up what boucher brings. Thats all im saying.

Lol ok but no, that’s literally not what you’re saying. You’re saying Dekker is better than Boucher and brings more to the table for us, which is definitely wrong

With or without Precious, Boucher is more valuable than Dekker

In fact, I think it’s very likely we see lineups that include both Precious and Boucher playing next to each other this year

No you’re incorrect. My argument is Achiuwa will take a lot of what Boucher brings and thus will get squeezed out due to what the bench needs. And my opinion is Dekker will eat his minutes - thats it. You are overrating Boucher.

I don't think Dekker makes the team. You're really high on Dekker for some reason. Even if he has improved significantly since his last nba stint, he still isn't very good.

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

?s=21

[2019nbachamps]

https://theathletic.com/2747849/2021/08/06/raptors-offseason-breaking-down-kyle-lowrys-departure-where-goran-dragic-fits-the-cap-sheet-and-more/

Not sure why people are so down on this team. I think our depth and roster construction looks significantly better -- and far more intriguing -- than it did 6 months ago. We had way too many guards (Lowry, FVV, Flynn, Davis, Thomas, Harris + undersized 3s like Powell and Bembry) last season, but our roster looks a whole lot more balanced now. There's obviously some uncertainty (how good Barnes can be out the gate, how much of an impact Flynn/Achiuwa can have playing 15-20 MPG, etc.), but I'm really looking forward to this season. We went from a team with very little room for internal growth to one of the youngest teams in the league; we swapped out Davis and Thomas for two younger players, Powell for GTJ, Lowry for Achiuwa and added Barnes with the #4 pick. Dragic is the only player in his 30s and it's possible we trade him for additional assets by the trade deadline.

Sent from my Pixel 4 using RealGM mobile app

I agree with you. It is going to be enjoyable watching a young athletic team grow together.

People need to keep their expectations in check though. This is not a playoff team. This is a 30-35 win team.

This team is terrible. I’m glad at least we can agree it’s a 30-35 win team. Some here think we’re a 45-50 win team which is baffling.

FVV is unproven as a floor general although I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Flynn is still unproven.

We’re ok at SG but undersized.

Watanabe will likely be our backup SF. We can’t expect much from Barnes until the second half of the season. Few rookies make meaningful contributions.

Boucher is likely our starting PF to start the year. Birch at C. Not a very good front court.

I think it’s going to be an ugly season. We don’t have any top young prospects. We’re hoping some of our younger guys take the next step but they could also very well play themselves out of the league in a few years. Barnes has the highest ceiling but it’ll take time for him to find his footing.

This past week has sold me everything I need to know about our strategy. Masai and Bobby want to buy time for two reasons: to accumulate more assets through next year’s draft, and roll over our cap flexibility in case there is a trade or free agents over the coming year that is worth our while. In the meantime we’re going to have to make due with our worst roster since the start of the Masai era.

[dgr81]

We don’t have any top young prospects.

I disagree with this.

Even though it's going to be a rough season, the raptors definitely have some young pieces to move forward with in GTJ, Scottie and Precious.

[BillNyeBballGuy]

As for the roster itself, ignoring financials, it looks something like this.

PG: VanVleet, Flynn
SG: Trent, Dragic
SF: Anunoby, Barnes
PF: Siakam, Boucher, Watanabe
C: Birch, Achiuwa, Gillespie
905: Banton, Johnson, Champagnie
Tryout: Dekker, Wainright, three more TBD

https://theathletic.com/2747849/2021/08/06/raptors-offseason-breaking-down-kyle-lowrys-departure-where-goran-dragic-fits-the-cap-sheet-and-more/

Not sure why people are so down on this team. I think our depth and roster construction looks significantly better -- and far more intriguing -- than it did 6 months ago. We had way too many guards (Lowry, FVV, Flynn, Davis, Thomas, Harris + undersized 3s like Powell and Bembry) last season, but our roster looks a whole lot more balanced now. There's obviously some uncertainty (how good Barnes can be out the gate, how much of an impact Flynn/Achiuwa can have playing 15-20 MPG, etc.), but I'm really looking forward to this season. We went from a team with very little room for internal growth to one of the youngest teams in the league; we swapped out Davis and Thomas for two younger players, Powell for GTJ, Lowry for Achiuwa and added Barnes with the #4 pick. Dragic is the only player in his 30s and it's possible we trade him for additional assets by the trade deadline.

I'm very excited for this team to deliver us another top 5 pick. Looking at that roster in full gives me immense optimism that will happen.

[Mehar]

https://theathletic.com/2747849/2021/08/06/raptors-offseason-breaking-down-kyle-lowrys-departure-where-goran-dragic-fits-the-cap-sheet-and-more/

Not sure why people are so down on this team. I think our depth and roster construction looks significantly better -- and far more intriguing -- than it did 6 months ago. We had way too many guards (Lowry, FVV, Flynn, Davis, Thomas, Harris + undersized 3s like Powell and Bembry) last season, but our roster looks a whole lot more balanced now. There's obviously some uncertainty (how good Barnes can be out the gate, how much of an impact Flynn/Achiuwa can have playing 15-20 MPG, etc.), but I'm really looking forward to this season. We went from a team with very little room for internal growth to one of the youngest teams in the league; we swapped out Davis and Thomas for two younger players, Powell for GTJ, Lowry for Achiuwa and added Barnes with the #4 pick. Dragic is the only player in his 30s and it's possible we trade him for additional assets by the trade deadline.

I'm very excited for this team to deliver us another top 5 pick. Looking at that roster in full gives me immense optimism that will happen.

With Pascal out for two months, I am optimistic we can be in the top 5-8 next year also. I hope Barnes gets to play 25-30 minutes a game, in different positions including Point Guard/Point Forward. The year should be about letting guys like Barnes, Flynn and Precious develop. I would not mind them dealing Pascal for younger assets and future first round picks if the right deal comes along. I would not mind a mini 2 year rebuild at this point. I rather be terrible in the lottery for the next 2 years, than go for the play-in at 10th or 11th place.

[rocky_da_best]

We don’t have any top young prospects.

I disagree with this.

Even though it's going to be a rough season, the raptors definitely have some young pieces to move forward with in GTJ, Scottie and Precious.

Imagine having the 4th overall pick in a stacked draft, and saying "we don't have any top young prospects" with a straight face. Pure nonsense. Foe added.

[Federalies]

Not sure why people are so down on this team. I think our depth and roster construction looks significantly better -- and far more intriguing -- than it did 6 months ago. We had way too many guards (Lowry, FVV, Flynn, Davis, Thomas, Harris + undersized 3s like Powell and Bembry) last season, but our roster looks a whole lot more balanced now. There's obviously some uncertainty (how good Barnes can be out the gate, how much of an impact Flynn/Achiuwa can have playing 15-20 MPG, etc.), but I'm really looking forward to this season. We went from a team with very little room for internal growth to one of the youngest teams in the league; we swapped out Davis and Thomas for two younger players, Powell for GTJ, Lowry for Achiuwa and added Barnes with the #4 pick. Dragic is the only player in his 30s and it's possible we trade him for additional assets by the trade deadline.

Sent from my Pixel 4 using RealGM mobile app

I agree with you. It is going to be enjoyable watching a young athletic team grow together.

People need to keep their expectations in check though. This is not a playoff team. This is a 30-35 win team.

This team is terrible. I’m glad at least we can agree it’s a 30-35 win team. Some here think we’re a 45-50 win team which is baffling.

FVV is unproven as a floor general although I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Flynn is still unproven.

We’re ok at SG but undersized.

Watanabe will likely be our backup SF. We can’t expect much from Barnes until the second half of the season. Few rookies make meaningful contributions.

Boucher is likely our starting PF to start the year. Birch at C. Not a very good front court.

I think it’s going to be an ugly season. We don’t have any top young prospects. We’re hoping some of our younger guys take the next step but they could also very well play themselves out of the league in a few years. Barnes has the highest ceiling but it’ll take time for him to find his footing.

This past week has sold me everything I need to know about our strategy. Masai and Bobby want to buy time for two reasons: to accumulate more assets through next year’s draft, and roll over our cap flexibility in case there is a trade or free agents over the coming year that is worth our while. In the meantime we’re going to have to make due with our worst roster since the start of the Masai era.

I see your points yet I’ll have to disagree! I actually like this team and I like their chances.

Yes we’re down Lowry and his timely shooting, leadership, and decent D but we also moved on from Baynes (18.5 mpg), Bembry (19.1 mpg), Watson (11 mpg) and hopefully Stanley Johnson (16.5 mpg).

Folks keep saying FVV is an unproven floor general like he’s not been a point guard all his life, as if he didn’t play PG in college or run the Bench mob before he moved into the starting line up post Kawhi. Just because he didn’t predominately play PG when playing with Kyle doesn’t mean he’s now somehow playing out of position.

How are we undersized at SG? GTJ is 6’6” which is perfect for a SG. We were playing Norm at SF and he’s 6’3”! We now also have Dragic who can slide into the backup SG position and help Flynn run the Second unit! His 37.3% from 3 and 82.3% from the line will fit in just fine.

OG is already one of the league’s top defensive players, he shoots lights out from 3 and he’s just starting to figure out the rest of his offensive game. There’s also no way a top 4 pick, who’s D will work day one, is going to be buried on the Bench or playing in the 905! This isn’t some late first round/2nd round/undrafted project we’re talking about! He’ll be backing up OG at the SF position and playing 20+ mpg for sure, accounting for different lineups.

Boucher at PF for 2-3 weeks is fine and should get him going early. Pascal is on the mend and already in the gym and after such a difficult last year and a half, I expect him to come back with a vengeance. He’ll be rested and out to prove the All-Star selection wasn’t a fluke. If he improves his 3 point % to league average you’re looking at a 25+ ppg option at PF.

Birch and Precious are going to be fine! If Khem plays no better than last year we’ll still be so far ahead of where we were with Baynes it’s not even funny. If he actually improves/expands his game, then we have a wild card Re: the teams playoff aspirations. Bringing in Precious Achiuwa is great for the team, his eventual floor is likely Richaun Holmes and his ceiling is potentially closer to Bam’s!

You seem to think we have no “Top Young” prospects but our team is now one of the youngest in the league. Between Barnes, Flynn, Achiuwa, GTJ (still only 22) and OG, I think we’ll be fine. We may not be a lock for 45 wins but there’s next to no chance we’ll end up anywhere near 30. We got 27 wins in a season where we were actively tanking so I’m assuming with a better overall team, 40+ wins and a 6-4 seed isn’t out of the question.

[pingpongrac]

I agree with you. It is going to be enjoyable watching a young athletic team grow together.

People need to keep their expectations in check though. This is not a playoff team. This is a 30-35 win team.

This team is terrible. I’m glad at least we can agree it’s a 30-35 win team. Some here think we’re a 45-50 win team which is baffling.

FVV is unproven as a floor general although I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Flynn is still unproven.

We’re ok at SG but undersized.

Watanabe will likely be our backup SF. We can’t expect much from Barnes until the second half of the season. Few rookies make meaningful contributions.

Boucher is likely our starting PF to start the year. Birch at C. Not a very good front court.

I think it’s going to be an ugly season. We don’t have any top young prospects. We’re hoping some of our younger guys take the next step but they could also very well play themselves out of the league in a few years. Barnes has the highest ceiling but it’ll take time for him to find his footing.

This past week has sold me everything I need to know about our strategy. Masai and Bobby want to buy time for two reasons: to accumulate more assets through next year’s draft, and roll over our cap flexibility in case there is a trade or free agents over the coming year that is worth our while. In the meantime we’re going to have to make due with our worst roster since the start of the Masai era.

I see your points yet I’ll have to disagree! I actually like this team and I like their chances.

Yes we’re down Lowry and his timely shooting, leadership, and decent D but we also moved on from Baynes (18.5 mpg), Bembry (19.1 mpg), Watson (11 mpg) and hopefully Stanley Johnson (16.5 mpg).

Folks keep saying FVV is an unproven floor general like he’s not been a point guard all his life, as if he didn’t play PG in college or run the Bench mob before he moved into the starting line up post Kawhi. Just because he didn’t predominately play PG when playing with Kyle doesn’t mean he’s now somehow playing out of position.

How are we undersized at SG? GTJ is 6’6” which is perfect for a SG. We were playing Norm at SF and he’s 6’3”! We now also have Dragic who can slide into the backup SG position and help Flynn run the Second unit! His 37.3% from 3 and 82.3% from the line will fit in just fine.

OG is already one of the league’s top defensive players, he shoots lights out from 3 and he’s just starting to figure out the rest of his offensive game. There’s also no way a top 4 pick, who’s D will work day one, is going to be buried on the Bench or playing in the 905! This isn’t some late first round/2nd round/undrafted project we’re talking about! He’ll be backing up OG at the SF position and playing 20+ mpg for sure, accounting for different lineups.

Boucher at PF for 2-3 weeks is fine and should get him going early. Pascal is on the mend and already in the gym and after such a difficult last year and a half, I expect him to come back with a vengeance. He’ll be rested and out to prove the All-Star selection wasn’t a fluke. If he improves his 3 point % to league average you’re looking at a 25+ ppg option at PF.

Birch and Precious are going to be fine! If Khem plays no better than last year we’ll still be so far ahead of where we were with Baynes it’s not even funny. If he actually improves/expands his game, then we have a wild card Re: the teams playoff aspirations. Bringing in Precious Achiuwa is great for the team, his eventual floor is likely Richaun Holmes and his ceiling is potentially closer to Bam’s!

You seem to think we have no “Top Young” prospects but our team is now one of the youngest in the league. Between Barnes, Flynn, Achiuwa, GTJ (still only 22) and OG, I think we’ll be fine. We may not be a lock for 45 wins but there’s next to no chance we’ll end up anywhere near 30. We got 27 wins in a season where we were actively tanking so I’m assuming with a better overall team, 40+ wins and a 6-4 seed isn’t out of the question.

Agree with most of what you're saying. As constructed, I think we're in that 5-10 seed range and we should win anywhere between 37 and 45 games depending on i) the improvement of our players, ii) how long Siakam is out/if he is back to All-NBA/All-Star level, and iii) how the rest of the roster shapes out in the next few months (like we keep Dragic and we win a few extra or we trade Dragic for assets and maybe lose a few extra). I don't think we're winning 50 games, but I'd love to be wrong. Maybe OG turns into an even bigger beast averaging 20+ PPG and Barnes is more polished on offence than most think. Either way, I have a really hard time seeing this team being bottom 5 in the league like many are suggesting.

Sent from my Pixel 4 using RealGM mobile app

[Blood Orange]

I agree with you. It is going to be enjoyable watching a young athletic team grow together.

People need to keep their expectations in check though. This is not a playoff team. This is a 30-35 win team.

This team is terrible. I’m glad at least we can agree it’s a 30-35 win team. Some here think we’re a 45-50 win team which is baffling.

FVV is unproven as a floor general although I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Flynn is still unproven.

We’re ok at SG but undersized.

Watanabe will likely be our backup SF. We can’t expect much from Barnes until the second half of the season. Few rookies make meaningful contributions.

Boucher is likely our starting PF to start the year. Birch at C. Not a very good front court.

I think it’s going to be an ugly season. We don’t have any top young prospects. We’re hoping some of our younger guys take the next step but they could also very well play themselves out of the league in a few years. Barnes has the highest ceiling but it’ll take time for him to find his footing.

This past week has sold me everything I need to know about our strategy. Masai and Bobby want to buy time for two reasons: to accumulate more assets through next year’s draft, and roll over our cap flexibility in case there is a trade or free agents over the coming year that is worth our while. In the meantime we’re going to have to make due with our worst roster since the start of the Masai era.

I see your points yet I’ll have to disagree! I actually like this team and I like their chances.

Yes we’re down Lowry and his timely shooting, leadership, and decent D but we also moved on from Baynes (18.5 mpg), Bembry (19.1 mpg), Watson (11 mpg) and hopefully Stanley Johnson (16.5 mpg).

Folks keep saying FVV is an unproven floor general like he’s not been a point guard all his life, as if he didn’t play PG in college or run the Bench mob before he moved into the starting line up post Kawhi. Just because he didn’t predominately play PG when playing with Kyle doesn’t mean he’s now somehow playing out of position.

How are we undersized at SG? GTJ is 6’6” which is perfect for a SG. We were playing Norm at SF and he’s 6’3”! We know also have Dragic who can slide into the backup SG position and help Flynn run the Second unit! His 37.3% from 3 and 82.3% from the line will fit in just fine.

OG is already one of the league’s top defensive players, he shoots lights out from 3 and he’s just starting to figure out the rest of his offensive game. There’s also no way a top 4 pick, who’s D will work day one, is going to be buried on the Bench or playing in the 905! This isn’t some late first round/2nd round/undrafted project we’re talking about! He’ll be backing up OG at the SF position and playing 20+ mpg for sure, accounting for different lineups.

Boucher at PF for 2-3 weeks is fine and should get him going early. Pascal is on the mend and already in the gym and after such a difficult last year and a half, I expect him to come back with a vengeance. He’ll be rested and out to prove the All-Star selection wasn’t a fluke. If he improves his 3 point % to league average you’re looking at a 25+ ppg option at PF.

Birch and Precious are going to be fine! If Khem plays no better than last year we’ll still be so far ahead of where we were with Baynes it’s not even funny. If he actually improves/expands his game, then we have a wild card Re: the teams playoff aspirations. Bringing in Precious Achiuwa is great for the team, his eventual floor is likely Richaun Holmes and his ceiling is potentially closer to Bam’s!

You seem to think we have no “Top Young” prospects but our team is now one of the youngest in the league. Between Barnes, Flynn, Achiuwa, GTJ (still only 22) and OG, I think we’ll be fine. We may not be a lock for 45 wins but there’s next to no chance we’ll end up anywhere near 30. We got 27 wins in a season where we were actively tanking so I’m assuming with a better overall team, 40+ wins and a 6-4 seed isn’t out of the question.

I completely agree and think a lot people are underestimating us, which could turn out to be a good thing.

I think what most people are discounting as well, is that our team has continuity. We already have a core of guys that know how to play together and enjoy playing with each other. With a lot of these newly constructed teams they don't have that familiarity or chemistry that is built over time. With our main guys OG + FVV + Pascal, they've played together for a couple of seasons now and give us that foundation and identity for our roster. I think thats part of the reason the Bucks were so successful in this post-season was because they had multiple years of playing together and finally broke through on an opportunistic moment, during this year's playoffs.

Furthermore, the difference between our core guys and most other teams is that OG + Pascal + FVV have won a championship together and understand what it takes to win. I'm sure they're going to take on the full burden of trying to win upon themselves and want to prove everyone wrong. I'm sure they're going to come into the season highly motivated since they want to show people that last season was an anomaly and they are still capable of winning and getting the job done.

[Johnston]

Call me crazy but I think with this roster if we keep our chemistry and play in Toronto for the season we can get into the playoffs.

[The Duke]

I will be most pleased with top 6 lotto odds by seasons ends

[c3luong]

I think most people are assuming that if we are looking like a 5-10 seed in our conference we will turn on the tank engines to finish lower, thus the high lottery pick predictions.

[Tha Cynic]

So we picked Precious over Herro

Heat need shooters around their core....they weren't giving up Herro

Yup, don't want to lose his 43% percent from the field and 36% from 3.

He would have fit in though - exactly the type of player this fanbase will build up and then trash when they realize he's not very good.

[WuTang_CMB]

Didnt need Hero. We have Trent. Front office obviously highly values Precious as they should. He’s a very good prospect. Plus we had zero centre depth. He fits our need and rebuild timeline perfectly

[bboyskinnylegs]

Is Nurse going to start FVV and Goran together? Or does Gary get the start with his new contract? Also I think Birch will get the nod early, but Precious will end up earning the spot.