Skeezo wrote:You cherry picked a Top 3 trade in Raptors history that netted us two current rotational players as a means for why we should just maintain the status quo, as if those types of deals regularly materialize. Sorry, but how is that not absurd from the jump? Of course you can trade a player for picks at anytime, IF you have players that are WORTH picks and they aren't essential to your direction going forward... Lowry and Powell in this moment are worth picks, and are unlikely to be with us past this year.
I picked a trade from this regime. Not even a top 6 trade by them. (1. Bargs for NYK's unprotected 1st 2. DeMar + parts for Kawhi 3. JV + parts for Marc 4. John Salmons contract for Lou Will 5. TRoss + first for Ibaka 6. 2 2nds for PJ Tucker.
These guys make some good trades. Worth noting.
First, you said it was not about your perspective but Kyle's, but now it is, because it matters to you...
Again, the only people that REALLY matter in this scenario, is Ownership & Masai's outlook for the team and Kyle... Lowry is under contract without a "No-Trade" clause, period. When summer comes and Lowry is a free-agent, than it is ALL what Kyle wants again.
The team shouldn't trade Kyle without his consent. That clear?
First, the Wade fiasco happened in 2014... Whiteside contract wasn't until 2016 and was a perennial double-double player the entire contract... Both Waiters/Johnson deals, weren't until 2017, and are a cautionary tale for signing players to BIG deals who give you inflated stats on a non-playoff team the season prior. Second, the quality of the moves that took place after are besides the point. The fact remains, the Heat chose wanting financial flexibility (their direction) instead of overpaying Wade and being dictated to on a player's terms is the point. Moreover, even when there is "bad blood," history shows they almost ALWAYS make-up, especially when one's legacy or best years are tied to an organization or one another... (ie.. VC, DD, Shaq/Kobe, Pierce, Wade, Iverson, etc.)
Wade left after the 2015/16 season. It didn't help hasten their rebuild (they ended up bringing him back!), hence why it's not a good example for you to use. They probably should have paid him his money. I don't think "they'll get over it" is good business practice anyways. Billups got over being traded by Dumars after an apology, but that team was never the same. It's not necessarily just strictly a management-star player concern. I don't recall Pierce being upset at being traded at all, but I'm sure deep down he knows he didn't get the Kobe/Dirk/Duncan treatment and he's probably too proud to admit it stings.
I agree and also stated, if we can get Powell re-signed for T.Ross type money (13m-14m), I would consider keeping him around. However, at 20m per year, I don't see Powell as a trade asset... Moreover, it locks the Raptors roster into 100m on Siakim, FVV,OG, and Powell. Personally, I don't think that is a very good allocation of funds, but you are free to think differently
If there's a few more years of winning then that buys time for good luck to break. Trade value is extremely fluid, so it's impossible to be too confident, but (see above) the Raptors have had a good track record of trading up in talent for depressed value players. If the Raptors are good, everyone's value increases. If the Raptors finish out the season and they still suck, then it wouldn't make sense to tie up that money on Norm.
