Windhorst: Raptors making noise around the league looking for a “big fish” // Giannis & Toronto "Mutual Interest"/KD too

[LoveMyRaps]

Can we please start showing some appreciation to Wu for starting this thread?

Only one and-1 is disgusting.

Thank you for the post Wu.

Ya for real. Wu comes clutch always.

[LoveMyRaps]

We have the assets to land a big fish.

Big contracts + picks + young players

[NinjaBro]

Pensare Basketball in shambles

[LoveMyRaps]

Would y'all do IQ + Poeltl for KAT?

[PhilBlackson]

I think we all need to see the type of move that gets made before we react one way or another. Giannis is the only player that immediately takes us to championship contention but there are some other players who would make us a really good team next year (Trae, JJJ, Booker, etc).

I wouldn't have trusted the 2020 to 2024 version of Masai but am seeing good signs of the 2024/2025 version to make the right move. I will be refreshing like crazy once the NBA season ends and we head towards the draft.

I don't see how Giannis immediately takes us to championship contention. Giannis requires a very specific team around him, and we don't have that team. In fact, we'd have even less of that team since one or more of our young shooters would be involved in the trade that brings him here. The Bucks have been completely irrelevant in the playoffs for the past 4 years because of this. That's the team we'd be turning into. Giannis isn't Kawhi and the current Raptors aren't the 2017-18 Raptors

And this isn't the 2019 Eastern Conference either, it's a much easier path.

[Raps in 4]

We have the assets to land a big fish.

Big contracts + picks + young players

We just don't have the pieces to be a contender after the trade.

[Raps in 4]

Would y'all do IQ + Poeltl for KAT?

Sure. KAT is certainly a much better fit on this roster, and I don't think the gap between IQ and Shead will be huge next season. I think it's a trade that makes both teams better.

[Son Goku 25]

What about Jokic or Giannis?

There are other players people mentioned but when I hear big fish these guys come to mind. Lol

[traps#10]

Thought we landed our “big fish” already with Ingram lol

[tsherkin]

Thought we landed our “big fish” already with Ingram lol

Wouldn't it be awesome if there WAS a bigger fish on our roster at the start of the season, though?

This is probably just smoke, but at least it's something fun to chase during the off-season, even if it doesn't pan out.

[Clutch0z24]

Would y'all do IQ + Poeltl for KAT?

If a follow up move was being made with RJ/Dick/9th for another all star sure...but adding KAT doesn't really do much for us considering we watched him get bounced with a pretty deep Knicks team....I doubt KAT will be on the market anyways i think Knicks just run it back.

[traps#10]

Thought we landed our “big fish” already with Ingram lol

Wouldn't it be awesome if there WAS a bigger fish on our roster at the start of the season, though?

This is probably just smoke, but at least it's something fun to chase during the off-season, even if it doesn't pan out.

Just clickbait, the Raptors are known to have the biggest online fan interaction. If we do land a “big fish” it would be in secrecy until the day before it happens like the Kawhi situation.

[Boogie!]

I’m still not sure why we’re not dangling Scottie when looking for this big fish. Everyone’s proposals keeps including everyone except him.

[traps#10]

Would y'all do IQ + Poeltl for KAT?

Why would the Knicks do that?

IMO if this rumour is true, then the FO is looking to trade out the #9 pick

[Raps in 4]

Ja is definitely not on our list

Only people I'm interested in is Giannis ofcourse and Booker

Why not? Let's go all-in on the mid-range specialists. Bring in DeMar as a mentor.

[Merit]

The irony of trading Pascal Siakam because he's "only a number two option" to then trade for a "big fish" who needs a number two option is too much for me to stomach.

Also weird how superstar and future face of the league needs a "big fish" on top of leading scoring option and ball handler Brandon Ingram and second scoring option RJ Barrett. What's his role on the team at that point and when does management get rid of everyone again to make sure Scottie's ego isn't bruised?

What you’re missing is the contract situation.

Can I ask - are you suggesting that Pascal and Scottie are better together? Because that’s an interesting argument to make.

What's evident is the best stretch play we've ever seen from Scottie Barnes came when Pascal Siakam was the number one option for about a month in the 23/24 season. We didn't see enough to say if that pairing was actually good or bad.

Interesting. I didn’t know that.

So they pivoted to a rebuild, acknowledged that Scottie isn’t option 1 offensively, still gave him room to grow and then brought in Ingram to replace what you’re suggesting pascal brought, but away from the spots Scottie was in.

Seems like management is on the right path, no? Younger team, one max contract instead of two or three (OG/Pascal/Fred), still brought in shot creation… almost got two top 10 picks, but settled for one.

[Son Goku 25]

Both Masai and rogers know the time is now. They are going to go all out after Giannis.

The time isn't now though. This team is picking in the lottery for the second year in a row and is looking like a 6-10 seed next year.

Our 2019 team won 59 games the year before we traded for Kawhi and had been as far as the ECF in the playoffs.

I agree but I believe this is similar to yesterday's price isn't the same as today's. It was a diff time back then, we just beat a dynasty team and some of these superstars were in their absolute primes. Now, ylthere's more parity in the league and from the looks of it as I and others have been mentioning for weeks that the east looks to be wide open.

I think you put a solid team team out with a top 10 player and couple of fringe all stars plus depth and you got a chance at the finals. Anything is possible then. I know it's maybe not as fun but if the opportunity is there then I think you gotta take a chance.

There's no team in the east that truly scares me for the Raptors in the east. Not saying we're gonna beat any team but it just says a lot about the situation in the conference currently.

I don't think many teams in the east have that chance to change their trajectory as much as Raptors due to either being stuck with contracts, not having their picks, not able to add more to their cap due to being in 2nd apron, injuries etc I think you look at that and go for it and see what happens. While still trying to maintain flexibility which knowing Masai and Bobby I expect them to. They play it safe until they are absolutely sure.

[MiamiSPX]

I think I might be in the slight minority but I would move Barnes for JJJ in a second. Wouldn't even think twice.

Why would Memphis do that, though? Like, would you roofie their GM first?

They wouldn't unfortunately. I think they would have moved him had he made All-NBA and been eligible for that 345M contract though. I think he missed by 1 vote too lol.

[Raps in 4]

I’m still not sure why we’re not dangling Scottie when looking for this big fish. Everyone’s proposals keeps including everyone except him.

We'd have to be dangling Scottie in any "big fish" trade. We have to be dangling a lot of our assets since they aren't that enticing on their own. It's why any moves for a star right now are silly as they would require gutting the roster.

[Clutch0z24]

I’m still not sure why we’re not dangling Scottie when looking for this big fish. Everyone’s proposals keeps including everyone except him.

I think we could get alot of the players on the market without including Barnes with a pick package + RJ/Dick or Walter....I think only way you need to give up Barnes is if Giannis is the player.....Why give up Barnes if you don't have too?....Unless you trade Barnes + Dick and keep RJ/9th pick....It really all depends what Masai values more and since he already tried to trade Barrett i think he will be the one in the trade packages...