And Then There Was One: Thank Nation 2. Raps pick 23rd

[CoachJReturns]

I can't see us keeping two picks

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We got a great farm system to send them down to, why not?

I would be surprised if we have two picks by end of season. If we try and get an upgrade at SF or PF before trade deadline one of those picks will be in play...

Why would you be surprised?
It's always more likely that a trade doesn't take place than does. Odds are better that we use both picks rather than trade for a rental or a lateral move.

[Throwback24]

We got a great farm system to send them down to, why not?

I would be surprised if we have two picks by end of season. If we try and get an upgrade at SF or PF before trade deadline one of those picks will be in play...

Why would you be surprised?
It's always more likely that a trade doesn't take place than does. Odds are better that we use both picks rather than trade for a rental or a lateral move.

Exactly my stance, I think the Raptors stand pat and do nothing

[CoachJReturns]

Draftsxpress has us taking Bam 21st. I could live with that. They've still got us taking Mitchell with the 24th pick which obviously makes no sense. We have a surplus of young, average guards.

[CoachJReturns]

I would be surprised if we have two picks by end of season. If we try and get an upgrade at SF or PF before trade deadline one of those picks will be in play...

Why would you be surprised?
It's always more likely that a trade doesn't take place than does. Odds are better that we use both picks rather than trade for a rental or a lateral move.

Exactly my stance, I think the Raptors stand pat and do nothing

I wouldn't mind if Masai and Weltman traded up if there's someone they really like(I keep hoping for Rabb) but I'm not expecting it.

[slothrop8]

Draftsxpress has us taking Bam 21st. I could live with that. They've still got us taking Mitchell with the 24th pick which obviously makes no sense. We have a surplus of young, average guards.

They don't take team needs into account at this stage. Those are just straight ranking of players regardless of what the team in that draft spot might do.

[S.W.A.N]

I would be surprised if we have two picks by end of season. If we try and get an upgrade at SF or PF before trade deadline one of those picks will be in play...

Why would you be surprised?
It's always more likely that a trade doesn't take place than does. Odds are better that we use both picks rather than trade for a rental or a lateral move.

Exactly my stance, I think the Raptors stand pat and do nothing

Because of our teams cap situation and the way we've been playing lately. We have almost zero chance of signing an above average player as a free agent and we already have a bunch of young guys that need playing time.

I believe the odds of Masai making a fairly big trade before deadline have never been higher since the cancelled Lowry trade.

If a trade doesn't happen before deadline, one will happen in off season. For the exact same reasons, our Cap space situation dictates the only way we get significantly better at SF or PF is trade.

[CoachJReturns]

Why would you be surprised?
It's always more likely that a trade doesn't take place than does. Odds are better that we use both picks rather than trade for a rental or a lateral move.

Exactly my stance, I think the Raptors stand pat and do nothing

Because of our teams cap situation and the way we've been playing lately. We have almost zero chance of signing an above average player as a free agent and we already have a bunch of young guys that need playing time.

I believe the odds of Masai making a fairly big trade before deadline have never been higher since the cancelled Lowry trade.

If a trade doesn't happen before deadline, one will happen in off season. For the exact same reasons, our Cap space situation dictates the only way we get significantly better at SF or PF is trade.

How would you define a fairly big trade? About the only trades I'm expecting would be minor deals in the off season involving Ross and Cojo. They'll be for cap purposes and more mediocre players. Every team seems to want to trade it's good players only if they're given a huge offer and Masai has only made bargain trades since he arrived. Also, has he ever traded away picks? I mean even in Denver he acquired picks, but did he ever get rid of any? Just doesn't seem to ever be very interested in including them in deals. He's like the anti-Colangelo in that regard. Lol.

[S.W.A.N]

Exactly my stance, I think the Raptors stand pat and do nothing

Because of our teams cap situation and the way we've been playing lately. We have almost zero chance of signing an above average player as a free agent and we already have a bunch of young guys that need playing time.

I believe the odds of Masai making a fairly big trade before deadline have never been higher since the cancelled Lowry trade.

If a trade doesn't happen before deadline, one will happen in off season. For the exact same reasons, our Cap space situation dictates the only way we get significantly better at SF or PF is trade.

How would you define a fairly big trade? About the only trades I'm expecting would be minor deals in the off season involving Ross and Cojo. They'll be for cap purposes and more mediocre players. Every team seems to want to trade it's good players only if they're given a huge offer and Masai has only made bargain trades since he arrived. Also, has he ever traded away picks? I mean even in Denver he acquired picks, but did he ever get rid of any? Just doesn't seem to ever be very interested in including them in deals. He's like the anti-Colangelo in that regard. Lol.

Denver was a different situation.

Ross and Cojo may be mediocre in your mind but they are quality rotation players, and they play at positions where we have depth. Trading them for quality rotation players at positions of need, PF and a big SF will improve our team. And trade is the best way for us to improve our PF situation.

As of now Sullinger is not looking like a contributor to a championship team. It wasn't a bad idea, but his injury has set him so far back. We need a PF if we are going to make a run this year. Even a big SF who can play small ball 4 would be very beneficial.

Making a deal with Denver, Orlando, etc etc. to get an upgrade at a position of need will improve us this year. My biggest concern is that we don't consider future cap and do something dumb like trading assets for a guy like Ibaka and then not follow through with other trades to open cap space to be able to keep him.

Personally I think that the goal this trade deadline should be finding one piece, be it a big SF or PF who is starter calibre or at the very least 6th man quality, who is under contact next season.

We need better roster balance. We have incredible SG depth and terrible SF/PF depth. Just balancing that out will make us better.

[JShuttlesworth]

DX has us with OG and Leaf right now. That would be a haul I'd be happy about (and I know their ranking doesnt take into account need), assuming OG's was looking good in the rehab process.

Has the NBA confirmed the extra 2-Way Contract (NBA/DLeague) roster slots as part of the new CBA?

[CoachJReturns]

Because of our teams cap situation and the way we've been playing lately. We have almost zero chance of signing an above average player as a free agent and we already have a bunch of young guys that need playing time.

I believe the odds of Masai making a fairly big trade before deadline have never been higher since the cancelled Lowry trade.

If a trade doesn't happen before deadline, one will happen in off season. For the exact same reasons, our Cap space situation dictates the only way we get significantly better at SF or PF is trade.

How would you define a fairly big trade? About the only trades I'm expecting would be minor deals in the off season involving Ross and Cojo. They'll be for cap purposes and more mediocre players. Every team seems to want to trade it's good players only if they're given a huge offer and Masai has only made bargain trades since he arrived. Also, has he ever traded away picks? I mean even in Denver he acquired picks, but did he ever get rid of any? Just doesn't seem to ever be very interested in including them in deals. He's like the anti-Colangelo in that regard. Lol.

Denver was a different situation.

Ross and Cojo may be mediocre in your mind but they are quality rotation players, and they play at positions where we have depth. Trading them for quality rotation players at positions of need, PF and a big SF will improve our team. And trade is the best way for us to improve our PF situation.

As of now Sullinger is not looking like a contributor to a championship team. It wasn't a bad idea, but his injury has set him so far back. We need a PF if we are going to make a run this year. Even a big SF who can play small ball 4 would be very beneficial.

Making a deal with Denver, Orlando, etc etc. to get an upgrade at a position of need will improve us this year. My biggest concern is that we don't consider future cap and do something dumb like trading assets for a guy like Ibaka and then not follow through with other trades to open cap space to be able to keep him.

Personally I think that the goal this trade deadline should be finding one piece, be it a big SF or PF who is starter calibre or at the very least 6th man quality, who is under contact next season.

We need better roster balance. We have incredible SG depth and terrible SF/PF depth. Just balancing that out will make us better.

Every situation is different but we're not that different than the Denver teams he constructed. We're good, but have no hope in hell if being a contender. Masai and Weltman know this. They've made attempts to bring in Ibaka and Millsap apparently and didn't pull the trigger. They don't want to pay what teams want for talent upgrades. You can speculate about deals but it's only speculation. He hasn't made a trade in quite some time and they were for role players. All his deals have been for role players.
Perhaps I'm wrong but I don't think he's ever had a lot of faith in this core and is just letting it stay competitive without giving up future assets. I have no belied that he will trade picks for the guys who have been rumored to be available. He may be and should be willing to overpay for a guy like George, Butler or another star who is a long term piece, but he's not giving up **** for rentals and guys on the decline. With this team's extremely low odds of winning a title, it would be a senseless move to give up long term assets even if we don't think tyre very valuable.
The guy is and has always been waiting to draft a star. Just my opinion, but he's stockpiled picks which tells me that's how he wants to add to the core. Given this club's history of free agent signings it's the only option.

[CoachJReturns]

I'm warming up to the idea of taking TJ Leaf. I think if Melton declares a haul of Leaf and Melton would be ideal. Melton has a lot of Rondo like potential and as much as his rep has hit rock bottom, he was a stellar player with Boston.
Leaf has such a diverse offensive game that he could be a star on the offensive side. His defense will likely never be great, but he can rebound at least and while his arms are short, he has decent athleticism so perhaps he can be okay on that end. I suppose if we think of long term fit we would want Leaf to play beside a more defensive minded center than Jonas, but we have Poeltl who might be better on that end.

Melton
Powell
Leaf
Poeltl

That's not a bad group of prospects at all for a playoff team to have for the future. A defensive backcourt, a power forward with a lot of upside on the offensive side and a center with two way potential.

[mademan]

Melton makes winning plays. It'd be a coup to get him

[Psubs]

Melton makes winning plays. It'd be a coup to get him

He's the most heralded guard defender since Marcus Smart, but taller. Melton will hopefully be a better shooter.

[CoachJReturns]

Melton makes winning plays. It'd be a coup to get him

He's the most heralded guard defender since Marcus Smart, but taller. Melton will hopefully be a better shooter.

Hopefully, but if he can do everything else well including passing, defending and rebounding then I can live with him not being much of a shooter. Kidd did just fine without much of a shot until the end of his career, but of course he was elite at virtually every other part of the game.

[Psubs]

Melton makes winning plays. It'd be a coup to get him

He's the most heralded guard defender since Marcus Smart, but taller. Melton will hopefully be a better shooter.

Hopefully, but if he can do everything else well including passing, defending and rebounding then I can live with him not being much of a shooter. Kidd did just fine without much of a shot until the end of his career, but of course he was elite at virtually every other part of the game.

That would be Lonzo Ball. Or Ball could be Ricky Rubio with Curry range.

[No-Man]

Draftsxpress has us taking Bam 21st. I could live with that. They've still got us taking Mitchell with the 24th pick which obviously makes no sense. We have a surplus of young, average guards.

Taking another C would be just ridiculous at this point

[CoachJReturns]

He's the most heralded guard defender since Marcus Smart, but taller. Melton will hopefully be a better shooter.

Hopefully, but if he can do everything else well including passing, defending and rebounding then I can live with him not being much of a shooter. Kidd did just fine without much of a shot until the end of his career, but of course he was elite at virtually every other part of the game.

That would be Lonzo Ball. Or Ball could be Ricky Rubio with Curry range.

An older comparison would be a guy like Dennis Johnson. Played in 5 all star games and did everything other than shoot the 3 ball (career 17 percent 3 point shot). His defense was elite and he even had some good seasons as a scorer.

I'm not saying Melton will have that kind of success but I just think all the younger fans should know that there are great point guards who can't shoot from the perimeter.

[Psubs]

Hopefully, but if he can do everything else well including passing, defending and rebounding then I can live with him not being much of a shooter. Kidd did just fine without much of a shot until the end of his career, but of course he was elite at virtually every other part of the game.

That would be Lonzo Ball. Or Ball could be Ricky Rubio with Curry range.

An older comparison would be a guy like Dennis Johnson. Played in 5 all star games and did everything other than shoot the 3 ball (career 17 percent 3 point shot). His defense was elite and he even had some good seasons as a scorer.

I'm not saying Melton will have that kind of success but I just think all the younger fans should know that there are great point guards who can't shoot from the perimeter.

Ah, didn't get to see DJ play much. That was when I started watching the NBA as a kid.

[slothrop8]

Hopefully, but if he can do everything else well including passing, defending and rebounding then I can live with him not being much of a shooter. Kidd did just fine without much of a shot until the end of his career, but of course he was elite at virtually every other part of the game.

That would be Lonzo Ball. Or Ball could be Ricky Rubio with Curry range.

An older comparison would be a guy like Dennis Johnson. Played in 5 all star games and did everything other than shoot the 3 ball (career 17 percent 3 point shot). His defense was elite and he even had some good seasons as a scorer.

I'm not saying Melton will have that kind of success but I just think all the younger fans should know that there are great point guards who can't shoot from the perimeter.

There were, but it's becoming much more difficult. Teams just play off them now and go under screens on the PnR when they are handling. Being a successful PG without a viable outside shot is much more difficult than it was even 6-7 years ago - let alone further back than that. Defensive sophistication is much higher, schematically turning a player of that type into a liability is commonplace now. Nothing is impossible for the right talent, but the degree of difficulty is much higher.

[LJKO]

Draftsxpress has us taking Bam 21st. I could live with that. They've still got us taking Mitchell with the 24th pick which obviously makes no sense. We have a surplus of young, average guards.

Taking another C would be just ridiculous at this point

JV might not be part of the future come the off-season if Ibaka is in play; also he can play PF/C so yea