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I think the Raptors are basically a supporting cast without a true number one offensive option and he would be lethal with them.

ardee wrote:I think the Raptors are basically a supporting cast without a true number one offensive option and he would be lethal with them.

Hmm, I don't think Reggie makes them a contender. They need more than a number one, they need that AND a number two. They are not a good scoring team.

Yeah, he gives them an efficient 20 ppg. He probably even scores a shade more and a touch more efficiently in this era. 90-97 (his highest-scoring seasons), he averaged 21.4 ppg on 4.9 3PA/g at 40.4% 3P and 6.3 FTA/g at 88.4% FT, 62.8% TS. So he probably shoots more like 8 3s per game. Let's say he gets to 64% TS and make it a nice +6% rTS, right?

But they still suffer from creation issues, and now the whole offense has to change in order to accommodate his off-ball movement, while they still have issues with their primary ball-handlers. They still don't have any other quality scorers on the team, which is part of why their offense flounders against other teams who protect the ball and rebound well, let alone defend well.

Reggie was really good, but the Raptors have a lot of issues on O. Their team ORTG notably overestimates them because it's not rooted in scoring ability. They are mediocre at best at drawing fouls, they're super low-end at shooting threes, they were the 3rd-WORST team in the league in eFG%. Reggie helps all of those things, but only so much. They were the best in team TOV% and 3rd-best at offensive rebounding, that's what drove their offensive ranking. They improve with Reggie, but they don't contend without a real second option who is more dynamic with a live dribble, IMHO. Yeah, Reggie was more than an off-screen guy. Yes, he could drive. Yes, he actually elevated his scoring volume in the playoffs while maintaining efficiency and maintaining possession economy. He was really, really good, but that goes only so far on Toronto as constructed because the rest of the guys are really mediocre on O and the team's D isn't incredible (not bad, of course, just not elite), and Reggie doesn't help that.

76ers

Worst team but also contender?

Tough question tbh. I don't think any non-playoff team is one hyper efficient wing scorer/average defender away from a chip, and I don't think he pushes some non-contending playoff teams over the edge. The Cavs need scoring, but their best scorer is at SG (maybe Miller can play the 3?), and I think the Knicks need more. The Suns and Nets need more but they're both strong at the wing position. Clippers could work I guess.

So I'll say the Heat. They are strong as is, but the least likely champion of the final four (only by a bit, I think they can beat Boston's lack of discipline). They could use shooting and just imagine a Butler/Miller duo beating the Knicks lmao.

They'd piss off so many teams too. Only one of them is aggro enough, both on the same team would be first rate television. And they are both top tier playoff performers and trash talkers. Tyler Herro (if not injured) back to 6th man isn't bad either.

Cavs?

Question is are we just upgrading their current sg to Reggie on something like a $35m a year contract or are we just adding Reggie to the team in which case the current sg can be benched or traded away for more assets?