Poll - Yak deal. Good or bad. Top 6 protected 2024-26

[Thaddy]

Its a good deal in a vacuum. A starting center for a guy that wasn't playing and protected picks is good.

I'm just not convinced it's good for the team in terms of where they are right now.

I mean if they're a top 6 team this season, you can safely say that the rest is up to the core to figure it out. If Achiuwa, Barnes, Trent, and the other young pieces grow together with the older core we should be a contender in the next 3 years if not sooner.

I hope you mean top 6 in the East. But in either case, they're a bit of a distance away from being top 6 this season. Lets see if they have any other moves up their sleeve.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the toughest part of the season is behind us, while the Nets, Bulls, and Heat are looking like sinking ships. We will definitely be a playoff team by the end of the year. We are only 4 games behind Miami for 6th too, we're completely in the race.

[kalel123]

By itself, this isn't a bad deal. But I really don't like the direction they are hinting at going. Really gotta see what else happens today. If they stand pat, this is an abysmal deal because they now have 3 upcoming FA's on a core that is flawed and still needs a big shakeup. And the big shakeup looks less likely at this point even if they do make a move because this trade means they are still largely committed to this core.

In particular, if VanVleet is still here at the end of the day, I'll be hugely disappointed.

[brownbobcat]

Its a good deal in a vacuum. A starting center for a guy that wasn't playing and protected picks is good.

I'm just not convinced it's good for the team in terms of where they are right now.

It was said elsewhere that Masai got a good price on a deal he shouldn't have made. I compare it to the Ibaka trade. That was a situation where trading for need made sense given where the team was in their curve. This ain't it.

[Madhouse]

There has to be another move coming and they really must think the C problem was so massive that it allows us to take a leap in 2023/24 because we are definitely losing that pick next year.

[ontnut]

The value is fine. We kept our pick this year, which was the more important pick to keep.
Presumably we will make some further moves and be more competitive next year with a) a real C, b) Scottie in year 3/not sophomore "slump", c) hopefully a better bench.

If the pick that conveys is outside the lottery, it's more than fair value for a starting C, at worst top 15 in the league. Of course if it ends up being a 7-10th pick, it's probably too rich. It's a gamble by both teams on the performance of the Raps next year, and given our generally consistent RS track record, I'd bet on the Raps coming out on top here. That's probably why the 2nds were included as trade ballast.

[Seasontickets]

Of all the teams, currently winning, I don't see a team that is currently in championship contention that has won off pure tanking.

Top 6 in each conference - the only team I see that could be considered as a team that "tanked" was Philadelphia - and they still had to "tweak" their roster. If the argument is that early draft gets you talent, you can make a list of lower draft picks featured on the majority of top teams.

Boston had two high picks and built a solid team around them. And on top of that, only one of those players became a top 10 player. Jaylen Brown is still an very good but nothing special talent.

The Raptors have good talent - and maybe we can continue to tweak to become a more dominant team defensively. Poeltl helps.

On the other side, the continued development of Pascal, and most especially Barnes as an initiator will provide us with a ceiling. If we improve our shooting, we will be a problem. Speaking of shooting, what is Boston doing - they are lights out from 3.

[Double Bubble]

Everything needs to go perfectly for this to be a passable deal. Webster’s prints all over this, since Masai was promoted we’ve been getting fleeced on every transaction.

[HomieOmey]

As usual, everything this team does individually is solid... it's always when I look at the bigger picture that I'm still a bit confused. Regardless of what happens, I'm good with this deal. I'm still hopeful that more changes are made.

[TheWave]

Good deal. Got to be something more going on though...

[Airmiess]

That means they intend on competing at a high level.. the bench was more important than the center.

[Mack11]

i dont understand how some posters are happy with this deal.. what does getting yak accomplish exactly? we're left in no mans land with no clear direction on where this teams headed.. yeah just the place to be. All of our moves have been baffling to say the least post championship run

we have another FA on our hands asking for a big pay day.. make it make sense please

[Mr. Perfect]

42% of this board want to compete for 10th seed, clearly.

[Ado05]

Should the Raptors really be trading a lightly protected first for someone like Poeltl? The answer is no.

[Mattatron]

Masai just gave up 3 Picks for an expiring non shooting center... just gtfoh masai.

2 of those picks are 2nd rounders.

so what ? U think this is making a difference ?

It's still the rights of 3 unknown players we traded away for another bum that can't shoot to save his life.

[Madhouse]

Should the Raptors really be trading a lightly protected first for someone like Poeltl? The answer is no.

They are forcing themselves to be much better next season.

If not and you are losing a late lottery pick, they should be fired tbh. Risky move.

[Ranger One]

I mean, if managements plan is to be a perennial play in team then they are surely on the road to success with this move + signing Fred to the max in the offseason. If that becomes the case, i wish you all good luck and enjoy watching Frederick Van Vleet hijacking your offense and leading you to the 8-10th seed for the next 5+ years.

[Aliasego]

It’s ok. Probably a slight overpay, but not drastic. Ideally a bit more protection on the 1st would’ve been nice, or only one 2nd. It’s unlikely that it will matter much in the end.

[Steelo Green]

2 of those picks are second rounders but there is no difference between the 20th pick and Koloko either.

[Mack11]

It’s ok. Probably a slight overpay, but not drastic. Ideally a bit more protection on the 1st would’ve been nice, or only one 2nd. It’s unlikely that it will matter much in the end.

only teams that dont know how to draft say this.. we've actually gotten some solid pieces with our picks.. giving them away like juju beans isnt the answer here, especially this season. This move was useless for our current timeline

[TrustFundBaby]

I voted Good. I think Poeltl's defensive impact is being slept on. On his own he's elite defensively, forget the fact he's replacing either scrubs (Koloko, Birch) or non centers (Scottie/Siakam). Don't let his current numbers on a tanking Spurs team fool you, this guy since 2019 has been an upper echelon Center defensively speaking. I'd rather gamble on his previous body of work than an outlier year, especially since he's entering his physical prime and not exiting it.

He's also a willing passer. This isn't a guy coming in looking for his own number. This will be HUGE for team balance. Last thing this selfish ass squad needed was another score first mentality guy. He will move the ball, set screens, and crash the glass, and finish easy looks Scottie/Siakam will generate for him

Nurse got his C and size he so desperately needed, I fully expect a top 10 defence post Trade deadline for the squad and play ins are a lock