Let's Assume We Don't Tank - Is there a Viable Star Option We Can Target at the '25 Deadline?

[TorontoBarneys]

I'm pro-tank but also flexible, and I have no confidence that Masai & co are actually planning a tank this season, almost certainly not from the beginning and likely only as a pivot in the 2nd half the season as a result of an already poor record. But let's assume the record isn't actually poor heading into the '25 deadline and we hover around .500.

We're seeing these playoffs that the East is wide open and teams you wouldn't normally peg as an ECF-worthy team like the Pacers can sneak by and get a shot. The chances of the Raptors making some waves next postseason isn't 0.

Let's say Scottie, IQ, RJ, Dick all get markedly better compared to last season and we make some decent personnel acquisitions this summer. We own all of our picks at this point and also hold a '26 1st from the Pacers as well. Is there any viable candidate we can acquire to pair up with Scottie that has top 20+ talent?

As an example of an option I think wouldn't be good enough - Brandon Ingram. Not quite good enough and contract is elapsing and he'd be a flight risk. You'd ideally want at least 3 years of control of a player you're trading for.

[Rapsfan07]

Only guy I can think of that sort of fits this description is KAT.

Timberwolves will likely fall to the Mavs and unless they're willing to pay the tax, someone has to go from that team. This series has been pretty rough for him and he's owed a lot of money going forward.

[OakleyDokely]

Realistically, I don't think there's one guy that can be acquired who would ultimately push the Raptors into automatic contention without leaving the roster really thin. It's going to take time developing the existing players on the roster and rebuilding the asset base through trade, the draft and free agency. The Raps were able to make big moves in the past because they were 11-12 guys deep in terms of quality NBA talent and they could package some of those guys together for upgrades like Kawhi, Ibaka, Gasol.

If the Raps were to make a big move, they should be targeting young potential allstars like Garland, but these guys are almost never moved and if they are, they cost a lot.

[Scase]

There is no realistic "quick fix" move to get this team back to consistent playoff contention, I share your lack of confidence in their unwillingness to intentionally tank. I just hope they realize it before it's too late and we waste another season.

What oakley is saying is the most likely scenario, try and target a young star (unlikely), or aim for nembhart type players. Ultimately we just lack the assets to really acquire anything substantial. All the more reason for us to not aim for any win now moves and just focus on development and hopefully getting some high picks. If we trade any more picks, the FO needs to go.

[MessiahUjiri]

I agree with your reasoning.

The front office is unlikely to overly tank at the beginning of the season, and we are probably too good to be a bottom five team anyway.

Assuming Bruce Brown is already traded this offseason, the most likely trade candidates are:

Poeltl
Olynyk
Pascal TPE, for bad salary


I think the West teams (OKC, MEM, NOP, GSW) needing a playoff center are the most likely trade partners, unless Masai manages to screw this up by waiting too long and they move without us.

I think that’s honestly the biggest risk - in a tight conference, teams will be looking to make a move, and our FO has developed a negative reputation around stringing people along but never agreeing to anything.

[MiamiSPX]

If the Raps were to make a big move, they should be targeting young potential allstars like Garland, but these guys are almost never moved and if they are, they cost a lot.

Or LaMelo and pray to the basketball gods that he can stay healthy.

[TronoWrappers]

[bluerap23]

I’m not really interested at the moment. Let’s see how Scottie and IQ look this year.

[ItsDanger]

Target a viable star option in the '25 draft.

[Shakril]

Neither Tanking is good nor is it viable to find a star at the Free Agency or through Trade. The best option is to actually develop the Players we have. The moment a core is established that works, you can add player to complement. As it happened with Kwahi for example.

[Shakril]

Hard No. Constantly Injured and falls short in the playoffs every time.

[Scase]

Decline BB option (or trade him as part of the package), let GTJ walk, S&T with Miami and get Butler for 3 years 55/yr lol.

Just to be clear I am NOT advocating for this, but it gives me Masai vibes

EDIT : I misread, his PO is in 25-26, no S&T. Just a regular trade and then a 3 year extension!

[Psubs]

Realistically, I don't think there's one guy that can be acquired who would ultimately push the Raptors into automatic contention without leaving the roster really thin. It's going to take time developing the existing players on the roster and rebuilding the asset base through trade, the draft and free agency. The Raps were able to make big moves in the past because they were 11-12 guys deep in terms of quality NBA talent and they could package some of those guys together for upgrades like Kawhi, Ibaka, Gasol.

If the Raps were to make a big move, they should be targeting young potential allstars like Garland, but these guys are almost never moved and if they are, they cost a lot.

Garland isn't a good defender at all. Keep IQ instead.

Kuzma? Trade Ochai, McDaniels and 1st pick?

[Psubs]

If the Raps were to make a big move, they should be targeting young potential allstars like Garland, but these guys are almost never moved and if they are, they cost a lot.

Or LaMelo and pray to the basketball gods that he can stay healthy.

Trad Boucher and McDaniels for Lonzo Ball. At least it frees up a roster spot.... or 2.

[ArthurVandelay]

Short answer: No.

Raptors should not be making any moves to try to compete right now. They have zero depth. They have some quasi-financial flexibility but they also have dead money in Boucher (because he doesn’t play) and McDaniels.

They should be collecting assets, developing players, and praying they can find legit talent in the draft.

There is no quick fix for this team. 2 years of patching holes has led to a sinking ship.

Embrace the rebuild, build through the draft, and try to find guys buried on other teams who just need a chance.

Poeltl should be traded. Memphis is the only team that makes sense imo. There are other teams that need a C but for one reason or another Poeltl doesn’t fit:
OKC: they can sign or trade for whoever they want
NO: needs someone who can space the floor for Zion
GS: no assets worth trading for

[AHCanada]

Raps aren't at that point yet. Maybe the year after.

[TheGeneral99]

The stars I can see possibly getting moved are:

Embiid - aging and health issues
Mitchell - may bolt in free agency
Trae - Hawks are mediocore (although depends on how the #1 overall pick performs)
Randle - Knicks may want depth and OG is a better fit next to Brunson
Booker - if the Suns get worse next year maybe he will want out
Ingram
Morant
Butler
Fox - if the Kings don't improve
Bridges
Lavine

[TheGeneral99]

Decline BB option (or trade him as part of the package), let GTJ walk, S&T with Miami and get Butler for 3 years 55/yr lol.

Just to be clear I am NOT advocating for this, but it gives me Masai vibes

EDIT : I misread, his PO is in 25-26, no S&T. Just a regular trade and then a 3 year extension!

How does this give Masai vibes?

When has Masai signed a 35 year old to contract like that?

Last time I checked he didn't want to pay older vets like Gasol and Ibaka what they wanted.

[kalel123]

Don't have assets to be trading for a star and hope the guy can just turn us into instant contender. I would like to see how this team does without significant injury issues this upcoming season while hoping FO can work magic by making good picks in draft (which should be their top focus considering where this team is) to build on the talent pool and even get lucky by picking someone you can add to the top core during that time. They can pivot to tank midseason if things look bleak and get another lotto pick to add in '25 draft. The way it's been, draft lottery's been crap shoot so who knows, maybe we get lucky and break into top 4 again. And by then, maybe they might even have enough in the pool to attempt to trade for a star.

Someone mentioned KAT but someone like him is seriously flawed. Way overpaid, way too perimeter oriented, not good defensively, and has long history of choking in the big moments. And probably too expensive to take on in terms of trade package, we do not have that kind of depth.

[Kingsway_fan]

Target a viable star option in the '25 draft.

Only way.

... Raps aren't signing anyone as free agent that is remotely star material... unless it's a Euro player, and even then,most will stay in warm southern USA all things equal...Here, frigid north and high taxes --> massive overpay.