What's the most likely use/ outcome of new flexibility?

[nivisi9]

letting Trent walk and most notably the favorable outcome of the Vezenkov trade/buy-out has now opened up some uniquely favorable flexibility for the upcoming season.

One of the arguments as to why a Brown trade didn't happen wasn't because a contender (eg Denver) couldn't use him but rather that it required matching salary in any trade that greatly reduced candidates + trades that made sense.

That scenario has changed as the Raptors can now take back more then matching salary in a number of different scenarios.

I'm thinking Masai + Bobby are being patient and banking on a contender in need of additions/upgrade to roster mid season for a time to strike and optimize this opportunity.

Whether this be through a Brown trade or perhaps Brown + Poeltl (as we likely go tank past feb).

This could be especially favorable given the new CBA/apron restrictions of teams.

we already saw how much a McDaniels trade brought in, a total scrub to a team desperate for even abit of flexibility.

What do you think the outcome of our new transactional flexibility may be?

Few options:

- Brown or Poeltl trade to take back bad salary + acquire an additional 2025 first round pick.

- Brown or Poeltl trade to take back bad salary+ add promising young prospect.

-Brown or Poeltl trade to take back bad + add young player who wouldn't likely be available but will soon become expensive / extension eligible.

-Both Brown and Poeltl trades to add variations of assets -- 2025 first round pick + prospects.

- Big swing transaction : Brown or Poeltl trade + trade additional asset (2026 Indy first round pick) for young player to add to Barnes/Quickley core.

[Scase]

letting Trent walk and most notably the favorable outcome of the Vezenkov trade/buy-out has now opened up some uniquely favorable flexibility for the upcoming season.

One of the arguments as to why a Brown trade didn't happen wasn't because a contender (eg Denver) couldn't use him but rather that it required matching salary in any trade that greatly reduced candidates + trades that made sense.

That scenario has changed as the Raptors can now take back more then matching salary in a number of different scenarios.

I'm thinking Masai + Bobby are being patient and banking on a contender in need of additions/upgrade to roster mid season for a time to strike and optimize this opportunity.

Whether this be through a Brown trade or perhaps Brown + Poeltl (as we likely go tank past feb).

This could be especially favorable given the new CBA/apron restrictions of teams.

we already saw how much a McDaniels trade brought in, a total scrub to a team desperate for even abit of flexibility.

What do you think the outcome of our new transactional flexibility may be?

Few options:

- Brown or Poeltl trade to take back bad salary + acquire an additional 2025 first round pick.

- Brown or Poeltl trade to take back bad salary+ add promising young prospect.

-Brown or Poeltl trade to take back bad + add young player who wouldn't likely be available but will soon become expensive / extension eligible.

-Both Brown and Poeltl trades to add variations of assets -- 2025 first round pick + prospects.

- Big swing transaction : Brown or Poeltl trade + trade additional asset (2026 Indy first round pick) for young player to add to Barnes/Quickley core.

We keep Jak, BB gets traded at the deadline for like a SRP or 2. Don't listen to anyone calling any of this flexibility, it's the same people saying Thads contract was a good thing to have because it's good for trades.

BBs peak value has passed. Better to just accept it and move on.

[SharoneWright]

We keep Jak, BB gets traded at the deadline for like a SRP or 2. Don't listen to anyone calling any of this flexibility, it's the same people saying Thads contract was a good thing to have because it's good for trades.

BBs peak value has passed. Better to just accept it and move on.

Yup. I'd even trade him now to avoid his value plummeting even more. But nobody really wants him.

The most important component on any returrn for BB is not whether it's an early 2nd or a mid-2nd etc..,, but what type of player(s) with what kind of salary we get back. We literally can't let his money continue to hurt us into any future years. The more I think about it, the more I think picking up his option was dumb. The FO had to do it though to continue to justify the trade. (hoping for a miracle! )

[MessiahUjiri]

We keep Jak, BB gets traded at the deadline for like a SRP or 2. Don't listen to anyone calling any of this flexibility, it's the same people saying Thads contract was a good thing to have because it's good for trades.

BBs peak value has passed. Better to just accept it and move on.

Yup. I'd even trade him now to avoid his value pummeting even more. But nobody really wants him.

The most important component on any returrn for BB is not whether it's an early 2nd or a mid-2nd etc..,, but what type of player with what kid of salary we get back. We literally can't let his money continue to hurt us into any future years. The more I think about it, the more I think picking up his option was dumb. The FO had to do it though to continue to justify the trade. (hoping for a miracle!:nonono:)

A team like the Lakers might be interested in offloading contracts and also getting Brown, which would would them a POA defender plus room under the 1st apron to get a discounted buyout vet.

The lakers always get good buyout players. They also have 2 2nds plus Jalen Hood Schfino

[DreamTeam09]

Ppl can say "we should've used our capspace to take on bad salary n assets"

Even though that barely played out this summer & wasn't really worth it

[Thaddy]

Ppl can say "we should've used our capspace to take on bad salary n assets"

Even though that barely played out this summer & wasn't really worth it

They probably want to see where the team is compared to other EC franchises. We are likely a play in team. At that point we can use Brown to get a better fitting piece or make the decision to tank and take on bad salary. There isn't a reason to make the decision now, holding out makes other teams facing apron issues panic at the deadline like how the Kings did.

[ontnut]

Most likely outcome is: Nothing.

[Tha Cynic]

Bruce Brown expires at the end of this season. That alone holds value. You're not getting a first for him though.

The funny thing is, Brown and Poeltl would balance out Indiana and they have pieces we would want, but that's not happening.

[ItsDanger]

Not interested in predicting what they would do with it. Probably nothing, takes other teams to make something happen also. The question should be posed as what do YOU think they should do with the new flexibility,

[djsunyc]

the rumor was we had an offer of fournier + one of the knicks '24 first rounders for him at the deadline which we turned down. so the value was an expiring and first rounder. we punted that to this season so let's see what happens. for all we know, he plays really well and fits in as a good piece off the bench.

[Scase]

the rumor was we had an offer of fournier + one of the knicks '24 first rounders for him at the deadline which we turned down. so the value was an expiring and first rounder. we punted that to this season so let's see what happens. for all we know, he plays really well and fits in as a good piece off the bench.

Value was an expiring and a FRP, in the 2024 draft. Pretty important distinction, I have serious doubts that anyone would consider trading a FRP in a good draft for him.

[C_Money]

Most likely outcome is: Nothing.

Same thing we did with the “flexibility” from the Norm Powell trade.

[DreamTeam09]

the rumor was we had an offer of fournier + one of the knicks '24 first rounders for him at the deadline which we turned down. so the value was an expiring and first rounder. we punted that to this season so let's see what happens. for all we know, he plays really well and fits in as a good piece off the bench.

Value was an expiring and a FRP, in the 2024 draft. Pretty important distinction, I have serious doubts that anyone would consider trading a FRP in a good draft for him.

Stacked draft or not, a late first to a contender is miniscule & could actually be a burden depending on their cap books

[Tor_Raps]

Not sure what "flexibility" you're referring to as this past season was the only time we'd have cap space until 2026 and we literally did very little with it. The mcdaniles trade was nice no doubt but I was hoping to make more impactful moves along those lines.

We let Trent walk for nothing while not signing any decent free agents even when they were being had for cheap. Seems like this franchise will need to go near 100% on their draft picks or we will forever suck.

[Scase]

the rumor was we had an offer of fournier + one of the knicks '24 first rounders for him at the deadline which we turned down. so the value was an expiring and first rounder. we punted that to this season so let's see what happens. for all we know, he plays really well and fits in as a good piece off the bench.

Value was an expiring and a FRP, in the 2024 draft. Pretty important distinction, I have serious doubts that anyone would consider trading a FRP in a good draft for him.

Stacked draft or not, a late first to a contender is miniscule & could actually be a burden depending on their cap books

No team has ever had problems shedding picks, my point is that they would be unlikely to value a pick in the same range from a bad draft vs a good draft, equally.

[dagger]

While space under the tax line does allow for taking back more salary in a trade than the Raptors could have done with Vezenkov, downstream contract obligations will likely discourage Masai and Bobby from dealing Brown for long-term contracts that don't come with either really large inducements or usable talent that is a good fit. That's why I haven't seen Wiggins as a thing, given his age+current level of play+years left. Not unless it comes with multiple picks, not just a protected first in the next century. I expect they will wait for a contender with second apron issues to falter and then pick up a useable player and pick, using the MLE as a trade exception. Boston or Denver or Minnesota, etc.

The Raptors might just hang on to Brown and let his deal expire, but if he is traded, I expect it will be for a combination of expiring contract+one player with two seasons ($$$ savings)+ plus a pick or two. That seems like a more plausible scenario for the deadline.

[nivisi9]

While space under the tax line does allow for taking back more salary in a trade than the Raptors could have done with Vezenkov, downstream contract obligations will likely discourage Masai and Bobby from dealing Brown for long-term contracts that don't come with either really large inducements or usable talent that is a good fit. That's why I haven't seen Wiggins as a thing, given his age+current level of play+years left. Not unless it comes with multiple picks, not just a protected first in the next century. I expect they will wait for a contender with second apron issues to falter and then pick up a useable player and pick, using the MLE as a trade exception. Boston or Denver or Minnesota, etc.

The Raptors might just hang on to Brown and let his deal expire, but if he is traded, I expect it will be for a combination of expiring contract+one player with two seasons ($$$ savings)+ plus a pick or two. That seems like a more plausible scenario for the deadline.

Most are downplaying and discouraging this advantage in the thread but..

as long as we aren't trading for long term salary the ability to take back salary in a trade with so many teams with apron issues IS A HUGE ASSET

I agree with some that Masai will wait for a team in a more desperate state or wanting to upgrade but limited (Poeltl?) and then we likely trade an asset Eg Poeltl + taking back a contract should be able to squeeze out some future 1st at minimum (with 2 loaded drafts coming this yr and next)

I agree Taking back just money might not yield a 1st (but maybe?) however taking back salary + helping a capped out team facilitate a trade upgrade should do it

[Chandan]

Most likely outcome is: Nothing.

Same thing we did with the “flexibility” from the Norm Powell trade.

flexibility is for bending backwards when negotiating with agents.

[HangTime]

We keep Jak, BB gets traded at the deadline for like a SRP or 2. Don't listen to anyone calling any of this flexibility, it's the same people saying Thads contract was a good thing to have because it's good for trades.

BBs peak value has passed. Better to just accept it and move on.

Yup. I'd even trade him now to avoid his value plummeting even more. But nobody really wants him.

The most important component on any returrn for BB is not whether it's an early 2nd or a mid-2nd etc..,, but what type of player(s) with what kind of salary we get back. We literally can't let his money continue to hurt us into any future years. The more I think about it, the more I think picking up his option was dumb. The FO had to do it though to continue to justify the trade. (hoping for a miracle! )

The trade deadline is the last point before the team owners really feel the impending tax bill.
Picking up the option is a worthwhile gamble, at worse he expires at the end of the year.

[Thaddy]

The best outcome would be to sell Brown for a bad contract and get a decent 2025 1st. We can absorb a 30M contract but the longest term would be around 2 years. Otherwise we will have issues once Barnes and others contracts kick in.

Poeltl is hard to trade considering we have no center prospects. We're going to keep him and try to compete for a play in spot.

A trade I would do is Hunter from ATL for Brown. A straight swap doesn't look great for us so I'd expect the unprotected LAL 1st they have.

Poeltl /Fernando
Barnes / Olynyk
Barrett / Hunter
Dick / Shead
Quickely / Mitchell

I see that as a play in team.