Official Ochai Agbaji Thread - Welcome to Toronto, Ochai!

[YogurtProducer]

Wish there was a tag/call out posters on this thread.

As much as I'd like to see some of these guys humbled, I think it's important that we stay level headed here. Ochai is still a gamble by the FO. We have to remember that he was called untouchable in Utah after his first year and then Danny soured on him half a season later. So we know he's capable of looking like a guy worth investing in and that he's capable of falling out of favor quickly.

Now is the time for Ochai to become consistent in his contributions, so that the same thing doesn't happen here. He obviously won't hold up these shooting numbers, but as long as he keeps contributing and being a positive on the court, he will have an NBA career ahead of him. I'm also curious to see what he looks like coming off the bench, once that happens.

Yeah I think both ways everyone needs to take a more Macro view of every take.

Nothing wrong with being excited for a player while understanding the absolute small sample of things here.

But either way - it was always a short sighted take to suggest Ochai was a horrible player based on last season. I am not entirely sure why everyone just ingored the 100+ games before he was a Raptor and took his 27 games here as gospel of who he was as a player.

[Thaddy]

If he can stick the three at 38% or higher we're looking at a starting caliber 3+D guard. He would be the best 5th option we've had in a while and it would help IQ a lot. We need Dick's scoring off the bench and it would give him a bigger role on offense.

Poeltl / Mogbo
Barnes / Olynyk
Barrett / Dick
Agbaji / Shead
Quickely / Mitchell

We would lack rim protection off the bench but eventually we would want to see Mogbo develop a three point shot, same goes for Shead. If Mogbo develops a corner three, which is very possible considering his strides at the FT line, we could replace Olynyk with a stretch defensive big.

[Tripod]

To me with a late 1st, you are hoping to get a rotational guy. With the trade we got that already on KO as well as added a guy who showed already he could be that. Now it wasn't a #6-7 guy but more a 8-10. But it gave Masai a guaranteed known qty in KO and a possible future piece who they had NBA film on. Given how many picks they had, it was a good use of an asset to build depth.

[AkelaLoneWolf]

As much as I'd like to see some of these guys humbled, I think it's important that we stay level headed here. Ochai is still a gamble by the FO. We have to remember that he was called untouchable in Utah after his first year and then Danny soured on him half a season later. So we know he's capable of looking like a guy worth investing in and that he's capable of falling out of favor quickly.

Now is the time for Ochai to become consistent in his contributions, so that the same thing doesn't happen here. He obviously won't hold up these shooting numbers, but as long as he keeps contributing and being a positive on the court, he will have an NBA career ahead of him. I'm also curious to see what he looks like coming off the bench, once that happens.

Yeah I think both ways everyone needs to take a more Macro view of every take.

Nothing wrong with being excited for a player while understanding the absolute small sample of things here.

But either way - it was always a short sighted take to suggest Ochai was a horrible player based on last season. I am not entirely sure why everyone just ingored the 100+ games before he was a Raptor and took his 27 games here as gospel of who he was as a player.

Cause is not about Ochai. It’s about Masai

[Psubs]

To me with a late 1st, you are hoping to get a rotational guy. With the trade we got that already on KO as well as added a guy who showed already he could be that. Now it wasn't a #6-7 guy but more a 8-10. But it gave Masai a guaranteed known qty in KO and a possible future piece who they had NBA film on. Given how many picks they had, it was a good use of an asset to build depth.

Masai did hit on #31 and #45 that are each outperforming that late 1st pick.

[OAKLEY_2]

To me with a late 1st, you are hoping to get a rotational guy. With the trade we got that already on KO as well as added a guy who showed already he could be that. Now it wasn't a #6-7 guy but more a 8-10. But it gave Masai a guaranteed known qty in KO and a possible future piece who they had NBA film on. Given how many picks they had, it was a good use of an asset to build depth.

Masai did hit on #31 and #45 that are each outperforming that late 1st pick.

Well if Agbaji could consistently play like he is then the Siakam trade looks a ton better. The 19th pick (Walter) plus flipping the late first for Agbaji (Olynyk) add salary throw-in in Bruce Brown as well as adding the coming future first and uhm, people! The GM might still know a thing or two...

[aminiaturebuddha]

Not sure if I saw it posted here yet but Ochai (and Gradey too) had his rookie scale team option for next year picked up yesterday.

I'm glad that they've seen enough progress to believe that he's worth keeping around (or at least that his contract will have value).

He'll make $6.3 million next year.

[Psubs]

Not sure if I saw it posted here yet but Ochai (and Gradey too) had his rookie scale team option for next year picked up yesterday.

I'm glad that they've seen enough progress to believe that he's worth keeping around (or at least that his contract will have value).

He'll make $6.3 million next year.

He's already playing like a borderline starter on a decent team and worth the MLE right now in this development.

[YogurtProducer]

To me with a late 1st, you are hoping to get a rotational guy. With the trade we got that already on KO as well as added a guy who showed already he could be that. Now it wasn't a #6-7 guy but more a 8-10. But it gave Masai a guaranteed known qty in KO and a possible future piece who they had NBA film on. Given how many picks they had, it was a good use of an asset to build depth.

Masai did hit on #31 and #45 that are each outperforming that late 1st pick.

Well if Agbaji could consistently play like he is then the Siakam trade looks a ton better. The 19th pick (Walter) plus flipping the late first for Agbaji (Olynyk) add salary throw-in in Bruce Brown as well as adding the coming future first and uhm, people! The GM might still know a thing or two...

Bruce Brown
Ochai Agbaji
Jakobe Walter
Kelly Olynyk
Davion (trade exception from Siakam deal)
Shead (trade exception from Siakam deal)
2026 1st

Yeah - the complaining was heavily overstated. Plus - people got their expectations way to high when they thought SAC was giving us Keegan Murray or GSW was giving us Wiggins and Kuminga and Moody or something.

Agbaji / Walter / Davion / Shead / 1st + whatever Brown/Olynyk become is a decent, not great package.

But from the Siakam and OG trades we got:
IQ - RJ - Brown - Walter - Olynyk - Davion - Shead - Mogbo - 2026 1st (IND) - 2025 2nd (POR)

Pretty good haul IMO. For two high level starters, we got IQ/RJ who might grow into high level startrs, plus playable vets in Bruce and Kelly and Davion, plus prospects in Walter/Shead/Mogbo and 2 more future picks.

[raincityraptors]

Here to apologize about my Ochai takes. I thought we saw who he was in Summer League.

I don't think Darko's player development system should be slept on because Dick looked like trash in the G-League but then showed a lot of improvement in real games.

I am going to give our development program more benefit of the doubt.

Keep it up Ochai and kudos to our Player Development staff!

[Quattro]

Masai did hit on #31 and #45 that are each outperforming that late 1st pick.

Well if Agbaji could consistently play like he is then the Siakam trade looks a ton better. The 19th pick (Walter) plus flipping the late first for Agbaji (Olynyk) add salary throw-in in Bruce Brown as well as adding the coming future first and uhm, people! The GM might still know a thing or two...

Bruce Brown
Ochai Agbaji
Jakobe Walter
Kelly Olynyk
Davion (trade exception from Siakam deal)
Shead (trade exception from Siakam deal)
2026 1st

Yeah - the complaining was heavily overstated. Plus - people got their expectations way to high when they thought SAC was giving us Keegan Murray or GSW was giving us Wiggins and Kuminga and Moody or something.

Agbaji / Walter / Davion / Shead / 1st + whatever Brown/Olynyk become is a decent, not great package.

But from the Siakam and OG trades we got:
IQ - RJ - Brown - Walter - Olynyk - Davion - Shead - Mogbo - 2026 1st (IND) - 2025 2nd (POR)

Pretty good haul IMO. For two high level starters, we got IQ/RJ who might grow into high level startrs, plus playable vets in Bruce and Kelly and Davion, plus prospects in Walter/Shead/Mogbo and 2 more future picks.

I like how many of the most vociferous complainers have now shifted their strategy to "let's wait until the end of the season before we comment on management's performance".

[YogurtProducer]

Here to apologize about my Ochai takes. I thought we saw who he was in Summer League.

I don't think Darko's player development system should be slept on because Dick looked like trash in the G-League but then showed a lot of improvement in real games.

I am going to give our development program more benefit of the doubt.

Keep it up Ochai and kudos to our Player Development staff!

What really should be taken from this is that guys who are not creators who play off other players look like **** in pre season and summer league action.

Guys like Agabji are just guys who feed off other players. It is a skill to have to be able to cut and bring energy and pick your spots.

PJ Tucker or Draymoond is always the guys I like to go back to. They would look HORRIBLE if he was asked to create in SL or Pre-season, yet in a real game they are hugely valuable. Now, Agabj is not them, but people trying to convince themselves Agbaji was not an NBA player was frankly, stupid.

[bape_lovers]

expectation on the board is usually everyone is Luka/SGA that can do no wrong. They cant differentiate that every player has different skillsets

Here to apologize about my Ochai takes. I thought we saw who he was in Summer League.

I don't think Darko's player development system should be slept on because Dick looked like trash in the G-League but then showed a lot of improvement in real games.

I am going to give our development program more benefit of the doubt.

Keep it up Ochai and kudos to our Player Development staff!

What really should be taken from this is that guys who are not creators who play off other players look like **** in pre season and summer league action.

Guys like Agabji are just guys who feed off other players. It is a skill to have to be able to cut and bring energy and pick your spots.

PJ Tucker or Draymoond is always the guys I like to go back to. They would look HORRIBLE if he was asked to create in SL or Pre-season, yet in a real game they are hugely valuable. Now, Agabj is not them, but people trying to convince themselves Agbaji was not an NBA player was frankly, stupid.

[raincityraptors]

I don't consider myself stupid or someone who expects every player to be like Luka or SGA. I have been a passionate fan of basketball when I started playing in the 80s and watching the NBA.

I made observations based on his time on Utah, games played in Toronto last season and the Summer League.

Yes I was wrong and apologized. No need to belittle or be reductive.

What is this X? This board tends to be a more thoughtful and considerate place than that.

expectation on the board is usually everyone is Luka/SGA that can do no wrong. They cant differentiate that every player has different skillsets

Here to apologize about my Ochai takes. I thought we saw who he was in Summer League.

I don't think Darko's player development system should be slept on because Dick looked like trash in the G-League but then showed a lot of improvement in real games.

I am going to give our development program more benefit of the doubt.

Keep it up Ochai and kudos to our Player Development staff!

What really should be taken from this is that guys who are not creators who play off other players look like **** in pre season and summer league action.

Guys like Agabji are just guys who feed off other players. It is a skill to have to be able to cut and bring energy and pick your spots.

PJ Tucker or Draymoond is always the guys I like to go back to. They would look HORRIBLE if he was asked to create in SL or Pre-season, yet in a real game they are hugely valuable. Now, Agabj is not them, but people trying to convince themselves Agbaji was not an NBA player was frankly, stupid.

[KrazyP]

Ajbaji’s career path is starting to look similar to Aaron NeSmith’s.

After being taken by the Celtics #14 in 2020
(Agbaji was also a #14 pick), Nesmith disappointed in his first couple of seasons. Similar to Agbaji, his shooting from college didn’t translate so he just became a hustle wing with limited offense. The Celtics then dumped him as filler in the Brogdon trade and the Pacers were then able to salvage his career….hes turned into a very effective 3&d+ wing after a few season in the league.

[LoveMyRaps]

What's been more impressive: his defense or his offense?

[agkagk]

Masai did hit on #31 and #45 that are each outperforming that late 1st pick.

Well if Agbaji could consistently play like he is then the Siakam trade looks a ton better. The 19th pick (Walter) plus flipping the late first for Agbaji (Olynyk) add salary throw-in in Bruce Brown as well as adding the coming future first and uhm, people! The GM might still know a thing or two...

Bruce Brown
Ochai Agbaji
Jakobe Walter
Kelly Olynyk
Davion (trade exception from Siakam deal)
Shead (trade exception from Siakam deal)
2026 1st

Yeah - the complaining was heavily overstated. Plus - people got their expectations way to high when they thought SAC was giving us Keegan Murray or GSW was giving us Wiggins and Kuminga and Moody or something.

Agbaji / Walter / Davion / Shead / 1st + whatever Brown/Olynyk become is a decent, not great package.

But from the Siakam and OG trades we got:
IQ - RJ - Brown - Walter - Olynyk - Davion - Shead - Mogbo - 2026 1st (IND) - 2025 2nd (POR)

Pretty good haul IMO. For two high level starters, we got IQ/RJ who might grow into high level startrs, plus playable vets in Bruce and Kelly and Davion, plus prospects in Walter/Shead/Mogbo and 2 more future picks.

Rudy gay trade 2.0

Ten years from now we’ll read retrospective articles about the 20 something players directly connected to the siakam trade.


Well most likely trade brown and the snowball will keep growing.

[Thaddy]

Well if Agbaji could consistently play like he is then the Siakam trade looks a ton better. The 19th pick (Walter) plus flipping the late first for Agbaji (Olynyk) add salary throw-in in Bruce Brown as well as adding the coming future first and uhm, people! The GM might still know a thing or two...

Bruce Brown
Ochai Agbaji
Jakobe Walter
Kelly Olynyk
Davion (trade exception from Siakam deal)
Shead (trade exception from Siakam deal)
2026 1st

Yeah - the complaining was heavily overstated. Plus - people got their expectations way to high when they thought SAC was giving us Keegan Murray or GSW was giving us Wiggins and Kuminga and Moody or something.

Agbaji / Walter / Davion / Shead / 1st + whatever Brown/Olynyk become is a decent, not great package.

But from the Siakam and OG trades we got:
IQ - RJ - Brown - Walter - Olynyk - Davion - Shead - Mogbo - 2026 1st (IND) - 2025 2nd (POR)

Pretty good haul IMO. For two high level starters, we got IQ/RJ who might grow into high level startrs, plus playable vets in Bruce and Kelly and Davion, plus prospects in Walter/Shead/Mogbo and 2 more future picks.

Rudy gay trade 2.0

Ten years from now we’ll read retrospective articles about the 20 something players directly connected to the siakam trade.


Well most likely trade brown and the snowball will keep growing.

Davion, Shead, and the POR 2nd is from the McDaniels trade. It's not linked to Siakam at all.

[Tripod]

The best thing about him is he plays within his limitations. There is rarely a "wtf" moment with him that we often get/got with Boucher or Prescious. And his handle while going to the net is much better than OG.

Hope he keeps racking up the good, consistent games. Not everyone needs to be a star or a starter to o help the team win.

[Psubs]

Davion, Shead, and the POR 2nd is from the McDaniels trade. It's not linked to Siakam at all.

Indirectly saving some money in the trade (and not paying Siakam more money) allowed to take on the player to be waived but instead opted out of his contract.