Masai Has Found The Plot

[ForeverTFC]

That's why I don't expect them to actually end up either succeeding or sticking to it. It's clear they just looked at the Spurs and OKC and went "let's just do that". But you need a level of organizational competence to actually turn the easy part (accumulating draft picks) into sustainable success.

What's so frustrating is that we have that here and they have zero interest in actually executing the easy part.

You're never going to get that here, at least not under our current ownership. There is a belief within our organization and ownership that Toronto is a major market and that Canada can stand on its own. Major markets don't have multi-year tanks and perpetual sell-offs. That's not to say that Masai would do it if he could; for all we know Masai is also in agreement with them.

Now, you might get your wish once Larry and Masai are out and Rogers brings a new FO in. Ed Rogers doesn't like basketball and will be focused on the Jays and Leafs. That might buy the new FO a few years to do as they wish. But there is no guarantee that Ed will bring in anyone that's any better than the folks in Charlotte. So I guess be careful what you wish for.

Y'all got any articles that says there is a mandate to compete or is this cope? If the raptors need to play 1-3 home playoff games to make money, maybe the market isn't as strong as everyone think it is?

It's been mentioned by Lowe and Bontemps that our ownership group is anti-tank. Also, one of the reasons they fired Leiweke was because they thought he was trying to "Americanize" MLSE and that he didn't respect Toronto's sports history and didn't understand Canadian business culture.

Look around at all our of our sports teams - they all spend, try to make splashes through player acquisition, and push to compete; Leafs, Jays, Raptors, TFC all operate in very similar fashion. Also, it's not just gate receipts. Our owners own not only the content, but also the distribution of the content and all the content built around that content. It's not just butts in the seats, it's also cable subscriptions, Sportsnet TV ratings, Fan590 listeners, and sportsnet.com page clicks and social views. Other teams have to worry about these things tangentially and periodically when their total TV rights are up for renewal.

[Deep1984]

Lmao most realgmers only care about tanking and trying to get the highest pick every years. Nothing else

[Jerry Lucas]

A lot of posters are reading way too much into the Ingram trade, when it was simply Masai extracting asset value (he clearly values Ingram as an asset way higher than Indy's 2026 FRP which means he clearly doesn't think Indy is going to implode and convey a high pick to the Pels). Assuming Indy does well in the regular season next year Masai basically traded a poo poo platter for Ingram.

2026 IMO is still shaping up to be another "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season. I don't really care what the local media that doesn't really know anything (and we all know it) says. The org messaging that I keep referring to has come straight from the mouths of key org people like Masai and Darko themselves (in interviews/training camp address/etc).

Now with that being said (and I've said this before in previous posts I've made related to this subject), "asset building and accumulation" being priority #1 does not automatically equate to tanking. When winning is not the top priority of an organization, losing usually follows, but it isn't automatic. 2013-14 was also an "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season.

[mihaic]

Lmao most realgmers only care about tanking and trying to get the highest pick every years. Nothing else

We are 5th from the bottom, and that's after going 8-2. This year, it's justified.

[Deep1984]

Lmao most realgmers only care about tanking and trying to get the highest pick every years. Nothing else

We are 5th from the bottom, and that's after going 8-2. This year, it's justified.

Yeah this year makes sense. We are heading back to losing

[DelAbbot]

A lot of posters are reading way too much into the Ingram trade, when it was simply Masai extracting asset value (he clearly values Ingram as an asset way higher than Indy's 2026 FRP which means he clearly doesn't think Indy is going to implode and convey a high pick to the Pels). Assuming Indy does well in the regular season next year Masai basically traded a poo poo platter for Ingram.

2026 IMO is still shaping up to be another "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season. I don't really care what the local media that doesn't really know anything (and we all know it) says. The org messaging that I keep referring to has come straight from the mouths of key org people like Masai and Darko themselves (in interviews/training camp address/etc).

Now with that being said (and I've said this before in previous posts I've made related to this subject), "asset building and accumulation" being priority #1 does not automatically equate to tanking. When winning is not the top priority of an organization, losing usually follows, but it isn't automatic. 2013-14 was also an "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season.

Then in what ways can we be accumulating assets next year? Organical growth from the young guys shouldn't be called asset accumulation.

[Jerry Lucas]

A lot of posters are reading way too much into the Ingram trade, when it was simply Masai extracting asset value (he clearly values Ingram as an asset way higher than Indy's 2026 FRP which means he clearly doesn't think Indy is going to implode and convey a high pick to the Pels). Assuming Indy does well in the regular season next year Masai basically traded a poo poo platter for Ingram.

2026 IMO is still shaping up to be another "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season. I don't really care what the local media that doesn't really know anything (and we all know it) says. The org messaging that I keep referring to has come straight from the mouths of key org people like Masai and Darko themselves (in interviews/training camp address/etc).

Now with that being said (and I've said this before in previous posts I've made related to this subject), "asset building and accumulation" being priority #1 does not automatically equate to tanking. When winning is not the top priority of an organization, losing usually follows, but it isn't automatic. 2013-14 was also an "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season.

Then in what ways can we be accumulating assets next year? Organical growth from the young guys shouldn't be called asset accumulation.

Asset building (development) and accumulation is what I said. Not just asset accumulation.

[nikster]

A lot of posters are reading way too much into the Ingram trade, when it was simply Masai extracting asset value (he clearly values Ingram as an asset way higher than Indy's 2026 FRP which means he clearly doesn't think Indy is going to implode and convey a high pick to the Pels). Assuming Indy does well in the regular season next year Masai basically traded a poo poo platter for Ingram.

2026 IMO is still shaping up to be another "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season. I don't really care what the local media that doesn't really know anything (and we all know it) says. The org messaging that I keep referring to has come straight from the mouths of key org people like Masai and Darko themselves (in interviews/training camp address/etc).

Now with that being said (and I've said this before in previous posts I've made related to this subject), "asset building and accumulation" being priority #1 does not automatically equate to tanking. When winning is not the top priority of an organization, losing usually follows, but it isn't automatic. 2013-14 was also an "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season.

Then in what ways can we be accumulating assets next year? Organical growth from the young guys shouldn't be called asset accumulation.

Re evaluate the players, move those who don't fit etc.. i.e. RJ is a prime trade candidate. Can often get assets in unpredictable ways, like Mcdaniels leading to Davion and a total of 3 2nd round picks.

What's the alternative? Did you really expect us to tank next year?

[anotherhomer]

A lot of posters are reading way too much into the Ingram trade, when it was simply Masai extracting asset value (he clearly values Ingram as an asset way higher than Indy's 2026 FRP which means he clearly doesn't think Indy is going to implode and convey a high pick to the Pels). Assuming Indy does well in the regular season next year Masai basically traded a poo poo platter for Ingram.

2026 IMO is still shaping up to be another "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season. I don't really care what the local media that doesn't really know anything (and we all know it) says. The org messaging that I keep referring to has come straight from the mouths of key org people like Masai and Darko themselves (in interviews/training camp address/etc).

Now with that being said (and I've said this before in previous posts I've made related to this subject), "asset building and accumulation" being priority #1 does not automatically equate to tanking. When winning is not the top priority of an organization, losing usually follows, but it isn't automatic. 2013-14 was also an "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season.

it's interesting. i think in 2025-2026, the team will shift from team rebuild to team compete with whoever they have.
though they will focus on accumulating assets they have.

[Jadoogar]

I'm so bookmarking this thread

You can't win this time. We got Ingram for peanuts. The best asset we gave up was 1 of the 3 1st rd picks that Indy gave us for siakam. It's time to take the L and move on

Phoenix gave up nothing to acquire Brad Beal. Of course they had to take that no-brainer deal right???
Let's check in to see how it's going with them.

[WuTang_CMB]

A lot of posters are reading way too much into the Ingram trade, when it was simply Masai extracting asset value (he clearly values Ingram as an asset way higher than Indy's 2026 FRP which means he clearly doesn't think Indy is going to implode and convey a high pick to the Pels). Assuming Indy does well in the regular season next year Masai basically traded a poo poo platter for Ingram.

2026 IMO is still shaping up to be another "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season. I don't really care what the local media that doesn't really know anything (and we all know it) says. The org messaging that I keep referring to has come straight from the mouths of key org people like Masai and Darko themselves (in interviews/training camp address/etc).

Now with that being said (and I've said this before in previous posts I've made related to this subject), "asset building and accumulation" being priority #1 does not automatically equate to tanking. When winning is not the top priority of an organization, losing usually follows, but it isn't automatic. 2013-14 was also an "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season.

it's interesting. i think in 2025-2026, the team will shift from team rebuild to team compete with whoever they have.
though they will focus on accumulating assets they have.

Lucas is right.

There's no reason why we can't be a .500 team next year if healthy and with all our assets and young players. It can still be a development year while still leaning into winning more.

Detroit sits 7th in the East at 25-26. That can be us no problem IMO

[Jadoogar]

I didn't like the Jakob deal back then but I think turning Pascal, Thad Old and McDaniels into Ingram, Ochai, Jakobe, Davion, Shead and the 2025 Portland second round pick is highway robbery.

Next season if all the core players are healthy, we will be fighting for the 4th seed in the East.

There is a 0% chance we are better than any of Boston, Cleveland, NYK, Orlando, Milwaukee, and Indiana.

orlando and indy are trash

Hali and Siakam aint scaring no one

lol siakam isn't scaring anyone but Ingram is? ok.

[anotherhomer]

A lot of posters are reading way too much into the Ingram trade, when it was simply Masai extracting asset value (he clearly values Ingram as an asset way higher than Indy's 2026 FRP which means he clearly doesn't think Indy is going to implode and convey a high pick to the Pels). Assuming Indy does well in the regular season next year Masai basically traded a poo poo platter for Ingram.

2026 IMO is still shaping up to be another "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season. I don't really care what the local media that doesn't really know anything (and we all know it) says. The org messaging that I keep referring to has come straight from the mouths of key org people like Masai and Darko themselves (in interviews/training camp address/etc).

Now with that being said (and I've said this before in previous posts I've made related to this subject), "asset building and accumulation" being priority #1 does not automatically equate to tanking. When winning is not the top priority of an organization, losing usually follows, but it isn't automatic. 2013-14 was also an "asset building and accumulation is priority #1" season.

it's interesting. i think in 2025-2026, the team will shift from team rebuild to team compete with whoever they have.
though they will focus on accumulating assets they have.

Lucas is right.

There's no reason why we can't be a .500 team next year if healthy and with all our assets and young players. It can still be a development year while still leaning into winning more.

Detroit sits 7th in the East at 25-26

i see what you mean, the raps will give playing time to the youngster but with a lot of them having one or 2 years under the belt with raptors, next year will be competing, to see who fits and who no longer fits

i don't think the ceiling of the team is particularly high, 1st or 2nd round, but i rather team peak out as a continual playoff team that keeps flaming out than Ed Rogers bringing in his own guy to ruin everything

[TheRaptor!]

There is a 0% chance we are better than any of Boston, Cleveland, NYK, Orlando, Milwaukee, and Indiana.

orlando and indy are trash

Hali and Siakam aint scaring no one

lol siakam isn't scaring anyone but Ingram is? ok.

Yes, I do see ingram as a better player offensively than Siakam and this is a offence first league

second, i see our starting line up as better than theirs next year, not to mention our lottery pick. I already know what Siakam is and Hali is the worst "all star" in the NBA

[ATLTimekeeper]

If the Raptors suck next year I'm sure they'll refer to "that time Darko said something in Serbian about the 2026 draft" as indicative they were in for the long haul. This is Masai's MO. Commit to very little, sell whatever people are already buying, promise to do better.

[Jadoogar]

Ingram - 2nd overall pick
RJ - 3rd overall pick
Scottie - 4th overall pick
Jak - 9th overall pick

This is a talented roster with 3 top 5 pick players, 1 top 10 pick player and most likely another top 8 pick again this year.

This might be the worst reasoning i've seen in the thread so far.
There was a time when the Wolves were starting Michael Beasely, Wesley Johnson, Kevin Love, Darko Milicic. WHOA! 4 guys who were selected in the top 5! They even had 2 more top 5 picks off the bench in Rubio and Derrick Williams! They must have been awesome!

[Jadoogar]

orlando and indy are trash

Hali and Siakam aint scaring no one

lol siakam isn't scaring anyone but Ingram is? ok.

Yes, I do see ingram as a better player offensively than Siakam and this is a offence first league

second, i see our starting line up as better than theirs next year, not to mention our lottery pick. I already know what Siakam is and Hali is the worst "all star" in the NBA

lol now that he is no longer a raptor, siakam isn't a real allstar.
also by what metric is Ingram the better offensive player? Only things he's better at are 3pt % and free throw %. Over the last 4 years, Siakam has a better TS%, higher PER, higher VORP, higher BPM and lower turnovers.

[DelAbbot]

I keep seeing this when scanning our subforum front page

"Masai Has Found The Pot"

[Jerry Lucas]

If the Raptors suck next year I'm sure they'll refer to "that time Darko said something in Serbian about the 2026 draft" as indicative they were in for the long haul. This is Masai's MO. Commit to very little, sell whatever people are already buying, promise to do better.

ATL, when did you become so anti-Masai? You never used to be like this!

[Yallbecrazy]

lol siakam isn't scaring anyone but Ingram is? ok.

Yes, I do see ingram as a better player offensively than Siakam and this is a offence first league

second, i see our starting line up as better than theirs next year, not to mention our lottery pick. I already know what Siakam is and Hali is the worst "all star" in the NBA

lol now that he is no longer a raptor, siakam isn't a real allstar.
also by what metric is Ingram the better offensive player? Only things he's better at are 3pt % and free throw %. Over the last 4 years, Siakam has a better TS%, higher PER, higher VORP, higher BPM and lower turnovers.

VORP and BPM are perfectly correlated so don't pick both together as two examples of advanced stats.