Let's have some fun: What if Shai comes home in 2027?

[Mr Funk]

Yes we know, you don't believe it's going to happen.

KEEP DREAMING BRO.

Stacked team, supermax etc. We get it.

But let's have some fun. The weather is miserable, we're sick of Trump and the draft lottery is way off. What if something happens. What if Shai becomes disgruntled and wants to come home? Or perhaps it was always his plan or intention. Either way, what would the starting lineup and entire roster look like? What moves might we have to make in order to make Shai and the salaries work? What do you think our ceiling would be? Perennial contender or perhaps a potential dynasty? How much does Bill Simmons and Steven A. Smith hate us?

[PhilBlackson]

I'm sorry, not trying to be a hater or throw water on this but it's so utterly pointless to even daydream about...

OKC is every bit as young but with even higher end talent and even more tradeable pieces (players/contracts) and already established as a perennial true contender for like the next decade that it would really make no sense for him to leave and therefore not worth creating a thread to even contemplate it and I don't see what's "fun" about contemplating something that doesn't really have any basis in reality.

[YogurtProducer]

I'm sorry, not trying to be a hater or throw water on this but it's so utterly pointless to even daydream about...

Then don’t comment. My god.

it also was inconceivable KD would go to GSW and bail on the Thunder. Kawhi left a team that literally won the title to come home. It’s not impossible to think SGA would possibly wanna come home. If you don’t think we’re gonna try if we have the opportunity you’re crazy.

[AbC?]

To make this even a remote possibility you need to create a roster where Shai gets to compete for a championship the very first season he gets here. Shai caliber players - MVP, all-time great level guys can't waste their careers on mid franchises. And the situation in OKC could not possibly be better with their future assets, management and current level of young talent - they are well positioned to contend every year and are just better than the Raptors in every facet.

Only avenue I see the Raptors being in that position is if they hit a home run in this upcoming draft - getting Flagg/whoever and that player immediately and clearly shows a superstar-level trajectory. The current group with Barnes at the helm is painfully mediocre and not a draw at all.

Even in that ideal scenario, it's overwhelmingly likely not to happen. He's in the perfect situation to win now and in the future and he would have to forego a supermax. The sell would almost entirely be a homecoming because there's not much else the Raptors can offer.

[PhilBlackson]

I'm sorry, not trying to be a hater or throw water on this but it's so utterly pointless to even daydream about...

Then don’t comment. My god.

it also was inconceivable KD would go to GSW and bail on the Thunder. Kawhi left a team that literally won the title to come home. It’s not impossible to think SGA would possibly wanna come home. If you don’t think we’re gonna try if we have the opportunity you’re crazy.

I can do what I want, it's a forum where we're free to comment on whatever we like, we don't have to reinforce every opinion which is especially ironic from a poster like you that is in a debate in nearly every thread you partake in and I also made it clear that I wasn't trying to hate on the OP so stfu you wannabe backseat mod lol

But nonetheless your comments go on with no context. Shai and KD's situations were not the same so it's a dumb comparison to begin with. The Warriors were an UPGRADE with a MVP level player already on the roster and even more talent, we would be a downgrade, Kawhi also never wanted to be here in the first place and was pushing to head home since SA, not the case with Shai who actually quieted rumors that he supposedly "should want to leave" before they started taking off - that's fail #1. Also OKC's local/national media was pitting KD and Russ against each other as to "who's franchise is it". Even if it was obvious that KD was the better player, nonetheless that's what was being said both externally and internally, there was believed to be a growing tension AND they lost one of the best players in Harden. Whereas Shai is the clear and unquestioned leader of the team with a team that is only continuing to add more talent now and the years ahead.

Also not once did I say that we're not gonna try or that we shouldn't so your last comment is even more pointless. Of course I have no issues with our management trying everything in their power to get him home, it's clearly every Canadian hoop fans' dream. But there is really very little to no reason for him to leave other than to "come home" (period).

[Ackshun]

I'm sorry, not trying to be a hater or throw water on this but it's so utterly pointless to even daydream about...

OKC is every bit as young but with even higher end talent and even more tradeable pieces (players/contracts) and already established as a perennial true contender for like the next decade that it would really make no sense for him to leave and therefore not worth creating a thread to even contemplate it and I don't see what's "fun" about contemplating something that doesn't really have any basis in reality.

We won a chip and Kawhi bounced a few a few months later.

What’s the problem with dude daydreaming? Stars, mvps have left to go home.. even if it’s a 0.001% chance, it’s a **** message board.. who cares

[Duffman100]

"Let's have some fun"

And immediately ... nope.

[JB7]

The only hope (aside from Shai actually wanting to play for his hometown team) is the desire to win, if the East presents an easier path to the finals than the West.

Jordan and Lebron benefitted from playing in the East.

Let's see if OKC is actually able to make it to the Finals. If they are knocked out early the next few seasons, who knows.

I would fully expect him to re-up under the supermax. Doesn't mean he can't request a trade after signing it.

[CPT]

Since we're apparently not allowed to talk about how realistic it is or isn't, what is there actually to discuss?

How he fits with Chomche?

We would be good, but significantly worse than OKC is now, and they haven't made it out of the second round yet. That is likely to change this year, but not guaranteed. OKC winning a title or two before this is probably the best thing that could happen as far as we're concerned.

[PhilBlackson]

I'm sorry, not trying to be a hater or throw water on this but it's so utterly pointless to even daydream about...

OKC is every bit as young but with even higher end talent and even more tradeable pieces (players/contracts) and already established as a perennial true contender for like the next decade that it would really make no sense for him to leave and therefore not worth creating a thread to even contemplate it and I don't see what's "fun" about contemplating something that doesn't really have any basis in reality.

We won a chip and Kawhi bounced a few a few months later.

What’s the problem with dude daydreaming? Stars, mvps have left to go home.. even if it’s a 0.001% chance, it’s a **** message board.. who cares

This was already addressed but Kawhi never wanted to be here and was actually doing everything he could to get "home" even before his arrival here when he was ending his time in SAS. Whereas for those who can remember, people were trying to put out the narrative that Shai should force his way out of OKC prior to their ascension which is when the whole buzz of us wanting to pursue him began and he shut the idea of leaving down. Not to mention majority of the most critical pieces of our championship team ie/ Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka, Danny etc were all aging/old pieces, Shai's group is actually younger than himself, that young talent is far superior to the young talent we had remaining and they will only continue to get better. So you're comparing apples to oranges.

And yes it's a message board hence why we have the freedom to express differing opinions that I also CLEARLY stated that I wasn't trying to hate etc but only stating my opinion so get your panties out of a knot, it's not that serious lol

[Ackshun]

I'm sorry, not trying to be a hater or throw water on this but it's so utterly pointless to even daydream about...

OKC is every bit as young but with even higher end talent and even more tradeable pieces (players/contracts) and already established as a perennial true contender for like the next decade that it would really make no sense for him to leave and therefore not worth creating a thread to even contemplate it and I don't see what's "fun" about contemplating something that doesn't really have any basis in reality.

We won a chip and Kawhi bounced a few a few months later.

What’s the problem with dude daydreaming? Stars, mvps have left to go home.. even if it’s a 0.001% chance, it’s a **** message board.. who cares

This was already addressed but Kawhi never wanted to be here and was actually doing everything he could to get "home" even before his arrival here when he was ending his time in SAS. Whereas for those who can remember, people were trying to put out the narrative that Shai should force his way out of OKC prior to their ascension which is when the whole buzz of us wanting to pursue him began and he shut the idea of leaving down. Not to mention majority of the most critical pieces of our championship team ie/ Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka, Danny etc were all aging/old pieces, Shai's group is actually younger than himself, that young talent is far superior to the young talent we had remaining and they will only continue to get better. So you're comparing apples to oranges.

And yes it's a message board hence why we have the freedom to express differing opinions that I also CLEARLY stated that I wasn't trying to hate etc but only stating my opinion so get your panties out of a knot, it's not that serious lol

My guy. You need to get out and take in some fresh air.. geez

[wegotthabeet]

To make this even a remote possibility you need to create a roster where Shai gets to compete for a championship the very first season he gets here. Shai caliber players - MVP, all-time great level guys can't waste their careers on mid franchises. And the situation in OKC could not possibly be better with their future assets, management and current level of young talent - they are well positioned to contend every year and are just better than the Raptors in every facet.

Only avenue I see the Raptors being in that position is if they hit a home run in this upcoming draft - getting Flagg/whoever and that player immediately and clearly shows a superstar-level trajectory. The current group with Barnes at the helm is painfully mediocre and not a draw at all.

Even in that ideal scenario, it's overwhelmingly likely not to happen. He's in the perfect situation to win now and in the future and he would have to forego a supermax. The sell would almost entirely be a homecoming because there's not much else the Raptors can offer.

Let’s see if OKC spends what’s necessary this time around. Going to be tight after Chet’s rookie deal. I’m assuming JWill wants a max too. Flagg is the better prospect of the three. He himself might have more value than both combined honestly.

So how good would SGA + Flagg be? Better than the current Thunder core if everything pans out with Flagg. The rest of them Barnes, Dick, Walter, RJ, IQ, Jakob, Ochai etc… all have positive value and can be used to trade for the right players to support them.

Landing Flagg is their best chance, but it would change everything. It becomes more realistic at that point.

[TorontoBarneys]

Canada is not a nationalistic country. We strictly discourage nationalism.

Not sure why people think players, especially of SGA's caliber, are going to drop everything they are doing just so they can represent Toronto. If he tests the market, he's going to have far better options.

[Coco Costanza]

Does Shai have an Uncle Dennis?

[YogurtProducer]

Canada is not a nationalistic country. We strictly discourage nationalism.

Not sure why people think players, especially of SGA's caliber, are going to drop everything they are doing just so they can represent Toronto. If he tests the market, he's going to have far better options.

Didn’t Tavares do exactly that?

[Mr Funk]

"Let's have some fun"

And immediately ... nope.

Yep. Instant condescension. The worst was the "since we're apparently not allowed to talk about how realistic it is or isn't, what is there actually to discuss?" remark. I mean christ, it's just a what if/fantasy scenario. You know, for fun. Lighten up.

[Quattro]

A good chunk of this forum will complain that he doesn't fit our timeline and that we should be tanking instead.

[PhilBlackson]

We won a chip and Kawhi bounced a few a few months later.

What’s the problem with dude daydreaming? Stars, mvps have left to go home.. even if it’s a 0.001% chance, it’s a **** message board.. who cares

This was already addressed but Kawhi never wanted to be here and was actually doing everything he could to get "home" even before his arrival here when he was ending his time in SAS. Whereas for those who can remember, people were trying to put out the narrative that Shai should force his way out of OKC prior to their ascension which is when the whole buzz of us wanting to pursue him began and he shut the idea of leaving down. Not to mention majority of the most critical pieces of our championship team ie/ Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka, Danny etc were all aging/old pieces, Shai's group is actually younger than himself, that young talent is far superior to the young talent we had remaining and they will only continue to get better. So you're comparing apples to oranges.

And yes it's a message board hence why we have the freedom to express differing opinions that I also CLEARLY stated that I wasn't trying to hate etc but only stating my opinion so get your panties out of a knot, it's not that serious lol

My guy. You need to get out and take in some fresh air.. geez

Oh ok so resort to some lame flopped insult because you have no counterpoint thx for coming out.

[wegotthabeet]

Canada is not a nationalistic country. We strictly discourage nationalism.

Not sure why people think players, especially of SGA's caliber, are going to drop everything they are doing just so they can represent Toronto. If he tests the market, he's going to have far better options.

It’s not about nationalism. Dude bought a house here, spends his summers here. Sometimes some people just want to be home. Maybe he’d rather join the Lakers or the Nets. Who knows, but if he leaves is Toronto an option? Of course.

[Ackshun]

I like thinking about it. Why tf not.

He tried to buy a Burlington lake front home recently.
He’s married to a woman from Hamilton. Her parents live here.
His passport is…Canadian.

We can hope!!