Scotto: RJ was in trade talks for BI

[ATLTimekeeper]

They also never pushed RJ for any all-star marketing. That was a tell for me. Off-season it was always Scottie and IQ as the two building blocks and go from there. RJ wasn't in that conversation cuz they know the type of player and limitations + contract coming up.

Need to find a sucker GM who will take him, won't be easy

After an epic flameout in the play-in tourney, RING RING, hello Monte McNair?? Since you LOVE Derozan, send us back Malik Monk and a 1st rounder and we'll give you Derozan Jr.

I dunno a mid-first and Monk's deal isn't really highway robbery or anything. Might even be a loss.

Also, from a asset management perspective, it costs nothing to advertise RJ as a potential all-star and maybe gets some media outlets discussing the chance. Instead they just insulted him by exclusion, and the league knows exactly what we think about him. Masai just seems out of gas.

[Scase]

Yeah Williams works...similar concerns of course.

Personally I would be fine with RJ coming back, but we would need to move a SG for a C. Gradey for a similar upside C fits better. Then you bring RJ off the bench for better roster balance.

Or frig it, go get KD.

Williams for sure has the same concerns, but the optimist in me would hope that 3ish years of sample size might be an aberration, but those 7ish for WCJ are a trend lol.

Gradey is probably a lot easier to move for a multitude of reasons, and I've always been all aboard the "RJ to the bench" train, I just don't think they do it.

At this point though, I'm with you, **** it, let's double down on this mess and grab KD

[Pointgod]

Yeah Williams works...similar concerns of course.

Personally I would be fine with RJ coming back, but we would need to move a SG for a C. Gradey for a similar upside C fits better. Then you bring RJ off the bench for better roster balance.

Or frig it, go get KD.

Williams for sure has the same concerns, but the optimist in me would hope that 3ish years of sample size might be an aberration, but those 7ish for WCJ are a trend lol.

Gradey is probably a lot easier to move for a multitude of reasons, and I've always been all aboard the "RJ to the bench" train, I just don't think they do it.

At this point though, I'm with you, **** it, let's [b]double down on this mess and grab KD [/b]

[Scase]

Yeah Williams works...similar concerns of course.

Personally I would be fine with RJ coming back, but we would need to move a SG for a C. Gradey for a similar upside C fits better. Then you bring RJ off the bench for better roster balance.

Or frig it, go get KD.

Williams for sure has the same concerns, but the optimist in me would hope that 3ish years of sample size might be an aberration, but those 7ish for WCJ are a trend lol.

Gradey is probably a lot easier to move for a multitude of reasons, and I've always been all aboard the "RJ to the bench" train, I just don't think they do it.

At this point though, I'm with you, **** it, let's [b]double down on this mess and grab KD [/b]

I was always taught to never half ass a job, so lets full ass this stupid plan

Bring me the 9th pick, and trading for KD. Maximum chaos!

[MEDIC]

I am super curious what they do with RJ. My gut tells me that they want to keep him, but it depends on trade opportunities really. If Demar can be traded, anyone can be traded.

Masai mentioned a couple of years ago that it is important to them to win with Canadian players. He also suggested that the organization would love to win a championship with a Canadian as one of its main players.

RJ is the best Canadian player the Raptors have had & definitely the most popular among local fans (and across the league).

I don't see Quickley jerseys at my local Sporkchek. It's all Barnes and RJ

I don't see them just dumping him for salary purposes. Wouldn't be a good look at all.

Masai hasn't given any indications that RJ is part of the longer term picture, at least as of now. And I commend him and the FO for that, because it would be very easy to sell RJ to the fans.

A lot of people seem to be buying into the Masai didn't mention RJ or Masai mentioned RJ AFTER IQ in his speech. I don't think it means much of anything. Even if he mentioned IQ.......it means nothing.. IQ is a tradeable asset just like anyone else. They will test the lineups next season, evaluate fit/ need & make moves from there.

RJ is coming from a high pressure situation in NY. Everyone knew he was a former high lottery pick who had a storied Highschool & College career. He was touted as the #1 overall pick at one point.

After gaining that kind of notoriety & coming from NY, the last thing RJ's family or the Raptors wanted to do was put more pressure on him by marketing him as the great Canadian saviour. It was a smart move not to do so. They took more of a "sneak him in behind the scenes" approach & see how things work out.

There has been nothing is RJ's body language that suggests the organization has made him feel like he was trade filler or that he will be here short term.

He looks pretty confident in his status on the team.

We will see......

[ash_k]

if True, what is the breaking news here? FO thought getting a player of the level of BI would require a RJ, rightfully so ..It's freaking BI! At the beginning of the season, had anybody told you would be getting BI through Bruce Brown and KO , you would have laughed out loud

[WuTang_CMB]

Apparently we did try to get KD before landing Ingram.

My (bold) prediction is that we trade RJ + for KD in the off season.

Depending on we draft...

If we draft Malauch - RJ + Poeltl [Quickley/Ingram/Durant/Barnes/Maluach]

If we draft Harper - RJ + IQ [Harper/Ingram/Durant/Barnes/Poeltl]


Durant gets to spend his final years for his favorite team growing up and him & Drake are bestfriends.

Crazy that we could be contenders as early as next year depending on how we play our cards.

where u see this

[PushDaRock]

They also never pushed RJ for any all-star marketing. That was a tell for me. Off-season it was always Scottie and IQ as the two building blocks and go from there. RJ wasn't in that conversation cuz they know the type of player and limitations + contract coming up.

Need to find a sucker GM who will take him, won't be easy

After an epic flameout in the play-in tourney, RING RING, hello Monte McNair?? Since you LOVE Derozan, send us back Malik Monk and a 1st rounder and we'll give you Derozan Jr.

I dunno a mid-first and Monk's deal isn't really highway robbery or anything. Might even be a loss.

Also, from a asset management perspective, it costs nothing to advertise RJ as a potential all-star and maybe gets some media outlets discussing the chance. Instead they just insulted him by exclusion, and the league knows exactly what we think about him. Masai just seems out of gas.

Or the master plan is to downplay his importance, plant the seed that he has no value across the league so we can low ball and lock him up to a cheap extension, Masai playing 4d chess once again.

[Tripod]

I am super curious what they do with RJ. My gut tells me that they want to keep him, but it depends on trade opportunities really. If Demar can be traded, anyone can be traded.

Masai mentioned a couple of years ago that it is important to them to win with Canadian players. He also suggested that the organization would love to win a championship with a Canadian as one of its main players.

RJ is the best Canadian player the Raptors have had & definitely the most popular among local fans (and across the league).

I don't see Quickley jerseys at my local Sporkchek. It's all Barnes and RJ

I don't see them just dumping him for salary purposes. Wouldn't be a good look at all.

Masai hasn't given any indications that RJ is part of the longer term picture, at least as of now. And I commend him and the FO for that, because it would be very easy to sell RJ to the fans.

A lot of people seem to be buying into the Masai didn't mention RJ or Masai mentioned RJ AFTER IQ in his speech. I don't think it means much of anything. Even if he mentioned IQ.......it means nothing.. IQ is a tradeable asset just like anyone else. They will test the lineups next season, evaluate fit/ need & make moves from there.

RJ is coming from a high pressure situation in NY. Everyone knew he was a former high lottery pick who had a storied Highschool & College career. He was touted as the #1 overall pick at one point.

After gaining that kind of notoriety & coming from NY, the last thing RJ's family or the Raptors wanted to do was put more pressure on him by marketing him as the great Canadian saviour. It was a smart move not to do so. They took more of a "sneak him in behind the scenes" approach & see how things work out.

There has been nothing is RJ's body language that suggests the organization has made him feel like he was trade filler or that he will be here short term.

He looks pretty confident in his status on the team.

We will see......

Agreed.

Unless a big deal happens, starting next year with everyone and see who improved this offseason and see how the pieces all fit seems much more likely.

We are trying to see parts of the puzzle this year, but still no BI. Plus, BI WILL miss games...you need to maintain scoring if you can.

[LoveMyRaps]

Apparently we did try to get KD before landing Ingram.

My (bold) prediction is that we trade RJ + for KD in the off season.

Depending on we draft...

If we draft Malauch - RJ + Poeltl [Quickley/Ingram/Durant/Barnes/Maluach]

If we draft Harper - RJ + IQ [Harper/Ingram/Durant/Barnes/Poeltl]


Durant gets to spend his final years for his favorite team growing up and him & Drake are bestfriends.

Crazy that we could be contenders as early as next year depending on how we play our cards.

where u see this

Stein and Fischer:

https://marcstein.substack.com/p/jake-fischer-latest-inside-the-brandon

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, some NBA executives were "fearful" of the Raptors getting involved in the sweepstakes for Durant or Butler, similar to the manner in which they acquired Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs prior to the 2018-19 season.

The execs' concerns may have been well-placed, as the Raptors did end up making a somewhat surprising move given where they are in the standings.

Toronto traded Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk a first-round pick and a second-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for one-time All-Star wing Brandon Ingram.

Fischer noted that the Raptors have long held interest in KD, though, as they looked into the possibility of acquiring him when he requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in 2022.

[sidsid]

More signs of the value of one-way guards who aren't stars. Herro not being able to be moved for value in the Dame trade. There are no 3rd teams.

The league has figured out that you can get cheaper replacement level talent at the position instead of paying up.

I don't think it's all a loss. I'm pretty sure RJ has worked his way into being a neutral contract asset next year, as long as the trade would be for incoming term. Filler that can play.

At least is good to know that Masai is in the right mindset here

[Scase]

Apparently we did try to get KD before landing Ingram.

My (bold) prediction is that we trade RJ + for KD in the off season.

Depending on we draft...

If we draft Malauch - RJ + Poeltl [Quickley/Ingram/Durant/Barnes/Maluach]

If we draft Harper - RJ + IQ [Harper/Ingram/Durant/Barnes/Poeltl]


Durant gets to spend his final years for his favorite team growing up and him & Drake are bestfriends.

Crazy that we could be contenders as early as next year depending on how we play our cards.

where u see this

Stein and Fischer:

https://marcstein.substack.com/p/jake-fischer-latest-inside-the-brandon

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, some NBA executives were "fearful" of the Raptors getting involved in the sweepstakes for Durant or Butler, similar to the manner in which they acquired Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs prior to the 2018-19 season.

The execs' concerns may have been well-placed, as the Raptors did end up making a somewhat surprising move given where they are in the standings.

Toronto traded Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk a first-round pick and a second-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for one-time All-Star wing Brandon Ingram.

Fischer noted that the Raptors have long held interest in KD, though, as they looked into the possibility of acquiring him when he requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in 2022.

Nowhere does that say we made a play for him. It said they were fearful we would, we made a surprising move to get BI.

[Appostis]

Happy to have him here long term but the team definitely needs a little more balance.

Eventually a move of one of the SGs/smaller SFs need to happen for more support in the front court.

[Thaddy]

Pretty interesting stat on RJ:

He's making 2+ threes in the last 7 of 10 games. He's also 2nd on the team in deflections and has picked up his defense. I am impressed by his improvement this season. He shouldn't be a throw in or trade dump but trading him is a good way to make a winning deal.

I think there's a good chance this lineup at full strength is very good. If we draft Maluach and he works out at the NBA level we could have an elite defense very soon from our front court, while the back court would be weaker defensively they'd carry us on offense. The defense would be led by Poeltl, Barnes, Mogbo, Maluach, Agbaji, and Shead. While the offense would be supported by Ingram, Barrett, IQ, Dick, and Walter.

[mihaic]

if True, what is the breaking news here? FO thought getting a player of the level of BI would require a RJ, rightfully so ..It's freaking BI! At the beginning of the season, had anybody told you would be getting BI through Bruce Brown and KO , you would have laughed out loud

Moreover, people complained why we picked up Brown's option. Had we not, we would've had to trade RJ instead. This way we still have another good player on the roster, which we can keep (and trade someone else) or trade as an assett for the right player.

[kalel123]

if True, what is the breaking news here? FO thought getting a player of the level of BI would require a RJ, rightfully so ..It's freaking BI! At the beginning of the season, had anybody told you would be getting BI through Bruce Brown and KO , you would have laughed out loud

The breaking news here is that New Orleans Pelicans valued Bruce Brown's expiring contract more than RJ Barrett. I don't know what the heck kind of trajectory they want to be on but there's no f'ing way anybody in their right mind would think that and I have my own reservations on Barrett's future on this team. It's no wonder Pelicans have been in the s#!thole for so long save for a few years here and there.

[dballislife]

rj is our most consistent player, night in night out he consistently gives u a efficient 21-23, 5-6 dimes, while playing rock solid defense

[MEDIC]

I could see NO wanting to re-unite RJ & Zion.

It would.make.for an interesting storyline for their fanbase. Nothing else.going on in NO these days.

I am sure the Raps wanted nothing to do with it. Just held out until NO accepted the expiring, KO & the 1st.

[sidsid]

if True, what is the breaking news here? FO thought getting a player of the level of BI would require a RJ, rightfully so ..It's freaking BI! At the beginning of the season, had anybody told you would be getting BI through Bruce Brown and KO , you would have laughed out loud

The breaking news here is that New Orleans Pelicans valued Bruce Brown's expiring contract more than RJ Barrett. I don't know what the heck kind of trajectory they want to be on but there's no f'ing way anybody in their right mind would think that and I have my own reservations on Barrett's future on this team. It's no wonder Pelicans have been in the s#!thole for so long save for a few years here and there.

The news from the Pels own GM early in the season is that BI was functionally untradable because teams couldn't trade for him and then pay his raise (and injury risk). From the jump, the thought was that all they could get would be a 1st rounder, if that, and likely have to take back some term, which the Pels didn't want to do. BI was a literal afterthought for both Atlanta and Toronto who were targeting salary dumps before switching gears. The Pels got maximum value considering the protections on the pick. Same as the Spurs got when trading us Jak.

RJ, as a guard, is lower in value than BI both positionally and in skillset value. We've yet to see the various types of these players bring back much value, and some have been negative (Hield, Poole, Herro, etc.). Even the "high value" version of these guys in Lavine got a pick back attached to bloat term contracts. Most teams can find tertiary scoring somewhere else in their lineups without spending, and would rather fill gaps without creating more liabilities (see the league wide desire to add OG to a team).

The Pels need to avoid the tax and are likely right to try to use what space they have for cheaper alternatives than RJ considering the scoring they already have.

[Scase]

I could see NO wanting to re-unite RJ & Zion.

It would.make.for an interesting storyline for their fanbase. Nothing else.going on in NO these days.

I am sure the Raps wanted nothing to do with it. Just held out until NO accepted the expiring, KO & the 1st.

Yeah that makes total sense, oh you know except for the part where the report says that NOP didn't want RJ. But yeah, other than that minor detail, basically the same thing right?

rj is our most consistent player, night in night out he consistently gives u a efficient 21-23, 5-6 dimes, while playing rock solid defense

And if by efficient you mean below league average efficiency, and if by rock solid defence you mean average at its absolute peak. I swear to god, you guys just love to make up stuff to feel better