Masai Presser Live @ 11am

[mtcan]

That's basically never been how Masai operates. He doesn't trade his younger players for more immediate help with lower upside.

Ya we aren't trading a recent former lottery pick for a player at a lesser draft position.

Derek Lively for Gradey Dick is kinda perfect for both teams involved.

Dallas would never consider it. Lively has real injury issues, but he's actually proven to be a capable winning player at his position and projects to be a real starter in this league. Gradey has to produce to be worth Lively and he just hasnt. You can only live off of draft position for so long

I think given the situation in Dallas and how hard it will be for them to score with Kyrie out for most if not all of next season...I think a Lively Dick trade making a lot of sense. They will be fine with AD and Gafford but having Spencer Dinwiddie, old Klay Thompson and Caleb Martin as the other projected starters...it will be hard to score.

They can give Gradey the green light to shoot knowing that he has Martin, David and Gafford to cover for Gradey defensively.

[mihaic]

i can see a gradey to brooklyn trade for late 1st(s) to grab some big man depth if they go that route

That's basically never been how Masai operates. He doesn't trade his younger players for more immediate help with lower upside.

Ya we aren't trading a recent former lottery pick for a player at a lesser draft position.

Derek Lively for Gradey Dick is kinda perfect for both teams involved.

Ainge says hold my beer, who wants Ochai.

You have a good point but it happens sometimes due to context.

[mademan]

Ya we aren't trading a recent former lottery pick for a player at a lesser draft position.

Derek Lively for Gradey Dick is kinda perfect for both teams involved.

Dallas would never consider it. Lively has real injury issues, but he's actually proven to be a capable winning player at his position and projects to be a real starter in this league. Gradey has to produce to be worth Lively and he just hasnt. You can only live off of draft position for so long

I think given the situation in Dallas and how hard it will be for them to score with Kyrie out for most if not all of next season...I think a Lively Dick trade making a lot of sense. They will be fine with AD and Gafford but having Spencer Dinwiddie, old Klay Thompson and Caleb Martin as the other projected starters...it will be hard to score.

They can give Gradey the green light to shoot knowing that he has Martin, David and Gafford to cover for Gradey defensively.

Dick isnt an onball creator. Thats what they need without Kyrie. He solves nothing for them without Kyrie, and ya, they really do have a big glut. But Gafford will likely be moved

[earthtone]

Exchange between Grange & Masai from early in the presser:

Grange:

At one point this year you guys were 8-31, number two in the lottery odds. Do you feel like you did enough to guarantee those odds, or was the benefit of having a competitive second half - some teams really went for it, so to speak, in the standings. How did you evaluate that situation internally?

Masai:

Yah it's tough, that's the toughest question. We're always going to build from within. I think you sat here and challenged us on the kind of players we draft... it was a challenge for us because we haven't done so well. It was a big challenge for us to get these guys right last year, and if there are the guys playing, you have to keep building them and build winning habits and some of the things we have to build on our team. I think sometimes it's a little bit overrated - with the teams approaches to this - because the truth of the matter is there's only three ways to build a team in the NBA, and teams are going to use those approaches. We have to play the game, and play the game the best we can, and take care of our business and try to build a team, depending on the markets where you are and the way you can acquire players.

To your question, I was really happy with the way these guys played, and hopefully their development comes up more and more. We'll try to attack the odds in the lottery and see what we can do. It's a good draft, and honestly, wherever we fall we feel very confident. Guys have done a lot of work all year, and we're extremely excited. It's a good draft

[mtcan]

That's basically never been how Masai operates. He doesn't trade his younger players for more immediate help with lower upside.

Ya we aren't trading a recent former lottery pick for a player at a lesser draft position.

Derek Lively for Gradey Dick is kinda perfect for both teams involved.

Ainge says hold my beer, who wants Ochai.

You have a good point but it happens sometimes due to context.

Ya but that is Danny Ainge who values picks over players.

Masai is the complete opposite.

[junot111]

i can see a gradey to brooklyn trade for late 1st(s) to grab some big man depth if they go that route

That's basically never been how Masai operates. He doesn't trade his younger players for more immediate help with lower upside.

Ya we aren't trading a recent former lottery pick for a player at a lesser draft position.

Derek Lively for Gradey Dick is kinda perfect for both teams involved.

Lively has way more value than dick, why do we keep perpetuating the idea of this fantasy trade being realistic?

[mihaic]

Ya we aren't trading a recent former lottery pick for a player at a lesser draft position.

Derek Lively for Gradey Dick is kinda perfect for both teams involved.

Ainge says hold my beer, who wants Ochai.

You have a good point but it happens sometimes due to context.

Ya but that is Danny Ainge who values picks over players.

Masai is the complete opposite.

I think Ainge traded him because no minutes. We also have a logjam at that position now.

[PushDaRock]

i can see a gradey to brooklyn trade for late 1st(s) to grab some big man depth if they go that route

That's basically never been how Masai operates. He doesn't trade his younger players for more immediate help with lower upside.

That wouldnt be for more immediate help though. It would be for a rookie contract for a player who has genuinely disappointed at a position where we have a lot of depth. Its not clear that by merit Gradey will earn minutes next year over Ingram/RJ/Ochai/JKW/Battle. He may still get it because of the lotto pick investment, but that's 5 guys who all could be better than him next year. Minutes become even more competitive if we draft a guard/wing

Dick or RJ trade is definitely an option if BPA is a guard. There's a real glut, and those 2 are worst defenders

I have questioned Gradey's fit as well, but Masai basically never does what you are proposing. Look at how long Flynn and Caboclo stuck around for despite not producing at all. If they want another late FRP for someone they are targeting, there's other ways to acquire it than trading Gradey.

[mtcan]

Ainge says hold my beer, who wants Ochai.

You have a good point but it happens sometimes due to context.

Ya but that is Danny Ainge who values picks over players.

Masai is the complete opposite.

I think Ainge traded him because no minutes. We also have a logjam at that position now.

But Ochai is actually useful now. I think he stays.

But to my point...if Gradey gets traded it will be for a player and less likely a late first or second round pick.

[mihaic]

Flagg will be solid backup 4 for us next season

He could win ROTY and 6MOTY in the same year. How many rookies can say that?

You forgot to mention the championship too in the same year of course

[anotherhomer]

That's basically never been how Masai operates. He doesn't trade his younger players for more immediate help with lower upside.

That wouldnt be for more immediate help though. It would be for a rookie contract for a player who has genuinely disappointed at a position where we have a lot of depth. Its not clear that by merit Gradey will earn minutes next year over Ingram/RJ/Ochai/JKW/Battle. He may still get it because of the lotto pick investment, but that's 5 guys who all could be better than him next year. Minutes become even more competitive if we draft a guard/wing

Dick or RJ trade is definitely an option if BPA is a guard. There's a real glut, and those 2 are worst defenders

I have questioned Gradey's fit as well, but Masai basically never does what you are proposing. Look at how long Flynn and Caboclo stuck around for despite not producing at all. If they want another late FRP for someone they are targeting, there's other ways to acquire it than trading Gradey.

i doubt it, the reason Flynn stuck around for a while was because they felt he wasn't getting develop opportunities under Nurse

With Gradey, i think they've given him a lot of opportunities so they've gotten a really good look at him to decide if they want to keep or trade him

[ishoy123]

Read on Twitter

Wonder who he's talking about

All or some of KD, Giannis, Trae, Zion, Ball, Sabonis, Ja could be available this summer who he could be talking about multiple people.

Feels like Ja is the one guy on the list who A) fits the roster, and B) may not necessarily want to come to Toronto.

Assuming we aren't trading Scottie or Ingram, the deal would likely be RJ, Walter, our 25 pick, + picks.

Is Quickley, Ja, Scottie, Ingram, Poeltl a contender?

[Jerry Lucas]

IMO these are the 3 most notable quotes from Masai's presser.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[mademan]

That's basically never been how Masai operates. He doesn't trade his younger players for more immediate help with lower upside.

That wouldnt be for more immediate help though. It would be for a rookie contract for a player who has genuinely disappointed at a position where we have a lot of depth. Its not clear that by merit Gradey will earn minutes next year over Ingram/RJ/Ochai/JKW/Battle. He may still get it because of the lotto pick investment, but that's 5 guys who all could be better than him next year. Minutes become even more competitive if we draft a guard/wing

Dick or RJ trade is definitely an option if BPA is a guard. There's a real glut, and those 2 are worst defenders

I have questioned Gradey's fit as well, but Masai basically never does what you are proposing. Look at how long Flynn and Caboclo stuck around for despite not producing at all. If they want another late FRP for someone they are targeting, there's other ways to acquire it than trading Gradey.

Where do the minutes come from though? Are you sure that Gradey plays good enough to demand minutes next year? Is he better than JKW/Battle/Ochai? If we draft another guard/wing in the top 10, thats another player.

The glut is real.

[Jerry Lucas]

That wouldnt be for more immediate help though. It would be for a rookie contract for a player who has genuinely disappointed at a position where we have a lot of depth. Its not clear that by merit Gradey will earn minutes next year over Ingram/RJ/Ochai/JKW/Battle. He may still get it because of the lotto pick investment, but that's 5 guys who all could be better than him next year. Minutes become even more competitive if we draft a guard/wing

Dick or RJ trade is definitely an option if BPA is a guard. There's a real glut, and those 2 are worst defenders

I have questioned Gradey's fit as well, but Masai basically never does what you are proposing. Look at how long Flynn and Caboclo stuck around for despite not producing at all. If they want another late FRP for someone they are targeting, there's other ways to acquire it than trading Gradey.

Where do the minutes come from though? Are you sure that Gradey plays good enough to demand minutes next year? Is he better than JKW/Battle/Ochai? If we draft another guard/wing in the top 10, thats another player.

The glut is real.

There is kind of a glut, but you're overthinking it by including Battle, who isn't even on a fully guaranteed salary next season. There are 11 fully guaranteed deals on next year's roster, but if just 1 of them gets hurt you're already down to 10 and the glut is gone.

[mademan]

I have questioned Gradey's fit as well, but Masai basically never does what you are proposing. Look at how long Flynn and Caboclo stuck around for despite not producing at all. If they want another late FRP for someone they are targeting, there's other ways to acquire it than trading Gradey.

Where do the minutes come from though? Are you sure that Gradey plays good enough to demand minutes next year? Is he better than JKW/Battle/Ochai? If we draft another guard/wing in the top 10, thats another player.

The glut is real.

There is kind of a glut, but you're overthinking it by including Battle, who isn't even on a fully guaranteed salary next season. There are 11 fully guaranteed deals on next year's roster, but if just 1 of them gets hurt you're already down to 10 and the glut is gone.

It's not overthinking it though to include Battle. He had a better rookie season than Gradey, is a better shooter and a better defender. Does all of that change next year?

[Tha Cynic]

i can see a gradey to brooklyn trade for late 1st(s) to grab some big man depth if they go that route

That's basically never been how Masai operates. He doesn't trade his younger players for more immediate help with lower upside.

Ya we aren't trading a recent former lottery pick for a player at a lesser draft position.

Derek Lively for Gradey Dick is kinda perfect for both teams involved.

Dick will need to really improve for Dallas to trade Lively for him, or our staff will have to do a really good sell job. Lively’s interior defense helped Dallas get to the finals last season and him being a lob threat for even AD is huge. This would be a lopsided trade in our favour, but who knows - Nico has made worse trades

[PushDaRock]

That wouldnt be for more immediate help though. It would be for a rookie contract for a player who has genuinely disappointed at a position where we have a lot of depth. Its not clear that by merit Gradey will earn minutes next year over Ingram/RJ/Ochai/JKW/Battle. He may still get it because of the lotto pick investment, but that's 5 guys who all could be better than him next year. Minutes become even more competitive if we draft a guard/wing

Dick or RJ trade is definitely an option if BPA is a guard. There's a real glut, and those 2 are worst defenders

I have questioned Gradey's fit as well, but Masai basically never does what you are proposing. Look at how long Flynn and Caboclo stuck around for despite not producing at all. If they want another late FRP for someone they are targeting, there's other ways to acquire it than trading Gradey.

Where do the minutes come from though? Are you sure that Gradey plays good enough to demand minutes next year? Is he better than JKW/Battle/Ochai? If we draft another guard/wing in the top 10, thats another player.

The glut is real.

The glut will solve itself in a few ways. Guys will get hurt at some point and open up minutes for everyone. Even playing 70 games is considered very healthy these days, so guys will get a chance to step in at some point. The competing for minutes will be a good thing and whoever plays the best will earn them. None of these guys have done anything in this league to where they should be gifted minutes, they all need to be earned.

The roster will get balanced out at some point because we are so guard/wing heavy but I don't think it's likely to be done this off season unless a major upgrade becomes available.

[PushDaRock]

That wouldnt be for more immediate help though. It would be for a rookie contract for a player who has genuinely disappointed at a position where we have a lot of depth. Its not clear that by merit Gradey will earn minutes next year over Ingram/RJ/Ochai/JKW/Battle. He may still get it because of the lotto pick investment, but that's 5 guys who all could be better than him next year. Minutes become even more competitive if we draft a guard/wing

Dick or RJ trade is definitely an option if BPA is a guard. There's a real glut, and those 2 are worst defenders

I have questioned Gradey's fit as well, but Masai basically never does what you are proposing. Look at how long Flynn and Caboclo stuck around for despite not producing at all. If they want another late FRP for someone they are targeting, there's other ways to acquire it than trading Gradey.

i doubt it, the reason Flynn stuck around for a while was because they felt he wasn't getting develop opportunities under Nurse

With Gradey, i think they've given him a lot of opportunities so they've gotten a really good look at him to decide if they want to keep or trade him

Masai is notoriously patient, he's not going to think Gradey is anywhere close to a finished product after year 2 especially given the circumstances of this season.

[ciueli]

I have questioned Gradey's fit as well, but Masai basically never does what you are proposing. Look at how long Flynn and Caboclo stuck around for despite not producing at all. If they want another late FRP for someone they are targeting, there's other ways to acquire it than trading Gradey.

Where do the minutes come from though? Are you sure that Gradey plays good enough to demand minutes next year? Is he better than JKW/Battle/Ochai? If we draft another guard/wing in the top 10, thats another player.

The glut is real.

There is kind of a glut, but you're overthinking it by including Battle, who isn't even on a fully guaranteed salary next season. There are 11 fully guaranteed deals on next year's roster, but if just 1 of them gets hurt you're already down to 10 and the glut is gone.

The glut is not of good players, it's of players they are trying to develop. Even if Ingram goes down for the season as is typical of him they still have RJ, Ochai, Gradey, Ja'Kobe, and Battle (who is pretty much guaranteed to be on the team next season as they won't do better for the money) for the two swing spots. So there's a glut of players to give minutes to if even one player goes down, there are 6 guys for 2 positions before any injuries.