Windhorst: Raptors making noise around the league looking for a “big fish” // Giannis & Toronto "Mutual Interest"/KD too

[ImaBeatDatAzz]

It's obviously going to be a push for giannis, but who else could potentially be on their radar? Durant?

Booker? Ja?

It's Booker. He fits the timeline, wouldn't have to give up too much, another good scorer/shooter and has a great relationship with Darko.

Barnes/Ingram/Booker is one hell of a big three.

Booker is too in love with phoenix for some reason, loyal as hell. So idk… risky.

But damn I would love that, booker is nasty

[ImaBeatDatAzz]

I think we all need to see the type of move that gets made before we react one way or another. Giannis is the only player that immediately takes us to championship contention but there are some other players who would make us a really good team next year (Trae, JJJ, Booker, etc).

I wouldn't have trusted the 2020 to 2024 version of Masai but am seeing good signs of the 2024/2025 version to make the right move. I will be refreshing like crazy once the NBA season ends and we head towards the draft.

I don't see how Giannis immediately takes us to championship contention. Giannis requires a very specific team around him, and we don't have that team. In fact, we'd have even less of that team since one or more of our young shooters would be involved in the trade that brings him here. The Bucks have been completely irrelevant in the playoffs for the past 4 years because of this. That's the team we'd be turning into. Giannis isn't Kawhi and the current Raptors aren't the 2017-18 Raptors

I think the following team is a championship contender next year considering how weak the East is. We wouldn't be favorites but if we make a follow up Marc Gasol like trade then we could get there.

Poeltl/ Portis
Giannis/ Mogbo
Ingram/ Battle
Ochai/ Walter
IQ/ Shead

So that would mean Scottie + RJ + Dick + 9th/picks For Giannis and Portis?

[WigginsNation]

I don't see how Giannis immediately takes us to championship contention. Giannis requires a very specific team around him, and we don't have that team. In fact, we'd have even less of that team since one or more of our young shooters would be involved in the trade that brings him here. The Bucks have been completely irrelevant in the playoffs for the past 4 years because of this. That's the team we'd be turning into. Giannis isn't Kawhi and the current Raptors aren't the 2017-18 Raptors

I think the following team is a championship contender next year considering how weak the East is. We wouldn't be favorites but if we make a follow up Marc Gasol like trade then we could get there.

Poeltl/ Portis
Giannis/ Mogbo
Ingram/ Battle
Ochai/ Walter
IQ/ Shead

So that would mean Scottie + RJ + Dick + 9th/picks For Giannis and Portis?

If it came to this, I might do it, but I would push hard to keep Dick. We need to have a serviceable bench and Dick would complement the bench very nicely.

[ImaBeatDatAzz]

Sabonis is absurdly good. I wanted to draft him back in 2016, and he's exceeded my wildest expectations. He's just put up BPMs of 5.8, 6.5, and 5.2 while leading the league in rebounding 3 years in a row. He's also been a very durable player, and at 29 is still in his prime.

If for some reason Sacramento wanted to trade him, we absolutely should be interested. I'd imagine Giannis would be plan A for this offseason, but Sabonis is a good plan B in terms of taking a big swing. If possible, it would actually be great to get both of them.

Imagine the scenes if we somehow turn Scottie + RJ + Dick into Giannis and Portis, then find a way to package Poeltl for Sabonis. Theres your chip folks

IQ/Shead
Ochai/Battle
Ingram/Walter
Giannis/Mogbo
Sabonis/Portis

Nobody is contending with that

[Shakril]

Sabonis is absurdly good. I wanted to draft him back in 2016, and he's exceeded my wildest expectations. He's just put up BPMs of 5.8, 6.5, and 5.2 while leading the league in rebounding 3 years in a row. He's also been a very durable player, and at 29 is still in his prime.

If for some reason Sacramento wanted to trade him, we absolutely should be interested. I'd imagine Giannis would be plan A for this offseason, but Sabonis is a good plan B in terms of taking a big swing. If possible, it would actually be great to get both of them.

Imagine the scenes if we somehow turn Scottie + RJ + Dick into Giannis and Portis, then find a way to package Poeltl for Sabonis. Theres your chip folks

IQ/Shead
Ochai/Battle
Ingram/Walter
Giannis/Mogbo
Sabonis/Portis

Nobody is contending with that

OKC, Lakers, Celtics (if tatum comes back), Minnesota, Dallas, San Antonio, Pacers, Knicks, Warriors, Denver, each of them has a better line up.

Just to reinforece that, you lose with Sabonis. One of the most overrated players in the league. Everything he gives you on offense, he gives back on defense. We just saw what KAT did in the series with the Pacers.

[junot111]

Sabonis is absurdly good. I wanted to draft him back in 2016, and he's exceeded my wildest expectations. He's just put up BPMs of 5.8, 6.5, and 5.2 while leading the league in rebounding 3 years in a row. He's also been a very durable player, and at 29 is still in his prime.

If for some reason Sacramento wanted to trade him, we absolutely should be interested. I'd imagine Giannis would be plan A for this offseason, but Sabonis is a good plan B in terms of taking a big swing. If possible, it would actually be great to get both of them.

Imagine the scenes if we somehow turn Scottie + RJ + Dick into Giannis and Portis, then find a way to package Poeltl for Sabonis. Theres your chip folks

IQ/Shead
Ochai/Battle
Ingram/Walter
Giannis/Mogbo
Sabonis/Portis

Nobody is contending with that

OKC, Lakers, Celtics (if tatum comes back), Minnesota, Dallas, San Antonio, Pacers, Knicks, Warriors, Denver, each of them has a better line up.

Just to reinforece that, you lose with Sabonis. One of the most overrated players in the league. Everything he gives you on offense, he gives back on defense. We just saw what KAT did in the series with the Pacers.

He also doesn't space the floor, which cannot be emphasized enough as a need for a Giannis led front court.

[MoneyBall]

We can't keep Poeltl if Giannis comes over. A front court with zero outside shooting is a death sentence in today's NBA.

[Appostis]

Sabonis is absurdly good. I wanted to draft him back in 2016, and he's exceeded my wildest expectations. He's just put up BPMs of 5.8, 6.5, and 5.2 while leading the league in rebounding 3 years in a row. He's also been a very durable player, and at 29 is still in his prime.

If for some reason Sacramento wanted to trade him, we absolutely should be interested. I'd imagine Giannis would be plan A for this offseason, but Sabonis is a good plan B in terms of taking a big swing. If possible, it would actually be great to get both of them.

Imagine the scenes if we somehow turn Scottie + RJ + Dick into Giannis and Portis, then find a way to package Poeltl for Sabonis. Theres your chip folks

IQ/Shead
Ochai/Battle
Ingram/Walter
Giannis/Mogbo
Sabonis/Portis

Nobody is contending with that

Would been a damn compelling team but once you move for Giannis that's probably all your assets.

[Shakril]

We can't keep Poeltl if Giannis comes over. A front court with zero outside shooting is a death sentence in today's NBA.

Not, when one of them is Giannis. Just his presence alone, will suck the defense in to him and creates opportunities for everybody else.

[MessiahUjiri]

We can't keep Poeltl if Giannis comes over. A front court with zero outside shooting is a death sentence in today's NBA.

Not, when one of them is Giannis. Just his presence alone, will suck the defense in to him and creates opportunities for everybody else.

Giannis takes one dribble from the 3 point line. That creates a different kind of spacing.

[mowcrowbar]

Just once in my Raptors loving life please for the love of god happen..

[Tripod]

Durant was just 6th in league scoring...some talking like he is on the decline. Yes he's old, but still great. Hell....43% from 3....could we use a 6'11 3 pt shooter?

Going to be a fun 3 weeks leading up to the draft.

[mtcan]

A trade that includes Scottie can't be done until after July 1 when his max extension kicks in.

[Tripod]

A trade that includes Scottie can't be done until after July 1 when his max extension kicks in.

And after July 11 if we want Castleton and Lawson thrown in for 4.5 million to bridge a cap gap.

[CPT]

I’m under the impression Booker would cost more than Giannis.

Is that crazy?

It’s also why I’m kind of less interested in him, but if the price is right, sign me up.

Similarly, if KD can be had for RJ and stuff, screw everything else, I’d just do that.

To be fair, I’d take pretty much any “big fish” for RJ and stuff (Dick, #9, picks).

[MavCarter]

Siakam is 31 and just led a team to the finals. All we heard during his time here is he could never be a first option on a contender. Now at age 23 we have people declaring the same for scottie. Call me crazy but id rather keep building with the pieces we have rather than have 3 years of giannis and be one of those teams stuck in draft pick hell worrying about how high the pick were going to give up is every other year for the next 5+ years

[canz55]

Bucks 2nd and 3rd options on that team right now are Portis(Might walk in free agency)/GTJR....Lopez is gone next year, Lillard is out the year, Kevin Porter Jr is your starting PG...And Kuzma is also one of your go to guys...

I swear some of these guys don't even know who is actually playing on that Bucks team its an absolute dumpster fire with no way to upgrade or improve....

We would potentially have IQ/Ingram/RJ/Yak + Young guys on the bench who have the possibility to take a leap like Walter/Shaed/Mogbo...

We likely make another move following the Giannis trade so who knows what players are on the team Post trade...

If Giannis wants the Raptors and demands to stay in the east Barnes/Dick/Ochai #9 + Alot of picks + swaps would be one of the better starting offers a team in the East can make....If you have to add RJ instead of Dick do that as well...

Alot of posters are also trying to talk about who fits with Giannis post trade like RJ etc....Who gives a damn about fit just get him in the door first and worry about that later... I swear guys are forgetting how good Giannis is....This is a legit top 3 player and one of the all time greats...

Giannis/Ingram are a legit duo and you have IQ/RJ or Dick/Yak to make a follow up move if you wan't to add a different player to that duo....Vets & Buy out options to fill the team out more as well as some of the young guys taking leaps with development....

And when you trade Barnes,IQ, Dick, picks.. is it really a massive upgrade over Giannis and a healthy Dame?

Legitimately.. it's starts being a question. If the trade package is RB/IQ/Dick and a massive load of picks? Sure. But when you add a few more rotation players and prospects to that...it starts getting a little dicier.

When you have Giannis/Ingram duo with some good players like IQ/RJ/Yak potentially in the mix you are a contender especially in this weak east.....Bucks like i said had Portis/GTJr/Kuzma for depth....Dame was also not healthy during his Bucks run....If you have a chance to get Giannis you do it...

No, no you dont (when you consider the cost).

Masai isn't trading Scottie and he isn't trading the pick (nor should he). Raptors scouted this draft really well and they love this draft. This whole rumor is a bluff.

[MiamiSPX]

Guys, Booker is not available. Go listen to any recent comments from Ishbia. He loathes tanking/rebuilding and wants no part of that. Booker is heavily involved in the community there, and apparently wants to spend his whole career there. He also apparently doesn't give a damn that they tried to move Durant, and that they will this summer. He is also currently being consulted on the coaching search.

There is no package centered around Barnes that would entice Ishbia. He is still in circa-2020 Ballmer mode. He wants to win now, and still thinks they can build a winner right now somehow (which is delusional).

[NoBias]

Kevin Durant is absolutely cooked in every part of basketball except scoring. His championship window is done.

[Pointgod]

Read on Twitter

lol imagine all this excitement just to get Durant

He's still going to average 26+ points and we'd give up way less to get him.

He’ll be 37 when the season starts and as awesome as Durant is, Father Time is undefeated. Not to mention he’s injury prone and is not exactly known for his leadership. We’d have to give up two starters just to make the salary match and I can’t imagine Phoenix holds out for anything less than the 9th pick or two future firsts. This would be a desperate move for an expiring contract