Trying a Superteam in Toronto

Troubadour · Post #1 » by **Troubadour** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 5:34 pm

Superteams are a thing of the past, but what if it could work in Toronto?

Bucks Receive
Scottie Barnes
RJ Barrett
Gradey Dick
9th Pick (2025)
2029 1st Round Pick (TOR)
2030 1st Round Pick Swap (TOR)
2031 1st Round Pick (TOR)
2032 1st Round Pick Swap (TOR)

Why for the Bucks?
If Giannis wants out, this trade gets the Bucks two players under 25 who can be long-term starters with All-Star upside, a recent lottery pick in Gradey Dick, a 2025 lottery pick, and two distant 1sts that bet on any Raptors downside outcomes. With the knowledge that Kevin Durant is also in this deal, the more distant 1sts increase in value as he optimistically only has 2-3 years left in his prime.

Suns Receive
Brandon Ingram
AJ Lawson
2027 1st Round Pick (TOR)

Why for the Suns?
Kevin Durant and the Suns want to part ways and this trade gets them a young(er) scoring wing who could be interesting alongside Devin Booker. They pick up a 1st that, if things go according to plan, shouldn't be that strong, but still useful in future trades or to add talent. Best of all, this gets the Suns out of the 2nd apron.

Raptors Receive
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Kevin Durant
Bobby Portis

Why for the Raptors?
The East is weak and the Raptors could be a landing spot for two stars to make a run at a championship together. The foundation is Giannis and KD, but around them you have a complementary PG in Immanuel Quickley, a solid starting big in Jakob Poeltl, and a few young players who can round out the rotation on team-friendly contracts. Adding to that mix is Bobby Portis who can offer a different look in closing lineups for more floor-spacing.

Quickley / Shead
Agbaji / Walter
Durant / Battle
Antetokounmpo / Mogbo
Poeltl / Portis

esvl · Post #2 » by **esvl** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 5:37 pm

How is it a super team?

Troubadour · Post #3 » by **Troubadour** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 5:40 pm

esvl wrote:How is it a super team?

Idk man it's just a title

JB2 · Post #4 » by **JB2** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 5:44 pm

Risky approach, IMO. You have 2 years to win a title then the future starts to look bleak. But well thought out...

Troubadour · Post #5 » by **Troubadour** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 5:46 pm

JB2 wrote:Risky approach, IMO. You have 2 years to win a title then the future starts to look bleak. But well thought out...

Two years is better than the one year we had with Kawhi!

But yes, definitely a lot of downside with this one.

Saul Goodman · Post #6 » by **Saul Goodman** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 5:57 pm

Cut out the KD part. Barnes and picks alone. The Raptors have a far better window to win with a core of Giannis Ingram Barrett and Quickley. Adding KD makes it way too risky

Troubadour · Post #7 » by **Troubadour** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 6:08 pm

Saul Goodman wrote:Cut out the KD part. Barnes and picks alone. The Raptors have a far better window to win with a core of Giannis Ingram Barrett and Quickley. Adding KD makes it way too risky

What would your view be if you came to learn Giannis would only come to Toronto if KD went with him? Curious if that changes the evaluation at all.

jayjaysee · Post #8 » by **jayjaysee** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 6:20 pm

I dont think KD is the right pairing with Giannis at this point. Huge talent upgrade over Ingram, just feels like defense would be a problem.

mlloyd10 · Post #9 » by **mlloyd10** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 6:25 pm

Why do people keep thinking that Giannis can be had for cheap?

The AD to Lakers is the foot print for any Giannis trade.

At the time of the trade
Lonzo Ball - Barnes
Brandon Ingram > #9
Josh Hart -Dick
De'Andre Hunter - RJ
two first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap right.

JonHeist · Post #10 » by **JonHeist** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 6:28 pm

this is might be the least realistic trade I've ever seen on the board

Troubadour · Post #11 » by **Troubadour** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 6:35 pm

mlloyd10 wrote:Why do people keep thinking that Giannis can be had for cheap?

The AD to Lakers is the foot print for any Giannis trade.

At the time of the trade
Lonzo Ball - Barnes
Brandon Ingram > #9
Josh Hart -Dick
De'Andre Hunter - RJ
two first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap right.

Had Lonzo Ball made an All-Star team at the time of the trade? I won't quibble with the rest of your opinions, but comparing Ball to Barnes, I think, is a little unreasonable.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #12 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Tue Jun 3, 2025 8:02 pm

Troubadour wrote:
JB2 wrote:Risky approach, IMO. You have 2 years to win a title then the future starts to look bleak. But well thought out...

Two years is better than the one year we had with Kawhi!

But yes, definitely a lot of downside with this one.

The Raptors were also a 5+ SRS team who added Kawhi for next to nothing.

JayMKE · Post #13 » by **JayMKE** » Wed Jun 4, 2025 4:37 am

It’s not close to Giannis, Toronto does not have the assets to make a competitive offer. This doesn’t even get it done if Giannis only had Toronto on a list, give up on this dream. Barnes and Dick aren’t buildings blocks in any universe