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

[Tripod]

Maybe you acquire him and home between the two we have them both

yeah didn't know about his injuries.. that's a risk.

He does fit in terms of the person (high character guy) and need (39% career from 3).

And there will be a ton of really good options still left at 19.

That's the kind of deal I could absolutely see us doing

[JB7]

If/when Giannis is traded, I am curious to see if there is reporting about whether Scottie Barnes was ever on the table in a trade.

Because if it's reported that the Raptors have refused to include Scottie Barnes in trade talks for Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo....haha

Not including him in a deal for KD or Dame made sense, because he would actually fit nicely beside either of those guys, and they would help in Barnes development, plus both of those players were clearly past their prime and couldn't demand as much in a trade. The player clearly offered in those deals was Siakam, but neither the Nets or Blazers were interested in Siakam.

With Giannis it is different. Giannis is still in his prime, and will require significant talent going back the other way. Plus the fact their games overlap, it would make logical sense for Barnes to be offered. Now, if the deal does not go through, I would fully expect the messaging to come out that Barnes was not offered. Team and player need to try and save face.

[Duffman100]

If/when Giannis is traded, I am curious to see if there is reporting about whether Scottie Barnes was ever on the table in a trade.

Because if it's reported that the Raptors have refused to include Scottie Barnes in trade talks for Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo....haha

Not including him in a deal for KD or Dame made sense, because he would actually fit nicely beside either of those guys, and they would help in Barnes development, plus both of those players were clearly past their prime and couldn't demand as much in a trade. The player clearly offered in those deals was Siakam, but neither the Nets or Blazers were interested in Siakam.

With Giannis it is different. Giannis is still in his prime, and will require significant talent going back the other way. Plus the fact their games overlap, it would make logical sense for Barnes to be offered. Now, if the deal does not go through, I would fully expect the messaging to come out that Barnes was not offered. Team and player need to try and save face.

Yeah it's tough will all of these rumours over the years. you take it all with a grain of salt.

[Clutch0z24]

If Cam Johnson is the "Big Fish" that would be funny....But doubt this is going to happen....Why would Masai move down 10 spots in the draft while we would have to try and match 20 mill in salary on top of that...So you are prolly trading RJ on top of that just to move back 10 spots for Cam?....Won't happen...

[MiamiSPX]

If/when Giannis is traded, I am curious to see if there is reporting about whether Scottie Barnes was ever on the table in a trade.

Because if it's reported that the Raptors have refused to include Scottie Barnes in trade talks for Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo....haha

Not including him in a deal for KD or Dame made sense, because he would actually fit nicely beside either of those guys, and they would help in Barnes development, plus both of those players were clearly past their prime and couldn't demand as much in a trade. The player clearly offered in those deals was Siakam, but neither the Nets or Blazers were interested in Siakam.

With Giannis it is different. Giannis is still in his prime, and will require significant talent going back the other way. Plus the fact their games overlap, it would make logical sense for Barnes to be offered. Now, if the deal does not go through, I would fully expect the messaging to come out that Barnes was not offered. Team and player need to try and save face.

Yeah it's tough will all of these rumours over the years. you take it all with a grain of salt.

Plus everyone keeps lamenting "what could have been" and it always include still having OG. There was literally nothing the Raptors could do to keep him. He wanted out of Toronto, and orchestrated it months in advance. I am not sure why people are still in denial about this.....the dude wanted to leave, plain and simple. Acquiring KD or Dame would 't have changed that.

[bboyskinnylegs]

what if Yak is the salary ballast in a Cam Johnson trade? Might make sense if we're going to make a bigger separate trade for Giannis

[Tor_Raps]

Read on Twitter

He should retire. I cant deal with him. Since he left the Warriors, he constantly tries to go the easy route and every time it explodes in his face.

I want the Spurs to be untouched by his curse.

This time the Suns are the ones who tried to trade KD behind his back, he didnt ask out.

[Clutch0z24]

what if Yak is the salary ballast in a Cam Johnson trade? Might make sense if we're going to make a bigger separate trade for Giannis

Who is going to play C for us? Giannis will not want to come here if we tell him hes a full time C.....We need a proper C to do the work that Giannis will not wanna do considering how much he will carry on offense...I think to move down 10 spots for Cam would be terrible because Cam does not move the needle enough to also trade one of our better players while also giving up a better draft pick...

Also if this is a bigger plan to get Giannis as well lets get Giannis first before shaping the Roster around him Imagine making moves for Giannis and he ends up in Houston or something....

[Tor_Raps]

If Cam Johnson is the "Big Fish" that would be funny....But doubt this is going to happen....Why would Masai move down 10 spots in the draft while we would have to try and match 20 mill in salary on top of that...So you are prolly trading RJ on top of that just to move back 10 spots for Cam?....Won't happen...

The only way this happens is if its part of a Giannis trade. The difference between Cam/RJ is not worth moving down 10 spots.

[bboyskinnylegs]

what if Yak is the salary ballast in a Cam Johnson trade? Might make sense if we're going to make a bigger separate trade for Giannis

Who is going to play C for us? Giannis will not want to come here if we tell him hes a full time C.....We need a proper C to do the work that Giannis will not wanna do considering how much he will carry on offense...I think to move down 10 spots for Cam would be terrible because Cam does not move the needle enough to also trade one of our better players while also giving up a better draft pick...

If we're getting Giannis, Yak would be a terrible fit on this team, and we'd need another C that can provide some spacing. I definitely don't think trading down with #9 for Cam by itself makes much sense for us without other moves.

[Pointgod]

So there’s no actual updates on Giannis meeting with the Bucks management? Just continued speculation in this thread?

[Tor_Raps]

what if Yak is the salary ballast in a Cam Johnson trade? Might make sense if we're going to make a bigger separate trade for Giannis

Who is going to play C for us? Giannis will not want to come here if we tell him hes a full time C.....We need a proper C to do the work that Giannis will not wanna do considering how much he will carry on offense...I think to move down 10 spots for Cam would be terrible because Cam does not move the needle enough to also trade one of our better players while also giving up a better draft pick...

If we're getting Giannis, Yak would be a terrible fit on this team, and we'd need another C that can provide some spacing. I definitely don't think trading down with #9 for Cam by itself makes much sense for us without other moves.

Poeltl/Giannis is the same as Poeltl/Barnes in terms of fit, except Giannis is 10 times the player. Poeltl has great hands/finishing ability so its possible for 2 non shooters to work. We just need to ensure we have good shooters around them and thats where IQ/Ochai/Ingram would be a good fit imo.

[Clutch0z24]

what if Yak is the salary ballast in a Cam Johnson trade? Might make sense if we're going to make a bigger separate trade for Giannis

Who is going to play C for us? Giannis will not want to come here if we tell him hes a full time C.....We need a proper C to do the work that Giannis will not wanna do considering how much he will carry on offense...I think to move down 10 spots for Cam would be terrible because Cam does not move the needle enough to also trade one of our better players while also giving up a better draft pick...

If we're getting Giannis, Yak would be a terrible fit on this team, and we'd need another C that can provide some spacing. I definitely don't think trading down with #9 for Cam by itself makes much sense for us without other moves.

Lets get Giannis first before building a team around Giannis....He has not even asked for a trade yet....Making moves now for Giannis would be silly...Plus i have to imagine the 9th pick would be enticing for the Bucks in any Giannis deal...19th does not look as good to them...

[Son Goku 25]

So there’s no actual updates on Giannis meeting with the Bucks management? Just continued speculation in this thread?

I think it's safe to assume they will have to move him by looking at their current roster and outlook. I'd be shocked if he stays put for another season.

[NinjaBro]

So there’s no actual updates on Giannis meeting with the Bucks management? Just continued speculation in this thread?

Correct

[sidsid]

The "roster control" nugget is likely the more important part in any Giannis discussion. So who does he want to play with, assuming we have to setup a Kawhi/PG to the Clippers situation.

Durant seems like the obvious and only affordable method to make it happen. Would Giannis want someone like Trae after the Lillard experience.

You've got Jak/RJ as main salary/value, or BI in a Durant trade. Assuming those combos aren't going back for Giannis (which I don't think is possible without Barnes, but whatever). A guy like Trae is IQ plus smaller contracts and a pick, if we still have them.

I can't imagine KAT is of any interest to him. Could swap for Porzingis on the cheap in a bigger deal with Jak. He'll want his spacing C.

[JB7]

Read on Twitter

Doesn't sound like KD wants to end up with the Rockets.

What could SAS possibly offer? Would they offer the 2nd pick for a 37yr old KD?

[Senbonzakura]

The irony of trading Pascal Siakam because he's "only a number two option" to then trade for a "big fish" who needs a number two option is too much for me to stomach.

Also weird how superstar and future face of the league needs a "big fish" on top of leading scoring option and ball handler Brandon Ingram and second scoring option RJ Barrett. What's his role on the team at that point and when does management get rid of everyone again to make sure Scottie's ego isn't bruised?

Scottie will be the one getting traded for Giannis so I'm not exactly so sure what you're so upset about?

[Brinbe]

Kawhi wasn't traded till mid-July. Not saying that this will follow the exact same timeline but these sort of sagas can take a while to get anywhere. This is when the soft tampering occurs and projects are laid out but the player still needs time to think things over too.

The Bucks need to figure things out on their end too, especially if we're trading them a top ten pick.

[ConSarnit]

Who is going to play C for us? Giannis will not want to come here if we tell him hes a full time C.....We need a proper C to do the work that Giannis will not wanna do considering how much he will carry on offense...I think to move down 10 spots for Cam would be terrible because Cam does not move the needle enough to also trade one of our better players while also giving up a better draft pick...

If we're getting Giannis, Yak would be a terrible fit on this team, and we'd need another C that can provide some spacing. I definitely don't think trading down with #9 for Cam by itself makes much sense for us without other moves.

Poeltl/Giannis is the same as Poeltl/Barnes in terms of fit, except Giannis is 10 times the player. Poeltl has great hands/finishing ability so its possible for 2 non shooters to work. We just need to ensure we have good shooters around them and thats where IQ/Ochai/Ingram would be a good fit imo.

For a title team? When? The only team who has been able to pull it off had Steph and Klay in their backcourt. Why would we want to make Giannis life harder?

The Bucks created a blueprint by surrounding Giannis with shooting bigs. And many times even that wasn’t enough. Pairing Giannis with a non-shooting big is like the Lakers swapping out 3+D players for Westbrook. If you already have the formula for success you don’t change it.

If we’re trading for Giannis we aren’t just trying to make the conference finals. We’re all in trying to win the title.