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

[OakleyDokely]

Giannis contract:

25/26 (31): 54.1M
26/27 (32): 58.4M
27/28 (33): 62.7M (player option)
28/29 (34): FA

Basically a 3 year window with him because it's unlikely he declines a 60+ mill option at 33/34 years old.

He will likely get extended so he can take his money
if things work out for his new team, he stays, if not he will ask out
plus at that age as you said, he wants to be secured on a new deal

ya, he will likely try to negotiate a big extension prior. But a team isn't forced into it and they will get at least 2 years.

[Mattatron]

In an ideal world, I would want that we get Giannis without giving up the 9th. Just Scottie, Ochai, and Gradey, + 2 1st round picks

And then with the 9th Masai drafts Kon (if he falls). Good shooter and the most ready to contribute. Perfectly fills in the hole in our bench post Giannis trade. + we also have the second rounder

That’s a solid playoff squad:
IQ/Shead
RJ/Walter
Ingram/Kon
Giannis/Mogbo
Poeltl/Boucher

Still enough assets to fix the stretch big situation

3 non-shooters as starters, congrats.
Ujiri would be dumb to believe we can cheat our way back to title contention without building and growing properly over years and stack up talent like 2014-2018. What happened to him ? He used to be a patient, smart and progressive gm, but those days are long gone.

Like when everyone blasted him for evaluating and evaluating? It was a running joke in here that he wouldn't make a big splash.

He hasn't even done anything yet and you're acting like he has.

You said what ? He hasn't even done anything yet ? Where have you been the last 4 years ? He did a lot... a lot of poo poo platter deals. Let's not start this discussion. All this discussion that the Raptors are eager to make a splash this summer tells me MU definitely lost his mind.

[ForeverTFC]

Giannis contract:

25/26 (31): 54.1M
26/27 (32): 58.4M
27/28 (33): 62.7M (player option)
28/29 (34): FA

Basically a 3 year window with him because it's unlikely he declines a 60+ mill option at 33/34 years old.

He becomes extension eligible at the start of next season. I suspects he declines the player option and tacks on another 3 years to the contract taking him through the 30/31 season, through his age 34-35 season (he's currently 30 and will head into his age 30-31 season next year).

[WuTang_CMB]

Giannis contract:

25/26 (31): 54.1M
26/27 (32): 58.4M
27/28 (33): 62.7M (player option)
28/29 (34): FA

Basically a 3 year window with him because it's unlikely he declines a 60+ mill option at 33/34 years old.

He will likely get extended so he can take his money
if things work out for his new team, he stays, if not he will ask out
plus at that age as you said, he wants to be secured on a new deal

ya, he will likely try to negotiate a big extension prior. But a team isn't forced into it and they will get at least 2 years.

he's 100% getting extended by the team either Bucks or team who acquires him

[Tha Cynic]

Giannis contract:

25/26 (31): 54.1M
26/27 (32): 58.4M
27/28 (33): 62.7M (player option)
28/29 (34): FA

Basically a 3 year window with him because it's unlikely he declines a 60+ mill option at 33/34 years old.

I think chances are he does opt out for one more big contract. If he plays the way he has, and I don’t see why not - someone will give him the max.

[JB7]

Giannis contract:

25/26 (31): 54.1M
26/27 (32): 58.4M
27/28 (33): 62.7M (player option)
28/29 (34): FA

Basically a 3 year window with him because it's unlikely he declines a 60+ mill option at 33/34 years old.

I think chances are he does opt out for one more big contract. If he plays the way he has, and I don’t see why not - someone will give him the max.

Whoever is trading for him is maxing him again. With superstars, this is where the max contracts are a bargain. The max contracts underrepresent what they could get paid absent these restrictions.

[Tor_Raps]

is this guy from toronto

Read on Twitter

Don't act like you don't think he's from Brampton. He's one of my peeps loll.

[MiamiSPX]

Not quite, they are partially guaranteed pending him meeting things like weight checkins and such.

This is what I was trying to say. There is a belief that Zion's contract holds zero risk and you can walk away anytime, which is not true at all, as you have shown.

So he only played 30 games in 2024-25. Provided Zion met all six of his weigh-in checkpoints during the 2024-25 season (which who knows), does that mean the Pelicans could cut him before July 15, and would only be required to pay 20% of his 2025-26 salary, and that's it?

Yes, they probably only owe him 20% of next season's salary thus far (I'm assuming we would have heard if he failed a weigh-in). Becomes fully guaranteed on July 15th it seems.

[ash_k]

Let's say we get Giannis to form that electric duo with BI...essentially creating a brand new team..can we afford to trust a coach with a losing record that has never been in the playoffs to lead Giannis and BI? Nurse had a blank stale(0-0). I would be curious to find out if Masai pulls the trigger right away in a win-now mode.
I am usually not attached to FRP(would have traded Barnes' pick) However even for Giannis , I cannot imagine giving up 4 FRPs even 3 would feel like a lot.
The more you think about it, sticking with what we have currently ensure the playoffs; it might just be the best way forward.
Stay the course, Scottie&RJ&Dick will continue to improve

[JB7]

This is what I was trying to say. There is a belief that Zion's contract holds zero risk and you can walk away anytime, which is not true at all, as you have shown.

So he only played 30 games in 2024-25. Provided Zion met all six of his weigh-in checkpoints during the 2024-25 season (which who knows), does that mean the Pelicans could cut him before July 15, and would only be required to pay 20% of his 2025-26 salary, and that's it?

Yes, they probably only owe him 20% of next season's salary thus far (I'm assuming we would have heard if he failed a weigh-in). Becomes fully guaranteed on July 15th it seems.

Considering 2024-25 was the first season where he had the games played requirements, and he only hit 30 games, unless he gets it together, it looks like it could be easy to get out of his contract after 2025-26, if they decide to give him one more year.

[mtcan]

Let's say we get Giannis to form that electric duo with BI...essentially creating a brand new team..can we afford to trust a coach with a losing record that has never been in the playoffs to lead Giannis and BI? Nurse had a blank stale(0-0). I would be curious to find out if Masai pulls the trigger right away in a win-now mode.
I am usually not attached to FRP(would have traded Barnes' pick) However even for Giannis , I cannot imagine giving up 4 FRPs even 3 would feel like a lot.
The more you think about it, sticking with what we have currently ensure the playoffs; it might just be the best way forward.
Stay the course, Scottie&RJ&Dick will continue to improve

We will have a better record by virtue of the fact that we will no longer be sitting healthy bodies for the purpose of tanking.

And of course there will be improvement from the guys 25 and younger....which happens to be 80%.

The idea that some people around here consider this to be a treadmill team when this full roster hasn't even played a full season together is just dumb.

[Potential]

Is there a way we could get both Giannis and Trey Murphy III? I think Murphy is a championship caliber player

[TorontoRapsFan]

Why is everyone still stuck on idea that superstars decline in their early 30s? If anything the last 5 years should show how you can expect Giannis to be MVP caliber player at least till 35, and an all star probably into late 30s easily.

[Psubs]

Is there a way we could get both Giannis and Trey Murphy III? I think Murphy is a championship caliber player

They probably view Trey as their #1 player, right now. They would want to build around him, not trade him.

The player from the Pelicans is Karlo Matkovic.

[Clutch0z24]

Let's say we get Giannis to form that electric duo with BI...essentially creating a brand new team..can we afford to trust a coach with a losing record that has never been in the playoffs to lead Giannis and BI? Nurse had a blank stale(0-0). I would be curious to find out if Masai pulls the trigger right away in a win-now mode.
I am usually not attached to FRP(would have traded Barnes' pick) However even for Giannis , I cannot imagine giving up 4 FRPs even 3 would feel like a lot.
The more you think about it, sticking with what we have currently ensure the playoffs; it might just be the best way forward.
Stay the course, Scottie&RJ&Dick will continue to improve

Only works if you actually believe in your soul that Barnes/RJ/Dick could actually lead you to a title one day....Because Giannis as soon as he steps into the door teaming up with Ingram....He brings your odds to winning a title the years hes with us by a heck of alot....If Barnes/RJ/Dick in the next 5 years leads us to 1st/2nd round exits you will be looking back at the chance you could of got Giannis and say "What could of been"....

To me i don't see Barnes ever being good enough to reach a level where hes dramatically giving us a chance to be a champion one day....With Giannis i think we have a chance to make the Finals next year.

[canada_dry]

is this guy from toronto

Read on Twitter

Vancouver area lol.

Sent from my SM-G960W using RealGM mobile app

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

[anotherhomer]

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...

I think the “big fish” statement by Windy is being a bit overblown in the sense that it make a lot of sense of Toronto to be interested in making a big splash but I don’t think it’s their only focus.

I mean I think they would like to make a win now move if the opportunity presents itself but when all is said and done maybe it will be no fish, only a small fish, a mid fish, a big fish.

Even if a big fish is being considered it’s probably also the less likely scenario.

Also I would not be surprised if the team evaluate what is the value of RJ + 9 in a trade .

They will be aggressive ... probably moreso than in previous years for a number of factors

- masai wants to flex / new ownership wants better results
- development baby time is over and these guys want to get back to the playoffs
- east is wide open

So it makes all the sense in the world for them to go out and get a star if the price makes sense

make sense...Ed ownership is short-term , not the future, so Ujiri has to go for it now

[HiJiNX]

Why is everyone still stuck on idea that superstars decline in their early 30s? If anything the last 5 years should show how you can expect Giannis to be MVP caliber player at least till 35, and an all star probably into late 30s easily.

The difference is Giannis’ game depends heavily on his ability to physically overwhelm his opponents. That tends to expire quicker than players whose advantages are more skill based. He will be a superstar until he’s 34. After that I think the decline will be swift. So if we do acquire him, our window is three to four years, which isn’t that bad because I’m of the opinion that we are deeper than we think.

I’d hate to see Scottie go but as much as I believe in him, his ceiling is below where Giannis is right now. If we win a championship again in the next three or four years and the cost of that is Scottie becoming a perennial all star somewhere else, I’m taking the ring.

[Tor_Raps]

is this guy from toronto

Read on Twitter

Vancouver area lol.

Sent from my SM-G960W using RealGM mobile app

I thought Brampton but Surrey it is lol.