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

[OakleyDokely]

The Raptors are structured very well to make a run at a top player, whether it's Giannis or another guy.

-Good young player in Barnes locked up long term.
-Top 10 pick in current draft.
-They control all their future #1 picks.
-A lot of cheap, controllable young players to sweeten the pot -- Dick, Walter, Ochai, Shead, Mogbo, Battle.
-Decent contracts in varying amounts to make matching salary pretty easy.

[Basketball_Jones]

Lebron is still quick for an old man.

Yeah it’s his agility that’s limited him but when he’s not gassed/tired he can still pull off agile stuff.

[Clutch0z24]

The Raptors are structured very well to make a run at a top player, whether it's Giannis or another guy.

-Good young player in Barnes locked up long term.
-Top 10 pick in current draft.
-They control all their future #1 picks.
-A lot of cheap, controllable young players to sweeten the pot -- Dick, Walter, Ochai, Shead, Mogbo, Battle.
-Decent contracts in varying amounts to make matching salary pretty easy.

If your actually looking for an actual legit championship ceiling raiser....I don't think a player on the level of Giannis is available on the market for a very long time....Yeah good players even all stars maybe available but legit "We get this player we are title contenders" type of guys are rarley on the market...

If one is on the market you try your best to get it ....But i agree we are in a good position to make a move but it has to be the right player and me personally i feel Giannis is the only real ceiling raiser that will be available for the next 5 years...

[Sandman88]

Just getting word

[OakleyDokely]

The Raptors are structured very well to make a run at a top player, whether it's Giannis or another guy.

-Good young player in Barnes locked up long term.
-Top 10 pick in current draft.
-They control all their future #1 picks.
-A lot of cheap, controllable young players to sweeten the pot -- Dick, Walter, Ochai, Shead, Mogbo, Battle.
-Decent contracts in varying amounts to make matching salary pretty easy.

If your actually looking for an actual legit championship ceiling raiser....I don't think a player on the level of Giannis is available on the market for a very long time....Yeah good players even all stars maybe available but legit "We get this player we are title contenders" type of guys are rarley on the market...

If one is on the market you try your best to get it ....But i agree we are in a good position to make a move but it has to be the right player and me personally i feel Giannis is the only real ceiling raiser that will be available for the next 5 years...

Doncic was just traded a few months ago. I don't rule out anyone in the NBA anymore. Players have so much power that if they suddenly don't like a situation, they demand out. The key is to remain flexible so that when an opportunity does arise you can pounce.

[Scase]

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.

Max contracts are bargains normally, they are not when they are 35-39 years old, then they are weights around your ankles. Lebron is the absolute best case possible, and even then the lakers are still struggling to field a team because of how much they have tied up in him with his declining production and one way play.

Giannis' entire game is predicated on athleticism, which declines the earliest. He's not a dumb player by any stretch, but he's not a particularly "cerebral" player either.

Giannis probably declines the player option and adds 3 years to his contract. That takes him to his age 35 season. So you're getting the end of his prime + 1 to 2 years at most of some decline. Contract should be fine but you need to start trying to win right away. I'm totally fine with this.

KD on the other hand is going into his age 37 season next year. Any extension for him takes him to 38, so the over 38 provision comes into play and he can extend for 2 more years max, taking him to 39. Any other player, I'd say no. But KD? If the price is right and you can make the team work around him such that you don't need him to defend and can live with 50 games a season with a healthy playoffs, I'd consider it.

That's kinda where I sit, but I think between Masai's crush on Giannis, and Giannis' status, he declines the option and tries for a 5 year.

Overall I think KD is a better play based on risk, and the amount you'd have to give up for him. We could likely get away with something in the range of RJ/IQ instead of Scottie and picks, which then we could see how it works or even try and move Scottie afterwards for something better that fits. SMaller window for sure, but lower risk with a better chance at panning out IMO.

[Clutch0z24]

The Raptors are structured very well to make a run at a top player, whether it's Giannis or another guy.

-Good young player in Barnes locked up long term.
-Top 10 pick in current draft.
-They control all their future #1 picks.
-A lot of cheap, controllable young players to sweeten the pot -- Dick, Walter, Ochai, Shead, Mogbo, Battle.
-Decent contracts in varying amounts to make matching salary pretty easy.

If your actually looking for an actual legit championship ceiling raiser....I don't think a player on the level of Giannis is available on the market for a very long time....Yeah good players even all stars maybe available but legit "We get this player we are title contenders" type of guys are rarley on the market...

If one is on the market you try your best to get it ....But i agree we are in a good position to make a move but it has to be the right player and me personally i feel Giannis is the only real ceiling raiser that will be available for the next 5 years...

Doncic was just traded a few months ago. I don't rule out anyone in the NBA anymore. Players have so much power that if they suddenly don't like a situation, they demand out. The key is to remain flexible so that when an opportunity does arise you can pounce.

Doncic trade was not made in good faith....Can't really count on that to happen ever lol....Guy didn't even ask for a trade and got traded to the team where the GM is close buddies with the other GM....And it just so happens to be the "Lakers" the biggest market for the NBA....The Luka trade is not really something you can even count as everyone besides Nico thought he was crazy for....As for players on that level....Yeah they don't get traded ever considering theres only like 3-5 players on that level...Giannis is one of them so you try and get it done...

Giannis is the only Title raiser that will be available in the next 5 years i predict....Shai is staying put in OKC i feel for a while, Jokic prolly stays in Denver....Luka prolly a Laker for a long time...Outside of them Giannis is the only true Title raiser...Players like Booker while amazing talent are no true title raisers.

[bobbyp3588]

Max contracts are bargains normally, they are not when they are 35-39 years old, then they are weights around your ankles. Lebron is the absolute best case possible, and even then the lakers are still struggling to field a team because of how much they have tied up in him with his declining production and one way play.

Giannis' entire game is predicated on athleticism, which declines the earliest. He's not a dumb player by any stretch, but he's not a particularly "cerebral" player either.

Giannis probably declines the player option and adds 3 years to his contract. That takes him to his age 35 season. So you're getting the end of his prime + 1 to 2 years at most of some decline. Contract should be fine but you need to start trying to win right away. I'm totally fine with this.

KD on the other hand is going into his age 37 season next year. Any extension for him takes him to 38, so the over 38 provision comes into play and he can extend for 2 more years max, taking him to 39. Any other player, I'd say no. But KD? If the price is right and you can make the team work around him such that you don't need him to defend and can live with 50 games a season with a healthy playoffs, I'd consider it.

That's kinda where I sit, but I think between Masai's crush on Giannis, and Giannis' status, he declines the option and tries for a 5 year.

Overall I think KD is a better play based on risk, and the amount you'd have to give up for him. We could likely get away with something in the range of RJ/IQ instead of Scottie and picks, which then we could see how it works or even try and move Scottie afterwards for something better that fits. SMaller window for sure, but lower risk with a better chance at panning out IMO.

I can’t believe you’re suggesting that it would make sense to trade both of RJ and IQ’s prime for likely 1 year of declining old man KD. Not calling you insane, but that idea of yours is absolutely bonkers and would set us back 5 years. I’m so glad smart people with real life experience are the ones actually deciding these things.

For all of you who think you know what’s up - know this - a team run by a fanbase collective would perennially be the leagues worst. Guaranteed.

[Potential]

The "kevin durant liked the post" is where they really get people. Centel has made a lot of posts like that where it was proven that it was fake and he photoshopped it. Fooled people 2x. I think "logon hoops" probably did the same

[ArthurVandelay]

I mean, there’s two things masai has been able to do. Blockbuster trades for a star (kawhi/gasol/ingram) and draft. One strength counters the other unfortunately gotta trade picks to get the star. So I wouldn’t be surprised if we do land Giannis. I just don’t think it makes us contenders like the Kawhi trade unless we land someone else equivalent to Danny Green from Milwaukee. Yes, Green was pretty huge in the deal too.

He also orchestrated the Carmelo Anthony trade. Masai has plenty of experience making these kinds of blockbuster deals

And he also got in on that huge 4 team Dwight Howard trade that sent Iguodala to Denver.

[redraptor77]

Just getting word

Confirm
Word

[Duffman100]

Just getting word

Ugh, please don't do this. Fake 'breaking news / sources' are grounds for a ban.

[Raps in 4]

Just getting word

Ugh, please don't do this. Fake 'breaking news / sources' are grounds for a ban.

I think it can be assumed that every poster saying they are receiving word is joking.

Any time someone has a real source, they'll have some of proof or at least have a believable story lol.

[Sandman88]

Giannis

Kd

Lamelo

In order of preference

[Duffman100]

Just getting word

Ugh, please don't do this. Fake 'breaking news / sources' are grounds for a ban.

I think it can be assumed that every poster saying they are receiving word is joking.

Any time someone has a real source, they'll have some of proof or at least have a believable story lol.

I know I know, we've just had this in the past, it starts as a joke. Then people start really trolling and people get excited and it's all a slippery slope.

[OakleyDokely]

the only word I believe is from itbobby

[ForeverTFC]

Just getting word

Ugh, please don't do this. Fake 'breaking news / sources' are grounds for a ban.

OT, but whatever happened to "he come, he stay" guy? Obviously he didn't come and he didn't stay, but in hindsight the guy had the PG/Kawhi being a packaged deal before anyone in the media.

[Duffman100]

Just getting word

Ugh, please don't do this. Fake 'breaking news / sources' are grounds for a ban.

OT, but whatever happened to "he come, he stay". Obviously he didn't come and he didn't stay, but in hindsight the guy had the PG/Kawhi being a packaged deal before anyone in the media.

Sandman did?

[ForeverTFC]

Ugh, please don't do this. Fake 'breaking news / sources' are grounds for a ban.

OT, but whatever happened to "he come, he stay". Obviously he didn't come and he didn't stay, but in hindsight the guy had the PG/Kawhi being a packaged deal before anyone in the media.

Sandman did?

I don't remember who the "he come, he stay" guy was.

[Mattatron]

Giannis probably declines the player option and adds 3 years to his contract. That takes him to his age 35 season. So you're getting the end of his prime + 1 to 2 years at most of some decline. Contract should be fine but you need to start trying to win right away. I'm totally fine with this.

KD on the other hand is going into his age 37 season next year. Any extension for him takes him to 38, so the over 38 provision comes into play and he can extend for 2 more years max, taking him to 39. Any other player, I'd say no. But KD? If the price is right and you can make the team work around him such that you don't need him to defend and can live with 50 games a season with a healthy playoffs, I'd consider it.

That's kinda where I sit, but I think between Masai's crush on Giannis, and Giannis' status, he declines the option and tries for a 5 year.

Overall I think KD is a better play based on risk, and the amount you'd have to give up for him. We could likely get away with something in the range of RJ/IQ instead of Scottie and picks, which then we could see how it works or even try and move Scottie afterwards for something better that fits. SMaller window for sure, but lower risk with a better chance at panning out IMO.

I can’t believe you’re suggesting that it would make sense to trade both of RJ and IQ’s prime for likely 1 year of declining old man KD. Not calling you insane, but that idea of yours is absolutely bonkers and would set us back 5 years. I’m so glad smart people with real life experience are the ones actually deciding these things.

For all of you who think you know what’s up - know this - a team run by a fanbase collective would perennially be the leagues worst. Guaranteed.

Prime IQ is like Prime Rio Chalmers lmaooo