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

[NotMyKawhi]

Raptors

It's not as much as you think. It's Poeltl, RJ, Ocahi, Dick, 9, 26 swap, 27, 28 swap, 29.

Yeah, we’re not giving up 4 rotational players and 8 picks.

Just never gonna get a Giannis. That is a light offer. They're asking for scottie

[wayoftheroad]

Can we pivot and try to get Jaylen Brown ?

[tsherkin]

Can we pivot and try to get Jaylen Brown ?

Is he worth it? Weak overall health, generally tepid efficiency, decent but unremarkable playmaker. He's a good defender, but like, he doesn't feel like a needle-mover if we're trying to make a big push. if we're gonna make a big splash, he doesn't feel like the right vibe.

[anotherhomer]

Can we pivot and try to get Jaylen Brown ?

Is he worth it? Weak overall health, generally tepid efficiency, decent but unremarkable playmaker. He's a good defender, but like, he doesn't feel like a needle-mover if we're trying to make a big push. if we're gonna make a big splash, he doesn't feel like the right vibe.

he's going to be injured for this year

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Can we pivot and try to get Jaylen Brown ?

Is he worth it? Weak overall health, generally tepid efficiency, decent but unremarkable playmaker. He's a good defender, but like, he doesn't feel like a needle-mover if we're trying to make a big push. if we're gonna make a big splash, he doesn't feel like the right vibe.

he's going to be injured for this year

He might be fine, but there is a chance with that torn meniscus that it could cut into the start of the year. But with Tatum out, not looking good over there.

[tsherkin]

Can we pivot and try to get Jaylen Brown ?

Is he worth it? Weak overall health, generally tepid efficiency, decent but unremarkable playmaker. He's a good defender, but like, he doesn't feel like a needle-mover if we're trying to make a big push. if we're gonna make a big splash, he doesn't feel like the right vibe.

he's going to be injured for this year

And that really just reinforces my reticence, you know?

[mtcan]

75 mill per for a guy that hasn't really done much in the years since getting to the finals. Paying top 15 money to a guy playing like a to 30 guy

Past 4 seasons... 26.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6.1 apg, 47.7 / 35.7 / 87.8, 59.4% TS, couple of All-NBA appearances (including a First Team)....

Dunno if you can say he "hasn't really done much."

The Suns have been struck with injuries. They made the Semis in 2022 and 2023. They lost in 7 to the Mavs in 2022, they lost to the eventual-champ Nuggets in 2023. They lost to the Timberwolves in 2024, who then also beat Denver and made the conference finals.

Not sure what else you can expect from the guy, he isn't a wizard. It's probably a little much, but for 2 seasons, it's not going to hamstring the franchise.

Stats are one thing...but overall success is another. I get it...it's not all his fault the Suns have disappointed for the last 3 seasons but I can't get myself to reward a guy who's been bounced from the playoffs in the first and second round, despite playing with an all-time great and future first ballot hall of famer.

[ciueli]

Garland Career: 30% of 2's Assisted and 60.1% of 3's Assisted
IQ Career: 30.8% of 2's Assisted and 65.1% of 3's Assisted

It's not that massive of a difference over the larger sample size. We also have an offensive system that emphasizes ball movement. IQ created far more of his own offense when he was New York and was capable of doing so just fine. His first 2 seasons in New York, he was at 19.8%, 29.9% of 2's Assisted and 61%, 52.6% of 3's Assisted. He didn't suddenly lose the ability to create offense for himself.

Garland is a star level player and IQ isn't, that's why we should trade for him if possible. IQ had 1 game this season scoring 30+ points, and 1 more game 25+ points. Garland had 5 games with 30+ points including one game where he went for 40, and 24 games scoring 25+ points. I know IQ only played 33 games this season while Garland played 75, but it's still pretty stark, IQ had 25+ points in a mere 2 games out of 33, Garland had 25+ in 24 of 75 in spite of the fact that he isn't even the lead guard on his own team. Throw in the fact that Garland is actually a more efficient scorer than IQ and it's no contest.

[Asif16]

Phoenix is desperate for a Center AND to stay competitive...I don't know see how either San Antonio or Houston can accomplish that. Unless, Houston offers Sengun for Durant which would be just plain stupid. Not to mention., they are both in the same conference and I doubt phoenix wants to make a rival stronger.

I really think if we offered a package that includes Poetl, they would be more interested in that. Poetl is the exact type of center they are need of to stay competitive beside Booker

[Asif16]

Garland Career: 30% of 2's Assisted and 60.1% of 3's Assisted
IQ Career: 30.8% of 2's Assisted and 65.1% of 3's Assisted

It's not that massive of a difference over the larger sample size. We also have an offensive system that emphasizes ball movement. IQ created far more of his own offense when he was New York and was capable of doing so just fine. His first 2 seasons in New York, he was at 19.8%, 29.9% of 2's Assisted and 61%, 52.6% of 3's Assisted. He didn't suddenly lose the ability to create offense for himself.

Garland is a star level player and IQ isn't, that's why we should trade for him if possible. IQ had 1 game this season scoring 30+ points, and 1 more game 25+ points. Garland had 5 games with 30+ points including one game where he went for 40, and 24 games scoring 25+ points. I know IQ only played 33 games this season while Garland played 75, but it's still pretty stark, IQ had 25+ points in a mere 2 games out of 33, Garland had 25+ in 24 of 75 in spite of the fact that he isn't even the lead guard on his own team. Throw in the fact that Garland is actually a more efficient scorer than IQ and it's no contest.

Why is Cleveland looking to downgrade from Garland to IQ anyways?

[tsherkin]

Stats are one thing...but overall success is another. I get it...it's not all his fault the Suns have disappointed for the last 3 seasons but I can't get myself to reward a guy who's been bounced from the playoffs in the first and second round, despite playing with an all-time great and future first ballot hall of famer.

Seems a shallow approach to the player IMHO, to be honest, especially given the competition they faced and then the missteps of the franchise, and some untimely injuries. If Paul hadn't been injured versus Denver, that would have been an interesting season. Same same if KD hadn't forgotten how to shoot a 3 in that series.

And then the Bradley Beal trade, issues with DeAndre Ayton...

Like, no one really wins without help and some luck, bit of an injury-riddled donut team... and they were still a 49-win team in 2024. Didn't really tank out into this year. Lots of roster turnover at the 5 this year.

Is Booker prime Lebron? No, but Booker is an extremely good player. And he WAS 15th in the league in O-EPM this year, for what it's worth.

[6ixpessant]

Read on Twitter

I wouldn't give him $20. Loser player. The Suns are a trainwreck... You move loser players. There's other idiot GMs that will overpay to sell jerseys.

I'm also a loser... I believe in Giannis being a Raptor

[Scase]

Giannis deal is going to happen it's just about achieving a delicate balance.
He goes to the team he wants, they don't give up enough to not be contenders with him there, and Bucks get enough back to move him with 3 years left.

Giannis for Barnes+picks makes more sense if Toronto can cash in more assets for another legit piece.

However:
IQ
RJ
BI
Barnes
Poetl

is easily Top 4 in the east. Giannis is THAT good to make up for any defensive issues RJ/BI present. Especially with Poetl back there as well being solid AF.

On offence, more 3pt shooting would be nice, but that's still a lot of firepower. Like the offence might be ugly, but they'll get there given the 1-on-1 talent.

IF Giannis says EAST only.
IF Masai actually has some sort of relationship with him.
and IF the Bucks are Scottie fans

.....we could really be in business here.

Disagree, this overlooks how versatile Scottie is on defence. Giannis isn't guarding 1-5, he is a fantastic help defender, but his defence isn't so far beyond Scotties that he can counter how bad those 2 are on defence, add in that IQ is mediocre on defence, and now you've got 1 dude trying to make up for 3 below average to outright bad defenders. That's a lot to ask of any player.

That said, the team is definitely better overall if for no other reason Giannis being a million times the offensive player Scottie is, but that ignores how poorly constructed the team is around him.

If trading Scottie and tons of futures only puts us into top 4 in the east conversation, then you don't make this deal, ever. Trading for Giannis IMO is an ECF or bust situation.

[6ixpessant]

Can we pivot and try to get Jaylen Brown ?

Why? He's more valuable in a front office. Though, he's probably going to cure Cancer.

I love him as a human .

[artsncrafts]

lol KD

[ciueli]

Garland Career: 30% of 2's Assisted and 60.1% of 3's Assisted
IQ Career: 30.8% of 2's Assisted and 65.1% of 3's Assisted

It's not that massive of a difference over the larger sample size. We also have an offensive system that emphasizes ball movement. IQ created far more of his own offense when he was New York and was capable of doing so just fine. His first 2 seasons in New York, he was at 19.8%, 29.9% of 2's Assisted and 61%, 52.6% of 3's Assisted. He didn't suddenly lose the ability to create offense for himself.

Garland is a star level player and IQ isn't, that's why we should trade for him if possible. IQ had 1 game this season scoring 30+ points, and 1 more game 25+ points. Garland had 5 games with 30+ points including one game where he went for 40, and 24 games scoring 25+ points. I know IQ only played 33 games this season while Garland played 75, but it's still pretty stark, IQ had 25+ points in a mere 2 games out of 33, Garland had 25+ in 24 of 75 in spite of the fact that he isn't even the lead guard on his own team. Throw in the fact that Garland is actually a more efficient scorer than IQ and it's no contest.

Why is Cleveland looking to downgrade from Garland to IQ anyways?

They have to cut costs to get out of the second apron. They do a swap because IQ is a similar player but makes less money now and going forward.

[M3tro]

$150 million over 2 years for Devin Booker is INSANITY

[djsunyc]

$150 million over 2 years for Devin Booker is INSANITY

he has 3 years and around $165 left on his deal so the 2 years at $150 would be for 28/29 and 29/30 season. he will be 32 and 33 those years.

[Deep1984]

Poeltl 9 and blazers pick for Cam 19, 26 and 27

Cam to the rockets for Dillon brooks and a 2028 1st.

Dillon brooks, RJ, Dick, ocahi, 3 2025 1st round picks. 26 swap, 27, 28 swap, 29, 30 swap, rockets 2028 1st for Giannis.

RJ, Brooks, dick, ocahi and 9 1st round picks for Giannis.

Who says no?

Please delete account

[JShuttlesworth]

Read on Twitter

Doesn't Booker have 3 years remaining on his current deal, going through the 2027/28 season? Why are they talking extension so early?