Stein/Fischer: Toronto willing to deal RJ Barrett, IQ, Poeltl for Significant Upgrades // #9 Available

[earthtone]

Maybe the 'big fish' is actually Jake Fischer, and he's taking the bait of all these stupid rumours we're floating around?

Yah, I’d be a lot more inclined to believe all these rumours if we hadn’t alessi tested for BI

We’ve played a total of 0 games with the guy who’s going to be the highest paid player on our roster next season. Don’t think there’s any rush internally to make a big splash, I think they’re just staying tuned in to the market.

I think the current roster, even with BI, is not generating any buzz or interest in the team (sample size of me).

Flipping 1,2 or 3 of the starters for 1,2 or 3 new starters will allow franchise to re-set, re-market and potentially renew interest in a franchise that has only deteriorated since 2019.

Will it pay off basketball wise? I don't know but I'm guessing internal testing is showing Raptors are losing grip on city/country's interest.

Eh, outside of Giannis/KD calibre guys I don’t think it makes a difference at all. No one’s coming to watch Malik Monk/Cam Johnson etc who wouldn’t also come to watch RJ Barrett.

There’s only two guys on the roster who were here to start the 2023 season, there’s already been a major overhaul over the past 18 months.

All the city cares about is winning. If we’re back in the playoffs, the buzz will be back

[Tha Cynic]

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I just don't know if I buy them really wanting him unless they just want to flip him at the deadline. It seems to be all rumors. II don't know that those guys have a lot of direct sources for that stuff anyway. I know they are reputable and have been around a long time, but only someone like Shams really has the connections I would trust and I think if Toronto was really in the mix, he'd say aomething. If he reports it I will buy it. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if Sidery mentions it and some of those guys like Stein, Fischer or whoever, mention "they've heard the Raptors could be in the mix"....after all Stein only has a subscriber only substack now and wants people to pay to read him.

It makes absolutely zero sense. The only rationale I can come up with that is a stretch is that they want Barnes to play in more meaningful games, don't like this draft at all, are low on Barrett and just want to dump his contract, and they feel they could flip KD for someone at the deadline when teams may want him more.

So get off Barrett, Poeltl money, use a draft pick you don't like, then flip KD for something you do like at the deadline. That makes some sense for a savvy manager.

But it's a crap deal anyway.

I definitely see why they would love to get off $27 million for Barrett a year and $20 million for Poeltl...it's like they are able to dump assets for a better asset they can deal when teams are more desperate at the deadline. Say they like Jalen Green a lot more than Barrett...and would hope to get another 1st back anyway, or they like what they hear MIami is offering so they could unload big salary they don't like and move KD for players they do like and a pick.

That is the only rationale I can think of if I'm the Raptors, which really isn't a bad rationale.

Yup.
I see Raptors potentially trading with Spurs, Rockets before deadline to get younger pieces and draft picks if KD doesn't work out for them. They know KD will sign extensions with those teams.

So Raptors being savvy and cunning clearing space trying out KD and then getting players they want before deadline if KD doesn't work out... they get their cake and eat it too situation.


Suns need not budge. Keep KD if offers are bad or extend him and he becomes more appealing trade piece.

I don’t buy it all (I think they would want Durant to stay), but this is a decent take and similar to what I mentioned earlier. Masai took the plunge on the Derozan trade because he was done with the core and Derozan as the main guy. I can see him making this move for Durant because he’s not invested in RJ and probably wants to move onto another big to work better for his roster. It’s one of those moves that at worst ends up with a lot of cap space that they absorb another player into.

If we can get the Portland pick and a big for RJ that’s a huge win imo. Of course it sucks that timelord still can’t stay healthy.

[Tha Cynic]

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The big fish being Monk would be hilarious....Sabonis would have to be involved as well for it to make sense....I like Malik but cmon...

Every rumour is showing that Masai wants an elite scorer or a defensive guy who can shoot the 3 to replace RJ.

RJ is gone within the next calendar year.

[Basketball_Jones]

Monk is a big fish!

[WuTang_CMB]

phx board

I just don't know if I buy them really wanting him unless they just want to flip him at the deadline. It seems to be all rumors. II don't know that those guys have a lot of direct sources for that stuff anyway. I know they are reputable and have been around a long time, but only someone like Shams really has the connections I would trust and I think if Toronto was really in the mix, he'd say aomething. If he reports it I will buy it. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if Sidery mentions it and some of those guys like Stein, Fischer or whoever, mention "they've heard the Raptors could be in the mix"....after all Stein only has a subscriber only substack now and wants people to pay to read him.

It makes absolutely zero sense. The only rationale I can come up with that is a stretch is that they want Barnes to play in more meaningful games, don't like this draft at all, are low on Barrett and just want to dump his contract, and they feel they could flip KD for someone at the deadline when teams may want him more.

So get off Barrett, Poeltl money, use a draft pick you don't like, then flip KD for something you do like at the deadline. That makes some sense for a savvy manager.

But it's a crap deal anyway.

I definitely see why they would love to get off $27 million for Barrett a year and $20 million for Poeltl...it's like they are able to dump assets for a better asset they can deal when teams are more desperate at the deadline. Say they like Jalen Green a lot more than Barrett...and would hope to get another 1st back anyway, or they like what they hear MIami is offering so they could unload big salary they don't like and move KD for players they do like and a pick.

That is the only rationale I can think of if I'm the Raptors, which really isn't a bad rationale.

Yup.
I see Raptors potentially trading with Spurs, Rockets before deadline to get younger pieces and draft picks if KD doesn't work out for them. They know KD will sign extensions with those teams.

So Raptors being savvy and cunning clearing space trying out KD and then getting players they want before deadline if KD doesn't work out... they get their cake and eat it too situation.


Suns need not budge. Keep KD if offers are bad or extend him and he becomes more appealing trade piece.

I don’t buy it all (I think they would want Durant to stay), but this is a decent take and similar to what I mentioned earlier. Masai took the plunge on the Derozan trade because he was done with the core and Derozan as the main guy. I can see him making this move for Durant because he’s not invested in RJ and probably wants to move onto another big to work better for his roster. It’s one of those moves that at worst ends up with a lot of cap space that they absorb another player into.

If we can get the Portland pick and a big for RJ that’s a huge win imo. Of course it sucks that timelord still can’t stay healthy.

I totally agree with them and based on this FO's history of moves, they operate this way. Red paper clip theory. Masai loves to buy low and then zig zag. Doesn't always work but that's how he maneuvers.

[Jerry Lucas]

I think Monk only makes sense if the Raptors are trying to get KD without giving up Poeltl, and new Kings GM Scott Perry really wants reunite with his old Knicks (IQ and/or RJ). Something like:

TOR gets
KD
Monk

PHX gets
DeMar/RJ
JV
Pick 9

SAC gets
IQ
RJ or keep DeMar

This barely works for the Raptors in terms of salary-matching, and I'm guessing the Raptors would give up Pick 9 outright in a KD trade if they could keep Poeltl out of it.

[Zeno]

phx board

I don’t buy it all (I think they would want Durant to stay), but this is a decent take and similar to what I mentioned earlier. Masai took the plunge on the Derozan trade because he was done with the core and Derozan as the main guy. I can see him making this move for Durant because he’s not invested in RJ and probably wants to move onto another big to work better for his roster. It’s one of those moves that at worst ends up with a lot of cap space that they absorb another player into.

If we can get the Portland pick and a big for RJ that’s a huge win imo. Of course it sucks that timelord still can’t stay healthy.

I totally agree with them and based on this FO's history of moves, they operate this way. Red paper clip theory. Masai loves to buy low and then zig zag. Doesn't always work but that's how he maneuvers.

It is possible we just want to try to get Bucks picks or swaps of any kind. Maybe trading down from 9 to 11 has some value but not enough for that. Masai will never give up the Giannis obsession I’m guessing.

[Tha Cynic]

People are taking what are clearly subsequent moves as the main moves. There is a lot of broken telephone and frameworks that just don’t end up materializing and we’re hearing parts of bigger moves.

What’s clear is that the Raptors are trying to build a solid roster and they understand they need a scorer and that RJ isn’t a long term option.

[Zeno]

RJ and Iq to the Kings, Yak, Demar to the Suns and Durant,Monk and Val to the Raps is a legal trade. Maybe we give 9 to Suns, receive 29 and additional pick compensation from the Kings(Spurs 2027 1st for example).

[Son Goku 25]

People are taking what are clearly subsequent moves as the main moves. There is a lot of broken telephone and frameworks that just don’t end up materializing and we’re hearing parts of bigger moves.

What’s clear is that the Raptors are trying to build a solid roster and they understand they need a scorer and that RJ isn’t a long term option.

Thanks for your logical posts that aren't dramatic due to every rumor. Not a knock on others but sometimes you just need an unc in the group to set things straight.

[earthtone]

People are taking what are clearly subsequent moves as the main moves. It’s clear there is a lot of broken telephone and frameworks that just don’t end up materializing.

What’s clear is that the Raptors are trying to build a solid roster and they understand they need a scorer and that RJ isn’t a long term option.

I still think RJ is in the [relatively] long term plans here, I think there's a reason he was included in the OG deal instead of picks. I'd be surprised if he was traded for anything less than an All-Star calibre player.

I think the "toxic asset" quote that got aggregated after the trade really shaped a lot of perception of him and doesn't match how he's played at all in Toronto. I don't see any reason he won't fit with this core, and I think he's primed to take another leap this season

[sidsid]

People are taking what are clearly subsequent moves as the main moves. There is a lot of broken telephone and frameworks that just don’t end up materializing and we’re hearing parts of bigger moves.

What’s clear is that the Raptors are trying to build a solid roster and they understand they need a scorer and that RJ isn’t a long term option.

If the Blazers piece (not Grant) is in play, and the Kings rumour is a fallback option, you have two scenarios building with a potential homerun 3rd.

1. KD trade happens, the Blazers or something similar where we don't absorb a lot of future salary/mostly expirings. Allows the team to be a cap space player the next year if KD leaves as mitigation. (I thought we'd be Jrue players with it, but wouldn't fit the cap space plan)

2. Tweaking/retooling. The Kings type trades.

3. Giannis later, paired with 1 or possibly 2 still. Who knows what in the offseason after.

[Tha Cynic]

People are taking what are clearly subsequent moves as the main moves. It’s clear there is a lot of broken telephone and frameworks that just don’t end up materializing.

What’s clear is that the Raptors are trying to build a solid roster and they understand they need a scorer and that RJ isn’t a long term option.

I still think RJ is in the [relatively] long term plans here, I think there's a reason he was included in the OG deal instead of picks. I'd be surprised if he was traded for anything less than an All-Star calibre player.

I think the "toxic asset" quote that got aggregated after the trade really shaped a lot of perception of him and doesn't match how he's played at all in Toronto. I don't see any reason he won't fit with this core, and I think he's primed to take another leap this season

I don’t think he’s a negative player anymore but he is due for a contract extension soon and we know who he is. The Raptors will need to fix their roster somehow and imo there are other players who fit better than RJ on the team, especially with the addition of Ingram who’s a better version of a scorer.

I personally don’t think they’ll end up getting a star for RJ other than due to the requirement of his contract to make salaries match. Now maybe, and hopefully, a young team appreciates him (like a Portland) and is willing to give up assets for him, like their first round pick in 2025, but you’re right that they wouldn’t just trade him if it doesn’t bring in a better fit around Barnes and Ingram.

[Scase]

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What in the **** would be the point of Monk when we already have 3 players that do the same poor job

Unless it's part of a much bigger trade, I see no reason at all for this.

[LoveMyRaps]

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[LoveMyRaps]

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What in the **** would be the point of Monk when we already have 3 players that do the same poor job

Unless it's part of a much bigger trade, I see no reason at all for this.

We need shooters. Monk doesn’t solve any problems for us.

[Scase]

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What in gods name is this lmao

[Tha Cynic]

People are taking what are clearly subsequent moves as the main moves. There is a lot of broken telephone and frameworks that just don’t end up materializing and we’re hearing parts of bigger moves.

What’s clear is that the Raptors are trying to build a solid roster and they understand they need a scorer and that RJ isn’t a long term option.

If the Blazers piece (not Grant) is in play, and the Kings rumour is a fallback option, you have two scenarios building with a potential homerun 3rd.

1. KD trade happens, the Blazers or something similar where we don't absorb a lot of future salary/mostly expirings. Allows the team to be a cap space player the next year if KD leaves as mitigation. (I thought we'd be Jrue players with it, but wouldn't fit the cap space plan)

2. Tweaking/retooling. The Kings type trades.

3. Giannis later, paired with 1 or possibly 2 still. Who knows what in the offseason after.

Masai definitely values flexibility and contracts that are moveable. A big salary that expires soon has been something that he has targeted in the past. Even though he didn’t initially get great value for Siakam due to his own over patience and then Siakam sabotaging his value, he got Ingram, Walter and Agbaji out of it which is imo very good value.

Masai is a lot smarter than random RealGM posters.

[Tha Cynic]

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Joke’s on them - we’re most likely not giving up a pick unless we recoup a big and it’s not going to be both RJ and Quickley

[ArthurVandelay]

Another big fish.

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What kind of degenerate do you hav to be to BET on Terry Rozier’s next team?!?!