Fisher: Raptors are still shopping RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley

[PushDaRock]

After this Jak extension, feels like the plan is if nothing changes to just let RJ play out these 2 seasons and have his contract come off the books and they likely have one of Ochai, Gradey or Walter replace him. If one of them really stands out, that makes the decision easier. But, things can change if the team does really well and RJ takes a big step and/or is a big part of the team's success. I think that opens up the possibility that they will go into the tax as long as it's for a good team.

Going into the tax for this roster would make no business sense. That's a lot of tax pool money you're ignoring.

I said if they're a good team.

[earthtone]

I really don’t understand the all of the hysteria about the luxury tax.

Last season 10 teams were in the tax, 6 teams were less than $1 million under the tax and another 10 were less than $5 million under the cap.

Thats 26 out of 30 teams operating either over the luxury tax, or within $5 million of hitting the limit.

This is the new normal for the league and entering the season near or over the tax line is par for the course. If we’re good we’ll pay it, if we’re not we’ll get under.

[ItsDanger]

After this Jak extension, feels like the plan is if nothing changes to just let RJ play out these 2 seasons and have his contract come off the books and they likely have one of Ochai, Gradey or Walter replace him. If one of them really stands out, that makes the decision easier. But, things can change if the team does really well and RJ takes a big step and/or is a big part of the team's success. I think that opens up the possibility that they will go into the tax as long as it's for a good team.

Going into the tax for this roster would make no business sense. That's a lot of tax pool money you're ignoring.

I said if they're a good team.

I know. And I don't care what their record is, unless its a serious contender, an owner is not forgiving that much money. And, history supports that.

[PushDaRock]

Going into the tax for this roster would make no business sense. That's a lot of tax pool money you're ignoring.

I said if they're a good team.

I know. And I don't care what their record is, unless its a serious contender, an owner is not forgiving that much money. And, history supports that.

If they're winning 50+ games with a relatively young roster, I think the optics of cost cutting to knee cap the team rather than improving upon the roster wouldn't go over too well.

[StopitLeo]

I really don’t understand the all of the hysteria about the luxury tax.

Last season 10 teams were in the tax, 6 teams were less than $1 million under the tax and another 10 were less than $5 million under the cap.

Thats 26 out of 30 teams operating either over the luxury tax, or within $5 million of hitting the limit.

This is the new normal for the league and entering the season near or over the tax line is par for the course. If we’re good we’ll pay it, if we’re not we’ll get under.

It’s not the tax. It’s the apron(s), which limits your ability to make roster moves. The second apron also becomes quite punitive if you exceed it for multiple years.

[earthtone]

I really don’t understand the all of the hysteria about the luxury tax.

Last season 10 teams were in the tax, 6 teams were less than $1 million under the tax and another 10 were less than $5 million under the cap.

Thats 26 out of 30 teams operating either over the luxury tax, or within $5 million of hitting the limit.

This is the new normal for the league and entering the season near or over the tax line is par for the course. If we’re good we’ll pay it, if we’re not we’ll get under.

It’s not the tax. It’s the apron(s), which limits your ability to make roster moves. The second apron also becomes quite punitive if you exceed it for multiple years.

Yah avoiding the apron makes a lot of sense, but we’re not really in danger of hitting it & its not what people have been complaining about

[littlerock2277]

Trade Barrett for Kuzma and their 2031 1st unprotected. Might as well start the new tank season soon.

[tsherkin]

Trade Barrett for Kuzma and their 2031 1st unprotected. Might as well start the new tank season soon.

I don't think even new management is that stupid.

[DreamTeam09]

I really don’t understand the all of the hysteria about the luxury tax.

Last season 10 teams were in the tax, 6 teams were less than $1 million under the tax and another 10 were less than $5 million under the cap.

Thats 26 out of 30 teams operating either over the luxury tax, or within $5 million of hitting the limit.

This is the new normal for the league and entering the season near or over the tax line is par for the course. If we’re good we’ll pay it, if we’re not we’ll get under.

Booby already said it a few months ago in a press conference or an interview with someone. The luxury tax isn't the scary point anymore, they have lesson to the tax penalty you have to pay for being on the luxury tax. It's the first and 2nd aprons that are the new high water point.

What did teams even get paid last yr for being under the tax, like 11-15mill, that's mle money

[SpezNc]

I really don’t understand the all of the hysteria about the luxury tax.

Last season 10 teams were in the tax, 6 teams were less than $1 million under the tax and another 10 were less than $5 million under the cap.

Thats 26 out of 30 teams operating either over the luxury tax, or within $5 million of hitting the limit.

This is the new normal for the league and entering the season near or over the tax line is par for the course. If we’re good we’ll pay it, if we’re not we’ll get under.

I don’t think it will be complicated to get under luxury tax. At deadline many teams are finding ways to get under luxury tax or to reduce their tax bills.

Let’s say we are 2M over luxury threshold. You can trade RJ at deadline and get a player slightly less expensive. Or if a team has yet to use their MLE, maybe we can trade them Ochai Agbaji.

Unless the team vastly over performs I would be floored if we finish the season over the tax

[DreamTeam09]

Going into the tax for this roster would make no business sense. That's a lot of tax pool money you're ignoring.

I said if they're a good team.

I know. And I don't care what their record is, unless its a serious contender, an owner is not forgiving that much money. And, history supports that.

You're talking like 4-5yrs ago, 26 out of 30 teams were in the tax or damn near it. It's the Aprons you gotta worry about, not the tax.

[Potential]

Do the Bucks think Giannis gives a **** about Kevin porter Jr and Jericho sims? Gary Harris and Myles Turner? It's looking like another 1 man carry job again for another 1st round exit

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Do the Bucks think Giannis gives a **** about Kevin porter Jr and Jericho sims? Gary Harris and Myles Turner? It's looking like another 1 man carry job again for another 1st round exit

They probably getting The Hit Man as well, but yea point taken

[HumbleRen]

Raptors have been in the luxury tax ONCE in the entire franchise’s history.

But folks want to hand wave that off like it isn’t relevant because they’re desperate to see a mediocre core be given a shot lol.

[earthtone]

Raptors have been in the luxury tax ONCE in the entire franchise’s history.

But folks want to hand wave that off like it isn’t relevant because they’re desperate to see a mediocre core be given a shot lol.

We’re in a league that in the past decade has gone from five teams in the luxury tax and 15 teams within $5 mil of the tax, to 10 teams in the tax and 26 within $5 mil of the tax

But folks want to hand wave that off and act like we’re in a uniquely bad cap situation because…?

[Kingsway_fan]

Raptors have been in the luxury tax ONCE in the entire franchise’s history.

But folks want to hand wave that off like it isn’t relevant because they’re desperate to see a mediocre core be given a shot lol.

They are NOT a mediocre core... this team is playoffs bound.

[S.W.A.N]

I really don’t understand the all of the hysteria about the luxury tax.

Last season 10 teams were in the tax, 6 teams were less than $1 million under the tax and another 10 were less than $5 million under the cap.

Thats 26 out of 30 teams operating either over the luxury tax, or within $5 million of hitting the limit.

This is the new normal for the league and entering the season near or over the tax line is par for the course. If we’re good we’ll pay it, if we’re not we’ll get under.

It’s not the tax. It’s the apron(s), which limits your ability to make roster moves. The second apron also becomes quite punitive if you exceed it for multiple years.

Yah avoiding the apron makes a lot of sense, but we’re not really in danger of hitting it & its not what people have been complaining about

We're above the tax line and fairly close to the first apron because of incentives.

There shouldn't be any panic right now. We don't have a lot of flexibility, but we don't really need it yet.

Unless a clear upgrade becomes available (buy low on Giannis, Durant, etc etc) we just let it play out for a year.

[HumbleRen]

Raptors have been in the luxury tax ONCE in the entire franchise’s history.

But folks want to hand wave that off like it isn’t relevant because they’re desperate to see a mediocre core be given a shot lol.

They are NOT a mediocre core... this team is playoffs bound.

Poeltl, IQ, RJ and Scottie are among the worst 4 man lineups in the entire league lol. Those guys are supposed to be your best 4 players and they have a negative net rating. I don’t think you realize how bad that is.

Siakam, FVV, OG and Scottie were a mediocre core and they were still able to be a positive net rating, albeit it being still a horrible number for starters.

Our current 4 make the look like contenders. That’s how bad the net rating is.

[HumbleRen]

Raptors have been in the luxury tax ONCE in the entire franchise’s history.

But folks want to hand wave that off like it isn’t relevant because they’re desperate to see a mediocre core be given a shot lol.

We’re in a league that in the past decade has gone from five teams in the luxury tax and 15 teams within $5 mil of the tax, to 10 teams in the tax and 26 within $5 mil of the tax

But folks want to hand wave that off and act like we’re in a uniquely bad cap situation because…?

Again, we’ve been in the luxury tax ONCE and that was the championship. We’re not going to be a luxury tax team by the end of the season lol.

[S.W.A.N]

Raptors have been in the luxury tax ONCE in the entire franchise’s history.

But folks want to hand wave that off like it isn’t relevant because they’re desperate to see a mediocre core be given a shot lol.

They are NOT a mediocre core... this team is playoffs bound.

If we make the playoffs it will be a good season

Cavs
Magic
Philly
New York
Atlanta
Bucks
Detroit

Boston
Indy

That is 9 teams. Boston and Indy are down but had depth. Will be interesting to see how far they fall off this season.

Miami
Chicago

They look to be treadmill and fighting for the playoffs despite fact they'd be better off tanking. So making playoffs would be a very solid season and probably require a 42 win season to make the play in...

I'd say we win 43 baring injuries and finish 9th next year. Middling results but a good upswing. We need to walk before we run.