Feschuk: Masai contemplating a step back next year, Lowry trade

[Kevin Willis]

Once Masai decided to bring back Casey, you don't need anyone to confirm that Lowry's gone.

Good point but who's going to take him? How many teams has he played on so far?

Houston, Toronto, Memphis. All three are organizations that are accepting of eccentric attitudes. Where can he go - Dallas? Randy will make him cry. Lakers? Same situation with Rondo - who's going to want him?

Trade him to Houston. Rockets were interested in him last summer and they never did upgrade the pg spot. I'll take back Terrence Jones and Clint Capela.

With Bebe I don't want Capela. Jones or Donatas and Johanson or McDaniels (S&T)

Don't know what I want from Lakers or Dallas unless it's Davis and Clarkson with is unlikely.

[22haytham22]

If and this is a big If. If we tank than I am ok with keeping Casey.

[basketball royalty]

Firstly, I think he is insinuating/blatently making things up about Masai seriously considering tanking. I am sure it is an option but really only if you get great picks for our players.

Second, maybe they do go ahead with it. Already have season seats sold so may as well screw with the paying public. Too late for them to back out.

[Risk101]

Who is the individual who was told all this? Is he the one leaking information?

I'm not going to listen to "Masai told me" bs. If he's going to be patient with the head coach and evaluate then he can do the same with Lowry who he just spent 12 million just a year ago. This type of thought process "lacks perspective".

[Tortiglioni]

Masai told me he may have to take a step back (lottery) next season in order to get better long term

[S.W.A.N]

I said it in another thread, but it bares repeating. If you are going to tank..It is a great year to do it. We would likely be the only true tank in the east.

Lowry and Demar both had good trade value and we have a bunch of free agents to let go.

The knicks Denver pick could be mid to late lotto next year. So trade players for a couple young players with upside (like a t jones) or a Randle from lakers and another pick this year then play our young guys next year.

Then in 2016 you have two high picks, a combination of young players on the roster that have years experience under their belts and capspace.

Not advocating this as the right path to go, but if Masai decides to take a step back it is an easy plan to make happen.

Personally I still want to see this current version given another tweet and talent upgrade.... but I starting to dream about heavy metal machines

[joseph227]

Wasted 2 years and now he tanks. This is what a gm with no foresight looks like my friends.

[Indeed]

Trading Lowry does not mean we are tanking (of course, not the other way around).
I think we should keep Lowry for a year, and continue to work with this group. I think getting playoff experience is more important.

[kidr1211]

Trading Lowry does not mean we are tanking (of course, not the other way around).
I think we should keep Lowry for a year, and continue to work with this group. I think getting playoff experience is more important.

What did the playoff experience we got last year do for us this year?

[Bankai]

From what I gather Feschuk is basically implying that keeping Casey is part of a tank move and getting rid of one of our better players in Lowry is the other part of a tank move.

Shows how much confidence this defense attorney has in his client. If you know in your heart that this team is only going to go downhill why do you let Casey continue to be the Captain of this Sinking Ship?!

[Wo1verine]

Trading Lowry does not mean we are tanking (of course, not the other way around).
I think we should keep Lowry for a year, and continue to work with this group. I think getting playoff experience is more important.

What did the playoff experience we got last year do for us this year?

Experience in sports is a myth.

You either have the talent to win that particular year or you don't.

[Indeed]

Trading Lowry does not mean we are tanking (of course, not the other way around).
I think we should keep Lowry for a year, and continue to work with this group. I think getting playoff experience is more important.

What did the playoff experience we got last year do for us this year?

DeRozan improved his defense and ball handling.

[joshgc]

I am 27 years old, I am kind of fed up watching this team tank every four or five years. It was cool when I was 17 or even 20, but FFS I am killing my liver and my youth having to drink in depression after years of this team sucking. Can this club do something to keep me from polishing down another bottle of JD or drinking that 12 pack I just bought. I don't know how the older fans in this forum deal with the constant cycle of us being **** that plagued this franchise for the last 20 years, I applaud you for still having the energy to stick around for all the tanking seasons you had to endure and not have an addiction to something to ease the pain. This news is very depressing, so I am going to polish that 12 pack I spoke about.

[kidr1211]

I am 27 years old, I am kind of fed up watching this team tank every four or five years. It was cool when I was 17 or even 20, but FFS I am killing my liver and my youth having to drink in depression after years of this team sucking. Can this club do something to keep me from polishing down another bottle of JD or drinking that 12 pack I just bought. I don't know how the older fans in this forum deal with the constant repeat cycle of us being **** that plagued this franchise for the last 20 years, I applaud you for still having the energy to stick around for all the tanking seasons you had to endure and not have an addiction to something to ease the pain. This news is very depressing, so I am going to polish that 12 pack I spoke about.

You're right i'd much rather take the 1st round exits

[MS13]

If and this is a big If. If we tank than I am ok with keeping Casey.

He's our tank coach and even he's horrible at that. Won too many games those years we were tanking.

[kidr1211]

Who is the individual who was told all this? Is he the one leaking information?

I'm not going to listen to "Masai told me" bs. If he's going to be patient with the head coach and evaluate then he can do the same with Lowry who he just spent 12 million just a year ago. This type of thought process "lacks perspective".

He's basically quoting what masai said on the radio last week. MU was asked if taking a step back is a possibility and he said they have to look at all options

[Bankai]

Last note: I will bet with any man here that if the Raptors are struggling next season and Casey does get the axe, Feschuck will write some article wondering why it didnt happen earlier and that it was right move. Its still hilarious to me that Feschuck is inadvertainly saying that this Casey is going to coach this team to the lottery because he is trying to make us blame and hate Lowry but admitted losing him would hurt alot more.

This article is likely going to look hypocritical in a year year. The Coaching Carousel shouldnt stop unless the Raptors hit the Jackpot with a Coach that passes the eye test and the credentials even if the team isint doing so well, at least fans can say that they have a good coach on their hands. Like what people have been saying with Brad Stevens for a while. Stopping at Casey is like if the Carousel exploded and had to stop.

[artsncrafts]

No point in Trading Lowry as his stock is at an all time low, unless Masai can swindle

[Tacoma]

This is the moment where Lowry has to pick up the phone and pull an Allan Iverson. Call Casey, call Masai and beg grovel and convince them that this coming year is going to be different. Clock is ticking.... and I don't know if Lowry has the brains to do that.

This is why learning history is important... oldskool always wins.

Lowry call Masai to beg??? Bull ****. If Lowry has he brains??? LOL, Lowry has more brains than 10 Casey brains put together.

Masai put Lowry in the driver's seat and that's where he comfortably sits. He made the decision to sign him to $48M knowing his history. So now with his contract of his lifetime under his belt, Lowry can go back to being himself.

And I've said it before and I'll say it again: this team goes as Lowry goes. When Gay was traded it was Lowry who picked it up to lead this team and he almost made the all star game last year and made it this year. Without Lowry, this team is a borderline playoff-lottery team. So as far as us winning is concern, Lowry holds the cards and Masai knows it.

Wherever he plays next year, he'll still get his $48M. In fact, knowing that Casey will be back, Lowry's call to Masai would be to demand a trade out of this mess. And if he doesn't get his way, he could to sulk like Vince in 2004 lowering his trade value and screwing Masai even further. Would Lowry do that? No doubt it's in his character and because Masai put him in the driver's seat.

So, if Casey is back, I expect that Lowry will be gone because he asked for a trade. And Feschuk's trashing of Lowry is stupid. Masai should call him up and tell him to STFU because the last thing Masai needs now is to have Lowry's trade value lowered even further. He gave Lowry $48M and now he has to sell it. Lets hope it's not at a discount.

[DUNPHY]

Trading Lowry is a HUGE mistake... Lowry was INJURED! He was literally beasting it out for a year straight before the all star break! Hell come back full force!

Casey is obviously the problem here...

Im really starting to question Masai if this rumour is true..

Ill wait until he actually makes a move before I judge though