Post#30 » by Blacksheep25 » Sat Mar 27, 2021 12:20 am
Once he said he was looking for $50 million, he basically created a situation where it’s down to a few teams. Only someone who is a contender and views him as the last piece necessary would pay him that, if anyone would pay him that. We will see what the market says in the summer.
He’s always been about the $. It isn’t like he ever gave the Raptors any discount. He was widely considered overpaid until the last few years. I don’t say that as an insult. It’s a business, and I’d want the max amount also. Particularly considering the high Canadian tax rates and just generally high taxes from being up there so much of the year.
To be honest, if he wants to go to a specific team like the Heat or Philly, get paid, and have a shot to win, he’s best off telling them to just sign him straight up in the off season. Particularly Miami, who can just sign him outright.
Why force your new team to give up guys that will prevent you from going out a winner if you can get paid and win? That just hurts his new team and it isn’t like he’s from Toronto and grew up a Raptors fan or owes them anything.
The way those other teams held firm and wouldn’t part with anything, I wouldn’t be surprised if he has some deal in place with Riley already. Basically if they take lowball offer, I’ll come now. If not, I’ll sign in the summer.
I think he will go to the Heat if I had to guess over the summer. He might give them some break and take something a little less than what it will cost the Raptors to retain him. To keep him I imagine the Raptors would have to give him the full $50 million. Maybe Miami or Philly if he wants to go home get a little better deal, but Philly can’t really afford him straight up, so I’d guess Miami. He can sign there for a little cheaper and break even because of the no state income tax.
I just have a feeling he was going to Miami regardless next year and everyone else knew it, hence the lack of other teams offering up anything of value.
Pure guess, but that’s what it feels like. He’s too valuable for none of the contenders to offer anything unless they knew he was a pure rental for anyone besides the Heat. They seemed the team where there was mutual interest, but no reason to part with any real assets when he can just sign with them after they renounce Oladipo.
If I were a Raptor fan, I’d be hoping Oladipo plays out of his mind, because then maybe it could get interesting and something could be salvaged in a sign and trade.