If you were the GM how would you rebuild this team?

[C_Money]

I think we need to stand behind our team , believe me...we DON'T want those dark days back....not fun man not fun. Makes me sick how people already want to throw these guys under the bus....up until last year WE HAVENT EVEN MADE IT PAST THE SECOND ROUND. So lets all be freaking thankful we even saw a minute in round two and enjoy this it aint over yet...and yea..although im not a casey fan by any means..I really DO feel like we're close..gotten this far already.

Enough with this TWO bs. So negative.

Agreed. I feel like the people who want to tank are new fans and weren't around for all the tough times. It's the only explanation.

[Wo1verine]

Some people who experienced the 'tough times' like me still prefer the tanking route. At some point people need to stop being afraid of the unknown and embrace that we actually have a good management team who could probably succeed going down this route.

This team has peaked time to move on ( or at least it should be).

[Outlaw 316]

Could you call that a hiatus? This is his first post. I feel bad for opie, we're all more intrigued about his story rather than the thread.

ahaha , honestly not much of a story...long time reader...literally just never really posted (clearly) . Figured of all the years reading and all the debates im having lately I would see what our great fan base here at realgm thought.

Uh no, you're not getting away that easy. We need more details.

Like do you flare your nostrils and blow out air when you read negative comments? Do you chortle at ridiculous reactionary threads? Which hand do you use to hold your cell phone when you wipe?

Sent from my LG-H812 using RealGM mobile app

ah good ol troll...would it make you feel better if I acknowledge you ? Clearly you missed the whole point of the thread. Good ol fun conversation with Raptor fans. Sorry if somebody pissed in your cornflakes this morning.

[Childs]

Some people who experienced the 'tough times' like me still prefer the tanking route. At some point people need to stop being afraid of the unknown and embrace that we actually have a good management team who could probably succeed going down this route.

This team has peaked time to move on ( or at least it should be).

I hope you are ready for an Andrea Bargnani lead season (2010-2011). Bring back Kleiza, Julian Wright, Barbosa, and Gary Forbes. Gonna be great. Instead of getting the 3rd pick, dropping to 5th. It's going to be fantastic drafting another Valanciunas. Can't wait. WTF you gonna do?

[KL78192020]

OP was evaluating.

[Outlaw 316]

Some people who experienced the 'tough times' like me still prefer the tanking route. At some point people need to stop being afraid of the unknown and embrace that we actually have a good management team who could probably succeed going down this route.

This team has peaked time to move on ( or at least it should be).

We had a good management team when BC was here. What happened there? We have a good young team in fact last year I remember people complaining that we are TOO young.

[Wo1verine]

Some people who experienced the 'tough times' like me still prefer the tanking route. At some point people need to stop being afraid of the unknown and embrace that we actually have a good management team who could probably succeed going down this route.

This team has peaked time to move on ( or at least it should be).

We had a good management team when BC was here. What happened there? We have a good young team in fact last year I remember people complaining that we are TOO young.

This is the perfect example of people being afraid - Many you guys look at out our past and think that going a different route automatically means we are going to **** things up for 5+ years.

Many of you want to prolong something that isn't going to be worth the reward in assets once were forced to tear down due to Lowry + Ibaka decline. It's nearly impossible for Masai ( as solid as he is) to make this team much better in the short-term due to the current assets + our cap situation we have at this point.

In terms of our younger players like JP, Powell, Wright, JV etc while solid not a whole of upside which doesn't boost much confidence going forward for me at least.

I truthfully believe the longer we wait to rebuild ( tank w/e you wanna call it) the more painful it will be for everyone.

[Outlaw 316]

Some people who experienced the 'tough times' like me still prefer the tanking route. At some point people need to stop being afraid of the unknown and embrace that we actually have a good management team who could probably succeed going down this route.

This team has peaked time to move on ( or at least it should be).

We had a good management team when BC was here. What happened there? We have a good young team in fact last year I remember people complaining that we are TOO young.

This is the perfect example of people being afraid - Many you guys look at out our past and think that going a different route automatically means we are going to **** things up for 5+ years.

Many of you want to prolong something that isn't going to be worth the reward in assets once were forced to tear down due to Lowry + Ibaka decline. It's nearly impossible for Masai ( as solid as he is) to make this team much better in the short-term due to the current assets + our cap situation we have at this point.

In terms of our younger players like JP, Powell, Wright, JV etc while solid not a whole of upside which doesn't boost much confidence going forward for me at least.

I truthfully believe the longer we wait to rebuild ( tank w/e you wanna call it) the more painful it will be for everyone.

Okay , well we tank, our draft pick doesn't pan out, you continue to wait until we get a generational player? How often does that happen? I have no interest in building a losing culture. Norm has potential to be a very good player so does Jakop , hell even Wright. I wouldnt say resigning lowry and ibaka is impossible. I don't think Masai is as stupid as Dave Nonis was making trades stupid trades that jepordize our future.

This is why this city cant have anything nice it's because we **** on everything good that comes our way and turns everyone off.

[Wo1verine]

We had a good management team when BC was here. What happened there? We have a good young team in fact last year I remember people complaining that we are TOO young.

This is the perfect example of people being afraid - Many you guys look at out our past and think that going a different route automatically means we are going to **** things up for 5+ years.

Many of you want to prolong something that isn't going to be worth the reward in assets once were forced to tear down due to Lowry + Ibaka decline. It's nearly impossible for Masai ( as solid as he is) to make this team much better in the short-term due to the current assets + our cap situation we have at this point.

In terms of our younger players like JP, Powell, Wright, JV etc while solid not a whole of upside which doesn't boost much confidence going forward for me at least.

I truthfully believe the longer we wait to rebuild ( tank w/e you wanna call it) the more painful it will be for everyone.

Okay , well we tank, our draft pick doesn't pan out, you continue to wait until we get a generational player? How often does that happen? I have no interest in building a losing culture. Norm has potential to be a very good player so does Jakop , hell even Wright. I wouldnt say resigning lowry and ibaka is impossible. I don't think Masai is as stupid as Dave Nonis was making trades stupid trades that jepordize our future.

This is why this city cant have anything nice it's because we **** on everything good that comes our way and turns everyone off.

Or maybe we get that generational player ( rare for sure) maybe we draft multiple all-stars or collect enough assets to trade for someone really darn good down the road! Rebuilding is far from guaranteed - but guess what? Continuing on down this path guarantees this same rebuilding outcome, just more difficult to pull off ( bigger contracts, age of players) and for what? This culture thing? Purely a myth (in Toronto anyways) People need to realise that nobody AMAZINGLY GOOD in free agency is ever signing on with us so winning a playoff round or two over the next couple years isn't going to change anyone's prospective on Toronto, that's reality.. Hell we have had many players just in the past week hating on us even though our franchise has never been more successful over the previous years stretch.

[agentzero2010]

If we blow this team up right now, we will be forever remembered as the team that got literally dismantled by LeBron James. Is that the legacy that this front office, coaches and players want to leave behind?

As opposed to the George/West/Hibbert Pacers? Or the Horford/Millsap/Teague Hawks? Or the Pierce/Garnett/Allen Celtics? Or the Rose/Deng/Noah Bulls?

We're just the next up in a long line of EC teams whom King James has banished to shamblesland.

The Pacers were dismantled by injuries, mainly PG13, and father time. The Bulls were dismantled by injuries, mainly Rose, and father time. The Celtics were dismantled by father time. The Hawks were dismantled by cheap ownership and incompetent front office. Those teams didn't quit trying to beat LeBron, their window just closed. However, a majority of the fans and media are trying to convince everyone else that the Raptors should quit because they will never be good enough to beat LeBron.

At first, the Raptor's were known as the team that no one wanted to play for. Then, they were the team that couldn't retain their star players. Then they were the team that couldn't get out of the first round. Now, if we quit and press the reset button, we will be forever known as the team that couldn't beat LeBron and quit trying. Meanwhile, the Bulls are known for 6 rings and the GOAT. The Celtics are known for having 17 championship banners and countless number of hall of famers. The Pacers made the finals a couple of times and pushed LeBron to the brink in the ECF. The Hawks had Dominique and they have been in the league for over 50 years.

Right now the Raptors are known for being LeBron's b!tch, the Washington generals to LeBron's Harlem Globetrotters, a joke in the league. Is that what you want Canada's team to be known for?

[AK47MVP]

Firing Casey and trading DeRozan would be most important steps in changing the culture here.

[SonOfRoy]

Trade Joseph and Caroll for cap relief/draft picks
Resign Lowry
Sign Paul Milsap
Resign Tucker
Patterson walks Ibaka walks
Draft wing, Delon and Norm play bigger roles
Hire Steve Nash as ass. Coach

[Sherlock]

If we blow this team up right now, we will be forever remembered as the team that got literally dismantled by LeBron James. Is that the legacy that this front office, coaches and players want to leave behind?

As opposed to the George/West/Hibbert Pacers? Or the Horford/Millsap/Teague Hawks? Or the Pierce/Garnett/Allen Celtics? Or the Rose/Deng/Noah Bulls?

We're just the next up in a long line of EC teams whom King James has banished to shamblesland.

The Pacers were dismantled by injuries, mainly PG13, and father time. The Bulls were dismantled by injuries, mainly Rose, and father time. The Celtics were dismantled by father time. The Hawks were dismantled by cheap ownership and incompetent front office. Those teams didn't quit trying to beat LeBron, their window just closed. However, a majority of the fans and media are trying to convince everyone else that the Raptors should quit because they will never be good enough to beat LeBron.

At first, the Raptor's were known as the team that no one wanted to play for. Then, they were the team that couldn't retain their star players. Then they were the team that couldn't get out of the first round. Now, if we quit and press the reset button, we will be forever known as the team that couldn't beat LeBron and quit trying. Meanwhile, the Bulls are known for 6 rings and the GOAT. The Celtics are known for having 17 championship banners and countless number of hall of famers. The Pacers made the finals a couple of times and pushed LeBron to the brink in the ECF. The Hawks had Dominique and they have been in the league for over 50 years.

Let's just agree to disagree on how those other teams are characterized. You say father time / injuries, I say a realization that as good as they were, they weren't getting past LeBron and were getting older so a rebuild was warranted. Pretty much the same story for Toronto. They're getting older and it's unclear that there's any path they can take that leads them to beating LeBron.

Right now the Raptors are known for being LeBron's b!tch, the Washington generals to LeBron's Harlem Globetrotters, a joke in the league. Is that what you want Canada's team to be known for?

How is that impression going to change unless we actually beat LeBron?

[OAKLEY_2]

I would go with Rex-Stack.
I would get Rex to court Ibaka before any overtures to KL.
Probably not pay KL anything more than 40x3. Possibly/probably lose him.
Go with Patty Mills/Joseph if KL leaves.
Let Delon back up Demar and be third string PG.
Play Norm at SF with Tucker.
Play Carroll at the four with Siakam.
Go with JV and Poetl at centre and give Poetl 22 mins and JV 26.

Trade Bebe and Freddy.

Keep playing Bruno and pick 23 at 905.

[Basketball_Jones]

Some people who experienced the 'tough times' like me still prefer the tanking route. At some point people need to stop being afraid of the unknown and embrace that we actually have a good management team who could probably succeed going down this route.

This team has peaked time to move on ( or at least it should be).

Ayy, I'm not that convinced really. They seem pretty good, but I still question Masai's eye for talent. He's still pretty lucky Deebo and Lowry elevated their games far beyond expectations. Joseph/Carroll/Norm/Patterson and 20 games of Ibaka and Tucker was about the best talent he's put around them so far, it still feels underwhelming.

[sule]

12:01am July 1st, I'm standing at PJ Tucker's door.

Forget Lowry and Ibaka. If you really want a team that plays hard and fights for wins, you sign Tucker first and then make approaches to the other FA's.

I've been saying since the Brooklyn series, that if you really want to be a better team, you use the postseason to evaluate who's worth keeping. If a player can't perform in the playoffs, you move them for someone who can. Finishing 1st doesn't mean jack if you end up losing in the first or second round. But finishing 4th or 5th with a team that can bring it to anyone come playoff time is much more valuable.

You're there to be the best by beating the best. And that wasn't the vibe the "leaders" on this team were giving out. Not Casey. Not Lowry. Not Demar. Not Ibaka. Not Patterson. And not Carroll.

At least Powell, Tucker, Cojo, Valanciunas had fight in them, and don't back down from being intimidated by other players or teams.

[Outlaw 316]

This is the perfect example of people being afraid - Many you guys look at out our past and think that going a different route automatically means we are going to **** things up for 5+ years.

Many of you want to prolong something that isn't going to be worth the reward in assets once were forced to tear down due to Lowry + Ibaka decline. It's nearly impossible for Masai ( as solid as he is) to make this team much better in the short-term due to the current assets + our cap situation we have at this point.

In terms of our younger players like JP, Powell, Wright, JV etc while solid not a whole of upside which doesn't boost much confidence going forward for me at least.

I truthfully believe the longer we wait to rebuild ( tank w/e you wanna call it) the more painful it will be for everyone.

Okay , well we tank, our draft pick doesn't pan out, you continue to wait until we get a generational player? How often does that happen? I have no interest in building a losing culture. Norm has potential to be a very good player so does Jakop , hell even Wright. I wouldnt say resigning lowry and ibaka is impossible. I don't think Masai is as stupid as Dave Nonis was making trades stupid trades that jepordize our future.

This is why this city cant have anything nice it's because we **** on everything good that comes our way and turns everyone off.

Or maybe we get that generational player ( rare for sure) maybe we draft multiple all-stars or collect enough assets to trade for someone really darn good down the road! Rebuilding is far from guaranteed - but guess what? Continuing on down this path guarantees this same rebuilding outcome, just more difficult to pull off ( bigger contracts, age of players) and for what? This culture thing? Purely a myth (in Toronto anyways) People need to realise that nobody AMAZINGLY GOOD in free agency is ever signing on with us so winning a playoff round or two over the next couple years isn't going to change anyone's prospective on Toronto, that's reality.. Hell we have had many players just in the past week hating on us even though our franchise has never been more successful over the previous years stretch.

I dont think this is the time for us to do that...now had DeRozen walked and Lowry left this summer...yeah I would definitely would have considered "blowing it up" ....but we just had a 50 win year...and have made it out of the second round. You build within your farm and try to grow...not give up and go back to square one. Things didn't go in our favor being matched up with Cavs in round 2..**** happens..we got swept by Wizards a few years back and we bounced back and made it to the ECF last year.. This is the nature of competitive sports. It's up to management and the team to come to together and overcome this year's loss.

[Moose23]

I would like to see Dennis Smith JR and Willie Caulie Stein on this team, then put shooters at the 2-4 spots.

I Think Smith is gonna be a star in the NBA, and WCS can be a perfect center for Casey (since it looks like he is staying) and in a high octane offense the 2 would be a lethal pairing in p&R

[GotnutnCreative]

12:01am July 1st, I'm standing at PJ Tucker's door.

Forget Lowry and Ibaka. If you really want a team that plays hard and fights for wins, you sign Tucker first and then make approaches to the other FA's.

I've been saying since the Brooklyn series, that if you really want to be a better team, you use the postseason to evaluate who's worth keeping. If a player can't perform in the playoffs, you move them for someone who can. Finishing 1st doesn't mean jack if you end up losing in the first or second round. But finishing 4th or 5th with a team that can bring it to anyone come playoff time is much more valuable.

You're there to be the best by beating the best. And that wasn't the vibe the "leaders" on this team were giving out. Not Casey. Not Lowry. Not Demar. Not Ibaka. Not Patterson. And not Carroll.

At least Powell, Tucker, Cojo, Valanciunas had fight in them, and don't back down from being intimidated by other players or teams.

Tucker said he'll make his decision on this team based on what happens with Lowry... meaning if Lowry is gone, Tucker is gone.

[zippy]

Try my best to get anything for a S&T for Lowry.

Let Ibaka and Tucker test free agency while still submitting reasonable offers to them.

Patterson can gtfo, Cut Bruno.

Trade Carrol and Joseph for a 2nd round pick to someone that's willing to take the salary.

Surround and build around our superstar Demar Derozan with young talent, and vet 3&D guys, (sign VC).

Most likely fire Casey and try and hire Kevin Mchale.