Raptors Exit Interviews paint complicated future
Let’s take a listen to all of the exit interviews, what was and wasn’t said and dissect what it might mean for the Raptors busy offseason ahead. Who stays? Who goes? Which direction are they going with the trade and free agency market?
Also, recapping the WNBA draft. A historic moment for women’s basketball.
#Raptors #NBA #WeTheNorth
17 Comments
league is finished once jontay comes back
Rob.
Excellent Live.đđ
Appreciation for your hard work for the season and more importantly, for bringing us with you on the Raptors journey in 2023 to 2024.
Your insights, reflections and projections for next year and your deep understanding of the personalities of both the players, especially Scottie, Darko and the organization is very clear, insightful with a deep understanding of the
objectives they want to achieve, is second to none.
We will look back at this time as a massive shift in the foundation for the Raptors future and success.
Looking forward to sharing the Raptors journey with you.
Thank you, Rob.đ
Hi Rob, just wanted to say – great job covering Raptors all season! I haven't been calling in, mainly because of the time difference, and being more busy with work lately, but i have been listening, and I will definitely call again down the line, cuz I'm really excited for the off season and next season. Chat soonđ€
shout out to the raptor family members like micheal porter jr standing with jontay, scottys mum being grea,t grady mum, darcos wife and all other family members
some team is gonna pay gary trent jr 16-20 million a year so thinking gary is gonna sign for 10 million is like thinking gasoline prices are going back down to 1980's price.
in addition bobby webster said the raptors are 5-10 moves away so its likely the raptors are looking at a longer rebuild, and they wont make a big splash on the free agent market or trade assets for some big priced veteran or player. thats just the reality. Bobby Webster told you what his plan is. There is no big trade or free agent signing coming that eats up financial flexibility while they rebuild for a few years.
next year is a developmental year, with the intent to be competitive, but they wanted to be competitive this year also. they wont get blown out as much, but they will lose alot of closer games.
Have to wait till summer to see, but with what bobby webster said in interview, i think they cleaning house and bottoming out by letting gary trent walk, trading boucher, brown and jakob poeltl.
with jalen mcdaniels, i think from what darko said about mcdaniels, they are gonna let him play out his contract.
nwora is gone likely, because he is a defensive liability. and at 25 doesnt have much upside.
in the draft, i think the raptors taking a guard or wing at 6 and it wont be an undersized guard likely.
at 17 the raptors may take a wing guard or center.
the 31st pick is gonna be a project anyways so its likely they gamble on a big athletic forward who plays defense.
if they intend to trade jakob poeltl as bobby webster interview and jakobs comments hints, then i do think the raptors do priortize a center in the draft. they could take clingan at 6 or for sure they will take edey at 17 if he is there, if the intention is to move jakob in summer or if he is moved at draft.
i dont see much of a splash in free agency with bobby interview indicating a longer rebuild and building around scottie through the draft with development. they will try to compete and with starters will compete, but just lose alot of games with less blowouts. this is especially true if jakob poeltl is moved in summer. and that in itself will indicate their plan to try to keep the 6th pick in 2025.
as well with trading players they will have to take back contracts so that is what will be filling up the back of the roster because to move players you have to match salary in the nba.
In terms of value what are the players raptors wanting to move worth?
Jakob Poeltl likely a protected 1st round pick, salary match on expiring contract and a mid level young prospect that is raw. possible teams dallas, new orleans, okc, golden state.
chris boucher- likely a 2nd round pick and salary match and thats it.
possible destination denver, dallas, atlanta, boston, miami, phoenix, houston
bruce brown- might not get a 1st round pick for him. really depends on how many teams interested. but bruce brown is a 1st round pick or two 2nds and salary match.
possible team- i think the knicks are probably his likely destination. they have the pistons top 18 protected pick that turns into two 2nd rounders. detroit 2nd round is a late 1st rounder so getting two of them is better than getting a late pick from a good playoff team.
another destination may be lakers
if they cant trade bruce brown, knowing masai he will wait and profile bruce brown so his value is high enough to move at trade deadline. similar to siakam who they wanted to move and darko had to change his system to make him look better by optimizing him to his strengths. they have to get value for bruce brown because he was part of the siakam trade.
gary trent jr, most likely they let him walk unless they find a team wanting a sign and trade for gary trent jr. in that case you probably getting a bad contract as salary match and a top 12 protected 1st to eat the salary.
what team may overpay for gary trent jr? maybe detroit who needs 3 pt shooting, and are thinking they can use him, and if his production goes up to where it was before, they could flip him for a 1st round pick later on. gary still young relatively so they may gamble as they have with wiseman. detroit isnt giving a 1st for gary and it wont be worth taking a pistons pick with protections cuz you wont see it. so maybe pistons want to send isaiah steward in a package for gary. stewart is gonna be making 15 million a year with new contract kicking in.
Thanks again for these amazing lives, Rob! As bad as this season was, I am really amped for the draft and to see what happens next year with this young group (it will be an exciting playoffs this year too.. especially the West).
Also, listening to Scottie really sends home how much I have missed watching him play these last 20 or so games, wow.
âHard work beats talent when talent doesnât work hardâ
Live by this quote
Hi Rob. Still enjoying your Lives & videos from my new home in Philippines.
I donât know why when youâre making a good point you start reading comments and break or loose your train of thought, also let comments just ruin your mood, please ignore
Thanks Rob! You sure helped me keep my interest in the Raptors and basketball this season. Well doneđ
Thanks for the effort you put into covering this season rob! Some nights your lives were one of the only bright spots. Looking forward to more seasons with the channel
The offer was Allen and a Bucks 1st for FVV, should've definitely taken it
Rob, I want to make sure you are aware that there are many like myself who don't call in or necessarily always watch in real time but who greatly appreciate your efforts and especially your approach to thinking about and breaking down the Raptors situation, the sport more broadly and much more as well. You have made what otherwise was a season where it would have been so easy to simply stop paying attention into something watchable! In this video you have brilliantly set up how to think about the offseason to come!
How crazy is it that this is one of the few channels thatâs actually a huge fan of our own (potential) superstar lmao Toronto fans are weird
Where is ujiri season ending statement . Where is he.?