NBA Thread

[Dick_Pole]

Raptors are making the playoffs, folks.

 

Don't jinx it. They have to finish 6th or higher or get placed in that stupid play-in tournament where anything can happen. The good news is that it's very likely they'll finish in the top 10 so at least they'll get the chance.

[Brownie19]

Don't jinx it. They have to finish 6th or higher or get placed in that stupid play-in tournament where anything can happen. The good news is that it's very likely they'll finish in the top 10 so at least they'll get the chance.

 

At this pace, they won't have the legs left to even partake in a play-in tournament. NN is running the starting 5 into the ground right now.

[Dick_Pole]

Powell on the move again. Great trade for the Clippers. I would say it's a terrible trade for Portland except that I think they are trying to tank so it sort of makes sense.

[Spanky99]

Just keep wining!

[Krylian]

Just keep wining!

 

[Spanky99]

 

lol... I hate that s***. Unless it's port.

[glory]

Anyone know why Dragic isn't playing or even with the team? He would be a bench piece on a contender, so not sure why he's not playing at all for the Raptors when Nurse is letting 5 guys average like 45 minutes a game the last few weeks. Clearly they can use the bench bodies. I'm sure they will try to move his contract at the deadline, but I think using him as a combo guard off the bench probably would have been helpful leading up to this point. Oh well. Hopefully Masai/Webster can add at least 2 bench pieces (that Nurse will actually play) so the starters can get a little bit more of a breather.

[Dick_Pole]

Obviously some fall out with the team happened that's worse than the theatrics that were reported when he first came here.

[John_Havok]

Obviously some fall out with the team happened that's worse than the theatrics that were reported when he first came here.

 

Yeah, there are stories from back in December that dont go into details, but basically state he is not expected to return to the team this season. Maybe he gets traded at the deadline, but otherwise will be bought out at the end of the season. He just doesnt want to play for Toronto for whatever reason.

[Krylian]

[Dr. Dinger]

Why

[Spanky99]

 

Haha... Raps dropped Dragic in a rebuilding team, how's that for a f*** you.

[Spanky99]

Why

 

No good? They need a bench/depth, no?

[Krylian]

No good? They need a bench/depth, no?

 

Ya. 1st rounder (protected or not) seems like a high price considering the names involved though I guess.

[Dr. Dinger]

Downgrading a 1st rounder to a 2nd for Thad Young? 2022 Thad Young? When the Raps are not even a fringe contender? I don’t get it.

[Dick_Pole]

Yeah I don't get this deal at all. Unless they are working some cap space magic. San Antonio is obviously dropping Dragic. They did this for the pick. Anyways, he IS a warm body that will likely be played to lengthen the bench just a little bit. The acquired Detroit pick will be #31 or #32. Raptors will probably finish somewhere 10-15th in the league which means giving up 15-20th pick and dropping down up to 17 slots for this guy. Maybe Masai is bullish on Drew Eubanks and did the ultimate bait and switch putting feelers out for Poetl instead?

[glory]

At this rate, I'm fine with the deal as long as Nurse plays Thad (he will) and Eubanks (he probably won't). The Thibodeau model of minutes is not sustainable and the Raptors desperately needed some bench bodies that Nurse will actually give playing time to. If that's Thad and Eubanks, then fine. I don't like including the pick, even if it comes with a very high 2nd rounder, and really don't understand why they even had to include it, but at this rate anything that stops Siakam from averaging 43 minutes a game is fine. If only they added a guard to backup Fred. Banton isn't ready yet and Nurse hates Flynn, so one FVV injury and it looks bad.

[P2F]

Eubanks has already been waived.

[John_Havok]

Given the salry structure of the NBA, this has to be cap space related right? Young is a UFA at the end of the season so likely wont be around anyways, Eubanks is already waived...

 

What's the real upside for the future unless it's just more cap space in exchange for moving down the draft board a bit

[Dick_Pole]

This confusing trade makes the Lowry deal look worse. Had to give up a first round pick just to get rid of Dragic and let some other team buy him out.

[John_Havok]

This confusing trade makes the Lowry deal look worse. Had to give up a first round pick just to get rid of Dragic and let some other team buy him out.

 

Why could the Raps not just do the same thing? I know very little of how the NBA salary structure works.

[Krylian]

Why could the Raps not just do the same thing? I know very little of how the NBA salary structure works.

 

No one does.

[Abomination]

PG Pascal?

[Abomination]

Doncic just put up 28 points with seven 3s in the 1st quarter

[glory]

Why could the Raps not just do the same thing? I know very little of how the NBA salary structure works.

 

They wanted Young instead of Dragic, and they saved a bit of money in the process, which apparently can help them in the buyout market. Although I can't remember a single player the Raptors got in the buyout market except Jeremy Lin during the championship season so not sure how desirable a spot Toronto is in that regard.

[connorp]

Figures in fantasy I’d be going up against the guy that had Trent. Doesn’t look like he does much besides score, based on his season stats

[Spanky99]

8 in a row, Noice! Edited February 11, 2022 by Spanky99

[Brownie19]

Yeah I don't get this deal at all. Unless they are working some cap space magic. San Antonio is obviously dropping Dragic. They did this for the pick. Anyways, he IS a warm body that will likely be played to lengthen the bench just a little bit. The acquired Detroit pick will be #31 or #32. Raptors will probably finish somewhere 10-15th in the league which means giving up 15-20th pick and dropping down up to 17 slots for this guy. Maybe Masai is bullish on Drew Eubanks and did the ultimate bait and switch putting feelers out for Poetl instead?

 

I think right now they would project to pick 20th and they have been one of the best teams in the NBA since December 1st. I think they hope they are just downgrading the draft pick by 10 spots +/- and honestly, once you get out of the Top 10, it's essentially a crap shoot anyway.

 

Thad was great in Chicago last year. 12 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.3 apg and 56% FG in 24 minutes. The Raps could really use that production off the bench. Now that said - nobody is excited for Thad Young - especially when the Cavs got Lavert for Rubio's expiring contract and a protected 1st round pick.

[Krylian]

I think right now they would project to pick 20th and they have been one of the best teams in the NBA since December 1st. I think they hope they are just downgrading the draft pick by 10 spots +/- and honestly, once you get out of the Top 10, it's essentially a crap shoot anyway.

 

Thad was great in Chicago last year. 12 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.3 apg and 56% FG in 24 minutes. The Raps could really use that production off the bench. Now that said - nobody is excited for Thad Young - especially when the Cavs got Lavert for Rubio's expiring contract and a protected 1st round pick.

 

I thought it was Top 14 protected this year. Top 13 protected next season. Becomes Two 2nd rounders after that.

[Brownie19]

I thought it was Top 14 protected this year. Top 13 protected next season. Becomes Two 2nd rounders after that.

 

It is...if the Raps collapse and their pick becomes the 12th overall pick, then Spurs don't get it this year and if they suck next year, it becomes 2 second round picks. My point was I suspect the Raps believe they will sustain this success and hope their pick next year is in the 20-24th overall range - which means they are only 'dropping' 8-12 picks (as they are getting Detroit's 2nd rounder in the deal) in the draft - which they probably believe is worthwhile to add Thad Young because it's all a crap shoot when you hit the 20th overall pick anyway.

 

Hopefully Thad Young, if given 20-24 minutes per game can replicate what he did in Chicago last year - as that would be a very solid addition to the rotation.