Keith Smith: Raptors 2024 offseason analysis

[deeps6x]

I think the FO will take on some bad contracts this summer, as long as they can get back some 2025 and 2026 first round picks.

Something like...
Bruce Brown for John Collins + 2025 1st round Pick [CLE]

Yuck!

Or just offer Utah $15M for the 22nd pick in next year's draft - which is probably where the CLE pick lands.

I don't want to see Collins OR Brown on this team next year.

[deeps6x]

I find the Gary Trent Jr. situation very mysterious. It just doesn't feel like they'll let him walk. I know the article mentions the idea of a sign-and-trade, but I believe a short-term extension is still a possibility too. Maybe there's value at extending him on a 1+1 deal, around 20 million. That creates similar value to what we have with Bruce Brown's deal now.

I'd rather keep Gary then Bruce for the same money, and no, I don't think Gary is worth $23M or whatever the BB contract calls for next season. Just drop BB and S&T Gary. It's too risky picking up BB's deal and then hoping a deal goes through after. It feels like we'd be F'ing ourselves again, just like we did with Dragic.

[LoveMyRaps]

I think the FO will take on some bad contracts this summer, as long as they can get back some 2025 and 2026 first round picks.

Something like...
Bruce Brown for John Collins + 2025 1st round Pick [CLE]

Yuck!

Or just offer Utah $15M for the 22nd pick in next year's draft - which is probably where the CLE pick lands.

I don't want to see Collins OR Brown on this team next year.

Bobby said they'll look to take on some money this summer so don't rule it out. Especially if we're getting back a 2025 or 2026 pick.

[C_Money]

Not adding talent.... Uh ok Keith

How can anyone watch these games and think the Raps are fine as far as talent is concerned lol?

There’s a section of the fanbase who think all we have to do is add a wing defender and we’re good.

[Rapsfan07]

From Keith Smith at Spotrac: Raptors' 2024 offseason analysis: "Continuing the reset without having to rebuild". This is a thoughtful, well reasoned look at what the Raptors are looking at this summer. Definitely worth a read.

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2234/2024-nba-offseason-financial-previews

"The Toronto Raptors did the hard part ahead of last season’s trade deadline: They hit the reset button. That meant trading away the last real ties to the 2019 title team by sending OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks and Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. But they were the right moves to get the franchise headed in a new direction. After missing the playoffs in three of the last four years, with one first-round exit mixed in, it was time to start over. The good news? The Raptors aren’t starting over from scratch."

"This offseason is crucial for Toronto, but not in an “adding talent” way. This summer is about locking up the players the Raptors already have in Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. Everything else is about finding the right guys to maximize what those two bring, especially players who fit with Barnes. That might be a two-year process, but if the Raptors get this right, this mini-postseason drought will be over before we know it."

In addition to these summary comments, Smith suggests the following:

- Barnes will get a max extension, likely allowing for 30% of the cap if he makes all NBA
- Quickley will get 4 years between $100 mil and $120 mil
- the Olynyk signing points to Toronto operating over the cap
- Brown's option will be picked up to allow him to be used in a trade
- Trent will move on (could be sign & trade)
- Nwora, Temple, Malik Williams could return, on a minimum deal
- Raps will use the MLE to target affordable options for backup PG and possibly 4/5 depth
- draft picks will be BPA

- Barnes max extension is a given. This should be the last move we make though so we can use capspace to do other things.

- I like Quickley at $100M/4yrs. $120M is a bit of an overpay IMO.

- Toronto will definitely be operating over the cap.

- First thing we should do is decline Brown's option unless someone is going offer us significant compensation to take on long-term money. Otherwise, we could probably grab two rotation players for what we're paying Brown and probably still have some change left over.

- How we use the MLE will largely depend on how the draft goes down. I really think targeting a vet PG like Lowry would be great... he could tutor our PG we take at 19. Other than that, signing a 3rd C off the bench would be good too...Biyombo maybe but those should both be veteran minimum deals. Would love to take a chance on Patrick Williams but the Bulls have matching rights so who knows if they will.

- Also don't need to S&T Trent unless it's coming with worthwhile compensation. Gotta be a 2025 pick or better if we're going to use our space to resign him and then probably end up taking back crap contracts. Otherwise, there's better things we could be doing with that money/space. Best thing to do is probably just let him walk.

[TimeForChange]

Not adding talent.... Uh ok Keith

How can anyone watch these games and think the Raps are fine as far as talent is concerned lol?

There’s a section of the fanbase who think all we have to do is add a wing defender and we’re good.

dudes on here think this team will finish top 4 in the east

[MessiahUjiri]

From Keith Smith at Spotrac: Raptors' 2024 offseason analysis: "Continuing the reset without having to rebuild". This is a thoughtful, well reasoned look at what the Raptors are looking at this summer. Definitely worth a read.

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2234/2024-nba-offseason-financial-previews

"The Toronto Raptors did the hard part ahead of last season’s trade deadline: They hit the reset button. That meant trading away the last real ties to the 2019 title team by sending OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks and Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. But they were the right moves to get the franchise headed in a new direction. After missing the playoffs in three of the last four years, with one first-round exit mixed in, it was time to start over. The good news? The Raptors aren’t starting over from scratch."

"This offseason is crucial for Toronto, but not in an “adding talent” way. This summer is about locking up the players the Raptors already have in Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. Everything else is about finding the right guys to maximize what those two bring, especially players who fit with Barnes. That might be a two-year process, but if the Raptors get this right, this mini-postseason drought will be over before we know it."

In addition to these summary comments, Smith suggests the following:

- Barnes will get a max extension, likely allowing for 30% of the cap if he makes all NBA
- Quickley will get 4 years between $100 mil and $120 mil
- the Olynyk signing points to Toronto operating over the cap
- Brown's option will be picked up to allow him to be used in a trade
- Trent will move on (could be sign & trade)
- Nwora, Temple, Malik Williams could return, on a minimum deal
- Raps will use the MLE to target affordable options for backup PG and possibly 4/5 depth
- draft picks will be BPA

It's not working in Phoenix. Would we trade expirings for Bradley Beal? Grayson Allen can play more.

#31, Bruce Brown, Ochai Agbaji, Chris Boucher and McDaniels for #22, Beal and cash

PG IQ - Castle/JFL
SG Beal - Castle - Dick
SF Barrett - Dick - #19
PF Barnes - Barrett/Olynyk
C Poeltl - Olynyk - Chomche

Can you combine a S&T with other players?

Like a Trent + Brown + Boucher S&T combined deal?

I don’t know if that’s possible, but it would be interesting. Phx gets the depth they need, we get an SG who can age out while Scottie ascends, and move up from #31 to #22

[SpezNc]

Am I the only one who is skeptical that Bruce Brown is holding that much value? Otherwise would have been traded at deadline.

[ArthurVandelay]

Am I the only one who is skeptical that Bruce Brown is holding that much value? Otherwise would have been traded at deadline.

I’m very sceptical.

Only thing giving me pause is on draft night once 2024 picks used, the new currency becomes 2025 picks. Also, luxury tax and financial issues for 2024-2025 become more real once the season calendar flips. Finally, a lot of teams will be reevaluating their situation after regular season, play in, and playoffs.

But yeah, I’m still sceptical.

[DelAbbot]

"Without having to rebuild"

They can delay it all they want

[isyed]

Am I the only one who is skeptical that Bruce Brown is holding that much value? Otherwise would have been traded at deadline.

I was but I think there is more there from a cap perspective. Long term money is a real thing and the new luxury tax is going to kill teams that are not clear winners.

Thank compensation is going to have to be good. If the contract is horrible then we take 2 picks. Otherwise atleast a 1st rounder with some semi usable player.

Bruce Brown is an amazing contract for those teams that can just not pick up his option. Beal from the suns or Wiggins from gsw are starting points. Beal should net us atleast 2 picks.

Sent from my SM-F946W using RealGM mobile app

[DelAbbot]

I think the FO will take on some bad contracts this summer, as long as they can get back some 2025 and 2026 first round picks.

Something like...
Bruce Brown for John Collins + 2025 1st round Pick [CLE]

I am all for taking on bad contracts and FRPs (a move acceptable for a team committed in a rebuild) but Masai will say no for sure

[DreamTeam09]

From Keith Smith at Spotrac: Raptors' 2024 offseason analysis: "Continuing the reset without having to rebuild". This is a thoughtful, well reasoned look at what the Raptors are looking at this summer. Definitely worth a read.

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2234/2024-nba-offseason-financial-previews

"The Toronto Raptors did the hard part ahead of last season’s trade deadline: They hit the reset button. That meant trading away the last real ties to the 2019 title team by sending OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks and Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. But they were the right moves to get the franchise headed in a new direction. After missing the playoffs in three of the last four years, with one first-round exit mixed in, it was time to start over. The good news? The Raptors aren’t starting over from scratch."

"This offseason is crucial for Toronto, but not in an “adding talent” way. This summer is about locking up the players the Raptors already have in Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. Everything else is about finding the right guys to maximize what those two bring, especially players who fit with Barnes. That might be a two-year process, but if the Raptors get this right, this mini-postseason drought will be over before we know it."

In addition to these summary comments, Smith suggests the following:

- Barnes will get a max extension, likely allowing for 30% of the cap if he makes all NBA
- Quickley will get 4 years between $100 mil and $120 mil
- the Olynyk signing points to Toronto operating over the cap
- Brown's option will be picked up to allow him to be used in a trade
- Trent will move on (could be sign & trade)
- Nwora, Temple, Malik Williams could return, on a minimum deal
- Raps will use the MLE to target affordable options for backup PG and possibly 4/5 depth
- draft picks will be BPA

- Barnes max extension is a given. This should be the last move we make though so we can use capspace to do other things.

- I like Quickley at $100M/4yrs. $120M is a bit of an overpay IMO.

- Toronto will definitely be operating over the cap.

- First thing we should do is decline Brown's option unless someone is going offer us significant compensation to take on long-term money. Otherwise, we could probably grab two rotation players for what we're paying Brown and probably still have some change left over.

- How we use the MLE will largely depend on how the draft goes down. I really think targeting a vet PG like Lowry would be great... he could tutor our PG we take at 19. Other than that, signing a 3rd C off the bench would be good too...Biyombo maybe but those should both be veteran minimum deals. Would love to take a chance on Patrick Williams but the Bulls have matching rights so who knows if they will.

- Also don't need to S&T Trent unless it's coming with worthwhile compensation. Gotta be a 2025 pick or better if we're going to use our space to resign him and then probably end up taking back crap contracts. Otherwise, there's better things we could be doing with that money/space. Best thing to do is probably just let him walk.

If we let Gary walk and decline brown then we are not operating over the cap if I'm not mistaken

[ArthurVandelay]

Am I the only one who is skeptical that Bruce Brown is holding that much value? Otherwise would have been traded at deadline.

I was but I think there is more there from a cap perspective. Long term money is a real thing and the new luxury tax is going to kill teams that are not clear winners.

Thank compensation is going to have to be good. If the contract is horrible then we take 2 picks. Otherwise atleast a 1st rounder with some semi usable player.

Bruce Brown is an amazing contract for those teams that can just not pick up his option. Beal from the suns or Wiggins from gsw are starting points. Beal should net us atleast 2 picks.

Sent from my SM-F946W using RealGM mobile app

Brown’s contract has to be picked up to be traded and that doesn’t work for teams that want immediate relief.

Now if the Raptors decline the option then they could offer teams the immediate relief with their cap space.

Same end result but needs to be clarified Brown can’t be traded unless his option is picked up.

[JB7]

How can anyone watch these games and think the Raps are fine as far as talent is concerned lol?

There’s a section of the fanbase who think all we have to do is add a wing defender and we’re good.

dudes on here think this team will finish top 4 in the east

The East sucks. Magic went from 13th seed in the East in 2022-23 to 5th seed in 2023-24, primarily because the East sucks.

Outside of the Celtics and Knicks, the rest of the East looks questionable next season.

[Cyrus]

Wondering what can we get for Gary Trent jr’s sign and trade

Couple of 2nd rounders if we lucky.

Gray Trent will be a team like pistons over paying him when they can't get the top guys.

[JB7]

Wondering what can we get for Gary Trent jr’s sign and trade

Couple of 2nd rounders if we lucky.

Gray Trent will be a team like pistons over paying him when they can't get the top guys.

If he signs with the Pistons or Magic, forget the draft picks, the Raps will be lucky to not be the team paying him $18M.

[Scase]

From Keith Smith at Spotrac: Raptors' 2024 offseason analysis: "Continuing the reset without having to rebuild". This is a thoughtful, well reasoned look at what the Raptors are looking at this summer. Definitely worth a read.

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2234/2024-nba-offseason-financial-previews

"The Toronto Raptors did the hard part ahead of last season’s trade deadline: They hit the reset button. That meant trading away the last real ties to the 2019 title team by sending OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks and Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. But they were the right moves to get the franchise headed in a new direction. After missing the playoffs in three of the last four years, with one first-round exit mixed in, it was time to start over. The good news? The Raptors aren’t starting over from scratch."

"This offseason is crucial for Toronto, but not in an “adding talent” way. This summer is about locking up the players the Raptors already have in Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. Everything else is about finding the right guys to maximize what those two bring, especially players who fit with Barnes. That might be a two-year process, but if the Raptors get this right, this mini-postseason drought will be over before we know it."

In addition to these summary comments, Smith suggests the following:

- Barnes will get a max extension, likely allowing for 30% of the cap if he makes all NBA
- Quickley will get 4 years between $100 mil and $120 mil
- the Olynyk signing points to Toronto operating over the cap
- Brown's option will be picked up to allow him to be used in a trade
- Trent will move on (could be sign & trade)
- Nwora, Temple, Malik Williams could return, on a minimum deal
- Raps will use the MLE to target affordable options for backup PG and possibly 4/5 depth
- draft picks will be BPA

It's not working in Phoenix. Would we trade expirings for Bradley Beal? Grayson Allen can play more.

#31, Bruce Brown, Ochai Agbaji, Chris Boucher and McDaniels for #22, Beal and cash

PG IQ - Castle/JFL
SG Beal - Castle - Dick
SF Barrett - Dick - #19
PF Barnes - Barrett/Olynyk
C Poeltl - Olynyk - Chomche

Ignoring the fact that it would never happen with Beal having a NTC. Why in gods name would we help out the suns for literally nothing? Beal is washed, and on one of, if not the worst contract in the NBA.

[Cyrus]

Wondering what can we get for Gary Trent jr’s sign and trade

Couple of 2nd rounders if we lucky.

Gray Trent will be a team like pistons over paying him when they can't get the top guys.

If he signs with the Pistons or Magic, forget the draft picks, the Raps will be lucky to not be the team paying him $18M.

Indeed...

S&T don't make sense, if he gets like 18 mill, no reason for team with cap space to trade for him, unless they have their cap space tied to someone else.

If he's making 9-10 mill, why wouldn't that team just sign him with MLE, if he had good value, he would have been moved the last couple years.

[tecumseh18]

I think the FO will take on some bad contracts this summer, as long as they can get back some 2025 and 2026 first round picks.

Something like...
Bruce Brown for John Collins + 2025 1st round Pick [CLE]

Yuck!

Or just offer Utah $15M for the 22nd pick in next year's draft - which is probably where the CLE pick lands.

I don't want to see Collins OR Brown on this team next year.

Bobby said they'll look to take on some money this summer so don't rule it out. Especially if we're getting back a 2025 or 2026 pick.

But that means being a cap space team, and discarding Gary and BB. Kelly's contract aside, it doesn't make sense that we would give up Schroder for nothing if the intention was to operate above the cap (unless he really was a team cancer).

I can only see operating above the cap if we stay in the top six, and have to pay up to 10 mill/yr for Stephon Castle or whoever.