Toronto Raptors Rumors Thread

Let's see what the Internet and reporters have to say. It's gonna be an eventful summer so let's see what happens. Any news about:

-Draft Picks
-Important Signings
-Trade Rumors

I will throw out the first one.

Its NOT new.

You can go to "that other site" and see a deep history of rumors and love ins.

Nick Batum (Charlotte) previously (Portland) to Toronto.

Charlotte is also cap strapped and has 4 impending FA as I understand.

Batum and his agent have always had a love in with Toronto; whether as a negotiation ploy or real is uncertain. Batum is French if I recall correctly.

TRoss $11Million would give Charlotte something "locked down to budget around".

I have no idea if Batum would come north for under market (what ever that amount is ) but I assume there is at least $16M available if

(1) Tross goes the other way with a low end draft pick
(2) Biz signs elsewhere.

Batum in Toronto would be nice but where would we use him?

[QUOTE=T-Low]Batum in Toronto would be nice but where would we use him?[/QUOTE]

3 ?

Small ball line up with JV, Demarre @ 4 Batum @ 3 Demar and Kyle...

Or variations.

Shooting shooting shooting ala GS

As I say I have no idea if this is simply more 'negotiation' stance.. but there have been so many rumors over so many years ! ?

Batum has wanted to play in Toronto but Masai will have to be crafty to get him.

Sorry don't feel like making a thread, but saw this today.

NBA "experts" on top FA this off-season

[QUOTE]1. Rank your top three free agents.

Amin Elhassan, ESPN Insider: Kevin Durant, LeBron James and [B]Al Horford[/B]. There obviously is a considerable drop-off from the top two to the third, illustrating just how thin this year's free-agent crop is. An argument can be made for a couple of restricted free agents [B](such as Bradley Beal and Andre Drummond)[/B] and some vets [B](such as Dwight Howard, Mike Conley and Nic Batum)[/B], but ultimately, I think Durant and James lead the way (with Durant taking the edge because of his age), and Horford comes next.

Calvin Watkins, ESPN.com: 1. Durant: He will get plenty of recruiting visits this summer, as he should. 2. James: He's expected to become a free agent, but I suspect he'll remain in Cleveland. 3. [B]Hassan Whiteside[/B]: There's so much upside for this talented center. Maturity is a question, but he got better as the season progressed.

Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Insider: I'm going to ignore restricted free agents whose current team will match any offer sheet they get, as well as James and Durant. So among the non-transcendent, more realistic targets, my top three are: [B]1. Conley[/B], a two-way point guard who can also play off the ball. [B]2. Whiteside[/B], an explosive center who can fix any team's defense with the stroke of a pen. [B]3. Horford[/B], an All-Star big man with versatility on both ends of the floor who can play inside and shoot from the outside.

Zhang Weiping, Tencent: Durant, James and [B]Drummond[/B]. Being the No. 1 free agent this summer, Durant could sign a five-year contract worth $160 million or agree to a short-term deal, allowing him to sign a more lucrative deal when the salary cap spikes. LeBron is also going to get a big contract as a 13-year veteran (although staying in Cleveland on a short-term deal could actually cost him $3 million). And Drummond will likely get a less expensive max as a restricted free agent coming off his rookie deal.

Ian Begley, ESPN.com: James and Durant are the top two on everyone's list. No. 3 will engender debate; I'd go with [B]Whiteside[/B]. In free agency, finding young players who have plenty of room to grow -- and can realistically be expected to do so -- is key. A Whiteside signing isn't without risk, but it's rare to find a free agent with fewer than 150 games played who has shown an ability to affect the game the way Whiteside has (14.2 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.7 BPG last season).[/QUOTE]

Disregard the obvious KD and Lebron, the names get mentioned here are Drummond, Whiteside, Horford, Dwight, Conley, Beal, Batum.

like really, not a single mention of Derozan? come on man...not even gonna bother arguing whether he's on a similar tier with Drummond, Whiteside, Horford...but the other guys who don't even even make All-stars? :biggums:

I don't know if that is an intentional dis of Demar...

or...

The read out that Toronto has this all locked up 'in their opinion' ??

Hopefully that is part of the reason.

I also note no comment on Biz ...hmmm...

Two notes in the "rumor mill"

1) Nick Batum gets his deal with the Hornets "done quick" so he can play for France.

...so much for historical posturing.

2) Demar is turning down interviews with Clippers ... will still likely meet the Lakers... but is simply working towards getting his return deal to Raptors done. Part of those conversations is 'potentially agreeing' to a little shave on the money to be able to bring back Biyombo.

Biz wants to be patient and wants Toronto.

--

Wow...

Dont know if any the last part is true but it sure sounds nice.

Now if Masai can:

1) Renounce Scola

2) Move out James Johnson and.... (very realistic possibility although Demar is a friend of his)

3) Move out Terrence Ross..... (less realistic but $12Million is not a bad contract in the upcoming cap explosion depending on what comes back. Say a $8Million player and a draft pick ?)

There is money for Demar / Biz.

Just a reminder....
---


Guaranteed Salary: $83,000,529

Non-Guaranteed Salary:

Free-Agent Cap Holds: James Johnson ($3,250,000), Luis Scola ($3,480,000), Jason Thompson ($980,431)

First-Round Pick Holds: No. 9 ($2,253,300), No. 27 ($996,700)

Dead Money: $0

All-Inclusive Total: $93,960,960.00

Cap Space: -$1,960,960

Durant wont meet with [B]Wizards[/B] / Lakers

Scheduled to meet Golden State / San Antonio.

Some reports / rumors he might meet the Knicks due to Rose trade.

While not specifically mentioned I would infer that [B]Toronto[/B] was not granted a meeting either.

If the only Eastern Conference team is 'maybe possibly the Knicks' unconfirmed that would suggest Durant is narrowly focused on teams in the Championship mold now (!) being I suppose SanAn GS and potentially his own OKLA.

I don't really disagree with his analysis if true.

I had hoped he would look at the depth of the Raps and view Lbron/Cavs verses Durant/Raps and agree to force some sort of sign and trade with draft picks / Tross / other players going back the other way. I also figured he would least hear the pitch from Masai based on rep.

Lotsa noise today.....

I think its noise though

1) Jamal Crawford ?

Toronto is a team that 'could be in the mix'.

Personally I rather doubt it. We had Lou and Jamal is Lou 2.5. No indication that Jamal would take anything less than a starter type contract and that is not available in TO

2) Biz to the Knicks if they fail to do the deal on Noah....

Plausible


3) Raps back up plan is Tross to Philly for Nerlans Noel as a Biz replacement

Very very plausible.

Tross said to go the other way.

Tross was drafted by Bryan Colangelo. Philly could use more everything and a quality shooter who can turn it on sometimes would help the young guys. Tross's defense is passable and been coached to...something the young 6ers need to learn. Tross's contract is actually viewed as a hindrance in Toronto but is "not so bad" under the new cap if your team is under the cap.

I could potentially see this deal go through honestly even if we do attempt to resign Biz. Noel is still young / restricted and can add depth at the 4 if not the 5. The net should create a little Cap room that 'might be enough' to sign Biz to a 1 or 2 year deal with a promise for more later...

On Noel....

The only thing on this deal is... Tross is what $11Million ?

Noel is $5M plus a potential Q.Offer next season.

Difference of $6M that Philly can absorb being so far under the cap.

I would expect Philly would demand our "Clipper protected pick" in 2017 though... I mean it will end up being the "25th overall or some such thing" but Ross and a pick for Noel plus $6M in Cap space sounds fair.

Actually the more I think the more I like it...

$6M in cap space plus waiving the rights to Scola / James Johnson adds up to somewhere in the range of $12M cap space.

Biz back for $12Million ? Plus Demar ! Plus Noel as a young big playing minutes at the 4 and 5 in rotation.

Front court bigs of Val / Biz / Noel / Patterson...then Poetl / Bebe...I like the looks of that.

Add to that the other young 4 we drafted from New Mexico (name?) and then D'A (the early 2nd rounder from 2 years ago in Australia) ... that is some core...

Unless some of those pieces are going to Philly.

DeMar DeRozan resigns with the Raptors for 5 years/$139 million.


Masai is looking for a trade with the 76ers involving Nerlens Noel. If he can pull it off, it means Bismack is very much a goner but getting Noel is a bonus as he is younger and probably has higher upside too now that he will be on a winning team.



Here's the breakdown of DeMar's salary with the new cap:

[IMG]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmQkt3mUMAA91Qe.jpg[/IMG]

If Masai could somehow get our hands on Noel for just 1st+TRoss, wow that would be great, but seems too good to be true tho, TRoss is not desirable and Sixers isn't trying to get more future 1st, Noel should net them better offers.

Plus Noel is still more 5 than 4, would be great to have him replace Biyombo as first big off the bench, but we STILL have a hole at the starting 4.

I am starting to find that a lot of rumors are coming from a site called Yabada. I don't know how trustworthy this site is. I am all over the sites trying to find any leaks of any kind.

So a week goes by and not much

We kicked the tires on [B]Pau Gasol[/B]... I assume the money was too much / cap space.

Must have made a run on [B]Ryan Anderson.[/B].. the Rockets money is also probably too high / cap space.

[B]Nerlens Noel[/B] suddenly silent

No news on [B]Jared Sullinger [/B]... Boston could only qualify at $4.4Million but we seem to have $5M - $6M in cap space which is line with a Q.O. plus. However not sure the JS is any significant upgrade over Patterson if Patrick has is game locked in....

Lost James Johnson

Lost Luis Scolia ~ looks like he and Manu are playing for their childhood team in Argentina.

--

So:

1) $6Million cap room (not much)

2) and a need for depth quality minutes at the 4 position.

3) a roster full of young talent potential i.e.

Bruno / Bebe / D'Andre / Poetl / Powell / Wright / Siakam / and the rights to Nando de Colo in Euroball.

Hmm whats up Masai ?

:cheers:

I don't think Masai is a 'win now at all costs' kinda GM.

But I gotta think there is a balance here with all that stockpiled talent for 3 years down the road compared to next season.

Depth looks like this ?

Front Court:

JV / Bebe / Poetl / Jason Thompson (?)

Patterson / D'Andre / Siakam

Demarre / TRoss / Bruno

Back Court :

Derozan / Klow / Corey J / Powell / Wright

--

That makes 15 to start seat the max number on roster.

[QUOTE=Jballer]Depth looks like this ?

Front Court:

JV / Bebe / Poetl / Jason Thompson (?)

Patterson / D'Andre / Siakam

Demarre / TRoss / Bruno

Back Court :

Derozan / Klow / Corey J / Powell / Wright

--

That makes 15 to start seat the max number on roster.[/QUOTE]

Don't forget Sullinger.

Sullinger signing is like the Biyombo signing. Low risk, high reward. Always can be potentially dangerous two way player but highly questionable work ethic.

Masai is fantastic with not leaking information. Wonder if he still has one more trade or signing to make. I've heard Ross in trade talks and to be honest, it seems he's the right guy to move for another 3&D SF. Raptors should be fine with their bigs now.

When the FA market dried up leaving only Sullinger, David Lee, DMo available, none of which are the big upgrade we need at the 4, I was hoping Masai had a trade in the work. Now that Sullinger is signed, I doubt a trade is coming soon.
Don't get me wrong tho, Sullinger is still an upgrade over Scola who started most of the season so I'm not too mad. Although I still have my fingers crossed that we trade TRoss for something more valuable, another big maybe, CoJo and Norm should get all the backcourt bench mins.

At least when Sully is on the court we wont be playing 4 on 5 in offence. Not the same on D as Biz obviously, but he's no slouch when motivated. Coming to team thats been together awhile where your going to be held accountable from Demarre and Kyle might get more from Sully then in Boston where they were still trying to find themselves the past few years.

LOL I typed that before I saw the Sullinger singing.

Yep low risk rental player signing.

Actually more than that.

1) Jared is on a one year try out for the whole league. He didn't get a Q.O. finalized for long term with Boston so now he is playing for a long term deal with all the teams, including the Raptors. I would think he will be motivated to perform and further I think Casey and the d minded coaching here will increase his potential value.

2) I 'think' Patrick contract also expires this year. With 'a young motivated' Jared lurking on the bench competing for minutes I would hope that this lights a little fire under Patrick. He has the potential to raise his game and Jared may be the pressure to achieve that.

I agree this probably spells the end of any trade.

Read the TorStar article that opined that the TRoss deal was good value given this years signings.

I dunno... like you guys I think TRoss may have value but I am frustrated with his contribution.

We have two draft picks next year (ours and Clippers by way of trade) in the mid low 20's. In addition we seem to have a boat load of young talent as I indicated above.

I hope Masai in his infinite silence is working on a deal for a high quality depth three to play behind Demarre....

I dont think we need more at the four .... Patrick / Jared and you can still rotate Poetl / Bebe into that slot with JV on the court.