I think the team is definitely better with the shortened rotation we saw last night. It likely gets worse again when the new players report - only Vaszquez over Stone should play over the 8 player rotation used last night if we were actually trying to win. The key to keeping the tank rolling until Lowry is dealt is how many minutes we can force feed John Salmons. If he plays enough minutes he'll get up enough shots to offset the loss of Gay's contribution to the tank.
I think the team is definitely better with the shortened rotation we saw last night. It likely gets worse again when the new players report - only Vaszquez over Stone should play over the 8 player rotation used last night if we were actually trying to win. The key to keeping the tank rolling until Lowry is dealt is how many minutes we can force feed John Salmons. If he plays enough minutes he'll get up enough shots to offset the loss of Gay's contribution to the tank.
lol, I was thinking the same thing last night. Casey was forced to use a tight rotation, and low and behold, it worked!
The moral of the story, put Casey in a position where he doesn't have to think
DeMar Derozan & Jonas Valanciunas show is about to begin!
SO EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE!
To be honest, it wouldnt surprise me if DD gets moved. If the Raps are really 'tanking' like a lot of people are saying then DD needs to go along with Amir. They better get something in return for him though. A 1st round pick or a young player with upside.
I'm not sure how it happens unless you take on an albatross of a contract (Boozer) or give up DeRozan or JV.
Prove me wrong, Masai!
I continue to hold out hope there is an option for Toronto to swap picks with Sacramento should they get one but the more I think about this trade and the flexibility it opens up moving forward I don't think that happens.
I sincerely hope that acquiring another 1st round pick is a priority. Was hoping a pick would be included in the Gay trade.
Kelly can be funny...I liked this: "This is a delicate sort of Tank. You can’t just blow a hole in the hull. You need to slip beneath the waves quietly, while also releasing a few life rafts." LOL.
I'm not sure how it happens unless you take on an albatross of a contract (Boozer) or give up DeRozan or JV.
Prove me wrong, Masai!
I continue to hold out hope there is an option for Toronto to swap picks with Sacramento should they get one but the more I think about this trade and the flexibility it opens up moving forward I don't think that happens.
I assume DeRozan is the asset most likely to net the Raptors a guaranteed lottery pick, but I fear that trading him during the season could help lift that team out of the lottery (especially given the extremely wide open EC playoff race). I wonder if MU might keep a player like DeRozan until the draft, trading him for a known pick, rather than risk seeing the return fizzle to either a mid-1st or future 1st round pick?
I assume DeRozan is the asset most likely to net the Raptors a guaranteed lottery pick, but I fear that trading him during the season could help lift that team out of the lottery (especially given the extremely wide open EC playoff race). I wonder if MU might keep a player like DeRozan until the draft, trading him for a known pick, rather than risk seeing the return fizzle to either a mid-1st or future 1st round pick?
I'm all about obtaining as many 1st as possible over the next 3 drafts - '14, '15, '16.
I'm not sure how it happens unless you take on an albatross of a contract (Boozer) or give up DeRozan or JV.
Prove me wrong, Masai!
I continue to hold out hope there is an option for Toronto to swap picks with Sacramento should they get one but the more I think about this trade and the flexibility it opens up moving forward I don't think that happens.
Don't forget that now we have a lot more movable pieces. Lots of manageable contracts.
I could see a team that needs both backcourt and frontcourt depth giving us a pretty decent pick for, say, Vasquez and Hansbrough, or something along those lines where we can send two serviceable players to a mediocre team and end up with a pick in the 12-20 range or something.
I assume DeRozan is the asset most likely to net the Raptors a guaranteed lottery pick, but I fear that trading him during the season could help lift that team out of the lottery (especially given the extremely wide open EC playoff race). I wonder if MU might keep a player like DeRozan until the draft, trading him for a known pick, rather than risk seeing the return fizzle to either a mid-1st or future 1st round pick?
See my above post, but I feel like with the extra pieces on manageable deals, it will be easier to find a deal. Might not have to trade DeMar. Amir, Lowry, Vasquez, Patterson, Hansbrough, Novak, Ross (who I'd rather keep)....lots of guys with movable deals who can realistically attract interest. Not sure if that necessarily makes a 1st rd pick attainable, but it certainly opens up much more options.
See my above post, but I feel like with the extra pieces on manageable deals, it will be easier to find a deal. Might not have to trade DeMar. Amir, Lowry, Vasquez, Patterson, Hansbrough, Novak, Ross (who I'd rather keep)....lots of guys with movable deals who can realistically attract interest. Not sure if that necessarily makes a 1st rd pick attainable, but it certainly opens up much more options.
Oh very true, I think the Raps have loads of tradeable assets, but I was talking specifically about the article that alluded to management seeming to have a path to another lottery pick. I suppose packaging a number of assets could achieve that.
Charlotte needs SF help, with MKG and now Taylor injured. Toronto may not have Gay to offer, but they still have some decent players and could figure out a trade to assume Gordon's contract, should he be accompanied by a lottery pick. (as an example)
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