Our lack of a 3/big-wing defender is a serious problem.

[c-troop]

We can sign players with the BAE or the minimum, but it will put us definitively into the tax unless a salary shedding move is made later (a bad negotiating position to put yourself in). If signed for the minimum, he could replace the presumed 14th man (McKinnie), but McKinnie's guarantee is big enough that is precludes him from signing with the 905, so I doubt that would be the plan.

Ahhh, I see, thank you Dan H.

Makes me wonder why Masai is throwing money at players like K.Meeks and K.Wiltjer when there are some feasible options still available.

[SkywalkerAC]

Ahhh, I see, thank you Dan H.

Makes me wonder why Masai is throwing money at players like K.Meeks and K.Wiltjer when there are some feasible options still available.

Because we can cut them and have them play for the 905, without taking us into the tax, I presume. I don't even know if Wiltjer is guaranteed any money.

[ebrian]

The minute splits you used as a counter argument didn't work, not because of the sample size, but the lack of context taken into account. Raptors have a higher winning pct% when DeRozan and Lowry play less minutes. Why? Because they're winning by so much that they no longer need to be in the game.

I believe what you're saying is correct but you're missing the point. Sure, stars get some rest when the game is no longer on the line. But they still finish the season with the most minutes. Who has led our team in minutes the last 4 years? Why, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry of course (that's a bald faced lie -- 4 years ago Rudy Gay beat Kyle Lowry in minutes but still.. you get the idea). You might think OG gets pulled when the game is out of hand (more on that later) but if he were a key player, he'd still finish with high minutes per game. However he was 5th. Not first, second or 3rd. Over the last 5 years, Bargnani (1), JV (3), and Joseph have occupied that 5th spot for the Raptors. So OG is important for the team, but not really that important.

It was the same case with OG in Indiana. Trying to frame that correlation as anything else is a mistake.

It was and it wasn't. Mostly wasn't tho. OG's big minute games were actually more of the blowout games than the close games you'd expect a projected future lottery pick would play. He was 3rd in minutes in a game they won by 22. 3rd in minutes in another win by 39. 1st in minutes in a 33 point win. The flip argument would be "Yea, that's why they won! He played so many minutes!" but you can't have it both ways! Plus in Indiana's biggest win (a game where they won by 47), OG only played 19 minutes.

His biggest minutes all season was the first game. 36 minutes in an OT win by 4 points. After that, his other big minute games (30+) were a loss by 15, loss by 7, and win by 16. Those are the 4 games he had 30+ minutes.

In close games (less than 5 point differential) he played less than his season average (outside of that OT game). 13 minutes in a 3 point OT loss. 24 minutes in another 3 point loss. 15 minutes in a 3 point win (although to be fair I think he got hurt in that game).

Here's some additional stuff that might help us (and Casey):
In Indiana's 10 wins with OG, he shot 63% from the field, 37% from 3P, averaged 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.7 blocks.
In Indiana's 6 losses with OG, he shot 43% and 20%, averaged 4.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks.

For what we're hoping to get from him (defense), OG had his best games against absolutely horrible teams (Rutgers, Nebraska, Delaware State, Mississippi Valley State). These teams were a combined 44-84 last season. Maybe Casey can give OG a run when we play the bad teams, to get him a taste of the NBA.

He held his own against stiffer competition (UNC, Kansas, Louisville, Wisconsin, Butler, Maryland) - 50% shooting, 5.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 1.2 blocks, 2.5 TO. I have to admit that's pretty impressive.

He plays great on Saturdays.

Let him ride the bench on road games.. his stats are horrific in away or neutral games. A beast at home.

Well, there you have it. I now know more about OG Anunoby's usage last season than I ever wanted to.

[SkywalkerAC]

Oooh, KJ McDaniels! He's struggled to find his niche, but many were high on him initially. This should be quite the battle for the 14th/15th spot on the roster. Will be interesting to see if Masai fills that final spot or not.

[Maury]

Oooh, KJ McDaniels! He's struggled to find his niche, but many were high on him initially. This should be quite the battle for the 14th/15th spot on the roster. Will be interesting to see if Masai fills that final spot or not.

Very good under the radar signing. He could sneak into the rotation and potentially get some minutes.

[JamesNaismith]

Should have gone for Jamychal Green.

His QO is only $2.8M and apparently MEM doesnt want to pay more than that.

[Rudy Bargnani]

He's restricted. Memphis would match that for sure no?

Isn't he hoping to get much more than QO, a La nerlens noel? RFA market has been tight this summer but doesn't mean teams will let guys walk for nothing.

[TrueTorontoFan]

He's restricted. Memphis would match that for sure no?

Isn't he hoping to get much more than QO, a La nerlens noel? RFA market has been tight this summer but doesn't mean teams will let guys walk for nothing.

exactly... like noel is still out there... and Green.... and Mirotic is still out there