Everything 2018 Off Season

[Shaolin Fantastic]

But seriously, I don't fault Demar for not attending. I think that's understandable given the situation.

That's all I was saying. Isn't really anything to start defaming him over.

[Bendit]

There are two other Raptors going ...Pascal & Serge. Demar, too emotional, didn't think this through. I am sure that there would be many kids who are fans of his and were probably looking forward to seeing him. Too bad.

Masai should invite Kawhi to come for the experience (not play).

[Axel]

There are two other Raptors going ...Pascal & Serge. Demar, too emotional, didn't think this through. I am sure that there would be many kids who are fans of his and were probably looking forward to seeing him. Too bad.

Masai should invite Kawhi to come for the experience (not play).

As co-star on the poster (with Embiid), I think this is more than a fair statement.

[LJ2]

Man, why are you guys trying so hard to make DeMar into some sort of villain? Don't worry guys everyone will forget him soon enough if and when Kawhi starts playing. I hope you guys aren't the ones that are still out there booing Vince whenever he's in town.

[Axel]

So for the back-up big spot; assuming it's not via trade, what are people thinking of worthy guys?

I'm guessing it's vet min that we are looking at, so the names that spring to mind that are still on the scrap heap are:
Acy - small ball rebounder and awesome beard.
Trevor Booker - more PF than C but not a terrible option for spot duty.
Bruno Caboclo - just kidding, although the wing span line up would be funny
Bebe - more wingspan and injuries but the lobs!
Speights - vet experience, not sure what's left in the tank

Nothing inspiring.

[Shaolin Fantastic]

So for the back-up big spot; assuming it's not via trade, what are people thinking of worthy guys?

I'm guessing it's vet min that we are looking at, so the names that spring to mind that are still on the scrap heap are:
Acy - small ball rebounder and awesome beard.
Trevor Booker - more PF than C but not a terrible option for spot duty.
Bruno Caboclo - just kidding, although the wing span line up would be funny
Bebe - more wingspan and injuries but the lobs!
Speights - vet experience, not sure what's left in the tank

Nothing inspiring.

All of those guys are trash.

We're better off making a trade. I really think packaging Wright with Powell for Dedmon or Koufos would be smart. Both solid defensive bigs with great size and both expiring. Both deals save us money this year too. I don't mind using Wright as a sweetener to move Powell's deal because he's a free agent this summer and we're probably not going to be able to match if he gets any kind of good offer since we're already paying close to 40M for the PG position for the next 2 years.

[Axel]

All of those guys are trash.

We're better off making a trade. I really think packaging Wright with Powell for Dedmon or Koufos would be smart. Both solid defensive bigs with great size and both expiring. Both deals save us money this year too. I don't mind using Wright as a sweetener to move Powell's deal because he's a free agent this summer and we're probably not going to be able to match if he gets any kind of good offer since we're already paying close to 40M for the PG position for the next 2 years.

They are trash, but Wright is much better than Dedmon or Koufos, plus we are really looking at a pretty small role. I don't love most of the trade scenarios that we've seen so far. Powell isn't likely to straight up add anyone better than the trash list above but if someone bites on just Powell, then all good.

[Shaolin Fantastic]

They are trash, but Wright is much better than Dedmon or Koufos, plus we are really looking at a pretty small role. I don't love most of the trade scenarios that we've seen so far. Powell isn't likely to straight up add anyone better than the trash list above but if someone bites on just Powell, then all good.

He actually isn't (certainly not better than Dedmon) and they fill a much bigger need for us right now. We have a ton of guards and wings, I'm not even really sure how Delon is going to get minutes.

I'm using Delon as an asset to get rid of Powell's contract while also fixing our backup center situation. Right now we are a JV injury away from not being able to matchup with anyone over 6'11. Not to mention, we actually need someone who can play 15-20 mpg at center anyway. Unless the plan is to play Siakam 30mpg and Ibaka 30mpg so that Ibaka can play about 15mpg at the 4 and 15mpg at the 5.

[DanH]

He actually isn't (certainly not better than Dedmon) and they fill a much bigger need for us right now. We have a ton of guards and wings, I'm not even really sure how Delon is going to get minutes.

I'm using Delon as an asset to get rid of Powell's contract while also fixing our backup center situation. Right now we are a JV injury away from not being able to matchup with anyone over 6'11. Not to mention, we actually need someone who can play 15-20 mpg at center anyway. Unless the plan is to play Siakam 30mpg and Ibaka 30mpg so that Ibaka can play about 15mpg at the 4 and 15mpg at the 5.

Well, that's a great and ridiculous strawman alternative you set up there!

The more realistic solution is having Ibaka play about 8 MPG at PF (Scola starter role) and also the backup C minutes (~16 MPG). Then have a 3rd string C like Bebe to absorb any garbage time or fill in if JV or Serge get hurt.

I'm all aboard swapping Powell for a backup big who can be more reliable than Bebe. Trading Delon definitely gives me pause. Then we're just down to 2 PGs.

[planetmars]

So for the back-up big spot; assuming it's not via trade, what are people thinking of worthy guys?

I'm guessing it's vet min that we are looking at, so the names that spring to mind that are still on the scrap heap are:
Acy - small ball rebounder and awesome beard.
Trevor Booker - more PF than C but not a terrible option for spot duty.
Bruno Caboclo - just kidding, although the wing span line up would be funny
Bebe - more wingspan and injuries but the lobs!
Speights - vet experience, not sure what's left in the tank

Nothing inspiring.

Booker is the only name I like out of that list. Good rebounder. Not a C.. but we can move Serge to full backup C and use Trevor as a small man 5 in a lot of match ups. He's as big as PJ Tucker.. and Houston used Tucker at C quite a bit when Capela was sitting, IIRC.

[planetmars]

What's the tax implications if we bring in a vet at the minimum? How much does that $2.4M really cost us?

[Shaolin Fantastic]

It's so much easier in this league to get a 3rd PG than an actually good backup center.

[DanH]

What's the tax implications if we bring in a vet at the minimum? How much does that $2.4M really cost us?

Every minimum salary (from the 800k rookie minimum to the 2.4M 10 year veteran minimum) counts as 1.5M (the two-year veteran minimum) for tax purposes. Also, in terms of cash, all 2+ year veteran minimums cost the team that 1.5M - the league pays the rest of the salary for any veterans with 3+ years experience.

[DanH]

It's so much easier in this league to get a 3rd PG than an actually good backup center.

Also, so much more important.

[planetmars]

Every minimum salary (from the 800k rookie minimum to the 2.4M 10 year veteran minimum) counts as 1.5M (the two-year veteran minimum) for tax purposes. Also, in terms of cash, all 2+ year veteran minimums cost the team that 1.5M - the league pays the rest of the salary for any veterans with 3+ years experience.

That's awesome.. good to know. So I'd rather have a vet over someone like Boucher to take that 4th big spot in the rotation.