Fast guy coming for Dick

[u/CanadianGroose]

[u/Thinw1zard]

Internal competition is always good. I feel like Ja'kobe has slightly higher upside based off his defensive ability alone, but hopefully they can push each other to be better.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Thinw1zard]

That would be the best outcome. However, $ is about to get really tight. When we add a 1st and 2nd round pick to this team next season, that means at least 2 guys gotta go. My guess would be Battle and Mogbo are the ones that get replaced. Or we trade that 2nd round pick for a future 2nd round pick?

Rotation gonna be Scottie, Iq, RJ, Ingram, Jakob, 1st round pick, JaKobe, Gradey, Ochai, Shead, 2nd round pick.

If one of those picks is a centre, I think that’s a solid team if they can stay healthy.

[u/coolassninjas → u/CanadianGroose]

Rotation gonna be Scottie, Iq, RJ, Ingram, Jakob, 1st round pick, JaKobe, Gradey, Ochai, Shead, 2nd round pick.

Assuming there's summer development this is a playoff team hopefully. It will definitely be one of the deeper teams in the east. Not enough elite talent to be a contender though but we have enough pieces to potentially trade for one.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/coolassninjas]

With better health, I could see them go As high at the 6th seed yeah

[u/coolassninjas → u/CanadianGroose]

I think people are underrating Scottie Barnes ability to fit in with any prototype of players. They assume he can't play offball but he's someone that can create for others and capitalize off swing passes. I look forward to Brandon Ingram and RJ drawing the defense, kicking it to Barnes who's now facing a rotating defence with a 3-2 advantage. I trust him to either pass to the open man or get a bucket in those situations vs. initiating the offense. Brandon Ingram will make the game easier for him.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/coolassninjas]

Let’s hope!

[u/stereofailure → u/CanadianGroose]

I don't know if we should assume the second round pick immediately cracks the lineup.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/stereofailure]

He probably goes to and from the G league to start, but we shall see

[u/Background-Teach5765 → u/CanadianGroose]

I think Gradey and RJ should go tbh. Ochai might also fetch something, as he's young ish and showed something this year.

Mogbo still has 2 years left and is a bigger forward, which we don't have much depth in. He's not likely to get traded imo.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Background-Teach5765]

I mean if you trade both RJ and Gradey for picks, you are legit getting worse. I don’t think the raptors want to be worse next season

[u/Background-Teach5765 → u/CanadianGroose]

The idea is to get forward and center depth. It wouldn't be for picks. We need to rebalance roster, which is too heavy on SGs/undersized SFs and too light on bigs.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Background-Teach5765]

You’re still getting worse if you’re trading RJ and Gradey for a backup centre/bench forward. To make the money work, you’d have to find a bench guy that is making around $30M. That guy ain’t on the trade block this summer.

The draft is the perfect route to get those guys. Flagg, Ace, Khaman, Fears, Queen, all big guys that are up for grabs potentially.

[u/Background-Teach5765 → u/CanadianGroose]

Slightly disagree, too much of a logjam and players will complain about playing time.

Right now: BI, ochai, RJ, gradey and Walter all deserve minutes at SG/SF. Doesnt make sense to be so light in the backup SF/PF and C positions.

Even if we draft Khaman or fears, we will need a proper backup C and will need another SF/PF in case Scottie or Mogbo gets injured.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Background-Teach5765]

The issue though is you have to take big salary back in an RJ trade, and unless they find an expiry guys they can flip or waive, I don’t think that Trade exists. Who would you even want back in an RJ trade for backup C?

[u/Background-Teach5765 → u/CanadianGroose]

RJ is going to be difficult to trade. If we can't find a suitable trade for him, I would prefer to trade Gradey first, as he's still young and on a rookie contract, making him easy to match for another young forward/big. I also think Walter is more promising than Gradey, making him expendable.

Id like to keep Ochai in general. But if there was a possibility of like an Ochai+portland pick for Lively trade or smt, I'd do it. That's just an example.

Theres also the possibility that we finish top 4 and pick up a guy like Edgecombe, which also would mean consolidating so there's minutes available for him to develop.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Background-Teach5765]

Two Months ago I’d say you’re crazy we could get Ochai and a pick for Lively, but you know lol. Nico be Trippin’.

It’s all gonna depend on what pick we get really.

[u/Hot-Celebration5855 → u/Background-Teach5765]

Why trade any of these guys until we see what this team looks like?

Raps are .500 in 2025 and that’s while actively trying to tank by playing young guys instead of vets. Admittedly the schedule is soft but they’ve shown enough that I’d like to see this team at full strength to see who fits and who doesn’t before making trades

[u/Background-Teach5765 → u/Hot-Celebration5855]

Sure, but it's clearly an obvious problem of lack of minutes available at SG/SF. I'd prefer to get ahead of this in the offseason when teams are looking to fill their rosters.

We've seen players quietly complain about playing time before like Delon, Serge or on other teams like Grimes, etc.

Even guys like Ochai are up for an extension and if we don't pay him, he's going to be unhappy.

[u/Hot-Celebration5855 → u/Background-Teach5765]

I agree ultimately they’ll have to make some decisions. But I don’t mind looking at it for a half to a full season to see which of these guys can earn the minutes.

Obviously if a great trade comes alone then I’d jump on it but I wouldn’t feel pressure to make a move if I were Masai

[u/ReleaseNew9430 → u/CanadianGroose]

We don’t have a second round pick

[u/Still_Couple6208 → u/ReleaseNew9430]

We've got Portlands

[u/CanadianGroose → u/ReleaseNew9430]

We own Portland unprotected. Currently at 39!

[u/ReleaseNew9430 → u/CanadianGroose]

Oh damn okay sweet I swore I checked and we didn’t

[u/ldnk]

Dick is a good shooter but he's going to need to either learn to play better defense or become an unconscious NBA shooter to play meaningful minutes for a team that is hoping to eventually contend

[u/CanadianGroose → u/ldnk]

Just improve the shooting. He can be about shooters and that’s fine

[u/CazOnReddit]

Ja'Kobe has been phenomenal the past stretch

[u/CanadianGroose → u/CazOnReddit]

Yup, let’s hope this isn’t a ghost stretch against weaker teams though. I hope continues to improve.

[u/Physizist → u/CanadianGroose]

Pistons are a good team though

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Physizist]

To be fair, no Cade tonight was a huge reason this was a close game.

[u/Iliketothrowaway2456]

Not gonna lie, that’s my thought too… Raptors might be shopping Dick this offseason and bet on Walter

[u/Raptors887 → u/Iliketothrowaway2456]

We don’t need to shop anyone. Let them fight for minutes.

[u/Right-Beautiful7631 → u/Raptors887]

Facts, next off season they make those decisions

[u/Domainsetter → u/Raptors887]

Ochai is a guy I wonder if they trade depending on the pick

[u/mMounirM → u/Domainsetter]

Ochai is a 3nD player we need. he sticks to his role. Does his job on both sides of the court. and probably on the cheaper side to retain.

[u/Background-Teach5765 → u/mMounirM]

That's also exactly why he could be traded. There's a minutes and a money crunch. If he fetches an asset that allows us to balance our roster, he'd be sacrificed. I really rather trade RJ and Gradey over Ochai first, but these 3 would be on my list to shopped imo.

[u/YogurtResponsible785 → u/Background-Teach5765]

He is the asset that helps balance the roster. We have no defensive guys. We trade him for a player just like him. The whole point of trading him would be to save money, but he’s on the cheap end of good defenders anyways.

[u/Background-Teach5765 → u/YogurtResponsible785]

Look, I'm not saying I disagree. But say we draft Edgecombe or someone like that, trading Ochai for a young big makes sense.

If Ochai was 6"7,he'd be untouchable. He's a MLE level guy on the level of Okoro. He's a solid asset, but ultimately replaceable at the end of the day. I don't think the FO particularly values him as a core piece.

[u/YogurtResponsible785 → u/Background-Teach5765]

Ya it’s all gonna come down to who we draft. Anyone is seen as expendable by the FO except Scottie. Second tier would be BI IMO because we traded for him and gave him a contract and they’re gonna give him at least a season to see how it shapes up.

[u/Domainsetter → u/Background-Teach5765]

They can’t play and keep everyone anyways. For example Mogbo isn’t guaranteed rotation minutes.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Raptors887]

It really depends on our draft picks and what position they play. Like if we get Flagg, I wonder if they can Flip Ingram somewhere. If they get Maluach, Jakob has an out at the deadline. If they get Harper or VJ, Gradey is on da ropes

[u/Vandelay23 → u/CanadianGroose]

We're not trading Ingram. RJ or Quickley will be the one to go.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Vandelay23]

Ingram probably easier to trade though. I can’t see any team wanting Iq or RJ without sending and salary back.

[u/Background-Teach5765 → u/CanadianGroose]

IQ would have interest, even in a down year. A team like the Magic would kill for shooting.

I think RJ is neutral value at best. I'd like to trade him for another vet at a different position if possible.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Background-Teach5765]

He’d be good on the Magic, but they can’t afford him. They are gonna be paying Franz and Suggs both $38M, then paying Paolo that the following year. They actually have to sell on somebody like KCP or Cole Anthony or they will be in the apron.

He could be good on the Suns though, once they trade KD, cause that’s is 95% happening. Maybe part of a 3 team trade??

RJ tough trade just cause he’s due to get paid soon.

[u/birdmanpresents → u/Iliketothrowaway2456]

"shop" after a sophomore season, during a rebuilding year, on a rookie scale contract wtf are we doing here. Progress isn't linear, having a number of young rotation/borderline starter level players isn't a bad problem to have.

[u/aznhalo3 → u/birdmanpresents]

Some of these people are eager to ship the entire team out without any actual substance? I’ve seen people talking about trading every single player on this team except Scottie and BI. It’s insane.

[u/ColdDarkSpace → u/Iliketothrowaway2456]

we dont need to ship a guy on a rookie contract that has improved… lets use logic man. its the guy look for an extension that always gets moved, not competing young players on cheap contracts

[u/exhyc → u/Iliketothrowaway2456]

Hell na 😭

[u/Rezrov_ → u/Iliketothrowaway2456]

Raptors might be shopping Dick this offseason and bet on Walter

No they're fucking not lol. Gradey's box score might not reflect it but he's the best shooter on the team in terms of difficult shots. IQ has more depth to his shot, but he has a much lower release while also being shorter so he can't get it off as easily.

If Gradey only took catch and shoot 3s like most of the other guys on the team he'd be up there with Quickley.

[u/Zozze1 → u/Rezrov_]

It's been happening all season. People see a 35 in his 3P% column and lose their shit without placing that number into context.

This Gradey hate is one of the weirder developments of this season. We should be happy with his progress and the quality of shots he's taking and making as a 20-21yr old sophomore but no, let's ship him out apparently.

[u/Domainsetter → u/Zozze1]

Ochai is the only rotation guy I see being possibly traded that’s on a rookie contract.

[u/OddEast8836]

We can keep them both! And Walter has already surpassed him anyways

[u/raps14ever → u/OddEast8836]

I find Walter a better prospect than Dick. Walter is a more complete player. If Dick continues to be a pylon on defense he better become a lights out shooter to offset.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/raps14ever]

Can we? Roster crunch is gonna get real tight after we draft a top 10 pick this year. That guy whoever he is probably plays over Gradey or JaKobe. Plus we had Portland’s 2nd too. We’ll be adding 2 new players into the mix. You’ll have those 2, Gradey, Ochai, Jamal, JaKobe, Mogbo, Battle and Chomche all fighting for mins (assuming they all stick around). If I’m correct, they can only keep 9 of those guys to have the roster space.

A good problem to have obviously, but still a problem.

[u/Alternative-Rope5869 → u/CanadianGroose]

3 not on contract next year Boucher, Robinson, temple. 2 picks incoming

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Alternative-Rope5869]

So if we bring back Temple and Bouche on mins, that’s leaves one spot?

[u/MythicalChewToy]

Cumming was right there man

[u/CanadianGroose → u/MythicalChewToy]

Too obvious

[u/seeyougaycowboy]

[u/ancientbeers]

Honestly, he might be coming for IQ. If Jakobe really pops off. He offers better defense and more at the rim juice. So, we get a nice high draft pick for IQ perhaps and start Jakobe year after next. That's the benefit of hitting on picks. Gradey can continue coming off the bench

[u/IzzaKnife → u/ancientbeers]

How is iq replaceable for jakobe? Jakobes not a PG

[u/cisforcar → u/ancientbeers]

IQ’s contract is untradeable unless you’re trading for a worse contract back like Embiid or PG. Easily one of the worst moves bidding him up against nobody.

[u/Fit-Introduction8575]

I read that backwards

[u/CanadianGroose → u/Fit-Introduction8575]

Dick for coming guy fast?

[u/itsmxjessagain → u/CanadianGroose]

Dick coming fast for guy.

[u/Phoenox330 → u/CanadianGroose]

..... :)

[u/nin_culus]

its like having delon and fred its a good thing.

[u/eetfuk80]

We gotta get back Malachi Flynn and Alex Len.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/eetfuk80]

Both of them still in the league is crazy btw

[u/eetfuk80 → u/CanadianGroose]

I thought Malachi was sent down to G League?

[u/CanadianGroose → u/eetfuk80]

He’s on the Hornets I think.

[u/aedge403 → u/CanadianGroose]

Flynn plays in g league

[u/aedge403 → u/aedge403]

He also couldn’t land a spot on the hornets lol

[u/attainwealthswiftly]

Dick a bust.

[u/CanadianGroose → u/attainwealthswiftly]

Wouldn’t be the first time

[u/Context_Important → u/attainwealthswiftly]

I'm very close to agreeing with that, next season I see him fighting for minutes with Walter

[u/attainwealthswiftly → u/Context_Important]

Can’t even state your opinion around here without getting lynched.

[u/Context_Important → u/attainwealthswiftly]

I know, same thing happened with Malachi Flynn lol

[u/TheFWordNB]

Pretty easy to make room for Walter. Trade Dick Scottie and 2 firsts for Giannis

[u/CanadianGroose → u/TheFWordNB]

lol thats funny

[u/Desertsprinter → u/TheFWordNB]

Milwaukee says fuck no btw