Cha-Tor

[shish]

Since its been rumored that the bobcats might be willing to trade the #2 if someone is willing to take on one of their horrendous contracts plus give up some value, how about somehting along the lines of:
Cha : #2, Ty Thomas's monstrosity of a contract
Raps: #8, JJ, Demar and the trade exception from the barbosa trade
the trade machine says this is a go.
The idea being you use this to pick up MKG, then try and flip one of amir or ed along with a second for a 2 guard

[CalgaryRapsFan]

I wouldn't mind #8 & Davis as the starting point for discussion, in exchange for #2 and Thomas' contract. I'm not sure I'd trade DeRozan, just to move up 6 spots, if I'm also taking on such a bad player/contract. I'm not entirely sold on MKG, since the Raptors need to get some offensive production out of their starting SF. As much as I dislike JJ, I think I'd rather just roll with him instead of pursuing a trade with Charlotte... Thomas's contract is just sooooo god-awful that it would handcuff the franchise for the next three years.

[GSRaps]

Although the draft class has been characterized as 'deep', the gap between Anthony Davis and the remaining prospects is extremely wide. If we were to complete this transaction MKG is not a guaranteed all-star player. He could very well be a defensive specialist similar to Shanie Battier, but with a somewhat better offensive game. Giving away DD, JJ, and a high lottery pick is a big cost for a potentially 4th or 5th option in a starting lineup. On top of this, BC has made it clear that he is looking for veterans to complement the rookies/sophomores that we already have. Ty Thomas would also add to the backlog we have up front. I would rather keep ed and amir since they are on lesser contracts. Seems we would only be acquiring a worse backup 4, a rookie 3, and MAYBE a role playing 2.

[shish]

Although the draft class has been characterized as 'deep', the gap between Anthony Davis and the remaining prospects is extremely wide. If we were to complete this transaction MKG is not a guaranteed all-star player. He could very well be a defensive specialist similar to Shanie Battier, but with a somewhat better offensive game. Giving away DD, JJ, and a high lottery pick is a big cost for a potentially 4th or 5th option in a starting lineup. On top of this, BC has made it clear that he is looking for veterans to complement the rookies/sophomores that we already have. Ty Thomas would also add to the backlog we have up front. I would rather keep ed and amir since they are on lesser contracts. Seems we would only be acquiring a worse backup 4, a rookie 3, and MAYBE a role playing 2.

My reason for the trade is pretty simple i believe MKG is a star in waiting i think he's the kind of guy you need to be a championship contender. from everything I've read about his season with Kentucky he was the 4 or 5th scoring option most days, because he was willing to do the small things. I think if you ask him to pick up more of the offensive burden he will.

[GSRaps]

Unselfish or not MKG was successful in his role at Kentucky due to the fact that he has a fantastic supporting cast...including Davis, the unanimous overall #1 pick. If he were to continue his unselfish streak in Toronto it wouldn't have the same impact given that TOR's supporting cast is not nearly as good. MKG in his defensive role would be a fantastic piece on a championship caliber team. But at this point TOR needs players that can become superstars. At the end of the day the most successful teams in the nba have a top tier player, which is then supported by a array of players. We should be looking for that top tier talent first, and not the supporting cast. Otherwise we will be a middle of the pack team stuck in mediocrity.

[shish]

Unselfish or not MKG was successful in his role at Kentucky due to the fact that he has a fantastic supporting cast...including Davis, the unanimous overall #1 pick. If he were to continue his unselfish streak in Toronto it wouldn't have the same impact given that TOR's supporting cast is not nearly as good. MKG in his defensive role would be a fantastic piece on a championship caliber team. But at this point TOR needs players that can become superstars. At the end of the day the most successful teams in the nba have a top tier player, which is then supported by a array of players. We should be looking for that top tier talent first, and not the supporting cast. Otherwise we will be a middle of the pack team stuck in mediocrity.

That's where we differ, i think he has superstar potential, and is worth the gamble. also he has the highest ceiling apart from davis of any guy in this draft, you take a chance on a prospect like that. At this point we know what demar is, he's a fourth option on a championship team, with sub-par rebounding and average D. if you have to give him up to take a shot at a superstar you do that.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

That's where we differ, i think he has superstar potential, and is worth the gamble. also he has the highest ceiling apart from davis of any guy in this draft, you take a chance on a prospect like that. At this point we know what demar is, he's a fourth option on a championship team, with sub-par rebounding and average D. if you have to give him up to take a shot at a superstar you do that.

The heighest ceiling comment is just an opinion, hardly a fact. Lots of people on RR feel just as stongly about Beal, PJII, Lillard, Waiters or whoever else is the expert's focus-de jour.

I would trade DeRozan for Gay or Batum, but probably not for the right to draft @ #2, especially if it cost me #8 and other good players... in addition to having to add Ty Thomas and his horrendous contract, which would cripple the franchise for the next 3 seasons!

Between Amir & Thomas, the Raptors would have $14.0M, $15.2M and $16.4M tied up in the 2nd/3rd string PF positions over the next three seasons, for a total of 3yr/$45.6M being paid to backups!

No thank you. I will pass on a trade with Charlotte. I would much rather just keep #8, as opposed to making that deal.

[GSRaps]

I agree. I would rather keep #8 as opposed to absorbing Ty Thomas's bloated contract and gambling on a rookie prospect.

I would like to see BC go after the likes of Wilson Chandler, and maybe even Ron Artest. Despite Artest's questionable past I think Casey could make it work. Artest could give us the defensive three we have always needed. And if we manage to include jose in a trade with LA and go hunting for steve nash....who knows maybe artest regains his elite status.

[shish]

I agree. I would rather keep #8 as opposed to absorbing Ty Thomas's bloated contract and gambling on a rookie prospect.

I would like to see BC go after the likes of Wilson Chandler, and maybe even Ron Artest. Despite Artest's questionable past I think Casey could make it work. Artest could give us the defensive three we have always needed. And if we manage to include jose in a trade with LA and go hunting for steve nash....who knows maybe artest regains his elite status.

I agree that the ty thomas contract is brutal, but i dont know if adding a mid level prospect to this current group, takes them anywhere closer to real contention. As you mentioned earlier the goal is not to be stuck in mediocrity. Well, how do you avoid that? Superstars, the only guy on our roster as currently constructed, who has that potential is Jonas. If you think, that Beal, or Lillard or whomever else is being mentioned as a possibility at the 8 spot, has as much superstar potential as MKG fine, but if in the course of their draft workouts and what not the raps brain trust decides that they need to move up to #2 to get that superstar type guy, then i think you take thomas's contract.
Now as to Ron Artest, can he still play defense yeah, could casey motivate him, absolutely. Is it a gamble worth taking at this stage with such a young team, i dont know. It's a risk that could massively backfire. Wilson Chandler i'm on board with, it just depends on how much money he is asking for.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

I agree that the ty thomas contract is brutal, but i dont know if adding a mid level prospect to this current group, takes them anywhere closer to real contention. As you mentioned earlier the goal is not to be stuck in mediocrity. Well, how do you avoid that? Superstars, the only guy on our roster as currently constructed, who has that potential is Jonas. If you think, that Beal, or Lillard or whomever else is being mentioned as a possibility at the 8 spot, has as much superstar potential as MKG fine, but if in the course of their draft workouts and what not the raps brain trust decides that they need to move up to #2 to get that superstar type guy, then i think you take thomas's contract.
Now as to Ron Artest, can he still play defense yeah, could casey motivate him, absolutely. Is it a gamble worth taking at this stage with such a young team, i dont know. It's a risk that could massively backfire. Wilson Chandler i'm on board with, it just depends on how much money he is asking for.

I don't expect MKG to become a superstar and think that whoever we get @ #8 will have as much potential and upside as any of the picks ahead of us, hence why I don't think it's giving up so much and taking on such a bad contract to do so.

[Maleko]

I don't expect MKG to become a superstar and think that whoever we get @ #8 will have as much potential and upside as any of the picks ahead of us, hence why I don't think it's giving up so much and taking on such a bad contract to do so.

Totally agree.