Raptors + Nash + _______ = CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

[ReubenJRD]

Raptors + Nash + THE DREAM TEAM = CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

[DaveKim]

Not gonna happen. Unless its Nash + Westbrook, with nash coming off the bench.

As we've seen in his days in phoenix, you cannot win championships by *JUST* outscoring your opponents.

It starts and ends with defense

[jrdyck]

Not gonna happen. Unless its Nash + Westbrook, with nash coming off the bench.

As we've seen in his days in phoenix, you cannot win championships by outscoring your opponents.

I'm sorry, it was only a matter of time.

[Apollo]

you cannot win championships by outscoring your opponents.

This isn't golf.

[Maleko]

Not gonna happen. Unless its Nash + Westbrook, with nash coming off the bench.

As we've seen in his days in phoenix, you cannot win championships by outscoring your opponents.

So you win by scoring less than your opponents?

[Ambidextrious]

For the Raptors to be compete and be successful next season, we should trade the 8th pick to Houston for Lowry and the 16th pick. With that pick we should draft Harkless (big time sleeper) or take a Gamble on some guys like PJ3 or Sullinger if they are still on the board to fill in the SF position. Also, I would look to sign a free agent shooting guard, such as barbosa etc. Eventually with a few minor adjustments next years squad would look quite formidable amongst the best teams in the league.

[DoNDaDDa]

Nash+Batum+R.Allen= 2nd round at worst

[ceez]

Can we get Nash AND Batum cap wise?

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Can we get Nash AND Batum cap wise?

If Toronto starts with about $12M of cap space and both Nash/Batum will get around $10M, then Toronto would need to move out at least $8M (to sign both outright). They'd have a little more room to manouever if one/both were acquired via S&T, but at least some salary would need to be eliminated (via trade or amnesty).

[DoNDaDDa]

If Toronto starts with about $12M of cap space and both Nash/Batum will get around $10M, then Toronto would need to move out at least $8M (to sign both outright). They'd have a little more room to manouever if one/both were acquired via S&T, but at least some salary would need to be eliminated (via trade or amnesty).

im sure if nash signs they will trade orr amnisty Jose for sure.. they could realisticly offer Jose to Portland in a S&T deal for Batum or they could just amnesty him to clear enough space to sign Batum. they could offer the Mid-Level to R.Allen if it were avail. to them. hed be a good mentor for Demar & could start in a pinch.

[ceez]

If Toronto starts with about $12M of cap space and both Nash/Batum will get around $10M, then Toronto would need to move out at least $8M (to sign both outright). They'd have a little more room to manouever if one/both were acquired via S&T, but at least some salary would need to be eliminated (via trade or amnesty).

So you're saying we'd have to trade Calderon and amnesty Kleiza/Amir?

Cause i'll do it.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

So you're saying we'd have to trade Calderon and amnesty Kleiza/Amir?

Cause i'll do it.

Depending how the acquisitions went down (ie: signing vs S&T), it's likely that only one of those things would have to happen. I believe that if Calderon were to be traded (or amnestied), that would suffice, as Toronto would then have over $22M cap space (this assumes they renounce their restricted FAs - ie: Bayless, Gray).

For example, if Calderon were traded for Nash, it would have pretty much no impact on cap space, assuming Nash is to make $10M/yr (since Calderon makes $10M this season and $10.5M next season). Toronto could theoretically offer up to about $12M to Batum. I believe if they were to sign Batum (as opposed to trading for him or trading for a different high priced player like Gay/Iguodala/Deng), they would lose their TPE and MLE. If the did trade for him at $12M per season, they'd be at the salary cap, but could then use the TPE and MLE.

[slaw]

If they've got an ability to free up a pile of cap space, I'd rather try and trade for Howard for a single year and try to make a run with him and Nash.

In all of these scenarios people are coming up with, I see not a one that nets us a superstar. Without a superstar they can't win, so all these other machinations seem to me to be immaterial. Not quite busybody work but not much better.

[ebrian]

The genie from Aladdin.

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

If they've got an ability to free up a pile of cap space, I'd rather try and trade for Howard for a single year and try to make a run with him and Nash.

In all of these scenarios people are coming up with, I see not a one that nets us a superstar. Without a superstar they can't win, so all these other machinations seem to me to be immaterial. Not quite busybody work but not much better.

I agree, why not swing for the fences this year, even if Howard walks, they still have a good core in Bargnani, DD, JV and Nash (if he does get signed).

And if Howard walks, wouldnt that be cap space for them to work with?

[octothorp]

A cryogenic chamber, so that Nash stays at his prime for the next 30 years or so.

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

Depending how the acquisitions went down (ie: signing vs S&T), it's likely that only one of those things would have to happen. I believe that if Calderon were to be traded (or amnestied), that would suffice, as Toronto would then have over $22M cap space (this assumes they renounce their restricted FAs - ie: Bayless, Gray).

For example, if Calderon were traded for Nash, it would have pretty much no impact on cap space, assuming Nash is to make $10M/yr (since Calderon makes $10M this season and $10.5M next season). Toronto could theoretically offer up to about $12M to Batum. I believe if they were to sign Batum (as opposed to trading for him or trading for a different high priced player like Gay/Iguodala/Deng), they would lose their TPE and MLE. If the did trade for him at $12M per season, they'd be at the salary cap, but could then use the TPE and MLE.

I really dont get the fascination with Batum.....

THis is a legit question, not a sarcastic remark.

[CalgaryRapsFan]

I really dont get the fascination with Batum.....

THis is a legit question, not a sarcastic remark.

I wasn't suggesting that course of action, just responding to ceez. I like Batum, but wouldn't offer him more than $6-8M, under normal circumstances. Given that Portland would likely match just about any offer, I would probably stay clear of him, especially if a bidding war drives his price way up.

[ebrian]

I'm with you on that tbihis. I don't understand it at all.

I'll complete this equation once and for all:

CHAMPIONSHIP - HAPPY FANS

So it's:

RAPTORS + NASH + CHAMPIONSHIP - HAPPY FANS = CHAMPIONSHIP
--the two Championships cancel eachother out, leaving:
RAPTORS + NASH = HAPPY FANS

[planetmars]

I agree, why not swing for the fences this year, even if Howard walks, they still have a good core in Bargnani, DD, JV and Nash (if he does get signed).

And if Howard walks, wouldnt that be cap space for them to work with?

I'm all for going after Howard.. the problem is that in order to get him from Orlando you would need to give up legitimate assets - like JV, DeMar, #8 and possibly a veteran like Bargnani or Calderon. Giving up everything but the kitchen sink may entice Orlando in giving him up, but then if he walks.. we lose a lot of core pieces.

High risk, high reward. But a big risk.. and that's why many GM's wouldn't do it.

Morey has balls.