Massive Blockbuster - DeRozan for Leonard

[parky777]

You trade a guy who doesn’t want to leave you for a guy who doesn’t want to play for you...yah, that makes sense!!

[2014olympicgold]

I saw that but felt this needed it's own threat. That's like having an NHL offseason thread and not giving the Tavares signing it's own spot

I just didn't really feel like reiterating what I posted on there. But it's the offseason, so I bet I will eventually say on here what I said on there.

[bondon]

Seems funny to me though honestly. If Masai had just stayed the course and the team continued to play well in regular season and make half decent playoff pushes in the post-season, I think he goes down as the best GM in the Raptors' history. But with this move, he either goes down as a genius, or a complete idiot in the fanbase's eyes.

His entire legacy literally hinges on how this season plays out IMO. People won't remember that he turned the organization around, they'll only remember the sour taste of this deal.

Also with respect to Derozan not wanting to move, I get that it's a business but wow. An NBA player who is a legitimate "star" who wants to be here and we deal him away. RiP

[2014olympicgold]

Seems funny to me though honestly. If Masai had just stayed the course and the team continued to play well in regular season and make half decent playoff pushes in the post-season, I think he goes down as the best GM in the Raptors' history. But with this move, he either goes down as a genius, or a complete idiot in the fanbase's eyes.

His entire legacy literally hinges on how this season plays out IMO. People won't remember that he turned the organization around, they'll only remember the sour taste of this deal.

Also with respect to Derozan not wanting to move, I get that it's a business but wow. An NBA player who is a legitimate "star" who wants to be here and we deal him away. RiP

The DeRozan leaving is tough. He never even took meetings with other teams. But he needs to realize it's a business.

As for Masai, he's not comfortable with doing well, he wants to win which I like and is apparent with this deal. Very VERY bold move. He stays the course and the Raps get a top 3 berth, and mightttt make it to the finals. He does this trade and he now is closer to that goal.

[JagrBomb]

Seems like a win-win for the raps. If Leonard stays, we got the much better player and a good chance to make it to the conference final unlike Derozan who chokes in the playoffs. If he leaves, we moved Derozan's hefty contract and can actually rebuild to give us a shot to be a good team once the Golden State era is winding down. Better than getting bounced 1st/2nd round every year with Derozan.

[2014olympicgold]

Raptors After Trade Depth Chart:
PG: Lowry/FVV/Brown
SG: Green/Wright/Powell
SF: Leonard/Miles/Richardson
PF: Ibaka/Anunoby
C: Valanciunas/Siakem

[ericdaoust]

Now there's reports Leonard wants nothing to do with Toronto and is willing to sit out. So I guess he'll be traded to the Lakers sooner than later.

[SeaDawg]

stupid NBA...just can't get into the league anymore...this trade just furthers my distaste for the NBA.

Too many stars changing teams...too few teams with most of the talent...very sad and hard to root for the raptors

[agentzero]

His entire legacy literally hinges on how this season plays out IMO. People won't remember that he turned the organization around, they'll only remember the sour taste of this deal.

That's because if they don't make the finals this year, it will be his last year here... He's gone all-in. That's it. So let's see that flop (regular season), turn (first playoff round) and the river... (finals appearance?).

- - - Updated - - -

Now there's reports Leonard wants nothing to do with Toronto and is willing to sit out.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA

Oooooof course.

[fungchen3]

Man, Philly keeps striking out all over the place.

No Lebron.

No Machado.

No Leonard.

No invite to the Tavares circus.

No links to Karlsson.

[ericdaoust]

Man, Philly keeps striking out all over the place.

No Lebron.

No Machado.

No Leonard.

No invite to the Tavares circus.

No links to Karlsson.

They don't even have a spot in your avatar!

[2014olympicgold]

Anyone realize the pick that got Poertl was obtained from the NYY in the Bargnani Trade? So Kawhi will always be linked to Bargnani now

[2014olympicgold]

Following the trade, the Raptors have $139M committed to 13 players for next season (including Lorenzo Brown, who has a partial guarantee) They're roughly $16M into the tax with at least 1 more roster spot to fill.

[bondon]

The DeRozan leaving is tough. He never even took meetings with other teams. But he needs to realize it's a business.

As for Masai, he's not comfortable with doing well, he wants to win which I like and is apparent with this deal. Very VERY bold move. He stays the course and the Raps get a top 3 berth, and mightttt make it to the finals. He does this trade and he now is closer to that goal.

Yeah I respect the move for what it is.

And I still can't shake the feels around what happened to Demar. Can't help but think of the words "Don't worry, I got us" all the time now.

stupid NBA...just can't get into the league anymore...this trade just furthers my distaste for the NBA.

Too many stars changing teams...too few teams with most of the talent...very sad and hard to root for the raptors

If anything this should make you cheer more for the Raptors. Yesterday's move is how the NBA SHOULD be. Give up a top tier talent (well, relatively) to receive a top tier talent in return (coming with a lot of risks). It's as sound of an equal value deal as I've seen in awhile.

[2014olympicgold]

Kawhi is warming up to Toronto apparently. I'm glad it really only took a day for him to come around (starting to come around), and it seems to be good sign that he'll at least play for the Raps.

Patrick Patterson came to Toronto via trade and INSTANTLY told his agent to get him out of there. He fell in love with Toronto pretty quickly.