[220Participant]

 So as everyone knows Kawhi is leaving Toronto despite the fact he just led them to the championship. I can’t imagine how much that burns Raptor fans, but at least they got their first ever championship out of it.

The question is, what now? The Raptors without Kawhi are likely a low level playoff team at best. Do they do a partial rebuild by seeing what they can get for some of their veterans and building around Pascal Siakam or are they thinking major rebuild? I imagine partial rebuild, but this move is devastating for the Raptors moving forward.

[r377Participant]

 Sign marcus morris ASAP – Siakam, Fred Van and OGA will all still improve.

Prob not going to win a chmapinship but can still win 50 games

[r377Participant]

 They lost out on marcus morris and got stanley johnson & RHJ instead, 2 guys who cannot shoot.  Not sure they will fin 50 games now

Free agent forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has agreed to a one-year deal with the Toronto Raptors,

[dmo21Participant]

 How did you expect them to sign Morris? They’re pretty capped out and have numerous roster spots to fill. They would have liked Morris over Johnson or RHJ. But you have to factor in money and player’s choice. 

[zolaParticipant]

They should offer contract to Kelly Oubre and wait for Suns response

[holefillers1Participant]

50 games?? With Green or Kawhi…no Sir.

Focus on getting in the playoffs  76ers, Bucks, Pacers, Celtics, Nets, Magic, Pistons, Heat

[220Participant]

I was just reading on the Raptors situation and Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka, VanVleet, and Siakam will all be free agents in 2020. Siakam will be a restricted free agent though. So perhaps they hang tight and deal a player or two to a contender near the trade deadline.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Only teams clearly better than Toronto on paper are the Bucks and 76ers.

[Wahoo757Participant]

Give me the Pacers with a healthy Oladipo and the Celtics over the Raptors all day 

[BlueRivers25Participant]

 Enjoy Stanly Johnson

[OhCanada-Participant]

I will soon but Im still enjoying this championship fool.

[publius2481Participant]

As tough as it would be to do after winning the title, I think they have to do a major rebuild. First, they have an old core and most of their remaining team hit free agency next year. Second, even without Leonard, they are still over the cap, so can only make marginal improvements to their team without dealing future assets. As currently constructed, they are probably finishing 6-8 in the East. Rather than just make the playoffs, get bounced quickly and then go through a major rebuild anyway, they should start it now and acquire some assets to speed up the process. I see what I could get for everybody (although I would want a high price for  Siakam) in the hopes of getting some draft picks. Now, I would not give everyone away (some would have value at the deadline), but one playoff trip is not worth keeping this group together (different if Leonard stayed because they would be a contender). I would also use the MLE to bring in a player or players I could flip at the deadline. Next offseason, they are loaded with cap space (even if they pay Siakam, they can sing 2 max free agents), so they are in great shape to rebuild by either acquiring multiple stars or getting assets by taking on bad contracts. I know losing Leonard sucks for Raptors fans, but they have put themselves in good position to rebuild in the aftermath.

[OhCanada-Participant]

They dont need to rebuild. Next year the only player we have on contract is Norm Powell. Thats the best you can get for cap flexibility. They gotta see who can step up first and play it out. How much better can Siakam be as the man. Can OG take that next step

Why rebuild? Who in the East is actually gonna beat them other than 76ers and Milwaukee.

[HeGotBrainParticipant]

 Thanks Oh Canada for getting my hopes up. I take back all the nice things I said about you. 

[HeGotBrainParticipant]

 That’s a bit harsh, Sorry, you’re still solid. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Dont know what to tell you. Its damn shame.

[HeGotBrainParticipant]

 Gloomy day, but still very proud of my team for building a winning culture, taking a chance and playing elite ball through this run. On to the next chapter. 

[Wahoo757Participant]

“Raptors signed Matt Thomas, that means Kawhi’s re-signing.” 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Lmao!

[marcusfizer21Participant]

 Vince Carter might make his farewell tour in Toronto. Here’s the teenager in me hoping that’ll happen.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Fizer your the goat but I gotta disagree. Id rather not have a sideshow in Toronto we need to find a way to remain on top the East and then hope someone else demands a trade next year when we have cap space.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Bask in the title. Allow the vets (Marc, Lowry, and Serge) run it back and have a honeymoon. Come February, if they are in the playoff mix, play out the year. Let the contracts expire, and then find a way to transition to the next generation. If not, they will have suitors and the team will probably get an extra first or two.

[timinator1Participant]

Tough situation for Toronto. Play it out, see who’s interested in your guys at the trade deadline, and do a soft rebuild from there. They have plenty of assets to move.

Might not be the worst thing to miss the playoffs and get in the lottery again (little humiliating, but it’s not their fault) Maybe you get lucky and get Cole Anthony or Matthew Hurt or RJ Hampton. And go from there. 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Lowry, Gasol, and Ibaka banged their heads up against that glass ceiling for a decade or at very least the better part of one. Obviously, not all with Toronto, but there is nothing wrong with affording them a victory lap. They weren’t built to be a dynasty, but made the most of the shot they had together. Four of their main guys have a decade in the league, and a fifth needed rather extreme load management throughout the season. It is an incredible achievement for a one-off team. Dirk’s Mavs were 36-30 and got swept in the first round the year after their title. Everything about that victory lap was fine, except the untradeable Roddy Beaubois became untradeable for a different reason. Who knows when they get there again? For all the misery for players, coaches, staffers, and executives of trying to get a team to one title, don’t cut short the enjoyment of having one just because Kawhi left.

Furthermore, and just practically, 40 percent of the league was in free agency, which now means about that many can’t be dealt until mid-season. Tack on the rookies who the teams still think are worth having on their roster, and there just isn’t a ton of flexibility in trying to make a move right now. Teams ultimately will want Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and Kyle Lowry, but most don’t know that right now. That said, transitioning the Raptors is not going to be radically altered by whether they get a 26th pick for Kyle Lowry. We just saw how the Bucks and then Pistons put the 30th pick up for bids. Those kind of picks can be bought with the cash windfall that comes from people buying tickets to games just to have their picture taken with the trophy.

[r377Participant]

 Not good, missed out on marcus morris and had to go with this   —

Free agent Stanley Johnson has agreed to a two-year, $7.5M deal with the Toronto Raptors, with a player option in the second season, agent Nima Namakian of BDA Sports tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

[cohenbc1Participant]

 I actually agree with OhCanada, I think they’ll be better than people think. Siakam clearly has the potential to be a 20-point scorer and all-NBA defender. Anunoby is coming back. Norman Powell can do more things offensively than Danny Green. 

They need some depth, and Stanley Johnson seems like a reach, but add a few role players and I think they will still contend for a top-4 spot in East.

[Author]

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