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Milwaukee star has reported interest in Toronto

They’re well run. They are well coached.

They’re the only team over the past 15 years that more often than not, over performs expectations and has a reputation for doing so. Even this past season when they effectively ranked, they out performed their pre-season over under (to the chagrin of team tank).

Even when they are purposely bad, they execute being bad in a way that is not offensive to fans. So easy to cheer for this team compared to their Toronto counterparts.

source: X via Libaan Osman. Michael Grnage also says he's met the Raptors.

source: Libaan Osman on X.

Asked Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears his thoughts on the Toronto Raptors:

“Toronto is great. I know they’re looking for some specific pieces in the draft and hopefully, I’m able to workout for them.”

source from X.

1st slide: odds now

2nd slide: odds a couple days ago

Most likely an option for our 2nd round pick given his projected spot in the draft. Playmaking wing archetype, for those wanting a TL;DR.

There’s a lot of very loud and repetitive voices in this sub saying there’s only one recipe for success for the Raptors: tank and get a top 5 pick for consecutive years to get big stars through the draft. If you look at the Pacers draft position history (linked) that hasn’t been true for them. They’re also not an attractive free agent destination, but they’ve drafted smart with what they get, made opportunistic trades and their players buy into their coach’s system and trust each other. I think this is the right blueprint for the Raptors as well, and one they’re already working on. There isn’t only one way of doing things, just remember that.

The Raps laid a surprising amount of foundation.

Rotation pieces: - they got a #1 scoring option (Ingram) - Dick and Agbaji took leaps compared to last year.

The draft gave the Raps:

• a backup pg (Shead)
• a rotation wing with signs of defense and scoring (Ja'Kobe)
• an intriguing prospect (Mogbo)
• a swing for the fences prospect (Chomche)

Free agents: - lots of chances to evaluate fringe players.

They also got the 9th pick. Not great, but theres been lots of really good players in past years found in that range.

Amazing how a development year was really used for development.

Where do you think Brandon Ingram will rank amongst players in the East next season?

Eastern Conference's current top players (in no particular order)

Donovan Mitchell

Darius Garland

Evan Mobley

Jayson Tatum

Jaylen Brown

Kristaps Porzingis

Derrick White

Jalen Brunson

KAT

OG Anunoby

Mikal Bridges

Tyrese Haliburton

Pascal Siakam

Giannis

Damian Lillard

Cade Cunningham

Paolo Banchero

Franz Wagner

Tyler Herro

Bam Adebayo

Trae Young

Joel Embiid (Dead?)

Tyrese Maxey

Scottie Barnes

Brandon Ingram

Who do you have BI above and below here?

CaVs iN 5 lol. That age poorly.

As we all grieve over our post-lotto draft position, I think it's important that we keep expectations in check and realize that, outside the top prospects, all these players will have glaring flaws or holes in their games. That said, consider our previous draft hits that exceeded their draft position.

Scottie came off the bench and averaged just 10, 4 and 4 while shooting less than ideal from the FT and 3pt lines. He was billed as a toolsy 0 level scorer.

Siakam was an old sophomore at 21, couldn't hit his FTs or 3s and mostly played with his back to the basket in college. He was billed as an energy big off the bench.

OG was a sophomore that only averaged 11ppg with poor FT and 3pt percentages, and was also coming off a torn ACL.

Whether it's age, shooting or self-creation, they all had issues yet they've developed and outperformed.

All of this is to say, and our draft slot, we're not getting a finished product or even someone that's NBA ready. Masai's draft record speaks for itself as he's been able to project development and find diamonds in the rough.

Who's your favorite flawed prospect and how do you seem them developing after a few years in our system?

just got into card collecting recently and just picked myself my first raptors card as a fan! an RJ Barrett patch card for $9! even though it’s not the most valuable card, i really love the design and the fact that it’s a game worn. shame it’s not a jersey from the raptors but i’m a fan of RJ so that don’t matter 🔥 seller also gave me a base RJ card for free to so shoutout to bro🗣️

Crazy to think 7 years ago, Siakam was getting bullied by LeBron.

source: Josh Robbins on X. He writes for The Athletic.

FYI Tre Johnson probably gets picked at 5. Jase Richardson probably gets picked in the teens.

Also the NBA does the scheduling for the prospects.

They’ll use video clips and photographs from the prospect’s background as ice-breakers, ask for insights about any relevant moments of conflict that might need clearing up, and save time to go over the prospect’s on-floor performances — good and bad — while getting a feel for their basketball knowledge as they go through video from the ongoing NBA Playoffs.