StillPaisleyCat

Ok Raptors fam here…are we having trouble keeping a conversation going because it’s midsummer or because we’re not getting reason to hope for an interesting season ahead?

Personally, I’m seriously wondering if there’s any point to keeping our SN and TSN subscriptions.

Will I really be willing to invest my viewing time in a season that promises to be no better than last and without the exciting of seeing a crop of new players develop? Seriously, a couple of seasons ago I was more invested in watching Banton and the others in 905 games. I just feel weary thinking about taking in the main team in the fall.

How are others feeling?

Take a break from the Siakam trade rumour pile-on and checkout some behind the scenes at Summer League.

While rumours, speculations and ‘expert’ grading of trade rumours reach a fever pitch around Pascal Siakam, Sports Illustrated is bringing the conversation back around to OG Anunoby with citing a Bleacher Report of report of a possible trade to the Orlando Magic.

Chris Walder’s quippy tweet in reaction to some OG trade scenarios floating about says “Thanks for making the Toronto Raptors infinitely worse.”

Thoughts?

Not sure I agree, but it’s a helpful article in its attempts to lay out the +s and -s of a largely unchanged roster.

I can’t say the prospect is making me want to keep my TSN and Sportsnet subscriptions.

Here’s the con that I just can’t see being avoided even with a new head coach.

The Raptors had players in radically different stages of their careers and they did not have a clear offensive hierarchy, which led to selfish play and frustration throughout the lineup.

Plus, there have been reports dating back several seasons that O.G. Anunoby wants a bigger offensive role, while Barnes is entering his third year and likely wants the same. Bringing back the same roster doesn’t exactly create a clear path for either of those two things to happen.

The Raptors can hope Rajakovic and his .5-second offensive system predicated on unselfish play and ball movement will lead to wins and keep everyone happy, but that is asking a lot of a first-time NBA head coach. After all, players now have certain financial incentives tied to making All-NBA teams and other accolades, giving them legitimate reasons to want to have the ball in their hands more and to take more shots.

Running it back with the same roster along with adding another offensive weapon in Dick does not seem like a good way to turn around the Raptors’ lacklustre chemistry and vibes from last season.

What are people here thinking?

After a raft of reports a week or two ago that the Raptors front office was exasperating other teams with their trade efforts in the lead up to the draft, a makeover of the coaching staff, strong messages about a pivot back to an emphasis on development etc., were now hearing ‘nah, we’re good.’

The Raptors appear to be moving slightly closer towards “running it back,” a philosophy that is bent on the notion that the 48-win team from a year ago is in this roster somewhere. To further that end, Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster have largely been shutting trade talk down despite ravenous interest in their heavy hitters around the league.

Is the Raptors front office so invested in Siakam that they are satisfied to attempt to cruise with what they had + Gradey Dick?

Looking to fill in some armies not well covered by some of the larger brands.

Would welcome any thoughts.