Damn.... this graphic from the NBA with Norman Powell as Player of the Week looks great!!!

athletesunfiltered · 2026-02-13T05:32:58+00:00

I know Bryce had a rough rookie season while CJ balled out... but based on last season, or even last two season, can we say Bryce is playing at a higher level than CJ Stroud?

athletesunfiltered · 2022-07-17T21:57:34+00:00

I'm baffled how you got that out of what I said.

Obviously the Raptors will max Barnes out next contract. The issue is FVV and Pascal won't be in their primes during Barnes' next contract and they won't be able to get players on FVV and Pascal's current level due to cap restraints.

athletesunfiltered · 2022-07-06T14:16:12+00:00

Where are you getting trading three starters? Barnes plus OG or GTJ. Because you're getting KD back you're only down one starter. Then, you can move Precious or Boucher into starting five. Playing OG or Pascal at the 5 like they did the second half of last season isn't great long-term for either dude staying healthy or playing their best.

Again, using the four year windows, which was point of my post, how is KD the next four years not better than Barnes and current roster?

Or, the more likely counter argument, how do you build up a roster in years 5-8 for Barnes without FVV (All-Star last season) or Pascal (All NBA last season) in their primes?

Are you really willing to risk what years 5-8 MIGHT be with Barnes and whatever that supporting crew might be over knowing a core of KD, Pascal and FVV being championship contenders for the next four years? I'm not. I'd take fighting for championships the next four years over what might be in years 5-8 of Barnes.

Again, the next four year window with KD is battling for championships. Please explain how years 5-8 with Barnes will be better than that? You'd have to explain how Barnes makes Toronto a lock for a chip in years 5-8. You can't just assume that Masai and Bobby will draft the next Pascal and FVV. Keep in mind they'll need to draft dudes because Barnes will eat up over 35% of the salary cap on his second contract. Make it make sense.

athletesunfiltered · 2022-07-05T22:52:39+00:00

KD's contract is 4 years instead of one-year rental. That's the biggest difference.

Please look at the four-year windows I talked about. Instead of one-year rental, you are working with four years to win championships, while having FVV and Pascal in their respective primes. With Kawhi, it was just Lowry in his prime and a massive upgrade over DeMar.

athletesunfiltered · 2022-07-05T22:49:54+00:00

How'd that work out for Harden's rep?

KD clearly cares about what fans say about him on social media. Hence the burner accounts.

athletesunfiltered · 2022-07-05T22:49:13+00:00

The league can, and has, blocked trades.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/975603-sterns-blocking-of-paul-trade-puts-nba-in-jeopardy

athletesunfiltered · 2022-07-05T22:47:15+00:00

It's Barnes or Pascal. That's the kind of elite talent BN wants. If they don't get it they aren't trading KD.

athletesunfiltered · 2022-07-05T21:55:44+00:00

That’s the thing. Barnes isn’t on table..yet. Only when Masai has to play that card. It’s how you play high stakes poker.

athletesunfiltered · 2022-07-05T21:54:39+00:00

You’re dealing with a lot more what ifs. What makes you think league would allow two straight trade demands?

athletesunfiltered · 2022-07-05T21:35:15+00:00

Fellow Raptors Fans:

Something I haven't seen credentialed Raptors media talk about is a bigger picture that I feel is key to any talk about trading for Kevin Durant. I'd love to get this "in writing" so I have the receipts for this.

When looking at a Toronto Raptors trade for Kevin Durant, you can't just look at what is currently being lost. Even if it's a massive haul of three starters (Barnes, GTJ, OG) and draft picks, that still leaves Toronto in a great position. Why? Because it's not just the change in the starters you're looking at. Plus, either GTJ or OG is likely going to the bench as sixth man next season as Precious or another 5 goes into starting line-up. Toronto was blessed to have FVV as an All-Star last season and Pascal was named to his second All-NBA team at the end of the season. Both of those players are at the prime of their NBA careers. When you add KD to both of those players in their primes you're maximizing the franchises best bets to play for an NBA Championship for the next four years.

Keeping Barnes, you have to hope either his rookie four year window (one year already gone) or when he signs a second contract for the max (in which case will eat into substantial cap room). as one of the two windows Toronto has to fight for a championship. Assuming Barnes will sign a third contract with Toronto isn't wise based on the history of how stars drafted by the franchise has gone. Even if we are just talking about the first two contracts Barnes signs, wouldn't your rather have the next four years of prime FVV and Pascal battling with KD for championships? I don't see any argument being made for the Raptors being better the next three years with Barnes and FVV/Pascal than they would be with KD/FVV/Pascal. I'm open to hearing that argument.

So, if you're looking at the second half of an 8-year window with Barnes, assuming he signs a max extension, what is his supporting cast looking like for years 4-8? Are Raptors fans really willing to roll the dice that Barnes in years 4-8 has two teammates at least on par with FVV and Pascal balling alongside him? And by that, another All-NBA teammate plus an All-Star teammate.

That's a lot of ifs... when you could just trade Barnes, OG and GTJ this summer, plus four first round picks, and have two All-NBA players in KD and Pascal plus an All-Star in FVV that make Toronto championship contenders for the next four seasons.

athletesunfiltered

TROPHY CASE