The Toronto Raptors Retain FA Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka!
This past weekend, the Toronto Raptors got their core back.
Kyle Lowry comes back with a guaranteed $90 M for 3 years, with a supposed $10 M extra in incentives. I love the term that Masai got KLow back for, especially since he'll be 34 by the time his 3 year contract is over. He'll be off the books in 2020, and that'll give us extreme cap space for that off season.
Check out Kyle's announcement on Player's Tribune! It's quite touching. Toronto is home.
Serge Ibaka also agreed to re-joining the Raptors for 3 years, 65 M! An amazing deal for a good, versatile scorer, rebounder, and defender.
You would have to know that Masai is clearly not done with his work this off-season. After a heart breaking loss of PJ Tucker, I think the Raptors need to find a wing defender that can replace the prowess and tenacity of PJ. We also have question marks with our other core pieces: Cory Joseph alleged was brought up in trade discussions, as did Demarre Carroll and Jonas Valanciunas! To me, the odd men out are DC and JV. DC is just getting too old and too skinny to be the defender that we need, and JV is too slow footed to keep up with the pace and space offense that's trending in the NBA. I'm looking for those two assets to be dealt, perhaps for merely nothing or draft picks to save on the tax! If not, do we keep this core and have another crack at it? Do our young guys: Bruno Caboclo, Jakob Poeltl, Delon Wright, Fred VanVleet get into the rotation? Do the Raptors have enough assets to entice another team via trade?
There as so so so so so many questions yet unanswered! It's OK, we're only 4 days into free agency :p It's nice to speculate though!
What do you guys think about the Raptors situation? There's so much craziness that is happening in the league! Let me know if you want me to discuss and post other NBA news below! Don't forget to comment, upvote and resteem :)
Sources: 1
@mrray
thanks for this update... Wish Raptors all the best...they are doing their best
You're welcome @kenhudoy. I really appreciate it! :)
Welcome sir...
So which team are you supporting...who's your favorite player
:) I have too many favorite teams now...I have been a Toronto Raptors fan all my life. In the East, I also like Boston, Miami, and Milwaukee. In the West, I like GSW, the Spurs, Rockets, Clippers, and Pelicans :p
My favorite player is probably Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook, and DeMar DeRozan.
How about you? Who is your favorite team and player?
O man really glad to see an NBA fan here. I love the game! I was thinking actually to write as well a blog about all this movements and trades between the teams as is really getting crazy... just think that Cavs are close to a deal to bring Carmelo Antony next to Lebron! Anyway to go back to the topic. For the Raptors its great that they re-sign the two (Lowry and Ibaka). But i think they need more then that. Look what is happening around with the trades. If they don't bring "more power" they will fail again in the playoffs. I mean let's be honest who can beat Cavs in the East! But it's still early to predict as more trades and more movement will follow so i guess after all the trades are done we can have a clear image. For the moment i see again the same final like in the last 3 years... unfortunately!
Hey @georgemales!
Love to hear from NBA fans--we need more and more of it on steemit, haha!
I agree that we will probably see the same finals like the last 3 years...although I think we are fortunate as fans to see that! As a Cavs fan, I have been most interested in the Carmelo situation than anything else, really. If he is able to secure a buyout and sign with the Cavs on their midlevel exception ($5.2M), that would be absolutely fantastic because they won't have to give anything up. If the Warriors don't make any additional moves (although, the might get CRAWFORD...uh oh), the Melo addition narrows the gap imo.
As for the Raptors, they know they can't win the East. But they are doing it for the fans and will stay competitive at least. Better than being a bottom feeder for 5+ years.
Love to hear from the NBA fans as well and i am really glad that we are some around. I will make as well few posts about NBA that's for sure. I like Cavs a lot and if Carmelo deal its on then everything will change. There were rumors that even Wade might land in Cleveland but who knows. Rumors are rumors, that's why i want to wait and see what is going to happen. As for the Raptors i think you are right, they know they can't win the East and i think that for the moment are just happy to made it to the playoffs.
I do think the Wade buyout might happen too! But that would be a midseason acquisition probably, if it were to happen. Wade wants to collect his paycheck I think, while also compete for a ring (haha, best of both worlds huh?).
See you around!
Can you imagine a team with Lebron, Carmelo, Wade and Love!!! It will be amazing to see them playing together...
Don't forget Kyrie!! It WOULD be amazing...man, I get way too excited imagining that haha.
Honest to be i forgot about him and i like him a lot! I add as well a blog (a light one) regarding NBA so if you guys have some time and pleasure please stop by and take a look!
Hey georgemales! You should write a blog about it - I'd be more than happy to discuss hoops with you on your post!
Yes, I agree. If the Cavs can get Carmelo, it would make them that much more interesting, assuming they don't give up any of their current assets. I still think that the odd man out is Shump, but talks are imminent at this point.
For the Raptors, I think it's great that they have the core; but, I agree, they need much more firepower to beat them. We can assume an upgrade in that category by internal improvement (our young guys can be thrown into the fire and produce), or we go get someone and fill a need (a la PJ Tucker's tenacity and defensive prowess). A saw a reporter from Toronto suggesting James Johnson Reunion Part 3, and I'd be open to this. I just hope that DC gets dealt so that he can get proper minutes. I also would sadly have to part with JV at this point, as he does not fit our vision and new pace system. If we don't, it's going to be the same old story as you said!
I think JV would be good with the Kings, now that they added Z-Bo and George Hill; but, they just don't have enough cap space to simply absorb his contract from us. It would take another asset to be given back. Maybe a Rudy Gay sign and trade reunion? I'm not sure.
Regardless, I'm intrigued by the start of free agency, and hope that Masai is not done with wheeling and dealing by any stretch of imagination! :p
Definitely i will post about NBA as i already plan few posts in the near future. Same like you i'm intrigued by the start of the free agency hehe. Really glad as well there are NBA fans and people who are loving the game here on Steemit! I have a felling that we are going to have a lot of great and long discussions here... Just wait for the season to start!
I have wrote one "light" blog about NBA and about this time of the year. If you have time and pleasure please join us in a fun and interesting talk!
Good move for the Raptors in bringing the band back together. Also, great 3 year contract for Lowry, which means they won't have to pay a 35 & 36 year old +$30M a year. This will allow the Raptors to stay relevant (top 4 seed in the East) and hopefully they'll be able to make some moves in 2020.
100% agree with you! I think the East has weakened significantly from the departures of Jimmy Butler and Paul George, heading to the West! The East is extremely weak, and I think it'll come down 4 solidified teams, with the rest being a toss up of good and upcoming or unknown and weak.
Thanks for the intelligent insight @kccrypto :)
I don't know about intelligent insight, but I'm just glad I can talk hoops with people here, haha!
The wildcard could be the sixers if they stay healthy. With a weakened conference, I think they'll be in the playoffs but they could even sneak in to the top 5 if they mesh. I just want to see them healthy for once...its always a bummer to see teams with potential falter because of injuries..:(
Happy for you and your Raptors!
Yeah, definitely! I like your perspective. It's cool to know there's some hoop heads in the Steemit community as well.
Yes, 100% I see the Sixers as a playoff team next year. The only teams I see locked up next year are Cleveland, Washington, Boston, and Toronto. Miami and Milwuakee aren't bad playoff candidates, and I see them building on what they started last year. That leaves us with 2 extra spots left, and I can for sure see the Sixers making a big push! Maybe Detroit makes a push in the picture as well?
The rest of the teams in East seem to be in rebuilding mode. Chicago's on the downhill for sure. However, yes, I do hope everyone gets to enjoy a healthy season!
I really appreciate it! Hopefully we can make it back to the ECF and contend with the aging Cavs! I still think the Raps aren't done yet, but it's good that the franchise has chosen to stick with the main guys for at least 3 more years!
The "aging Cavs" is like my biggest concern for them, hahaha. Hit the nail on the head on that one.
For sure man, love to talk hoops with everyone on here. See you around!
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