UPDATE: Gay to Raptors agreed in principle MERGED

[AllRim]

I'm only fine with this deal for the Raptors if BC has a side trade worked out for Bargnani. Giving up Ed Davis plus future draft considerations is a risky move.

I took a lot of heat when I said that the Raptors are better with Bargnani out and Davis starting. But as everyone can see the Raptors are playing much, much better without him.

It's interesting but I'd have to know what picks would be involved. And I'm not really impressed with his contract either.

As a Raptors die hard I still don't know how I would feel if this trade happens. Hurts my brain to try and think about this too much, so I'm going to keep hoping for a Bargs trade and not think about this EVER AGAIN

[Knick Killer]

Whether or not Gay to Toronto would be good in the long run is irrelevant cause I could see BC making the deal just to save his ass from getting fired.


Sent from my iPhone using Verticalsports.com Free App

[hroz]

I think bargs is overrated and overpaid but his absence has coincided with Lowry's arrival. And the raptors need shooters to spread the floor. Gay DeRozan Lowry Fields aren't exactly known for their shooting ability.

[AllRim]

Originally Posted by Knick Killer

Whether or not Gay to Toronto would be good in the long run is irrelevant cause I could see BC making the deal just to save his ass from getting fired.


Sent from my iPhone using Verticalsports.com Free App

This is exactly what I am worried about. MLSE (Leafs/Raptors/TFC owners) are under new ownership and just fired Brian Burke (Leafs GM) out of the blue, which is probably going to make BC think they won't pick up his option unless he can show results.

I'd rather they just fire BC now and let a new guy come in and work without the fear of being fired after this season. Because this move puts Toronto as a 7th/8th seed at best for years to come. I'd rather suffer through a couple more losing seasons, than make a short sighted move like this.

[Hyperion]

Originally Posted by AllRim

This is exactly what I am worried about. MLSE (Leafs/Raptors/TFC owners) are under new ownership and just fired Brian Burke (Leafs GM) out of the blue, which is probably going to make BC think they won't pick up his option unless he can show results.

I'd rather they just fire BC now and let a new guy come in and work without the fear of being fired after this season. Because this move puts Toronto as a 7th/8th seed at best for years to come. I'd rather suffer through a couple more losing seasons, than make a short sighted move like this.

How many losing seasons does your team need before it's in a winning position? Haven't they stunk since the early part of 2000s? They're not going to make a gangbusters run to the playoffs this year if they trade for Gay and at most it would be a lateral trade and Gay is a top SF in the league. You would be one excellent draft pick from a great team.

[AllRim]

Originally Posted by Hyperion

How many losing seasons does your team need before it's in a winning position? Haven't they stunk since the early part of 2000s? They're not going to make a gangbusters run to the playoffs this year if they trade for Gay and at most it would be a lateral trade and Gay is a top SF in the league. You would be one excellent draft pick from a great team.

Except, rumours are that Memphis would be looking for future draft considerations. And if that's a furture unprotected pick.....

On the other hand, would a core of Lowry/DD/Gay/JV be enough to attract FA'S to Toronto?

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by AllRim

Except, rumours are that Memphis would be looking for future draft considerations. And if that's a furture unprotected pick.....

On the other hand, would a core of Lowry/DD/Gay/JV be enough to attract FA'S to Toronto?

Nothing is ever going to be enough to attract big name FA's to TO. They need to either draft the talent, trade for it, or overpay.


This isn't the NHL. No one in the NBA wants to play in Canada unless they're forced to be there and grow to love it. The tax, cold and general stigma will always keep big name stars away when it comes to free agency.

[AllRim]

Originally Posted by R-Star

Nothing is ever going to be enough to attract big name FA's to TO. They need to either draft the talent, trade for it, or overpay.


This isn't the NHL. No one in the NBA wants to play in Canada unless they're forced to be there and grow to love it. The tax, cold and general stigma will always keep big name stars away when it comes to free agency.

It's sad because it's true....

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by AllRim

It's sad because it's true....

Best you can hope for is that the guys you draft want to stay there. Like Derozan. Or that after playing there awhile Lowry decides he likes it and wants to be there.


I think players realize its a great place to play once they're forced to try it out.

[TucsonClip]

Yeah, for a franchise like the Raptors to land a big name free agent, its more likely they acquire one via trade.

Its the same reason that the Suns needed to make that trade for Harden. You get one legit star and the market becomes more attractive. Now, not saying that Toronto will be a destination like Phoenix could be, but you get my drift.

I dont think Gay puts the Raptors over the top, but talent is talent. The real problem would be that draft pick and where you envision Toronto being in the future. If that pick ends up being a lotto pick, the deal might not be worth it.

[Knick Killer]

Toronto is a better city than half the teams in the league.


Sent from my iPhone using Verticalsports.com Free App

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Knick Killer

Toronto is a better city than half the teams in the league.


Sent from my iPhone using Verticalsports.com Free App

It's a nice city (been there), but the problem with Toronto is the tax structure. Players that play in Canadian cities (at this point in time, Toronto is the only one in the league) are penalized more than any other player in the league due to the high tax rates in that country.

[MemphisX]

Rudy Gay is not a number one scorer. He might be a number two but he is definitely a good #3. The thing in Toronto is that you don't have a #1, #2 or #3. Rudy Gay would solve that problem but as a Grizz fan who is aware of the cap implications of our contract situation I understand why we need to move him or someone else.

[E.H. Munro]

Originally Posted by MemphisX

Rudy Gay is not a number one scorer. He might be a number two but he is definitely a good #3. The thing in Toronto is that you don't have a #1, #2 or #3. Rudy Gay would solve that problem but as a Grizz fan who is aware of the cap implications of our contract situation I understand why we need to move him or someone else.

While I agree with this assessment, the problem is that Rudy doesn't.

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by Ron

It's a nice city (been there), but the problem with Toronto is the tax structure. Players that play in Canadian cities (at this point in time, Toronto is the only one in the league) are penalized more than any other player in the league due to the high tax rates in that country.

And the thing is, its by a wide margin. I don't know the exact numbers off the top of my head, but you're paying a shit ton more in tax if you're playing on the Raptors instead of an American team.