There’s no denying that the move the Toronto Raptors made to acquire Serge Ibaka looks like a clear win for the club.
The Raptors managed to find what should be an ideal fit at the gaping hole that was their starting power forward spot, all for the talented-yet-maddeningly-inconsistent Terrence Ross and a first-round pick that’s assumed to be of relatively low value.
However, just because they made a big move, it doesn’t mean the Raptors have fixed all that’s broken. On paper, Ibaka should put the Raptors in good position to make another run to the Eastern Conference Final – or even beyond – but forecasting things in theory and how games play out in real life can be two very different things.
With that in mind, here are five big Raptors questions in the wake of the Ibaka trade:
Did the Raptors pull the trigger on Ibaka too soon?
Hindsight may be 20-20 and it isn’t like the Raptors made a bad deal by any stretch of the imagination last week, but after seeing what the New Orleans Pelicans gave up (or rather, didn’t give up) for DeMarcus Cousins, it does make you wonder.
Cousins has long been connected to the Raptors, and as such, he’s been a fan-favourite fantasy trade possibility for the club – but that’s as far as it’s always gone. Now, however, when you see the less-than-stellar haul (a trade so bad you can’t even do it in NBA 2K17) the Sacramento Kings ended up walking away with for the three-time all-star, it’s hard not to believe the Raptors couldn’t have offered a comparable, and likely superior, offer than what the Pelicans dangled.
Then again, it doesn’t look like the Kings were altogether interested in superior offers.
Odd admission aside, what was that deal? Could the Raptors have been apart of it? Were they ever in on discussions?
“I know that there were inquiries,” Sportsnet’s Michael Grange said on the Jeff Blair Show Monday. “I think it’s something that they’ve definitely tossed around over months – I’m not saying necessarily in the last couple of days. I think the issue always has been, beyond whether they could necessarily make the deal or not, was there were serious concerns about DeMarcus Cousins and his character and his behaviour and kind of bringing him into a situation here in Toronto where they’ve really nurtured culture.
“So, do I know if [the Raptors] were in on making an offer? I don’t think they were because it sounds like Sacramento didn’t exactly go to the rest of the league and try and create an auction. …
“I will say though, I’ve consistently heard throughout the league, that a lot of front offices, and it would seem to be explained by what New Orleans had to pay to get Cousins, a lot of front offices were legitimately concerned about DeMarcus Cousins as a person.”
So it doesn’t look like the Raptors were talking shop with the Kings about Cousins because of his character issues. A legitimate complaint, but let’s not forget that Kyle Lowry was once considered a near league-wide pariah because of similar concerns before team president Masai Ujiri and coach Dwane Casey managed to get through to him. Who’s to say the same couldn’t have been the case with Cousins?
The Raptors did end up addressing a huge and obvious hole with a quality piece in Ibaka, but it’s worth considering that a better, younger and more controllable piece probably could’ve been there for the taking had the club waited a little longer, character issues or not.
Is there another move to be made before the deadline?
Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. Regardless, Cousins isn’t a Raptor so looking at the reality of the team’s situation, there’s a good chance Ujiri and GM Jeff Weltman could still add.
The trade deadline is just two days away and, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Raptors are looking to add one more rotation player, likely a wing with three-point range to make up for the loss of Ross’ outside stroke.
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Toronto and Washington are both eager to add another rotation player, per several league sources. The Raps roster is a little heavy on bigs after the Ibaka deal, and they still have trade chips – all their own picks, and some interesting young guys. They have the maximum 15 players under contract, but if necessary, they could waive Jared Sullinger to clear a roster spot.
[cite]- ESPN[/cite]
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Phoenix is taking calls on most of its veterans, with P.J. Tucker the best candidate to move, sources say. (Watch the Raptors and Clips, among others.) I’d be surprised — and impressed — if Phoenix got a first-rounder for him.
[cite]- ESPN[/cite]
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Tucker isn’t the deadeye three-point marksman the Raptors would exactly be looking for, but he is the kind of hard-nosed defender Casey likes. More interestingly, however, as Lowe notes in his report, is that that the Denver Nuggets are willing to part with one of Danilo Gallinari or Wilson Chandler for a first-rounder.
Last time we checked Toronto did have another first-round pick it doesn’t necessarily need to use in this year’s draft.
Is there even enough time to right the ship?
Bogged down in a near three-month swoon, the Raptors have posted an 11-14 record since Jan. 1 after jumping out of the gate on fire at 22-10.
Starting Friday against the Boston Celtics, the Raptors will begin their final stretch run into the post-season. Equipped with Ibaka and possibly another new piece the Raptors will only have 25 games to figure this whole thing out.
Currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference and four games back of their once-ironclad second-place spot, Casey and his staff will have their work cut out for them.
The problems plaguing the Raptors during this poor period aren’t so easily fixed. This is a team ranked 15th and 19th in the league during that 11-14 span in offensive and defensive efficiency, massive drops from the No. 1 and 14 spots they held right up until the new year.
Ibaka’s a good player, and he should definitely help, but he isn’t a miracle worker. No matter what happens, the Raptors need to start playing better or else all this mid-season activity will be for naught.
How will the rotation change?
As part of the fast-learning process of this next 25 games, Casey will need to figure out his team’s new rotation in a hurry.
Often criticized for how he allots his minutes, on the surface the nine-man rotation looks pretty obvious.
The starting five will probably be: Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll, Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas.
Coming off the bench, the brunt of the minutes will likely go the likes of Cory Joseph, Norman Powell, Patrick Patterson and Lucas Nogueira, with Delon Wright – who looks like will finally get a fair shot to prove himself with the big club – coming in occasionally as the team’s third point guard. [sidebar]
Outside of the starting unit, what will be most interesting to see is how Casey mixes and matches his bench guys. The famed “Lowry and the reserves” lineup worked to amazing effect last season with Bismack Biyombo and Patterson complementing each other very well. Will we season something similar with Ibaka staying in with Lowry when the second unit comes onto the floor? The new Raptors forward is, essentially, a more-skilled version of Biyombo, after all.
Of course, this could all change if the team makes another move before the deadline, but either way, figuring out who will be used and how will be essential as the Raptors push onwards.
What will it cost to retain Ibaka?
The deal for Ibaka came with the report that the Raptors will look to re-sign the the big man using his Bird Rights.
This is all well and good, but with Lowry and Patterson also free agents, the Raptors are looking at a very, very expensive off-season.
DeRozan is already making $27.8 million per season, Lowry will, undoubtedly, get a max contract meaning he’ll be making $33.5 million a year. That’s already 60 per cent of the entire team’s projected salary cap for 2017-18.
Now throw in Ibaka, who will also likely seek a max contract worth an estimated $28.8 million, and that’s 88 per cent of the team’s cap tied up in three players, meaning, the Raptors will have to pay the luxury tax for the first time in franchise history after you add the other salaries they will have to pay, and this isn’t including Patterson.
Will management actually pay that price? If not, will it be possible to retain Ibaka for less? The acqusition cost for him seemed lowed at the time of the deal, but is that still the case if he’s a pure rental?
A lot will depend on the team’s post-season performance.