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2011 Toronto Raptors/NBA/Labour Negotiations Spectacular

The Thunder were no match for Lebron and the Heat in Game 5.

A well-deserved championship victory by James & co.  Now, they've proven that they are indeed No.1 in the league.
 
Well, I'm super excited about this year's NBA draft. It's not star heavy but most agree that it's one of the deeper drafts in years. For the Raptors, picking 8th seems to be a pretty good spot. They won't have their first choice of the swingman they so desperately need but there should be some good ones still available. In order, this is who I'd be most happy with:

1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
2. Bradley Beal
3. Dion Waiters
4. Damien Lillard
5. Austin Rivers

MKG/Beal are almost sure locks to be gone by the time the Raps pick. Right now I'm getting the sense that all of my top four will be(I think the first seven picks go Davis, Beal, MKG, Waiters, Robinson, Lillard and Barnes) and the Raps will be staring down either Rivers ir UConn big man Andre Drummond. If that's the case, I'd be happy with Rivers and will curse loudly at Drummond.

I'll be back tonight to talk about the Raps first round draft choice, Andre Drummond.
 
I haven't given the Raptors much of my time of late though I was listening to Jones on the radio on the drive home last night and he feel there's a decent chance Nash signs in Toronto. Maybe they move Calderone and draft a PG regardless... Who knows? Jones when on further to say that Valanciunas would be the consensus #2 in this draft and one executive outside the Raptors  told him that if they play their cards right today, the Raptors could easily be the most improved team in the NBA this year. Anyway, I hope he's right. There seems to be some buzz around the Raptors. Yeah, I'm a fair weather Raptors fan but still, who wouldn't want to see them have a good product? 
 
Nik? said:
Well, I'm super excited about this year's NBA draft. It's not star heavy but most agree that it's one of the deeper drafts in years. For the Raptors, picking 8th seems to be a pretty good spot. They won't have their first choice of the swingman they so desperately need but there should be some good ones still available. In order, this is who I'd be most happy with:

1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
2. Bradley Beal
3. Dion Waiters
4. Damien Lillard
5. Austin Rivers

MKG/Beal are almost sure locks to be gone by the time the Raps pick. Right now I'm getting the sense that all of my top four will be(I think the first seven picks go Davis, Beal, MKG, Waiters, Robinson, Lillard and Barnes) and the Raps will be staring down either Rivers ir UConn big man Andre Drummond. If that's the case, I'd be happy with Rivers and will curse loudly at Drummond.

I'll be back tonight to talk about the Raps first round draft choice, Andre Drummond.
Click to expand...
Speculation is that Raptors want Waiters bad - though that may be a smoke screen by Colangelo to try and get Barnes if he slips. Rivers is interesting, but the Ricky Davis comparisons scare me.
 
Sgt said:
I haven't given the Raptors much of my time of late though I was listening to Jones on the radio on the drive home last night and he feel there's a decent chance Nash signs in Toronto. Maybe they move Calderone and draft a PG regardless... Who knows? Jones when on further to say that Valanciunas would be the consensus #2 in this draft and one executive outside the Raptors  told him that if they play their cards right today, the Raptors could easily be the most improved team in the NBA this year. Anyway, I hope he's right. There seems to be some buzz around the Raptors. Yeah, I'm a fair weather Raptors fan but still, who wouldn't want to see them have a good product?
Click to expand...

The Raptors can certainly make the playoffs next year if a few things go their way. They'll be first round fodder, but it's better than nothing. Most of the teams in the East are terrible/one injury away from being terrible. With Casey's guidance and some intelligent moves by Colangelo, there's no reason why they can't slip in at 7th or 8th.

As for Nash, he's sending some mixed signals. On the one hand, he is refusing to take a paycut to win a championship - he believes he doesn't need one to justify his career. On the other hand, he wants to sign with a competitive team. The Raptors are not that team.

But, by all reports, Toronto wants Nash bad and Nash hasn't done anything to discourage those rumours. Though that might just be a prudent move by his agent to drive up his asking price.
 
Nik, you might be in luck. Apparently Houston wants Drummond to use to trade for Howard, and Sacramento might give them the fifth pick to make it happen.

And Ford's newest mock draft has Harrison Barnes falling to the Raps. Oh how the mighty have fallen. 
 
#1PilarFan said:
Rivers is interesting, but the Ricky Davis comparisons scare me.
Click to expand...

They also seem off base. Davis was a talented head case. Rivers is a coach's son/gym rat by all account.
 
#1PilarFan said:
Nik, you might be in luck. Apparently Houston wants Drummond to use to trade for Howard, and Sacramento might give them the fifth pick to make it happen.

And Ford's newest mock draft has Harrison Barnes falling to the Raps. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
Click to expand...

I'm not a Barnes fan. I'd still take Rivers. I think a good pro coach will turn Rivers into a dynamic offensive point guard.
 
Dang. MKG and Beal go 2-3. No way Waiters falls now. Although, I mean, Robinson?

edit: Dang.
 
Ok, Barnes at 7 to G-State. Now everyone say it with me. Send those vibes BC's way Ausssssssssssstin Riiiiiiiiiivvvvverssss.
 
Read on Sportsnet chat that it's possible Ross is leverage in a sign-and-trade for Nash.

Apparently the Suns wanted him bad. Not sure I'd want to move the #8 for an aging PG, although just repeating what I saw somewhere else. Could be total BS.
 
Beowulf said:
Even if he wanted Ross, why didn't he trade down...
Click to expand...

Unless someone desperately wanted Rivers or Drummond or someone the likelihood is nobody would offer anything significant to trade up.
 
Chev-boyar-sky said:
Read on Sportsnet chat that it's possible Ross is leverage in a sign-and-trade for Nash.

Apparently the Suns wanted him bad. Not sure I'd want to move the #8 for an aging PG, although just repeating what I saw somewhere else. Could be total BS.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't be on it. I haven't seen too many examples of teams drafting for other teams, but we here speculation about it every time a team makes a weird choice. Heck, I know we had this same conversation when the Raps drafted Charlie V.

The Raptors boards are in an uproar right now. Mildly entertaining to watch.
 
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