Free agency starts / reported signings (merged)

[Vermont Green]

There is persistent speculation that Pascal Siakam — the team’s leading scorer, second-most prolific playmaker and ultimate home-grown success story — could be traded before the regular season starts and perhaps much sooner as the NBA’s transaction market simmers.

- Michael Grange, Raptors beat writer

I would have been a lot more interested in this news if we hadn't traded for Porzingis.  I think I like Porzingis better but I felt all along that Siakam would be a good fit on the Celtics also.  Not sure we could have gotten Siakam plus 2 firsts for Marcus.  It will be interesting to see what they get for him relative to what we gave up for Porzingis.

[Who]

Of all the players shootin 999 FG or more last year FVV and Dillion shot the worst %. - KOC

[PAOBoston]

There is persistent speculation that Pascal Siakam — the team’s leading scorer, second-most prolific playmaker and ultimate home-grown success story — could be traded before the regular season starts and perhaps much sooner as the NBA’s transaction market simmers.

- Michael Grange, Raptors beat writer

I would have been a lot more interested in this news if we hadn't traded for Porzingis.  I think I like Porzingis better but I felt all along that Siakam would be a good fit on the Celtics also.  Not sure we could have gotten Siakam plus 2 firsts for Marcus.  It will be interesting to see what they get for him relative to what we gave up for Porzingis.

Brogdon/Williams and picks. Slot him at the 4.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

There is persistent speculation that Pascal Siakam — the team’s leading scorer, second-most prolific playmaker and ultimate home-grown success story — could be traded before the regular season starts and perhaps much sooner as the NBA’s transaction market simmers.

- Michael Grange, Raptors beat writer

I would have been a lot more interested in this news if we hadn't traded for Porzingis.  I think I like Porzingis better but I felt all along that Siakam would be a good fit on the Celtics also.  Not sure we could have gotten Siakam plus 2 firsts for Marcus.  It will be interesting to see what they get for him relative to what we gave up for Porzingis.

Brogdon/Williams and picks. Slot him at the 4.

Will he finally accept that he is a great 3-4 option? Regardless of what Raptors fans think, that's where he is best. As a hustle/versatile defender/agressive secondary action scorer.

[Vermont Green]

There is persistent speculation that Pascal Siakam — the team’s leading scorer, second-most prolific playmaker and ultimate home-grown success story — could be traded before the regular season starts and perhaps much sooner as the NBA’s transaction market simmers.

- Michael Grange, Raptors beat writer

I would have been a lot more interested in this news if we hadn't traded for Porzingis.  I think I like Porzingis better but I felt all along that Siakam would be a good fit on the Celtics also.  Not sure we could have gotten Siakam plus 2 firsts for Marcus.  It will be interesting to see what they get for him relative to what we gave up for Porzingis.

Brogdon/Williams and picks. Slot him at the 4.

Talk about reshaping a team, I assume the idea is to move Horford to the bench:

White
Brown
Tatum
Siakam
Porzingis

Great starting 5, and pretty young, but our depth takes a hit.  All we would have left is Horford, Grant (if we sign him), Pritchard, Hauser, Brissett.  We would be kind of like the Suns, although better balanced.

I would not do this if it meant sending out picks too.  That is too much to give up.  And we would have 4 big contacts and very little flexibility to add depth around the core.  It would have to be a 3-way (at least) so that someone who likes Brogdon could send young players and/or picks to TOR.  Not sure TOR would want RWill either after signing Poeltl.

[Neurotic Guy]

There is persistent speculation that Pascal Siakam — the team’s leading scorer, second-most prolific playmaker and ultimate home-grown success story — could be traded before the regular season starts and perhaps much sooner as the NBA’s transaction market simmers.

- Michael Grange, Raptors beat writer

I would have been a lot more interested in this news if we hadn't traded for Porzingis.  I think I like Porzingis better but I felt all along that Siakam would be a good fit on the Celtics also.  Not sure we could have gotten Siakam plus 2 firsts for Marcus.  It will be interesting to see what they get for him relative to what we gave up for Porzingis.

Brogdon/Williams and picks. Slot him at the 4.

Talk about reshaping a team, I assume the idea is to move Horford to the bench:

White
Brown
Tatum
Siakam
Porzingis

Great starting 5, and pretty young, but our depth takes a hit.  All we would have left is Horford, Grant (if we sign him), Pritchard, Hauser, Brissett.  We would be kind of like the Suns, although better balanced.

I would not do this if it meant sending out picks too.  That is too much to give up.  And we would have 4 big contacts and very little flexibility to add depth around the core.  It would have to be a 3-way (at least) so that someone who likes Brogdon could send young players and/or picks to TOR.  Not sure TOR would want RWill either after signing Poeltl.

Ridiculous starting 5.  Talk about having offensive options. I hate when people say ‘there’s only one ball’ but I think it applies here.

The other way to go of course is Brown for PS plus an additional piece (my opinion that the younger Brown has more value than Siakem). Idk if Siakem is a better pairing for Tatum.  Might be.

[Vermont Green]

There is persistent speculation that Pascal Siakam — the team’s leading scorer, second-most prolific playmaker and ultimate home-grown success story — could be traded before the regular season starts and perhaps much sooner as the NBA’s transaction market simmers.

- Michael Grange, Raptors beat writer

I would have been a lot more interested in this news if we hadn't traded for Porzingis.  I think I like Porzingis better but I felt all along that Siakam would be a good fit on the Celtics also.  Not sure we could have gotten Siakam plus 2 firsts for Marcus.  It will be interesting to see what they get for him relative to what we gave up for Porzingis.

Brogdon/Williams and picks. Slot him at the 4.

Talk about reshaping a team, I assume the idea is to move Horford to the bench:

White
Brown
Tatum
Siakam
Porzingis

Great starting 5, and pretty young, but our depth takes a hit.  All we would have left is Horford, Grant (if we sign him), Pritchard, Hauser, Brissett.  We would be kind of like the Suns, although better balanced.

I would not do this if it meant sending out picks too.  That is too much to give up.  And we would have 4 big contacts and very little flexibility to add depth around the core.  It would have to be a 3-way (at least) so that someone who likes Brogdon could send young players and/or picks to TOR.  Not sure TOR would want RWill either after signing Poeltl.

Ridiculous starting 5.  Talk about having offensive options. I hate when people say ‘there’s only one ball’ but I think it applies here.

The other way to go of course is Brown for PS plus an additional piece (my opinion that the younger Brown has more value than Siakem). Idk if Siakem is a better pairing for Tatum.  Might be.

I don't think Brown for another high end big makes sense now that we have Porzingis.  I consider Siakam a PF, but understand he could play some wing too.  Before Porzingis, much different consideration.  Now, if we do trade Brown, to me the logical role or position is more of a ball handler, like Lillard or Garland or someone like that.  Maybe even someone like Zach LaVine who would take on a Jamal Murray type role.  I don't see any as particularly likely, but this is the type of player that would make the most sense to me to balance the roster along side of Tatum and Porzingis.

[keevsnick]

There is persistent speculation that Pascal Siakam — the team’s leading scorer, second-most prolific playmaker and ultimate home-grown success story — could be traded before the regular season starts and perhaps much sooner as the NBA’s transaction market simmers.

- Michael Grange, Raptors beat writer

I would have been a lot more interested in this news if we hadn't traded for Porzingis.  I think I like Porzingis better but I felt all along that Siakam would be a good fit on the Celtics also.  Not sure we could have gotten Siakam plus 2 firsts for Marcus.  It will be interesting to see what they get for him relative to what we gave up for Porzingis.

Brogdon/Williams and picks. Slot him at the 4.

Talk about reshaping a team, I assume the idea is to move Horford to the bench:

White
Brown
Tatum
Siakam
Porzingis

Great starting 5, and pretty young, but our depth takes a hit.  All we would have left is Horford, Grant (if we sign him), Pritchard, Hauser, Brissett.  We would be kind of like the Suns, although better balanced.

I would not do this if it meant sending out picks too.  That is too much to give up.  And we would have 4 big contacts and very little flexibility to add depth around the core.  It would have to be a 3-way (at least) so that someone who likes Brogdon could send young players and/or picks to TOR.  Not sure TOR would want RWill either after signing Poeltl.

Ridiculous starting 5.  Talk about having offensive options. I hate when people say ‘there’s only one ball’ but I think it applies here.

The other way to go of course is Brown for PS plus an additional piece (my opinion that the younger Brown has more value than Siakem). Idk if Siakem is a better pairing for Tatum.  Might be.

I don't think Brown for another high end big makes sense now that we have Porzingis.  I consider Siakam a PF, but understand he could play some wing too.  Before Porzingis, much different consideration.  Now, if we do trade Brown, to me the logical role or position is more of a ball handler, like Lillard or Garland or someone like that.  Maybe even someone like Zach LaVine who would take on a Jamal Murray type role.  I don't see any as particularly likely, but this is the type of player that would make the most sense to me to balance the roster along side of Tatum and Porzingis.

I just really honestly don't understand the Brown for Siakam move that gets floated here. That just seems like a sort of lateral move at best to me. If you think Brown is the 20th best player in the league then Siakam is probably no worse than like 25th, and vice versa! Which is just my way of saying they are VERY close. Meanwhile Brown is 2 years younger and for better or worse "our guy."

But I'm not sure Siakam's salary structure fits with Brown/Tatum/KP all on the team either. He's another max guy, they just don't have that sort of spending power (i don't think). It might make sense for someone as good as Lillard, but for Siakam? I don't think so.

[Who]

There is persistent speculation that Pascal Siakam — the team’s leading scorer, second-most prolific playmaker and ultimate home-grown success story — could be traded before the regular season starts and perhaps much sooner as the NBA’s transaction market simmers.

- Michael Grange, Raptors beat writer

I would have been a lot more interested in this news if we hadn't traded for Porzingis.  I think I like Porzingis better but I felt all along that Siakam would be a good fit on the Celtics also.  Not sure we could have gotten Siakam plus 2 firsts for Marcus.  It will be interesting to see what they get for him relative to what we gave up for Porzingis.

Brogdon/Williams and picks. Slot him at the 4.

Talk about reshaping a team, I assume the idea is to move Horford to the bench:

White
Brown
Tatum
Siakam
Porzingis

Great starting 5, and pretty young, but our depth takes a hit.  All we would have left is Horford, Grant (if we sign him), Pritchard, Hauser, Brissett.  We would be kind of like the Suns, although better balanced.

I would not do this if it meant sending out picks too.  That is too much to give up.  And we would have 4 big contacts and very little flexibility to add depth around the core.  It would have to be a 3-way (at least) so that someone who likes Brogdon could send young players and/or picks to TOR.  Not sure TOR would want RWill either after signing Poeltl.

Man, that is an incredible team.

Brogdon, Rob Williams and picks is likely a competitive offer for Siakam given his contract is about to expire.

Siakam wants a max deal too. So you have three max deals with Jaylen, Tatum and Siakam plus Porzingis as a 4th big money deal. Ownership would have to be willing to pay major luxury tax not just 1-2 years but for 3-5 years.

Talk about having offensive options. I hate when people say ‘there’s only one ball’ but I think it applies here.

Poor Tatum. Everybody will be taking the ball out of his hands!

They will all be competing with each other for touches. Jaylen and Porzingis both low IQ poor passing high volume scorers. Siakam has taken a smaller role in the past but has developed a bigger ego since then. I don't know how willing / happy he would be to take a smaller role now.


Imagine if they bought in though. Especially on D. I love the defensive talent 1 through 4. Porzingis stable enough at center to provide an anchor to that quick footed active perimeter D 1 through 4. They could destroy teams.

[theswitch]

I'm not sure the Raptors would have much interest in Williams because of the deal they just gave Poeltl, but perhaps there's a third team that would take that on. Same for Brogdon -- an expiring veteran contract for a team that isn't going to compete this year. Not a long-term solution...better for a third team.

If they could swing it though, I'd do it in a heartbeat and figure out the depth later. That's an outrageously talented and loaded starting group. A generationally good starting five. I'd even be comfortable playing guys like Brissett much more frequently because at any point in time he'd have two of Brown, Tatum, Siakam, Porzingis. That's 100 points between the four of them. You don't need any more points. You just need grinders to play tough defense and not compete for touches, and then to hit wide open shots. The bar would be much lower for bench production.

So to Who's point -- it's mostly a question of Celtics management wanting to go all-in and spend in a big way. I'm skeptical of that one.

[Celtics2021]

Thybulle is reportedly signing an offer sheet with Dallas.  I would expect Portland to match, unless they come up with a sign-and-trade.

[Who]

Thybulle is reportedly signing an offer sheet with Dallas.  I would expect Portland to match, unless they come up with a sign-and-trade.

Why the heck would Dallas want a non-shooterl ike Thybulle to play off ball while Luka & Kyrie dribble the air out of the ball? That won't work!

Dallas having a very disappointing offseason thus far. I have them 10th in the West at the moment. Terrible situation for a team with two such talented players as Luka & Kyrie.

[CelticSooner]

Thybulle is reportedly signing an offer sheet with Dallas.  I would expect Portland to match, unless they come up with a sign-and-trade.

Why the heck would Dallas want a non-shooterl ike Thybulle to play off ball while Luka & Kyrie dribble the air out of the ball? That won't work!

Dallas having a very disappointing offseason thus far. I have them 10th in the West at the moment. Terrible situation for a team with two such talented players as Luka & Kyrie.

Gotta go after somebody that actually plays defense.

[Vermont Green]

Thybulle is reportedly signing an offer sheet with Dallas.  I would expect Portland to match, unless they come up with a sign-and-trade.

Is it fair to assume this is for the full MLE ($12.4M)?  They can still use that in full, right?  If I was POR, I am not sure I would match.  He is not really a build around Lillard piece and not really a build for the future piece, what would be the point?

Eliminates one of the few remaining options for Grant.

[keevsnick]

Thybulle is reportedly signing an offer sheet with Dallas.  I would expect Portland to match, unless they come up with a sign-and-trade.

Is it fair to assume this is for the full MLE ($12.4M)?  They can still use that in full, right?  If I was POR, I am not sure I would match.  He is not really a build around Lillard piece and not really a build for the future piece, what would be the point?

Eliminates one of the few remaining options for Grant.

I think it may end up being a little less than the full MLE, since using any of the MLE hardcaps you at the first apron and not sure they have enough room to use all of the non-tax MLE and stay under that apron.

In any even it does seem they are prioritizing Thybulle over Grant, maybe just because they expected the Celtics to match on Grant?