There was some speculation leading up to free agency that Toronto would make an effort to re-sign veteran point guard Kyle Lowry, but comments made on Friday by the six-time All-Star and by Raptors general manager Bobby Webster suggested both sides felt the time was right to move on, writes Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.
“I think the direction Toronto is going in is they want to give the opportunities to (Fred VanVleet), Pascal (Siakam), OG (Anunoby), a couple young guys, the young draft picks they have,” Lowry told reporters. “They have some great core pieces. They’re in great hands and great shape. It was a situation for me where it was an opportunity to do something different… It’s time to turn the page in the book.”
Webster conveyed a similar sentiment: “You probably could see (during the 2020/21 second half) the direction the team was going in, and jumping up in the draft to get the fourth pick, philosophically, I think going young became kind of a more desirable path.”
Once they recognized Lowry would be moving on, the Raptors could’ve decided to let him walk in order to open up cap room to pursue a free agent. However, that path offered less certainty, especially if the team made an offer sheet to a restricted free agent (such as Jarrett Allen) not knowing whether it would be matched. The Raptors preferred to acquire Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa via a sign-and-trade with the Heat, Lewenberg writes.
“Precious is a huge part of this deal for us,” Webster said. “We really liked him last year in the draft so I think that was a huge get in the sense of a young player that we like and fits.”
Here’s more on the Raptors:
- Throughout the week, there were rumors that Toronto may try to flip Dragic to a third team after acquiring him via sign-and-trade. Webster said on Friday that’s not Plan A. “Obviously, if we got an offer that was too good to refuse we’d listen but ultimately we want Goran here,” the Raptors’ GM said, per Lewenberg. “He’s happy to be here, obviously he’s been able to carve out a very nice career for himself. Talking to (team president) Masai (Ujiri), talking to everyone here, we’ve watched him a ton and I know a lot of people have seen him kill us. As a basketball player, as a vet, he provides a lot of value to us.”
- After his new three-year deal with the Raptors was formally announced on Friday, Canadian center Khem Birch told reporters he was focused throughout free agency on returning to the team, as Doug Smith of The Toronto Star writes. “It feels like a dream come true,” Birch said. “It’s so surreal right now … just one of those free agencies where I knew where I wanted to go. I don’t even know what other teams were interested in me. I just wanted to come here regardless of the price or the years or anything. I just knew this was a great fit. I’m just happy I’m here.”
- The Raptors will generate a traded player exception as a result of the Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade to Miami. It’ll be worth somewhere between $4.8MM and $7.7MM, depending on the specific structure of Lowry’s new contract, writes Blake Murphy of The Athletic.
- Speaking to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, Raptors chairman Larry Tanenbaum confirmed that Masai Ujiri‘s new vice chairman title won’t give him an ownership stake in the franchise, but said it reflects his standing in the organization. “I chair the Raptors, but it’s just a recognition that we’re really working together,” Tanenbaum said. “We’re partners.”
- Tanenbaum added in the same interview that the team’s plan is to have Lowry retire as a Raptor down the road and to retire his number. “He will retire as a Raptor and his number will absolutely go up there,” Tanenbaum said. “The honor will be the first one (for the Raptors) and I love Kyle.”
Have no issues with FVV, Trent, Dragic and Flynn manning the back court
Wish we had more size and bulk up front at the center position. Really like Birch who could fill in as our staying C BUT not as our starting C
Actually quite excited about what we have. Will be interesting to see if Siakim gets trade , possibly a 3 team trade
GS gets Simmons + draft pics
Philly gets Siakim +draft pics
Raps get Wiseman, Wiggins + draft pics
or
…Or…Why would the Warriors want to trade Wiseman and Wiggins? It makes no sense.
Why would Philly do this? We then have a log jam at the 4? Who are our guards and wings? This creates so much roster imbalance. You would have to add other trades or reset/rebuild completely.
I do like Siakim but not for Ben. Perhaps Tobias for Siakim but even then it magnifies our problem issues and creates an even clunkier offense.
LOL Tobias for Siakam. Good one bro.
I agree why would philly trade a solid 20 8 and 6 who is a leader and plays D for a inconsistent weak defender coming off shoulder surgery.
Size and bulk aren’t hallmarks of 2021 NBA centre success
Dragic to Mavs for Powell Burke Terry
I would talk up Dragic as much as possible too. Showcase him as much as you can and get something of value for him. Salary matching, whatever it is.
They lack that true big. Precious is undersized. And if they keep Siakam I think they run him in more of a small ball 5 role to get him on the floor with Dragic, FvF, Scottie, and OG. They have a decent squad.
They have so many guys that could theoretically play at the 5 or 4 spots for them
I could see maybe Isaiah Hartenstien making sense for them in that role you’re mentioning
If Toronto adds one more shooter, I’m really liking their roster. Dragic fits what they need too, so I doubt they move him. Still really sad to see him go. I hope the Heat will be able to bring him back as soon as next year. Pat Riley made sure he got paid, and he should also be on a competitive team, which could potentially give the Heat some problems. I dont think I want to match up with them
As has been said numerous times in the last couple of years, Kyle Lowry brings something the Heat havent had in a while with great defense at the guard spot. Now they have issues on the wing, but hopefully they can add something there
Achiuwa definitely still has a lot of potential. I’ve said he kind of has some similarities between James Johnson, Bam, and Montrezl Harrell. If he gets slightly better defensively, or adds a more consistent jump shot, he will potentially be a really good player in this league. I thought he should have played in the Milwaukee series. He played really well against them late in the regular season
I’ll be interested to see if they might give Scottie Barnes some looks at PG in a really lengthy, versatile lineup, or just stick with him at the 4/5, with Siakam, Boucher, or even OG Anunoby in small lineups…Even losing Kyle Lowry, I feel like their defense is going to be really, really good. There are low cost guys they could add for that shooter as well
…I actually forgot they added a couple of guys that could be interesting fits, like Dekker, but as I’ve alluded to previously, he has always been inconsistent with his jumpshot. But the addition of him, and the international guy they just added…man their roster is super versatile
E’twan Moore, Garrison Matthews, Svi Mykhailiuk, Glenn Robinson III all make some sense to me as an option, or there might be a couple of summer league guys worth giving looks to
Yeah it’s surprising people seem to be writing them off this year – they’ll definitely be in the mix for a playoff spot.
Birch is happy about the contract, but also happy the FO did not acquire any center that is any much better than him. Boucher is in his contract year so will be motivated to play for stats. But he is no Vucevic, and Achuiwa as a FO favorite is no Bamba in potential. It is his job and he can be team-oriented.