Raptors GM Masai Ujiri admits his franchise is in a transition phase, Gilbert McGregor of NBA.com relays. Ujiri discussed the state of the team with Jayme Poisson on CBC’s Front Burner podcast.
“We are not a team of ‘now,'” Ujiri said. “There are going to be growing pains, trust me, you know like, sometimes it’s going to be tough to watch but we know what’s coming, we know we’re excited about the young talent. They are excited to play – to see how, OG (Anunoby), Pascal (Siakam), Fred (VanVleet), are going to evolve as leaders – as elite players.”
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Lauri Markkanen, acquired by the Cavaliers from the Bulls in a sign-and-trade, says he’ll bring his new team more than just a stretch four option on offense, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. “Obviously I’m seven feet but I feel like I can do a lot of different stuff. I’m not strictly a post-up guy,” Markkanen said. “I’m not strictly a 3-point shooter. I’ve been shooting more 3s now but I feel I can do a lot more stuff — put the ball on the floor and create for others from there. That’s what I’m looking forward to doing. Just be active on both ends of the floor.”
- The Cavaliers will use a portion of their mid-level exception to sign point guard Kevin Pangos, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets. Pangos agreed to a two-year, $3.5MM contract with a first-year salary of $1.67MM. Pangos is receiving $700K above the rookie minimum, Marks notes.
- The biggest upgrade the Pacers made this offseason was on the sidelines, Zach Harper of The Athletic opines. While the front office acquired a couple of potentially important role players, the key move was hiring Rick Carlisle for a second stint as their head coach. Carlisle replaces Nate Bjorkgren, who quickly fell out of favor with the team’s players and even his staff, Harper adds.
Markkanen is here???? Tell us all about him.
@demian …. Please gives us that wisdom. That you hide and can’t find. What will he do for Cavs. Will it be all my fault lol. Please enlighten us.
I really hope the Raptors blow it up. They could be a great third team in a Simmons trade. I would love to see VanVleet on the Sixers.
They’re not getting anyone nearly that good for Simmons, unless the Sixers are willing to attach multiple first round picks to get rid of him.
Are you joking? Raptors would have to send Van Fleet, 2 unprotected 1s, and two pick swaps to get Simmons.
Simmons: 0 times past the second round, can’t shoot
Van Vleet: championship ring, clutch playoff shooter
Settle down buddy. Simmons ain’t worth Jack
Another delusional Philly fan. Hands down the worst fans when they’re teams (often) struggle
Van Vleet proudly isn’t a big market dude. Dream on…
If only Washington had sent Westbrook to Philly instead of LA.
Of course the Wizards aren’t stupid enough to take Simmons off their hands. But they stuck the Lakers with “the guy who gets more triple-doubles than his team gets wins” in a trade that people actually think gives LBJ & friends a shot at another championship.
Poor deluded fools will soon realize Westbrick doesn’t win rings.
@Greenwood
Says the guy who literally had “Westbrook MVP” in his account name when he was on the Rockets. This is why people think you are the worst, not because they have an irrational hatred for the Rockets as you have suggested.
It is really not a good look to constantly trash someone you used to publicly idolize bro @HardenWestbrook_MVPS
Uh, Toronto is a bigger market than Philly. It’s the biggest market in the league other than New York and LA.
Thanks for the trivia. It’s different because they single handedlyrepresent an entire nation (Canada). Hardly relevant to Van Vleet ever going to Philly. FAIK Ben Simmons is older than Van Vleet
Ben is a few years younger than FVV & a whole universe better as well!!!
Don’t want to trade any good hard working players for someone who accepts $200 million and then doesn’t produce, plays one dimensional ball and complains like a whiney child. Keep your problem.
Ujiri is in one of his delusional moments, again!
I mean TOR is not a team of the future, is a team of now… if you think that FVV & Siakam are going to be 28 at season’s end, well they ain’t exactly young players, or going to improve much, they have been at their prime for a couple seasons now!
TOR is just going to be a bad team, as simple as, & they have got no bright future neither, so I really can’t see what game Ujiri is playing, either he sticks with mediocrity or tries for the stars, but sure he ain’t trying right now!
Yes El Don, people have been speaking like this about the Raptors for their entire history. Many people were saying the same thing before they, ye know, traded for Kawhi Leonard and won a damn championship. Carry on.