It doesn't seem like it. They should be trying to win now. But, it looks like their primary concern is slashing costs. Either the owner is hurting really badly or they have no confidence that they can win with Randolph. I would not be surprised to see him traded at the deadline. I don't think Gay is that great a player, but swapping him out for Prince, Davis and Daye (especially after saying they no longer needed to trade Gay) doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. It looks very much like they're going to tear the whole thing down.
the New owner is a tech guy, in his early 30's and loaded. I see this as more about installing a "Morey-ball" system and the first step to that is Cap efficiency. Morey started that way while slashing payroll.
Not if you take the not-unpopular view that Rudy Gay's departure is addition by subtraction. I'm sure the Grizz are selling it both ways, cut costs and get better.
Prince is a really good player, his defense is still really good and he can score...not as good as Gay can but he can really get going. I think he'll mesh right away with that team.
And I'd agree. Even if you exclude the money issue, I think this trade gave them a new future (with Ed and $ pressure to make new moves) and improved today's team (Prince should get new life on a new winning team, play better D than Gay and won't take shots from Zach and Marc). I'd give them a B+ as a fan (which I'm not).
I remember awhile ago some user was claiming that the Raptors were racist and that they kept getting rid of black PG's in favor of Calderon. Well I guess this trade debunks that myth, lol.
They are capped out. They can't sign anyone. Gay is overpaid, but at least take a shot with him. Worst case if it doesn't work out trade him in the offseason. I don't think it helps the griz in the short term.
I think the raptors knew this was the only way to get in talent because all of their fa signings have been terrible (turk and fields). They will always have to overpay for mediocre talent. With gay they do have a bonafide go to scorer and I think their next step will be trading bargs and fields for a decent big because those 2 are contracts that aren't producing. Players they could consider would be gasol, millsap or any big locked in for a few seasons. Millsap only because he's restricted and they would absolutely match even if the figures were 10-12.
They were hardly 'contending' by keeping Gay. They were off the pace, and were not in the conversation with OKC, SA or LAC. They have the Warriors and Denver breathing down their necks as far as home court goes, so not even that was a given. They don't lose much. Their February schedule looks amazingly east for them, so expect them to build some confidence heading into the back end of the season.
Millsap is unrestricted. But I agree with everything else. Won't be surprised if they pull of an Bargnagni & Fields for Gasol deal too.
If they did trade for Gasol, I wonder if a team of Lowry, Derozan, Gay, Johnson, Gasol could make up the 8 game deficit to make the playoffs.
How would they get Gasol though? Considering LA would be wanting to either shed his salary for next season OR bring back something of value? Perhaps Valanciunas/ Fields/ Bargnani for Pau and Peace might tempt the Lakers?
Yup...say what you want about Rudy Gay, but he was the only player on that team who had the ability to really create for himself.
