Congrats 2019 NBA Champs - Toronto Raptors

sew · Nov 18, 2019

J.R. said: ↑

Right call or should they get a ring too?

Raptors won't give Valanciunas, Wright and Miles championship rings

The Raptors handed out their championship diamond encrusted rings to their returning players still on the roster as well as Jodie Meeks and Eric Moreland who made the trek up to Toronto on opening night to claim their individual trophies from the championship year.

Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green will get theirs as well. Jeremy Lin and Jordan Loyd who are both playing overseas will get theirs at some point.

All told the 15 players on the roster on June 13th as well as the coaches and all team staff received a ring.

But three players, three players with varying ties to the organization won’t be receiving rings.

Delon Wright, Jonas Valanciunas, and CJ Miles, the three players involved in the Marc Gasol deal at the trade deadline in February will not be getting rings the Sun learned.

Raptors GM Bobby Webster confirmed post-game Saturday that all three would not be getting rings.

“Its not an easy decision,” Webster began, “but, to be honest I think it’s standard. I mean we did our homework, we talked to teams and I think – I don’t remember – there was maybe one scenario where a team offered one. I think it was Anderson Varejao in Golden State but I think it was a really unique circumstance.”

It was clearly an uncomfortable discussion for Webster to be having.

“It’s obviously not a feel-good thing but I think that’s the way the league is,” he said.

Management with some input from the players made the decision on who was entitled to a ring.

Webster was asked if the team had considered making an exception, like the Warriors did for Varejao, for Valanciunas, clearly the longest serving member of that trio at 61/2 seasons.

”I think Varejao was just different,” Webster said. “ I think they had to waive him for a roster reason. I don’t think they wanted to trade him. I forget but it was a little bit different. We obviously thought about it but at the end of the day it’s who was on the court June 13th. That’s kind of how we decided it.”

Webster said there were no plans to let the players know in advance that the rings would not be coming.

“No I mean you could easily start that and then where does it stop, right?,” he said. “They are no right lines here so I think it just kind of it is what it is.”
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As a Raptor fan, I'm pretty disappointed in MLSE for this. I understand there is precedents, but it just feels bad.

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Congrats 2019 NBA Champs - Toronto Raptors

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