Toronto Raptors 2026 Offseason Part 1: RJ Barrett extension, star trade & more | Third Apron Podcast
Es Baraheni of The Athletic and Raptors Republic joins the show again to discuss the Raptors’ upcoming offseason. We give our takeaways from the Cavaliers series, who is worth investing in on the roster, and go through the challenges they’ll have to upgrade it.
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Trade idea: Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick, 2 seconds and the 19th pick to Bulls for Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith.
Es for pres!!
To appreciate Scottie Barnes game, you have to watch the game. Box score doesn't really capture how he contributes all over the court
Jakob Poeltl Mogbo Dick 3 first round picks 28 30 31 to Pelicans for Trey Murphy and Quickley to Memphis for Pope and Edey
This was a great opportunity to explain the politics surrounding the raptors, not sure why Es didn’t correct him on a number of assumptions.
We should stay hungry but you have to do it a day before or on draft day. This is a way without doing a first round pick trade. BI doesn’t fit what the other top 10 need both sides of court. BI = Andrew Wiggins + a future 2nd R pick. A W fits us better and BI fits Miami. Miami could move him if they want to get into Bucks or other big trade.
AW with make $30 next year but we could extend him for less and descending while he ages. Maybe $25, 25, 23, 21. Then you could sign RJ to extension high $20s 4 year extension. AW starts first year then move him to bench as CMB starts. AW better above the break 3s and off/def splits make him better for Darko vision. RJ, AW, IQ your 2,3,4 options depending on night and matchups.
J Murray + Camron Johnson = IQ + BI is another move. I would do a pick swap this year 26 and 2028.
Both of above them move GD + JMo + 2nd for Jalen Smith as h is a better backup C and let’s SM more usage at Forward.
2026-27 option 1: IQ, JS, 1st pick; J’KW, RJ, A Martin; A Wiggins, Sandro, A Lawson; SB, CMB, J Battle; JP, JS, TJ-D RJ off bench but still gets 30 mpg and maybe more usage.
Option 2: JMurry, JS, 26 1st R pick; J’KW, RJ’ A Martin; Cam J, Sandro, AL; SB, CMB, J Battle; JP, Jalen Smith, TJ-D 82 games long season everyone of the top 12 will play JP no back to backs which give more mins to say ( CMB, Sandro and TJ-D )
Option 3: Suggs, JS, 26 1st pick; J’KW, RJ, AM; A WIGGINS, Sandro, AL; SB, CMB, J B; JP, Goga, T J-D
There are many ways beyond this to reform the team example op 3 maybe you don’t trade BI for Wiggins but that makes other signings like Sandro tougher.
Key point is our FO has been Too Lazy last 5-6 years needs to be more aggressive! All these options “on Paper” make team more cohesive and better salary flexibility.
Pels couldn’t trade BI until the raptors came along lol as a Pels fan we were happy to unload his contract and now the Raptors are stuck for at least a couple years
Devon Booker makes sense, he's a staple for the city and franchise. Signing Jak to that extension was a bone-head move.
They have developing talent! Just matter of is it going to happen next year and with contract coming up are you going to gamble resigning someone who may not explode next year.
Yak+Dick+Picks to Sac for Sabonis, then blow up Denver's phone everyday trying to find a way to get Jamal Murray if they are going to move him, Denver has no picks in the future and can end up being in a real bleak future quick, they have a bad contract in Braun, and desperate need for some cap flexibility to retain Watson without losing him as an RFA, you could find a third team and get funky with some pick swaps with our 19th and Dens 26th or just offer Denver the pick swap and 1st+BI+IQ for our guy. Sac is not getting what they think for Sabonis. Go into the apron and resign Mamu, draft a shooting wing with 19/26. IF we could somehow pull off this obvious pipe dream scenario, Murray/RJ/SB/Mamu/Sabonis, with Shead/Walter/26/CMB is deep and a matchup nightmare. We could make a good run out of a very weak east. The Canadian duo of Murray + RJ, besides working together and having team Canada chemistry, would sell stupid merch and marketing and fire the fanbase up. The rebounds and outlets from Sabonis would have RJ and Scottie FEASTING in transition, still letting Jamal Murray play off ball, but also putting the ball in his hand to relieve some pressure off Scottie with a more fluid half court set, we'd have the spacing. It would be GLORIOUS
The prime example of why you take these pundits too seriously. They treat these players like NBA 2K. They sound professional. Yet ask them how much they lose at Proline or whatever gambling site. Every pick they get wrong. Sport is play and the ones making the money will always manipulate the game to fill their pockets.