Lowe: Raptors are after Noel (and lots of other interesting stuff)

[greece66]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16621548/when-clock-strikes-midnight-friday-nba-contracts-flying-shelves

[Rondo9]

Sounds like Biyombo is gone.....

[max215]

Henson, as he points out, would be a nice option if we miss out on KD/Horford.

[Beat LA]

So I guess you could say that Zach's got the lowe-down on free agency?

[jpotter33]

Interesting about Noel with the Raptors. He certainly can't play with JV, so I'm not sure how much sense that makes. I don't think they have really anything to offer them up anyways (that they're willing to give up). Hopefully not anyways, because I'd still like to chase Noel for a trade, especially with some of the free agents or other trades we might make.

I also find it interesting that Atlanta is very hesitant to give that fifth year to Horford, which seems to be the only reason he might want to stay there over going to a better place like Boston. That could definitely help us convince him to sign here, especially if him and Durant decide on teaming up together.

[saltlover]

Sounds like Biyombo is gone.....

If they keep DeRozan, they can't afford Biyombo without making a trade, since they don't have Bird rights.

[freshinthehouse]

After Durant the FA I want Boston to target the most is Biyombo.  Dude is gonna be a double/double machine if he gets starters minutes, and his shot (both his jumper and at the line) continues to improve.

[Ilikesports17]

I wont pretend to be too familar with Toronto's assets, but they just drafted Poeltl and have Valunciunas on board already. Noel cant play with either of those guys, and Philly surely wont want either in return because half the reason they are trading Noel is because they already have too many bigs that cant shoot.

So what could Toronto give up for Noel and how would they fit Noel into their system?

Lowry or the unsigned Derozan would both be mega-overpays and after that the only things of value on that roster that I can see would be Powell and Carroll and it wouldnt make any sense as far as I can tell to trade either of those for another center.

[Big333223]

Interesting about Noel with the Raptors. He certainly can't play with JV, so I'm not sure how much sense that makes. I don't think they have really anything to offer them up anyways (that they're willing to give up). Hopefully not anyways, because I'd still like to chase Noel for a trade, especially with some of the free agents or other trades we might make.

I also find it interesting that Atlanta is very hesitant to give that fifth year to Horford, which seems to be the only reason he might want to stay there over going to a better place like Boston. That could definitely help us convince him to sign here, especially if him and Durant decide on teaming up together.

There are reports that OKC is also after Horford but to get him they'd have to gut their bench. Boston has the advantage that they could bring in both Durant and Horford and still have their core intact.

I've done too much convincing myself that this is a real possibility over the last month. I'm just setting myself up for disappointment again.

[mr. dee]

Does Sixers want another big in return for them?

[Sketch5]

Interesting about Noel with the Raptors. He certainly can't play with JV, so I'm not sure how much sense that makes. I don't think they have really anything to offer them up anyways (that they're willing to give up). Hopefully not anyways, because I'd still like to chase Noel for a trade, especially with some of the free agents or other trades we might make.

I also find it interesting that Atlanta is very hesitant to give that fifth year to Horford, which seems to be the only reason he might want to stay there over going to a better place like Boston. That could definitely help us convince him to sign here, especially if him and Durant decide on teaming up together.

There are reports that OKC is also after Horford but to get him they'd have to gut their bench. Boston has the advantage that they could bring in both Durant and Horford and still have their core intact.

I've done too much convincing myself that this is a real possibility over the last month. I'm just setting myself up for disappointment again.

Yeah, if OKC proposes gutting the bench for Horford, hopefully KD is smart enough to know that wont work. That was part of their issue was no bench help.

You add Horford and Durant to the C's they have a VERY good bench. And then you can add an other maz FA and a possible top 10 prospect next year, you're rolling. Maybe bundle a couple youngs and picks for a solid bench player, and maybe get Dudley or Pau. Boston had  aclean slate when it comes to their line up compared to most teams in the hunt.

[ssspence]

Classic quote:

"Normally teams don't get much upside from one-year deals; the Kings purchased six months of stat-hoggery from Rajon Rondo, and can now either let him walk or overpay him based on inflated numbers. It's like choosing between cauliflower and lima beans."

[Fireworks_Boom!]

I want nothing to do with Biyombo. He has no offensive skills whatsoever and whoever pays the massive contract he will get as a result of one solid playoff series, will be regretful of it.

After Durant the FA I want Boston to target the most is Biyombo.  Dude is gonna be a double/double machine if he gets starters minutes, and his shot (both his jumper and at the line) continues to improve.

[fantankerous]

I wont pretend to be too familar with Toronto's assets, but they just drafted Poeltl and have Valunciunas on board already. Noel cant play with either of those guys, and Philly surely wont want either in return because half the reason they are trading Noel is because they already have too many bigs that cant shoot.

So what could Toronto give up for Noel and how would they fit Noel into their system?

Lowry or the unsigned Derozan would both be mega-overpays and after that the only things of value on that roster that I can see would be Powell and Carroll and it wouldnt make any sense as far as I can tell to trade either of those for another center.

Terrence Ross.

[fantankerous]

Classic quote:

"Normally teams don't get much upside from one-year deals; the Kings purchased six months of stat-hoggery from Rajon Rondo, and can now either let him walk or overpay him based on inflated numbers. It's like choosing between cauliflower and lima beans."

He really threw cauliflower and lima beans under the bus.  He really needs to visit a Yotam Ottolenghi restaurant.