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Bobby Webster of the Raptors
Toronto Raptors general manager Bobby Webster commented on his team potentially making a big trade this summer.
Despite fighting tooth and nail for seven games, the Raptors were eliminated from this year’s playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers, when they fell 4-3 in the series. Although they lost to Cleveland, it was still a very successful season for Toronto, which improved from 30 wins last year to 46 this season and a playoff spot. The team also saw several of its young players make huge strides, like recent first-round picks Collin-Murray Boyles and Ja’Kobe Walter, while getting All-Star seasons from veteran Brandon Ingram and budding superstar Scottie Barnes. So, even though the Raptors didn’t make it out of the first round, in many ways, it was still a successful year for the Raptors overall.
While the Raptors did many good things this year, ultimately, they did fall short in the playoffs, so this is a team that needs to make some big moves if it is going to seriously contend next year.
Speaking to the media at the year-end press conference, Webster was asked if the Raptors are open to a trade this summer to make the team better. According to the GM, the team is well-positioned to make a big move since they have all of their own draft picks and future salary flexibility.
“It’s like, can you take a bigger step with one of those deals? We’ve made incremental trades. We’ve obviously made big trades here. For those who know us here, we’re always going to be opportunistic in any trade market. It’s the reason we have kept all our first-round picks. Financially, we’re well-positioned in the future to take on money if we have to. But yeah, it gets back to sort of what the profile of this team is. Do you want to double down on defense, or do you think the offense needs help? So yeah, I think that’s where we’re looking at it. It would have to materially move us ahead from a contender standpoint,” Webster said.
Webster on possibility of making a big trade this summer: “We’re always going to be opportunistic in any trade market. It’s the reason we’ve kept all our first-round picks. Financially we’re well positioned… It would have to materially move us ahead from a contender standpoint”
This season, one of the biggest points of concern was the play of center Jakob Poeltl, who was banged up for much of the year and who played poorly even when he was in the lineup. The Raptors reportedly explored a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr. at the deadline, but they couldn’t figure out a way to move Poeltl in the deal, and the Utah Jazz acquired Jackson instead. There were also reports at the trade deadline that the Raptors were in talks with the Sacramento Kings for Domantas Sabonis, but they couldn’t reach an agreement.
Ultimately, the Raptors made a smaller deal with the Golden State Warriors, swapping a second-round pick for Trayce Jackson-Davis. This summer, though, the Raptors are expected to see what sort of upgrades they can make in the paint. With Jackson off the board, perhaps the team will link back up with the Kings and see what Sabonis will cost, or perhaps another big man’s name will emerge in trade talks. Either way, look for Webster to try to make a big move.
Adam Martin Adam Martin is a sports journalist with over 15 years of experience. He has a speciality in MMA, while also covering the Big 4 Sports. Adam is currently a contributor to Heavy.com, with previous experience working for The Toronto Star, Sportsnet, theScore, Bookies, BJPenn.com, and MMAOddsbreaker.com. More about Adam Martin
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