Latest news with #RJBarrett
Toronto Sun
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Toronto Raptors mailbag: Is Giannis coming to town? RJ Barrett on the move?
Part 1 of the mailbag keys on trade rumours. Get the latest from Ryan Wolstat straight to your inbox RJ Barrett of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this season. Getty Images It has been a while since we did a Toronto Raptors mailbag. But with the most insane lottery in recent memory completed and the NBA draft just a month away, now's as good a time as any to take reader questions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Here's part 1 with a thanks as always for the questions. Part 2, with more of a focus on the draft and ownership changes, will drop later in the week: Sean @Whispering375: Why would Raptors look to trade RJ Barrett? He's been a bucket-getter. Who would you move this summer? @D13Drafts asks: 'It seems that RJ Barrett is the most likely piece of the core to be moved. What do you think is a likely destination for RJ & do you expect to see movement on that front?' Ryan Wolstat: It's a fair take D13 and one I've made myself in past columns (arguing either Barrett or Ochai Agbaji might have to go at some point to avoid the luxury tax). Though Barrett checks a lot of boxes (at 24, he's actually the second-youngest 'core' piece, not including the ninth pick of this coming draft, he's the leading scorer each of the last two seasons, a homegrown star and puts a lot of pressure on the rim, unlike most of his teammates), he likely has a more moveable contract than other core Raptors. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Immanuel Quickley arguably has a more-needed key skill, with his ability to hit pull-up three-pointers, than Barrett, Brandon Ingram isn't going anywhere and the team believes in Gradey Dick and Ja'Kobe Walter a lot, making Barrett perhaps superfluous because Ingram will replace his points and, between Dick and Walter, they can absorb the bulk of the shooting guard minutes (with Agbaji potentially playing some as well or Quickley sliding over beside Jamal Shead). And Sean, I agree on the sentiment of why move him? It was a bit odd Toronto didn't push Barrett for all-star consideration at all even though he was the leading scorer and was putting up insane numbers at home. They like him and opted for a deal that included him from New York instead of other variations that didn't, but don't seem to value the Canadian connection, the work ethic, personality, bucket-getting abilities and improved defensive commitment as they should (clearly I like Barrett more than many people do). Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. I don't see what the Raptors do with Dick and would be intrigued what he'd fetch on the market, but not sure it would be enough to give up on him now (if he has another overall year like this past campaign, though, it would be hard to get any value for him), but not sure there's any other obvious choice to trade, unless Agbaji could get you something nice before you have to potentially overpay him. As for who might be interested in Barrett? Hard to say right now until we see bigger dominos fall around the league. If he is dealt, it would be stunning to see it happen this off-season instead of next or even in season (unless it's to make the money work in a deal returning a superstar). Which brings us to: Pierro @Oliaros2: How good a chance to the Raps have at landing Giannis Antetokounmpo and do you know if that's even a serious consideration? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Chris Hill: Do you think they're serious players for Giannis? RW: Went over this in more detail earlier this month. While Masai Ujiri has surprised me in the past (I was as big a Kawhi rumour sceptic as you can get) we just can't imagine they have an offer good enough to get it done. It would take Giannis saying 'move me to Toronto and Toronto only' for it to happen, realistically. Plenty of teams can blow the best Raptors package out of the water since the team fell to ninth in the lottery from seventh. Toronto's best offer (something like Barnes, No. 9, two of Dick, Walter, Agbaji, their 2026 first, 2027 first swap option, 2028 first, 2029 first swap option) looks OK until you think about alternatives for the Bucks, who don't control most of their future draft picks so have little incentive to stink the next couple of years, meaning they'd either want a lot more instant help than Toronto can offer, or control of their picks back. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Houston could offer all-star Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard plus better picks or Jabari Smith, Sheppard and picks. San Antonio could offer the second pick of the draft (likely Dylan Harper) and pieces to make salary work, plus other picks. Orlando could build a package around Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs plus picks (or Paolo Banchero, but that's probably unlikely). New Orleans could give Milwaukee its picks back (acquired in the Jrue Holiday trade) and Zion Williamson or something like that and we're probably missing a team or two. For what it's worth, Vegas believes Milwaukee is about 50-50 to keep Giannis. San Antonio and Houston have the best odds of trading for him, followed by Brooklyn, Miami and New York, though the latter three are significant longshots. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. To me, Houston makes the most sense with a bunch of variations to make it happen. Read More Spencer Smith: How is it possible that the Raptors had the 26th-ranked defensive rating in 2023-24 with OG and Pascal on the team??? RW: If you were watching closely that year, it was clear Anunoby was not the same dude he was in a fully motivated 2022-23, when he led the NBA in steals and deflections and should have made the all-defensive first team instead of the second. While OG wasn't exactly doing the full Vince Carter 'I quit,' he wasn't having close to his usual impact (and, like Carter, once he landed in the New York area, he took back off and turned back into the player he had been before). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Siakam's drop-off defensively was stark that year, too, likely a result of the trade rumours, declining relationship with the front office and lack of coherence with Darko Rajakovic. Toronto also replaced Fred VanVleet's pesky brand of defence with Dennis Schroder and Malachi Flynn — sub-optimal, to say the least — leading to many more breakdowns, plus Gary Trent Jr. took two or three steps backwards defensively from the previous year. All that said, once Siakam and Anunoby were traded and when the remaining players pretty much all got hurt or had to leave the team for personal matters, the Raptors slipped to 29th defensively and rarely won a game. So they were still better defensively with Siakam and Anunoby at, say, 60% of their capabilities, than without them entirely. Canada Canada Money News Tennis Music
National Post
28-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Toronto Raptors mailbag: Is Giannis coming to town? RJ Barrett on the move?
It has been a while since we did a Toronto Raptors mailbag. But with the most insane lottery in recent memory completed and the NBA draft just a month away, now's as good a time as any to take reader questions. Article content Article content Here's part 1 with a thanks as always for the questions. Part 2, with more of a focus on the draft and ownership changes, will drop later in the week: Article content Sean @Whispering375: Why would Raptors look to trade RJ Barrett? He's been a bucket-getter. Who would you move this summer? Article content Article content @D13Drafts asks: 'It seems that RJ Barrett is the most likely piece of the core to be moved. What do you think is a likely destination for RJ & do you expect to see movement on that front?' Article content Ryan Wolstat: It's a fair take D13 and one I've made myself in past columns (arguing either Barrett or Ochai Agbaji might have to go at some point to avoid the luxury tax). Article content Though Barrett checks a lot of boxes (at 24, he's actually the second-youngest 'core' piece, not including the ninth pick of this coming draft, he's the leading scorer each of the last two seasons, a homegrown star and puts a lot of pressure on the rim, unlike most of his teammates), he likely has a more moveable contract than other core Raptors. Article content Immanuel Quickley arguably has a more-needed key skill, with his ability to hit pull-up three-pointers, than Barrett, Brandon Ingram isn't going anywhere and the team believes in Gradey Dick and Ja'Kobe Walter a lot, making Barrett perhaps superfluous because Ingram will replace his points and, between Dick and Walter, they can absorb the bulk of the shooting guard minutes (with Agbaji potentially playing some as well or Quickley sliding over beside Jamal Shead). Article content Article content It was a bit odd Toronto didn't push Barrett for all-star consideration at all even though he was the leading scorer and was putting up insane numbers at home. They like him and opted for a deal that included him from New York instead of other variations that didn't, but don't seem to value the Canadian connection, the work ethic, personality, bucket-getting abilities and improved defensive commitment as they should (clearly I like Barrett more than many people do). Article content I don't see what the Raptors do with Dick and would be intrigued what he'd fetch on the market, but not sure it would be enough to give up on him now (if he has another overall year like this past campaign, though, it would be hard to get any value for him), but not sure there's any other obvious choice to trade, unless Agbaji could get you something nice before you have to potentially overpay him.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aires Announces Record First Quarter 2025 Revenue of $5.38 Million & 164% YoY Sales Growth
Gross Profit increased 184% YoY Gross Margin increased 500 basis points to 65% 2025 Guidance maintained: Sales of $28M to $32M, adjusted EBITDA of -$2M loss to $2M profit Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 26, 2025) - American Aires Inc. (CSE: WiFi) (OTCQB: AAIRF) ("Aires" or the "Company"), a pioneer in advanced technology designed to optimize electromagnetic field (EMF) environments to support health and well-being, announces filing its unaudited Q1/2025 results on Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are reported in Canadian dollars. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company's reported sales increased by 164% year-over-year, for a first quarter record of $5.38 million compared to combined sales of $2.04 million in the year ago quarter. The quarter's increase in reported sales was driven largely by the efficient deployment of scaled-up advertising and marketing budgets, which included strategic partnerships the Company entered into during 2024 with the UFC, the WWE, Canada Basketball, and high profile athletes, including NHL star John Tavares and NBA star RJ Barrett; to note, 2025 will mark the Company's first full year of leveraging its partnerships with UFC, WWE, and Canada Basketball. The quarterly performance extends the Company's multi-year trend of strong revenue growth through widening its user base, opening new market segments, and expanding its overall reach and brand name recognition. To date, Management is pleased with its ability to maintain the strong sales momentum created in late 2024 through the seasonally slow first quarter, which was a key part of the Company's overall strategy for 2025. Cash as of March 31, 2025 was reported at $1.55 million, and Inventory was reported at $2.20 million. Continued investments in scaling up promotional efforts contributed to increased advertising and marketing expenses in Q1 (see details below), which resulted in an adjusted EBITDA loss reported at $1.56 million compared to a combined adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.88 million in the year ago quarter. Management anticipates adjusted EBITDA to improve over the coming quarters as the Company continues to realize incremental benefits from the partnerships mentioned above and from multiple line items that the Company has renegotiated to lower Aires' Cost of Goods, including lowered product and fulfillment costs. Aires CEO, Josh Bruni, commented: "Delivering triple-digit revenue growth in Q1 is a clear signal that our strategy is working - and that our long-term investments are compounding. While we remain in an intentional investment phase, every move we're making is designed to build durable value - expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and setting the foundation for long-term profitability. This quarter, we advanced that mission on multiple fronts. Aires expanded from product to platform - launching Aires Certified Spaces™, partnering with the Minnesota Timberwolves to create the world's first EMF-optimized sports arena, strengthening our presence in elite performance through partners like UFC and WWE, and reaching mass-market audiences through national platforms like Military Makeover with Montel Williams. As Aires remains focused on shaping the future of environmental wellness, electromagnetic environments are finally being recognized as critical to human performance, comfort, and resilience [1,2]. The results we delivered in Q1 position Aires to continue leading this movement, unlocking new revenue streams, and accelerating toward profitability." 2025 Guidance Update Taking into account the traditional seasonality of the Company's performance, where order volumes and sales generally increase progressively over Q2, Q3 and Q4, Management reconfirms 2025 guidance ranges announced on January 27, 2025, with the expectation of Sales in the $28 million to $32 million range and adjusted EBITDA in the range of a $2 million loss to a $2 million profit. As noted when Management first provided 2025 guidance, the Company has demonstrated consistent and substantial organic revenue growth over the past three years, with year-over-year increases of 128% in 2022, 79% in 2023 (using the combined Aires and HUCK non-IFRS revenue figures for 2023 - more detailed information is provided in the Annual 2024 MD&A), and 73% in 2024 (using the combined Aires and HUCK non-IFRS revenue figures for 2023). This historical performance provides the basis for the 2025 projection, with Management anticipating continued revenue growth in the 55% to 77% range. This range of revenue growth reflects the Company's strategic focus on optimizing operational efficiency to improve profitability while maintaining healthy growth rates. As the year progresses and additional data on the efficiency and performance of the Company's growth initiatives becomes available, the Company will revise these ranges if appropriate. Advertising expenses have been the primary driver of organic revenue growth, with a strong correlation between increased spending and higher sales. While the Company sees advertising expenses increasing year-over-year in 2025, management's strategic focus on optimizing advertising efficiency, and profitability in general, is expected to lower the advertising expenses as a percentage of revenue. This assumption is based on management's expectation that existing marketing initiatives and partnerships (from late 2024) will yield higher efficiency over time and are expected to contribute positively to the advertising-expenses-over-revenues metric. Unlike previous years, the Company does not anticipate launching new high-profile and high-cost partnerships in 2025, which is expected to reduce the need for incremental advertising investment while still supporting revenue growth. Marketing expenses are expected to increase year-over-year, reflecting the high-profile partnerships the Company entered into in late 2024. Lastly, management has initiated several cost-cutting measures which are expected to reduce cost of goods sold (through lower product costs, fulfillment costs and payment processing fees) and, as a result, improve gross margin percentage. Overhead expenses are expected to increase modestly with the overall increase in business activity. Q1/2025 Financial Highlights Reported sales increased by 164% year-over-year to a first quarter record of $5.38 million compared to combined sales of $2.04 million in the year ago quarter. Gross Profit increased 184% year-over-year to $3.48 million from $1.23 million in the year ago quarter, and Gross Margin percentage was reported at 65% versus 60% in the same period last year. The improvement in Gross Margin percentage was the combined result of multiple Company strategies, including realization of lowered products costs during the year based on higher purchasing volumes as well as reductions in certain fulfillment costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, Advertising and Promotion expenses increased 122% year-over-year to $2.40 million and Marketing expenses saw an increase of 241% year-over-year to $1.89 million. The increase in Advertising expenses was consistent with Management expectations as the Company continued executing its full-year strategy focused on strong, high-double-digit sales growth and building Aires into a well-recognized brand in the EMF optimization segment. The Company has historically found strong advertising investment in Q1 is essential for continuing and building sales momentum following the seasonally strong holiday shopping in Q4, while also continuing to engage consumers to lay the foundation for the Company's progressive quarter over quarter sales growth over Q2, Q3 and Q4. The increase in Marketing expenses was also consistent with Management expectations primarily due to the continued amortization of marketing partnership contracts such as with UFC, WWE, Canada Basketball and Minnesota Timberwolves. Q1/2024 did not include any of those partnerships as the Company entered into the aforementioned agreements in late 2024 and early 2025. The Company notes that the marketing partnerships it has developed, together with the ability to create and leverage related co-branded content for use in the Company's marketing strategy and campaigns, helped drive order volume and sales growth in Q1/2025. In addition, as the Company sought to diversify its marketing agency engagements to improve sales performance, two new marketing agencies were engaged during Q1/2025 while the Company was simultaneously ramping down its engagement with its previous marketing company during the quarter. Table 1: Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) (in Canadian Dollars) RevenueQ1 2025 Q1 2024 POP %Sales $ 5,376,114$ 2,037,395 164%Cost of sales $ (1,894,942)$ (811,865) 133%Gross margin $ 3,481,172 $ 1,225,529 184%Gross margin %65% 60% Expenses Advertising and promotion $ (2,402,103)$ (1,083,848) 122%Marketing $ (1,890,057)$ (554,874) 241%Office and general, rent and travel $ (199,759)$ (130,242) 53%Consulting, salaries and benefits $ (625,828)$ (440,105) 42%Legal and professional $ (147,163)$ (21,187) 595%Share-based compensation $ (79,578)$ - N/AInterest charges $ (115,849)$ (44,882) 158%Depreciation $ (33,713)$ (33,334) 1%Net Income (Loss) $ (2,012,879)$ (1,082,942) 86%Management reconciliation to non-GAAP measuresNet Income (Loss) $ (2,012,879 ) $ (1,082,942 )86%Interest charges $ 115,849$ 44,882 158%Depreciation $ 33,713$ 33,334 1%Investor relations consulting $ 222,493$ 127,829 74%Share-based compensation $ 79,578$ - N/AAdjusted EBITDA $ (1,561,245 ) $ (876,897 )78%About American Aires Inc. American Aires Inc. is a Canadian-based nanotechnology company committed to enhancing well-being and environmental safety through science-led innovation, education, and advocacy. The company is selling a line of proprietary patented silicon-based resonator products that optimize electromagnetic field (EMF) environments to support health and well-being.* Aires' Lifetune products diffract EMF radiation emitted by consumer electronic devices such as cellphones, computers, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi, including the more powerful and rapidly expanding high-speed 5G networks. The Aires Certified SpacesTM ( standard is a set of protocols for implementing EMF modulation solutions to create authorized EMF-friendly spaces that support well-being in a tech-driven world. Aires is listed on the CSE under the ticker 'WiFi' and on the OTCQB under the symbol 'AAIRF'. Learn more at and *Note: Based on the Company's internal and peer-reviewed research studies and clinical trials. For more information please visit Sources: 1. (see "Electromagnetic pollution" sub-section)2. On behalf of the board of directors Company Contact: Josh Bruni, CEOWebsite: wifi@ (415) 707-0102 Investor Relations ContactNikhil Thadani(905) 667-6692nik@ This news release refers to certain financial performance measures that are not defined by and do not have a standardized meaning under International Financial Reporting Standards including "Adjusted EBITDA" (termed "Non-IFRS measures"). Non-IFRS measures are used by management to assess the financial and operational performance of the Company. The Company believes that these Non-IFRS measures, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, enable investors to evaluate the Company's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a similar manner to the Company's management. As there are no standardized methods of calculating these Non-IFRS measures, the Company's approach may differ from those used by others, and accordingly, the use of these measures may not be directly comparable. Accordingly, these Non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. The Corporation defines EBITDA as earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation. Adjusted EBITDA removes irregular and non-recurring items that distort EBITDA. Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position and financial measures, YoY sales growth in 2024, sales growth resulting from advertising and promotion expenses, marketing partnerships, international expansion, ability to attract US-based investors, efficiency and effectiveness of the Company's advertising model, future market position, growth, innovations, global impact, business strategy, achieving universal brand awareness and brand development, product adoption, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, 2024 being our best year ever, continuing our trajectory of revenue growth, relationships with athletes, celebrities and performers, the size and growth of the consumer market focused on wellbeing and EMF protection, strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, the occurrence of force majeure events, developments and changes in laws and regulations, competitive factors, and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. We seek safe harbour. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
New York Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Star who best fits in Toronto, overpaying free agents and more: Raptors mailbag
Once again, I must thank you all for the variety and volume of questions. You can read Part 1 of the Toronto Raptors mailbag here. Let's get right to the questions, thus leaving room for a gratuitous joke or two. (Note: Some questions have been edited for clarity and length.) If there was a significant upgrade trade available to make that had the Raptors pushing in most of their picks as well as some trade ballast, which position and for whom would you trade? Would it be an upgrade at centre to (Jakob) Poetl, an upgrade around RJ (Barrett), or an upgrade at the point guard position for (Immanuel) Quickley? And are there any candidates you can think of on a second apron mess of a team (Phoenix?), or even a contender whose window looks like it's shut (Boston, Bucks), who the Raptors may consider? — Gregor B. Beggars cannot be choosers, Gregor. We have yet to see Brandon Ingram play, but the half-court offence is the biggest problem on the team. I wouldn't look at things positionally, but rather who could do the most to help in that aspect. Ignoring the Giannis of it all — if he becomes available, the Raptors should make their best offer — Devin Booker interests me the most. There is no indication the Phoenix Suns want to trade him, but he is the type of scoring machine the Raptors could use. Advertisement Plus, think of the content opportunities with Booker and The Raptor. Most non-Canadian analysts are confused by the Raptors because they see four guys who want the ball in their hands and want to make decisions. But isn't that the whole point of Darko Rajaković's system? Is there a chance Quickley, RJ, Ingram and Scottie Barnes can buy in and play some beautiful basketball based off the pass and surprise people? (With Poeltl as the 5.) — James R. The perceived issue is not that four guys want the ball in their hands. It's that, aside from Quickley, there isn't much proof they can be effective offensively without it. I'd dispute that a bit with Barrett, who is awesome at zipping around screens, taking handoffs and getting to the rim. But (in admittedly broad strokes) Ingram is a midrange merchant and Barnes' playmaking usually has him in the main action. I wouldn't rule out that beautiful basketball you've asked about. If Barnes screens more and improves his shooting, Ingram backs up more often and there is that buy-in that you mention, it can work, with Poeltl acting as a hub. A lot of ifs, but not impossible. Hey, E, do you think the sad state of the East next season will have any effect on how the front office operates this offseason? Even if we took a fairly big swing (bigger than the Ingram trade), I'd argue we're still pretty far away from the top of the East. So I'd lean towards 'no,' but curious what you think. — Big Gradey Energy I took part in a roundtable about this subject, so I'll direct you to that for most of my thoughts. Pending what happens in the offseason, Indiana, New York and Cleveland are still going to be very good, Boston will be competitive, Detroit had a good year from which to build, Orlando has a lot of upside, and teams such as Atlanta and Chicago have similar potential for upward mobility as the Raptors. Milwaukee and Philadelphia are wild cards, capable of 55 wins or 55 losses depending on the offseason and health. Advertisement In general, the conference's weakness should push teams such as the Raptors a smidgeon toward aggressiveness. It doesn't change the calculus too much, but it should provide a little more incentive to try to win in the present. What are the odds of the core of Quickley, Barrett, Barnes, Poeltl and Ingram staying on the team at the start of the season? As well as the odds of that core making it past the trade deadline? — Malik H. If I were a betting man and it wouldn't jeopardize my professional credibility, assuming I have any of that, I would bet on those five still being Raptors after the end of the season. As stated often, the Raptors have potential fit questions and definite financial issues, so I'm not ruling out a trade, but it isn't easy to construct one. If there is a trade, Barrett is the most likely to go because of the team's relative depth on the wing and his shorter, cheaper contract compared with Quickley's, Ingram's and Barnes'. He doesn't have a lot of (or maybe any) positive value, but trading him would be the simplest. If they have a disappointing year, Ingram and Poeltl instantly would become more likely to be dealt — assuming Poeltl doesn't sign a contract extension this offseason. (They can offer him an extension starting at $27.3 million this offseason.) Congratulations on the promotion at work, Eric. The Raptors have consistently overpaid in both money and term. Has it worked for them? Or do they need to revise that policy? Meanwhile, let's watch a few Raptors in the Eastern Conference finals. — Kevin M. Thanks, Kevin. If you're wondering what the main difference between being a staff writer and a senior writer is, it's that I now smoke cigars in rooms with mahogany bookshelves and complain about youths. (Just joking. I was doing that before, too.) When reading my colleague Michael Grange's column about OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam (and the end of the post-Kyle Lowry Raptors, in general), I was reminded of Masai Ujiri's saying, 'I personally don't think contracts were an issue because historically here the players know that we've taken care of the players here' in regard to the disappointing 2022-23 team that led to the departure of Fred VanVleet and eventual trades of Anunoby and Siakam. Advertisement I have two main thoughts about your question and the quote. First, though players pay attention to how teams treat their players, if it doesn't work out exactly the same for them, that ceases to matter. The Raptors' offering Lowry, VanVleet and others friendly deals even when markets didn't develop for them as they expected didn't matter to Siakam when he ultimately thought he was worth more than the Raptors were prepared to offer. It's one of those things where you don't want a bad reputation, but the goodwill it creates lasts as long as any individual is paid. Secondly, it's the role-player contracts that will kill you. We'll see how the Ingram and Quickley deals play out, but it's the Chris Boucher, Khem Birch and Gary Trent contracts that bother me more from a process standpoint. The length of the Birch deal likely cost the Raptors some draft equity in the Poeltl trade. If you're going to create one-team bidding wars, make sure the players are essential to your plan. Is it wrong to think Ja'Kobe (Walter) is the best/most interesting wing player on the roster? — Chris B. It isn't if we're talking about the younger players. His length makes him an intriguing defender, and he didn't appear too bothered by the NBA's physicality even in his rookie season. We will need to see how he develops offensively, but his rookie season showed me he could be an effective two-way player. Wondering who you think would be the best fit at No. 9 for the Raptors with the players that are likely to be available? — Patrick L. I am not going to pretend to be a draft expert. The Raptors aren't set anywhere that they should be avoiding any type of player. Saying that, in terms of pure fit, Arizona freshman Carter Bryant makes a lot of sense. Ignore his per-game stats — everything about his game says he could very easily turn into a very good 3-and-D role player. Also, he has a 7-foot wingspan. Raptors! Truly, that archetype fits anywhere. Of course, I was also very high on Dalen Terry, another long wing from Arizona with comically low usage. Ask Chicago Bulls fans about Terry. Or better yet, don't. Hi, Eric, how do you think Toronto is viewed as a destination for free agents now? Toronto seems to be in a weird grey area in the NBA, as it is a major North American city in terms of market size, with a massive population and crazy fans. But players have avoided us in the past, which is why we've typically had to trade for and then sign all our talent (see Ingram, Quickley, Poeltl) — Pietro P. First of all, trades have largely replaced free agency as the way major players change teams. It is easy to parse Ujiri's words and see there has been some difficulty getting superstars to be all in on coming to the Raptors, as players tend to have lots of say on where they end up in trades of that magnitude. Advertisement Beyond that, I'm not interested in the conversation. The weather and taxes are real, but it is not as if Oklahoma City is a destination. Yet, the Thunder signed Isaiah Hartenstein, the free agent who fit best with the team's young core, by building an amazing team and targeting him. Have you been to Oklahoma City? All apologies, but it is not bustling. I'm not a league historian, but I can't imagine there have been many better times to be a team in a non-glamour market. The CBA, with its punitive measures against overspending, is likely to ensure that continues to be the case. Are we ready to say that next year it's playoffs or bust? What expectations should the Raptors be setting for themselves? — Zac W. Let's wait until the offseason plays out for anything definitive here. We're definitely trending in that direction, though. (Top photo of RJ Barrett: Kevin Sousa / Getty Images)
New York Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Submit your Raptors questions for Eric Koreen's offseason mailbag
The Toronto Raptors did not get lucky in the NBA Draft lottery, falling from their seventh slot to No. 9. That will help them as they play footsie with the luxury tax threshold. However, they will still be limited in their spending power this offseason, likely only able to use their own Bird rights and minimum salaries to fill out their roster. There is also the whole Scottie Barnes/Brandon Ingram/RJ Barrett swingman logjam, which is either a problem or a strength depending on how you feel about the players in question. With the Eastern Conference potentially opening up near the top, there is a path to the playoffs for the Raptors next year. How they go about this offseason could impact their ability to step into that void. With that in mind, fire away with questions for Raptors writer Eric Koreen to answer in a mailbag. Eric Koreen May 20, 2025 Updated 2:19 pm EDT
