Locked On Raptors

In Episode 1649, Sean Woodley goes solo to talk about the potential of the Toronto Raptors drafting a guard with their first pick in the 2024 NBA Draft later this month, and digs into the games of Duke's Jared McCain, Pitt's Bub Carrington and Marquette's Tyler Kolek. Off the top, Sean outlines the two boxes any guard draftee needs to check for the Raptors: high upside, and a good theoretical fit next to Immanueul Quickley long-term. Then, Sean details the game of the sharpshooting McCain, who is probably going to be an excellent shooter in the NBA -- but does he do enough else on offense to make him a viable long-term fit for the Raptors? Next, Sean talks about Carlton "Bub" Carrington, who at 6'5 with a very interesting pull-up game could have the kind of size and upside that makes him worth a swing at 19, even though the Raptors' more dire positional needs lie in the front court and on the wings. Lastly, Sean talks about Tyler Kolek, who while and older prospect, figures to have a pretty high floor as a lo

In Episode 1648, Sean Woodley is joined by Jamar Hinds (Raptors Republic) to play another round of Wing Madness, as they pull names of potential Toronto Raptors wing targets this summer and discuss their fit and viability either in trade or free agency. Off the top, Sean and Jamar chat about Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets and why his contractual status makes him probably too much of a risk for the Raptors to take at this point in time, before digging into Alex Caruso, who would be an incredible fit, but do the Raptors have the juice to trade for him? Next, they rattle through John Collins, who is decidely not a wing, and Mikal Bridges, who is maybe the perfect wing for the Raptors to go and offer all of their stuff in order to pair him with Scottie Barnes. Lastly, Sean and Jamar rip through quick takes on Naji Marshall of the New Orleans Pelicans, who could certainly be had in free agency, Tobias Harris, who is a no go, and Cam Johnson, who could be a perfectly cromulent stop gap. Join us on the Loc

In Episode 1647, Sean Woodley is joined by NBA prospect writer and scout Maxwell Baumbach of No Ceilings to chat about why the Toronto Raptors are picking in great spots in this year's NBA Draft considering the strengths and weaknesses of the class, some potential fits for the Raptors at 19th-overall, and to run through some of Sean's most firmly held opinions on this year's draft class and determine whether they're good or insane. Off the top, Sean and Maxwell chat about why by holding picks 19 and 31 in this unorthodox draft class, the Raptors are actually in a very enviable position. Plus, they examine the potential value of having the first pick of the second day of the draft at number 31 and why they can more or less "control the board" for the second round. Next, Maxwell details why he thinks Colorado wing Tristan da Silva, skilled Duke big man Kyle Filipowski, and Miami wing Kyshawn George could all be very nice withs the Raptors with the 19th pick. Lastly, Sean throws some of his most firmly held take

In Episode 1646, Sean Woodley goes solo to pull some names of potential Toronto Raptors wings targets out a bucket and offer quick 3-minute takes on whether or not they check the boxes the Raptors should be looking to check as they scour the league for upgrades on the wing this summer. Off the top, Sean kicks things off with an impassioned plea to just stop it with the Andrew Wiggins  talk, and a lukewarm breakdown of Caleb Martin, who might be one of the most likely targets for the Raptors in unrestricted free agency. Next, Sean digs into a pair of very unrealistic offseason targets in Paul George and, yes, OG Anunoby, before discussing Moses Moody's appeal as a potentially undervalued young piece on the Warriors who they might be able to swing a deal for before Golden State needs to contemplate a contract extension. Lastly, Sean digs into Keldon Johnson, who is not very wingy at all, and doesn't really fit the bill as well as Royce O'Neale, who is probably contender-bound, and De'Andre Hunter, who could be

In Episode 1645, Sean Woodley goes solo to field listener questions about how the Toronto Raptors should operate in an Eastern Conference owned by the Boston Celtics, but with plenty of uncertainty after that, as well as some questions about the NBA Draft, free agency, and some wild Raptors-related hypotheticals. Off thet top, Sean digs into the idea of the East being at once dominated by the Celtics, and yet seemingly wide open behind them, and whether or not that reality should affect the way the Raptors approach their building plan this summer and beyond. Next, Sean discusses his feelings on where the Raptors are selecting in this widely derided Draft, and some under-the-radar free agents who could make sense for the Raptors in a summer where free agency is probably not going to be their saviour. Lastly, Sean tangles with some wildly hypothetical Raptors questions about which non-contenders Scottie Barnes would turn into no-doubt title contenders, where a Canadian expansion franchise would most likely land

In Episode 1644, Sean Woodley goes solo to talk about three potential stretch big man options for the Toronto Raptors, specifically when it comes to the 19th-overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft: Indiana's Kel'el Ware, Duke's Kyle Filipowski and Dayton's DaRon Holmes II. Off the top, Sean digs into Ware, whose blend of size, athleticism, and rim protection make him an intriguing potential piece in the modern NBA -- especially if his three-point shooting is legit, and why despite some concerns about his defensive versatility and motor, he very well could be worth the risk at 19 as one of the best potential fits next to Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley of any big in this draft. Next, Sean digs into Filipowski, whose polished offensive game is super interesting, especially if you view Filipowski as a jumbo playmaking four in the modern NBA. But is the fit right with the Raptors? Lastly, Sean has maybe a new favourite dude in this year's draft, and it's DaRon Holmes, the 6'9 big man out of Dayton who played

In Episode 1643, Sean Woodley goes solo to chat about some of the prospects in this upcoming NBA Draft who stand the best chance of experiencing a similar player development arc to the one Pascal Siakam went on during his time with the Toronto Raptors. Off the top, Sean digs into why finding a true Siakam clone is next to impossible considering the once-in-a-generation nature of Siakam's growth curve, and the philosophy that could behind the Raptors using one or both of their picks in this draft on high upside swings. Next, Sean digs into the fascinating Jonathan Mogbo, a 6'8 front court player with immense defensive and rebounding upside, a little bit of playmaking, strong interior scoring, and no three-point shooting to speak of whatsoever. Could Mogbo, the childhood AAU teammate of Scottie Barnes be in the plans for the Raptors?  Lastly, Sean lays out the case for Lousiana Tech wing Isaiah Crawford and why he probably projects as a high-end role player with a smidge of creation upside that could see him be

In Episode 1642, Sean Woodley is joined by Jamar Hinds (Raptors Republic) to play a round of Toronto Raptors themed What's More Likely?! Off the top, Sean and Jamar chat about whether it's more likely that Toronto's new WNBA team or the Raptors to make a WNBA Finals by  2030. Next, they take a look at whether it's more likely for Scottie Barnes to make an All-NBA team next season or for Immanuel Quickley or RJ Barrett to make next season's Eastern Conference All-Star team. Lastly, Sean and Jamar dig into whether it's more likely that Jakob Poeltl starts 75+ games at the five for the Raptors next season, or that somebody else does. Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/zG2MnjZXSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Yahoo FinanceFor comprehensive financial news and analysis, visit the brand behind every great investor, YahooFinance.com.LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. T

In Episode 1641, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl to chat about the NBA's Conference Finals and what shared DNA the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers share that the Toronto Raptors should be trying to replicate as they embark upon their own attempt to climb up the standings into Conference Finals contender status. Off the top, Sean and Katie chat about how these playoffs have proven with little doubt that we're very much in the height of the NBA's parity era, and how that should inform the Raptors' build going forward. Next, they get into the importance of learning in high leverage moments and the reps it can take to bring  team to a point where they're ready to win at the highest levels, as well as why strong offensive rebounding in the playoffs feels like a great equalizer. Lastly, they run through some rapid fire thoughts on the need for positional depth, the value of mid-range assassins, and much more! Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! ht

In Episode 1640, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors in 7, Sportsnet) to chat about Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley, his restricted free agency, and the things he needs to improve upon this summer in order to live up to the ample bag he is about to receive. Off the top, Sean and Vivek chat about Quickley's impending new contract, what he might earn on an annual basis, and why there probably shouldn't be much worry about losing him in restricted free agency. Next, they chat about Quickley's need to improve as a point of attack defender, and the need for him to rediscover the elite floater he flashed as a member of the Knicks. Lastly, they chat about Quickley needing to get to the rim more frequently, and knock down his catch-and-shoot threes at a higher clip -- two things that should be aided by playing more games alongside Jakob Poeltl.Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord! https://discord.gg/wYRbD7WrSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Yahoo FinanceFor comprehensive financial news

In Episode 1639, Sean Woodley is joined by Chelsea Leite (Raptors HQ) to talk about Toronto landing a WNBA expansion franchise, the NCAA women's stars to watch over the next couple years before Toronto comes into the league in 2026, and team naming theory. Off the top, Sean and Chelsea chat about the dominoes that had to fall in order to make the WNBA-to-Toronto dream a reality and why now was the perfect time to make it happen after years of flirtation between the league and the city. Next, Sean and Chelsea discuss the women's college stars who could find themselves on the Toronto franchise come 2026 or 2027, including JuJu Watkins, Flau'jae Johnson, Milaysia Fulwiley and more. Lastly, Sean and Chelsea debate the merits of calling the Toronto team the "Huskies" and other team naming philosophy talk. Join the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/EFrtE9h6Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job

In Episode 1638, Sean Woodley goes solo to take a look at a trio of intriguing potential options for the Toronto Raptors with the 19th (or 31st) pick in the 2024 NBA Draft: Florida State wing Jamir Watkins, California guard/wing Jaylon Tyson and G-League Ignite stretch big man Tyler Smith. Off the top, Sean digs into why Watkins, a soon-to-be 23-year old, do-it-all 6'7 wing with all sorts of long-term role player potential might just be his favourite potential Raptors target with the 19th pick. Next, Sean takes a look at Tyson, whose circuituous college career probably has his incredibly crafted and smoothe offensive game going under the radar going into the draft. Lastly, Sean breaks down Tyler Smith's stretchy but somewhat narrow skillset, and digs into whether it might be worth the risk for the Raptors to take a look at a guy who might be the best shooting big in the draft. Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord! https://discord.gg/qtG2ztv7Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs

In Episode 1637, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (Basketball Feelings) to chat about the Toronto Raptors offseason now that there is clarity on where the Raptors will be picking in the upcoming NBA Draft and what their cap situation might look like. Off the top, they chat about how they feel about the Raptors' present situation, with Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Gradey Dick all locked up or soon to be locked up for the next three seasons at minimum, all their picks back in their control, and around $28 million in cap space depending on what they do with Bruce Brown and Gary Trent Jr.  Sean and Katie chat about what they'd like to see from the Raptors at the draft, philosophy wise, and get into the different offseason avenues the Raptors could take, from foregoing cap space and using their mid-level exception while keeping Brown and Trent, using their cap space on a big splash signing like Malik Monk, or any of the other pathways that could be available to a suddenly v

In Episodse 1636, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors in 7, Sportsnet) to take a look at the full scope of the Jakob Poeltl after Sunday's Draft Lottery results finalized the official package the Toronto Raptors sent to the San Antonio Spurs at the 2023 Trade Deadline. Off the top, Sean and Vivek assess the overal cost the Raptors paid to land their starting center for 4+ seasons at around $20 million a season, and why as a pure value play, the cost is fine, if slightly more than you'd ideally like the Raptors to have paid. Plus, where does the deal rank among the moves made in the Masai Ujiri era? Next, Sean and Vivek chat about the downstream effects of the Poeltl trade, the bad decisions that led it, and whether the post-trade decisions by the front office were directly influenced and connected to the Poeltl acquisition, or if they need to be viewed as separate entities entirely. Lastly, Sean and Vivek finish up by examining Poeltl's role in the team going forward, and whether there's a chance f

In Episode 1635, Sean Woodley goes solo to react to Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery in which the Toronto Raptors fell two spots in the draft order and will thus convey the 8th-overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft to the San Antonio Spurs to close the book on the Jakob Poeltl trade. Off the top, Sean digs into why, considering the circumstanes, a fall to no. 8 was among the very best possible outcomes for the Raptors on lottery day, and why wiping the slate clean and moving forward with all of the team's picks in the Raptors' control is a small price to pay for a trade for Poeltl that was situationally misguided, but ultimately ends up being totally fine as a value proposition considering the overall weakness of the 2024 class of prospects. Next, Sean digs into what conveying the pick means for the Raptors this summer as it pertains to their cap flexibility -- which is expanded due to not having a high lottery rookie scale deal on their books -- and trade possibilities, which are far more wide open now that thei

In Episode 1634, Sean Woodley is joined by Es Baraheni (Forbes, CEBL) to talk about the report from Shireen Ahmed at CBC that the WNBA will be expanding to Toronto in time for the 2026 season before revisiting the great Keep vs. Convey pick regarding the Toronot Raptors' first-round pick ahead of this Sunday's all-important NBA Draft Lottery. Off the top, Sean and Es react to the news that Toronto is finally getting its WNBA expansion team and share their early thoughts on what the team name should be. Next, Sean and Es get into both sides of the great Keep vs. Convey argument that has dominated Toronto Raptors fan discourse all season long. We'll finally know on Sunday whether the Raptors owe their Top-6 protected first-rounder to the Spurs, or hang onto it if it remains in the Top-6 of the lottery, for which they currently have the sixth-best odds of winning. What would keeping or conveying for next season's plans, the team's long-term outlook, their trade flexibility, and talent accrual? We get into the ar

In Episode 1633, Sean Woodley goes solo to assess the Toronto Raptors biggest offseason holes that need filling by ranking them in a little excercise we're calling "Masai's Hierarchy of Needs." Sean spends time talking about the Raptors' need for two-way wings, a third rotation big man to pair with Kelly Olynyk and Jakob Poeltl, and a backup point guard. He ranks those areas of need from most to least pressing, digs into potential in-house solutions the Raptors might already have on their roster, runs through the avenues to address them, be it through the NBA Draft, trades or free agency, and outlines the the pie-in-the-sky dream scenarios, realistic outcomes, and the absolute worst-case solutions the Raptors front office could come up with. Could Alex Sarr be the dream third big the Raptors if they get some lottery luck? Is the long con of the New York Knicks going to culminate in OG Anunoby's surprised return to Toronto as a free agent? And could the Raptors get silly and overpay for middling 5th starts or

In Episode 1632, Sean Woodley goes solo to examine the "Hmmmmm" of the 2023-24 Toronto Raptors season, the burgeoning trends and unanswered questions we're still looking for clarity going into the 2024-25 NBA season. Off the top, Sean digs into RJ Barrett's awesome run after being traded to Toronto and whether or not his ridiculous efficiency is sustainable for the long term. The indicators suggest it just might be! Next, Sean digs into the Raptor's promising month of February and how sustainable it might be once the team is assembled in full going into next season, especially regards to the starting five that demolished opponents in its very short time together. Lastly, Sean talks about Darko Rajakovic and whether or not he's a good coach or not, something we probably won't have a full view of til next season, but there were certainly positive signs!Join us on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/dHVpWaFuSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualif

In Episode 1631, Sean Woodley questions about the Toronto Raptors from you, the listeners, on a great many topics including how the goings on in this year's playoffs affect the Toronto Raptors, what to expect from the Raptors this offseason, and the team's dire need for a rebrand of its logos and jersey designs. Off the top, Sean answers a question about complicated feelings regarding O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam succeeding in the second round of the playoffs for the Knicks and Pacers, as well as what the league's changing of the guard on display in these playoffs could mean for the Raptors moving forward. Next, Sean responds to a question about the approach he expects Masai Ujiri to take this offseason, and why it all kind of hinges on the results of this weekend's NBA Draft Lottery. Lastly, Sean fields a pair of questions about the Raptors' need for a rebrand. He definitely doesn't have very strong opinions on this matter, not at all! Join us on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/sqB

In Episode 1630, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors in 7, Sportsnet) to talk about Toronto Raptors star forward Scottie Barnes and what he needs to improve upon over the course of this off-season going into the 2024-25 NBA season. Off the top, Sean and Vivek chat about why one of the next steps toward stardom for Barnes will entail carrying lineups of which is a part in the same way the league's very best guys do through all sorts of different contexts, as well as Barnes' need to continue building upon his three-point shooting uptick this past season. Next, Sean and Vivek dig into Barnes' need to improve his lateral quickness as a perimeter defender and the positive cascading effects improved perimeter defense for Barnes could have on the team going forward, as well as Barnes' need to rediscover the shooting touch from the short mid-range that he flashed as a rookie, but as struggled with ever since. Lastly, Sean pinpoints Barnes' mastery of the pick-and-roll both as a ball-handler and roll-man as