Locked On Raptors

In Episode 1629, Sean Woodley goes solo to examine some of the guards who might convince the Toronto Raptors to make a draft night reach, including USC's Isaiah Collier, Baylor's Ja'Kobe Walter and Providence's Devin Carter. Off the top, Sean digs into Collier's exciting blend of size and athleticism as a guard and why it may not be enough to overcome the concerns about him as an off-ball player on a team that already employs Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley in key creation roles. Next, Sean discusses Ja'Kobe Walter, whose less than stellar shooting season as a freshman undercut his status as one of the best pure shooters in this draft, and why his blend of motor and defensive upside make him an intriguing potential Raptor, even if he's probably not worth a shot in the Top-6. Lastly, Sean breaks down the game of Carteer, who has a shot to be a long-term high-end backup point guard, and maybe more than that if his bizarre jump shot can hold up as well as it this in his last season at college. But is his up

In Episode 1628, Sean Woodley goes solo to talk about former Toronto Raptors Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby getting set to square off the in second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs and why their success with the Pacers and Knicks illuminates just how much the Raptors need to prioritize adding wing talent this summer before a look at Colorado's Cody Williams and Tennessee's Dalton Knecht. Off the top, Sean revisists the Siakam and Anunoby trades and looks at why their work with their new clubs underscores how important players of that archetype are in the modern NBA, with some thoughts on what to root for as Siakam and OG square off in round two. Next, Sean offers a scoutiing report on Colorado wing Cody Williams, whose stock has fluctuated a bit after a quiet finish to the season, but offers the touch, handle, size and defensive upside that could be a perfect fit within the Raptors' current built. Lastly, Sean talks about sharpshooter Dalton Knecht and why despite his high flying dunks and dead-eye shoo

In Episode 1627, Sean Woodley goes solo to continue his look at some of the prospects to watch for Toronto Raptors heading into the NBA Draft Lottery on May 12th and the 2024 NBA Draft with a look at high-lottery guard prospects Nikola Topic (Serbia) and Kentucky teammates Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard. Off the top, Sean discusses what might compel the Raptors to go with a guard if they keep their first-round pick in the Top-6 despite their clear needs on the wings, and why 6'6 Serbian guard Nikola Topic would probably be the best guard for the Raptors to opt for in the event they go the guard route thanks to his blend of size and abiltiy to put pressure on the rim. Next, Sean discussing Kentucky flamethrower Rob Dillingham, who might be the most electrtifying offensive player in the class, but has defense and size concerns that could very well render him a negative player in the aggregate. Lastly, Sean looks at Dillingham's teammate Reed Sheppard, whose defensive counting stats and ridiculous three-point

In Episode 1626, Sean Woodley goes solo to discuss Colorado wing and potential Toronto Raptors target at 19th-overall, Tristan da Silva, declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft and why he's a particular favourite of your intrepid host before taking a look at UConn's duo of likely Top-10 picks, Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan and their potential fits with the Toronto Raptors. Off the top, Sean digs into da Silva declaring for the draft at the last minute, why he profiles to be a no-brainer role player in the NBA for many years, and why he'd fit nicely within what the Raptors have going on  despite some uncertainty about his on-ball defensive upside. Next, Sean talks about Clingan, the gigantic center from the national champions whose offensive limitations might be enough of a reason to not select him if the Raptors happen to keep their first round pick in the Top-6. Lastly, Sean talks about Castle, whose game is absolutely intriguing, but feels like a tough fit on a Raptors team that already has his key ball handl

In Episode 1625, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Sportsnet, Raptors in 7) to chat about the Toronto Raptors and how they can build themselves back into a team that's part of the NBA postseason every season. Off the top, Sean and Vivek chat about what the goal should be for any team entering into the early years of a building cycle, and why building a team that can be a no-doubt Top-6 playoff team is way more realistic than building an upper crust contender built around one of the select few championship landscape-shifting players in the NBA. Next, Sean and Vivek dig into what the formula for a Top-6 team is, how Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley figure to give the Raptors' a Top-6 worthy backbone of talent, having to Top-10 on either offense or defense, and other elements that annual playoff teams share. Lastly, Sean and Vivek look at what pieces need to be added to the current mix to get the Raptors where they want to go, which additions are the most important to completing the puzzle, and much mor

In Episode 1624, Sean Woodley goes solo to chat about the Toronto Raptors' potential options on the wings in the high lottery should they keep their pick in the Top-6 of the 2024 NBA Draft, with a focus on Ron Holland, Matas Buzelis and Zaccharie Risacher. Off the top, Sean digs into Holland, the 6'8 G-League Ignite forward who is probably the highest upside and most athletic player of the trio talked about on the show, but whose fit with the Raptors' current pillars in Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett might be the most dubious. Does his three-point shot have a chance to improve enough to make his fit viable? And is it in both Holland's and the Raptors' best interests if Holland lands somewhere else? Next, Sean talks about Holland's Ignite teammate Matas Buzelis, a 6'10 hybrid forward with some  very interesting defensive potential, but an offensive game that might not quite be dynamic enough to be worthy of a high draft pick, although the optimized version of him might be the best fit on the

In Episode 1623, Sean Woodley and Jamar Hinds (Raptors Republic) play a round of Toronto Raptors Would You Rather with a focus on the team's potential to add free agents using cap space this summer. Off the top, Sean and Jamar discuss whether they'd rather pick up Bruce Brown's option and bring back Gary Trent Jr. at a market-value deal OR renounce them both from their cap sheet and sign Sacramento Kings sixth man Malik Monk to a 4-year / $100-million contract. Next, they get extreme with the Raptors' pursuit of wing players by discussing whether they'd rather only add wings via the draft this summer, OR only add wings via free agency? Could Caleb Martin be a fit, for example? Lastly, they discuss whether they would rather the Raptors sign a backup point guard or a third big man should they exercise their cap space option. Tyus Jones or Nic Claxton, anyone? Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/De5pCZwNSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Monopoly GO!Get in the game and joi

In Episode 1622, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (Basketball Feelings) to chat about the very worst elements of the Toronto Raptors' disastrous 2023-24 season to continue their three-part look at The Good, The Bad and The Hmmmm from the year that was. Off the top, Sean has a little meltdown on the heels of Pascal Siakam's masterful 37-11-6 performance against the Milwaukee Bucks and revisits the trade of Siakam to the Pacers, which was bad for a great many reasons. Next, Sean and Katie dig into the cloud of uncertainty that hung over the team for much of this season, and the many ripple effects of yet another year beginning with indecision and a lack of direction. Lastly, Sean and Katie run through some other bad elements of this season, including ill-timed injuries, poor performance from fringey wings, the handling of Chris Boucher, and a total no-show in the In-Season Tournament. Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/Qg8JdCxVSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Mon

In Episode 1621, Sean Woodley goes solo to talk about the Toronto Raptors getting the 19th-overall pick in this year's draft courtest the Indiana Pacers as a result of Monday's tiebreaker coinflips before talking about what the Raptors options could be if they jump up in the order on lottery night and why Alex Sarr would be the clear addition if the Raptors were to get the number one overall pick. Off the top, Sean digs into the draft gods not looking favourably upon the Raptors when it comes the first-rounder acquired in the Pascal Siakam trade, and why that isn't all that terribly a thing considering what this draft class looks like in the middle tier. Next, Sean examines what the Raptors options would be if they moved up to 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th on lottery night, and digs into why Alex Sarr is the clear pick if they're no. 1, but things get much more murky if they're 2nd or later and Sarr is off the board. Could trading back be the best option? Lastly, Sean digs into the scouting report on Perth Wildcats ce

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In Episode 1620, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Sportsnet, Raptors in 7) to eat some crow and perform some mea culpas as they reflect back on the things they got the most wrong about the 2023-24 Toronto Raptors. Off the top, they chat about the Raptors' teams they've most misjudged historically, before they get into how they both erred in their predictions that the Raptors would retain Pascal Siakam before the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. Next, they get into how Sean wildly overestimated the quality of the Raptors' defense at the start of the season with Dennis Schroder in as the lead point of attack defender, while Vivek cops to expecting an O.G. Anunoby offensive leap that never came. Lastly, they chat about Vivek's realization that he was entirely too easy to practice patience with the Raptors' front office and some of their less-inspired moves in the last couple years, while Sean admits that he was oh so very wrong to want the Raptors to trade Scottie Barnes for Damian Lillard -- although the push to

In Episode 1619, Sean Woodley is joined by Richard Stayman (Locked On NBA Big Board) to chat about the state of the 2024 NBA Draft class, the Toronto Raptors' muddled pick situation and some potential players who could be snug fits in Toronto with the Indiana Pacers pick and/or the Detroit Pistons pick at the top of the second round. Off the top, Sean and Richard discuss whether not this draft class is as light on talent as it's been suggested in the lead-up to the Draft, why Alex Sarr is the only higher end prospect he truly believes in having substantial upside, and the notion that the best players in this draft will probably come from outside the Top-10. Next, Sean and Richard tap into the biggest debate of our time: To Keep, or Convey the Raptors' Top-6 protected pick. Of course it's entirely out of the Raptors' control, but should Raptors fans be rooting for the team to hang onto this year's pick at 6, or convey it now and make their pick in 2025 wherever it may fall? Lastly, they run through some potent

In Episode 1618, Sean Woodley offers some quick off-the-top thoughts about Masai Ujiri's season-ending press conference and Jontay Porter receiving a lifetime ban from the NBA for gambling before welcoming in Locked On Raptors fantasy basketball champion Josh Green to talk about his Toronto Raptors fandom. Off the top, Sean talks about why Masai Ujiri's postseason presser, while light on hard details, seems to indicate an understanding that the front office has made some mistakes in recent years, and are prepared to turn the page over. Plus, Sean offers some thoughts on Jontay Porters' lifetime ban, and why it brings to light a pretty nasty double standard for what constitutes a lifetime ban, even if Porter probably deserves the punishment he got. Next, Sean is joined by Josh Green, the champion of the Locked On Raptors listener fantasy leage, to chat about his origins as a Raptors fan living in Manchester, England, the Raptors' championship and downturn, and his ideal Raptors offseason!Join us on the Discord

In Episode 1617, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (DIME, Basketball Feelings) to chat about some of the good things that came out of a mostly troublesome Toronto Raptors season. Off the top, they chat about Scottie Barnes' monumental leap on the court, as well as the important strides he took as a leader off the court, and why his 22 missed games at the end of the season seem to have provided him a great opportunity to grasp the full responsibility of being the number one guy on a team. Next, they discuss the transformative O.G. Anunoby for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley and how that moved single-handedly helped accelerate the build around Scottie Barnes. Plus, thoughts on the team's incremental growth throughout the year, Darko Rajakovic looking like a good one, Garrett Temple's impact, Bruce Brown's fashion sense, and much more! Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/mbr3F9CgSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Monopoly GO!Get in the game and join your friends. Dow

In Episode 1616, Sean Woodley goes solo to run down the three biggest offseason questions facing the Toronto Raptors and their front office heading into a pivotal summer for the franchise. Off the top, Sean digs into the question of whether the Raptors will keep their pick at 6th-overall or higher after Draft Lottery night or convey it to the San Antonio Spurs if it falls 7th or later, and all of the ripple effects lotto night could have on the Raptors' subsequent offseason moves. Next, Sean chats about the question of whether or not Gary Trent Jr. and/or Bruce Brown will be back with the team and the various options the Raptors have with Trent, a pending UFA, and Brown, who has a team option that guarantees for next season on June 29th. Lastly, Sean chats about whether this summer could see the always opportunistic Raptors take a swing on a star trade should one -- specifically on the wing -- become available. Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/VfkxGXcB Support Us By Sup

In Episode 1615, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Sportsnet, Raptors in 7) to chat about the Toronto Raptors' season coming to an end over the weekend, and their biggest takeaways from the end-of-season availabilities for Kelly Olynyk, Jakob Poeltl, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick. Off the top, they chat about the overarching takeaway from every player's comments: Darko Rajakovic is absolutely beloved by all the players in the organization, and has absolutely nailed the number one task assigned to him when he took over as he has vastly overhauled the culture. Next, Sean and Vivek discuss Scottie Barnes' comments on leadership, and remark upon how far he seems to have come as the Raptors' leading man since this time 12 months ago. Lastly, they chat about the offseason that lies ahead, turning the page from 18 months of less-than-stellar decision-making, and improved overall vibes to round out the show. Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/

In Episode 1614, Sean Woodley is joined by Joseph Casciaro (The Score, Pound the Rock) to revisit their preseason bold predictions about the Toronto Raptors made the day the 2023-24 season began to check in on just how right or wrong they were. Off the top, they chat about Sean's prediction that the Raptors would be the league's leading transition frequency team -- which they were! -- as well as Cash's prediction that Scottie Barnes would win Most Improved Player. Next, they dig into Sean's proclamation that if Pascal Siakam was traded, it would be to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis (whoops), as well as Joe picking Dennis Schroder to finish the season with more assists per game than Fred VanVleet. Lastly, Sean eats a gigantic bowl of crow after reviewing his prediction that Gradey Dick and Jalen McDaniels would be the Raptors' best on/off-driving two-man lineup, while Joe accepts his culpability for picking the Raptors to finish 3rd in the Atlant

In Episode 1613, Sean Woodley is joined by Jamar Hinds (Raptors Republic) to talk about the Toronto Raptors falling 106-102 to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night in a game that featured more exciting flashes from Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick, and not a whole much else worth noting from the Raptors end of things. Off the top, they chat about Quickley's 32-7-9 effort that saw him nearly power the Raptors to a win with some late-game shot making, and discuss how the version of Quickley we've seen over the last month and a half will blend with Scottie Barnes once the team is healthy again next season. Next, Sean and Jamar chat about Gradey Dick pouring in 24 points on 6/14 from three, and what might happen next season to help his overall impact metrics fall more in line with the promising eye test evaluation we've seen from Dick in his rookie season. Lastly, they run through The Good (Ochai Agbaji bodying Dennis Schroder, the overall bench vibes), The Bad (at-rim shooting, going 1-15 against the Atlantic D

In Episode 1612, Sean Woodley and Katie Heindl (DIME, Basketball Feelings) chat about the Toronto Raptors falling 140-123 to Pascal Siakam and the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night in the Raptors' final home game of the season. Off the top, Sean and Katie chat about Javon Freeman-Liberty's career-high 20 points, the craft he plays with on offense, and why he remains the fringe guy getting late season run who is most likely to be a part of the big club next season. In fact, he could be the best Raptors G-League success story of the last 5 years. Next, Sean and Katie spend some time doing some Veteran Appreciation for Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown, who have been two of the more constant faces on the team over the tumultuous last month and a half, and both figure to be rock solid rotation players for the team next season, assuming Brown is kept around through the summer, which might just be their best course of action with him. Lastly, they run through The Good (JFL, Malik Williams' first NBA points), The Bad (Ocha

In Episode 1611, Sean Woodley goes solo to look back on three memorable games from a mostly dreary Toronto Raptors season that help tell the tell of what went wrong this season and what could go right once the team hits the ground running in 2024-25. Off the top, Sean digs into the Raptors' spanking of the Milwaukee Bucks on November 1st, in which the Dennis Schroder-led starting five demolished the Bucks in transition and turned in one of the few strong defensive efforts that group turned out in two-plus months playing together. Next, Sean discusses the January 7th beatdown of the Golden State Warriors on the road that featured a very early RJ Barrett "holy crap" game and plenty of flashes that the Scottie Barnes-Pascal Siakam-RJ Barreett-Immanuel Quickley-Jakob Poeltl starting lineup might have had The Juice, only for Jak's ankle injury sustained in the game to derail any possiblity of those guys getting time to play together. Lastly, Sean takes a look at the Febuary 26th win over the Indiana Pacers, otherw