Locked On Raptors

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

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