The Raptors might be well-served to consider using either their No. 29 or No. 59 pick during the 2020 draft as a “draft-and-stash” option, selecting a player they know won’t arrive in the NBA until at least the 2021/22 season, writes Blake Murphy of The Athletic.
Limited rotation space for unproven players, the expected development of current Toronto youth, and the compressed offseason are all factors that could point to the draft-and-stash route, Murphy notes. The Raptors face some interesting offseason options, with key role players Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka entering free agency.
There’s more out of the NBA’s Atlantic Division:
- Athletic 6’9″ University of Washington big man Isaiah Stewart, a Rochester, NY native, appears to be a viable candidate for the Knicks to draft with the No. 27 pick in the 2020 draft, per Marc Berman of the New York Post. “The big thing about Isaiah is he’s a culture changer — he’s all about the right stuff,’’ his Washington head coach Mike Hopkins said. New York’s roster, of course, is already loaded with an array of power forwards, though many can become free agents this fall. Hopkins compared Stewart to All-Star Heat center Bam Adebayo and Clippers power forward/center Montrezl Harrell.
- Nets forward Kevin Durant has been practicing at the Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA, as he continues to rehabilitate from an Achilles tear suffered during the 2019 NBA Finals. Durant has logged court time with fellow Nets Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Taurean Prince and Jaylen Hands, plus other pros, and is receiving rave reviews, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
- Legendary Hall of Fame Celtics power forward and broadcast Tommy Heinsohn passed away this week. The six-time All-Star and eight-time champ was 86.
That link goes to a another Isaiah Stewart that played
at Siena in the late 90s
Nets are a mess, way too many coaches and role players.
Better off than Houston. And that’s a fact.
Is it? I guess we’ll see when the season starts and the Nets end up as the 5th or 6th seed in an extremely weak eastern conference while the Rockets continue competing for one of the top 4 spots in a much tougher and deeper Western conference.
I have to agree with @hardenwestbrookmvps. Houston players know their roles and can play D. My question is how are the Nets going to stop teams on D or even who is going to have the ball with Durant-Irving-LeVert-Dinwiddie on the court? That log jam sounds like my Cavs in 2017
You do realize that in the bubble HOU did overachieve by getting themselves thumped to death by the LAL, right? I mean no one did expect them to go beyond R1WC… this coming season if they make it into the playoffs, that alone will be overachieving as a matter of fact they are not in the playoff race as of now, they must improve a lot for that.
BRK on the other hand they will be on the playoffs & they have on paper the potential to make it to the ECF, so keep telling yourself that homers garbage & keep on dreaming dude!
You sound mad lol. Calm down bro, just sharing an opinion. Now that westbrook wants out it’s over for them. But just you watch brooklyn is going to underachieve *****IMO*****
I agree. Irving is a cancer and AND always hurt. If they are lucky, he will just eat up cap space while always on the mend.
I still would rather have Harden. Plus how hard could it be to sign some big men? Ibaka and Aaron Baynes come to mind.
Don’t think Isaiah is a good fit in New York at all with Mitchell Robinson having had a solid year and lots of options already at PF.
I think Stewart would be a nice fit on the Mavs, Celtics or Bucks
I dislike articles like that, that paints a rosy picture without the flaws. Stweart does not project as being switchable. Indeed he sounds like the center the center had but didn’t seem to appreciate, the thick bearded guy, who anyway may not be back.
Knicks need Okongwu, any wag they can do it. All of the PGs in the draft are secondary to that monster. Clean house again. Build team around Barrett Okongwu Robinson; give Knox & Brazdeikis every opportunity with new coach.
I don’t see the Nets as a contender. I don’t have any faith in Kyrie and I’m expecting him to miss half of the season at least like he did for the past 2 years! He’s gonna wind up like Gilbert Arena watch!
You heard it here first. Raptors are playing in tampa.
Stewart would be a value pick at the end of the first round and a steal at the top of the second. His skill set may not fit neatly into the NBA teams want right now, but if he falls that far I have to think those concerns are being overplayed.