The Raptors are expecting more out of 26-year-old forward Yuta Watanabe this fall, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star writes. Watanabe recently competed in the Olympics with Japan, learning to become more aggressive on the offensive end during his time in Tokyo.
“With the international team, I had to be that aggressive every time I touched the ball … so that was a lot different,” he explained. “I understand that my role is not going to be like that with the Raptors, but still … I need to be more aggressive because it makes it a lot easier for my teammates to score. Or I can draw attention, I can pass the ball and they can make shots.
“So definitely, I need to be more aggressive to help my teammates and help my team.”
Watanabe saw his two-way contract converted into a standard deal last April. He’ll be competing for a roster spot during Toronto’s preseason with Freddie Gillespie, Sam Dekker and others this month.
There’s more out of the Eastern Conference tonight:
- Speaking of the Raptors, big man Chris Boucher recently sustained a dislocated finger, the team announced. Boucher will miss the club’s first preseason game against the Sixers on Monday. He’s coming off the best season of his four-year career, averaging 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per contest.
- Sixers rookie Charles Bassey won’t travel with the team for its game against Toronto, Gina Mizell of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Bassey signed a contract last week with the organization but still needs to finalize his work visa, Mizell notes.
- The Cavaliers will be interested in acquiring disgruntled Sixers star Ben Simmons for as long as he’s available, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com tweets. Cleveland could theoretically offload one of Collin Sexton or Darius Garland in any deal, combining that player with Kevin Love‘s contract to match salaries. The club could also try to entice a third team to join any proposal.
Haven’t seen alot of Cavs games recently so I’ll defer to someone who watches more but Sexton, Love and a first for Ben and a second/random bench player maybe?
The Philly fans hate it, they don’t think it’s enough for thier overhyped, disgruntled PG that can’t shoot and won’t dunk. Who won’t be bought in even if he does play
For some reason Cleveland fans love it even though they Garland entrenched at PG with Mobley, Allen and Markannen up front.
Most neutral fans think Sexton and Embiid would be an intriguing pairing while Love can rebound and hot 3s off the bench.
Kevin Love is done with basketball… and has another year left on his deal. I’d be shocked if the Thunder even took him for a first.
Love isn’t going anywhere for a first. As I say every time for years, he and CLE are stuck together. Cav firsts are too high to trade, and no vets available at his level would have the same effect as Love.
But that is not the point. A Love+anyone trade is about the anyone. You must know how trading works— Usually someone has to be the salary.
Simmons mostly just wants to play the point. Pairing in the backcourt with either Sexton or Garland would be fine. Having Allen & Mobley means there will always be a lob target. But Altman would have to stop fiddling with these athletic types like Broderic Thomas— he has to find shooters.
I would love Sexton and his scoring, love as a salary filler, a first and take Simmons off my hands
Example #1- 76ers fan who confuses things and thinks the trade is about Love when it’s really about Sexton and Simmons.
No… confused Whatever fan you are. Why would the Sixers take a cooked Love in ANY deal, when they would have to dump more assets to get rid of him and his salary?
Only way a Cavs deal happens is if its Sexton + real assets from unloading Love on some other team. Why would the Sixers do all the leg work? Love is the Cavs problem, they need to find the pieces to make a trade work for the Sixers.
Sexton + Love + a 1st for Simmons is a trash trade and anyone who says otherwise needs to put the pipe down and take off your homer glasses. Sexton isn’t under team control he’s an RFA, and he’s not a dude I’d pay 20M+ to retain.
But you would take Beal who’s posting similar numbers to Sexton (or stated in reverse). The Cavs have him under control this year and csb match for another. But regardless, I hope they keep him and pass altogether on Simmons.
So don’t dump him then. He’s salary, not the feature. Why the extra step of a third team? If Simmons moves, salary obligations will have to return. Them’s the rules. IDK how much you know, probably more than it sounds. Also IDK how “cooked” Love is, or would be after working out. In theory he is more of a center, like Griffin, LMA, etc.
I’m sure it would take more than one first but bear in mind with a losing team that protections are the key to their firsts.
Philly will be extremely lucky to get a first round pick and a quality player.
The longer they put things off, the worse a deal they’re gonna end up with.
Everyone is just waiting for the Sixers to lower their trade demands, a lot.
Example # 2-Arbitrary Rockets fan
As a Sixers fan I’ve said, I’d gladly take Sexton, Love and 3 firsts for Ben.
May sound like to much picks but have to account that Sexton contract needs an upgrade which will cost the max. Plus we are taking Kevin Loves awful contract off your hands.
However would settle for 2 first and 1/2 second round picks
Lol..3 firsts is not happening. Hope Cavs don’t make trade at all. Simmons could be intriguing with a change of scenery, but Cavs need MORE shooting for him to be at his best. Offloading Love’s $60 mil owed would be nice, but I still say no for Love, Sexton and a first. Maybe Love and Sexton.
I hope the Cavs can resist the temptation to do stupid things. Simmons is a good player and his height and defense would help but he still comes with his obvious warts and our offense ranked poorly last year. Trading their best scorer and putting the emphasis on Garland and Markkanen to carry thr shooting load doesn’t seem wise. Simmons isn’t going to make them a playoff contender. I’d rather they grow with this group of kids and see what maturation comes around. Sexton keeps improving and seemingly wants to be in Cleveland. Ben just wants to be anywhere other than Philly and there’s no saying he’ll be happy with two major post players leaned on for their future in Allen and Mobley and less shooting than what Philly had. If he wants out of his next destination that franchise can be screwed for years. KISS. Keep it simple stupid.
Example #3-Rare Cleveland fan who gets it and knows what’s really at stake.
#FreeBenSimmons
Example #4-Neutral fan who just wants the drama over.
Dude, i appreciate your comments a lot. They make me get the big picture, see the light, you know? Can you please keep doing that for all upcoming posts on HR from now on? That’s be awesome.
Garland, Love, Okoro, and a first.
Love would be a great fit next to Embid tho.
The Sixers would want Garland. Two years of rookie contract to help offset Love’s two years left. Also Garland seems to have more upside. They may be negotiating the draft picks right now.
Lol..3 firsts is not happening. Hope Cavs don’t make trade at all. Simmons could be intriguing with a change of scenery, but Cavs need MORE shooting for him to be at his best. Offloading Love’s $60 mil owed would be nice, but I still say no for Love, Sexton and a first. Maybe Love and Sexton.
The only way the Cavs can get back to being relevant (they’re not now & won’t be in the remaining Love contract.) is to guard their high draft picks as closely as possible. Making the Simmons deal in any form is one step forward and three steps back.. Let the Sixers fumble about with their selfish nonshooting non break leading point guard.. HARD PASS !