Josh Lewenberg: Raptors trying to make the most of underwhelming off-season - TSN.ca

They had big plans, grand ambitions, and they weren’t alone. Several teams around the NBA had this particular off-season circled years in advance, and Toronto isn’t the only one who’s going to come out of it feeling at least a little underwhelmed by the result.With Antetokounmpo nearing the end of his previous contract, at least a third of the league’s clubs were lining up their finances in the interest of poaching the 26-year-old superstar and two-time NBA MVP from Milwaukee.

It’s not like they had all their eggs in the Giannis basket, though. There were fallback options in what was expected to be a loaded free agent class. They would be able to bring back their own free agents, including Lowry, if that’s the path they chose, or they could pivot in a different direction. Still, Antetokounmpo was their target.

On one hand, that’s not a bad haul for a 35-year-old player that was on his way out regardless. While the greatest Raptor ever and the franchise he won a title with parted ways on good terms, it’s clear that a return was never really on the table. Both sides knew it was time to move on. Of course, the Raptors can only control what they can control. If things had lined up perfectly for them, they would’ve had an opportunity to pitch Antetokounmpo on a future in Toronto. Failing that, there would have been several other star free agents worth throwing their money at. Instead they were left with an unenviable choice, and all they could do was try to make the most of it.

The free-agent route would have been tricky. First, were there guys out there that they liked enough to, in most cases, overpay for? Then, how attainable did they feel those guys were going to be? “Precious is a huge part of this deal for us,” Webster said. “We really liked him last year in the draft so I think that was a huge get in the sense of a young player that we like and fits.”

He shares a few important qualities with Lowry, his teammate in Houston more than decade ago. Like the man he could replace in Toronto’s starting lineup, Dragic is a tough, physical, high IQ player.

JLew1050 Ya no shit you guys did nothing to improve the team looks like another early first round pick again!

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