"Dolan hired those business consultants [McKinsey & Company] last summer," said the source with knowledge of the Raptors' plans. "They had sold him on this whole thing about, 'You've been exploited by giving away first-round picks.' Could the deal have gotten done? Absolutely."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2134711-wanted-by-many-kyle-lowry-forges-new-bond-with-raptors-team-he-almost-left

fishmike wrote:

mreinman wrote:the one trade that Dolan should have actually done. Go figure

I know... I wanted him too. Bigtime. Gets hurt alot but strikes me as the kind of guy worth sacrificing a future pick for.

But in a lot of ways what happened probably needed to happen. I think Dolan honestly thought he could just lean on Melo for playoffs every year and poor management showed us otherwise. Last year was a big step back, but hopefully having Fish and Phil in here is three steps forward. Lowry would easily be the 2nd best player on this team and that would be a nice piece but I like the philosophy and moves Phil is selling.

I'm glad we didn't do the trade- we had to stop giving up young players and picks. The mentality of 'just one more 1st round pick trade', is what kept us giving them away for the past decade. Lowry would have added salary for 2015 AND he could easily have bolted this offseason (he was close to signing with Miami)- imagine if he had been traded here and we still missed the playoffs, he may well have bolted. As much as I like Lowry, I think he just had a contract year- he'll come back down to earth again this season.

mreinman wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

fishmike wrote:

mreinman wrote:the one trade that Dolan should have actually done. Go figure

I know... I wanted him too. Bigtime. Gets hurt alot but strikes me as the kind of guy worth sacrificing a future pick for.

But in a lot of ways what happened probably needed to happen. I think Dolan honestly thought he could just lean on Melo for playoffs every year and poor management showed us otherwise. Last year was a big step back, but hopefully having Fish and Phil in here is three steps forward. Lowry would easily be the 2nd best player on this team and that would be a nice piece but I like the philosophy and moves Phil is selling.

I'm glad we didn't do the trade- we had to stop giving up young players and picks. The mentality of 'just one more 1st round pick trade', is what kept us giving them away for the past decade. Lowry would have added salary for 2015 AND he could easily have bolted this offseason (he was close to signing with Miami)- imagine if he had been traded here and we still missed the playoffs, he may well have bolted. As much as I like Lowry, I think he just had a contract year- he'll come back down to earth again this season.

Look at his career progression and efficiency. Stop saying it was (sort of) an anomaly.

Though, based on what Nixluva has in store for Bargs, I am happy that we got him instead of Lowry.

What are you getting so hurt about over my opinions about Lowry? Last year was his best year ever. it was also a contract year- I will bet money he does not play as well this year, and he has more injuries!

But it's ok because like Smack said Bargs is going to win MVP because Nix is high on him

mreinman wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

mreinman wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

fishmike wrote:

mreinman wrote:the one trade that Dolan should have actually done. Go figure

I know... I wanted him too. Bigtime. Gets hurt alot but strikes me as the kind of guy worth sacrificing a future pick for.

But in a lot of ways what happened probably needed to happen. I think Dolan honestly thought he could just lean on Melo for playoffs every year and poor management showed us otherwise. Last year was a big step back, but hopefully having Fish and Phil in here is three steps forward. Lowry would easily be the 2nd best player on this team and that would be a nice piece but I like the philosophy and moves Phil is selling.

I'm glad we didn't do the trade- we had to stop giving up young players and picks. The mentality of 'just one more 1st round pick trade', is what kept us giving them away for the past decade. Lowry would have added salary for 2015 AND he could easily have bolted this offseason (he was close to signing with Miami)- imagine if he had been traded here and we still missed the playoffs, he may well have bolted. As much as I like Lowry, I think he just had a contract year- he'll come back down to earth again this season.

Look at his career progression and efficiency. Stop saying it was (sort of) an anomaly.

Though, based on what Nixluva has in store for Bargs, I am happy that we got him instead of Lowry.

What are you getting so hurt about over my opinions about Lowry? Last year was his best year ever. it was also a contract year- I will bet money he does not play as well this year, and he has more injuries!

Hurt? Thats weird ...

I enjoy baseless predictions.

Your metrics are flawed, man- they are used to prove themselves! The advanced stats show that this player is great or getting better, and the proof that they are is the advanced stats. I like hearing from you metric posters because it gives a different spin on things, and sometimes makes me consider stuff I wouldn't have thought of but I get frustrated when you make out your ways are are only ways, and you're somehow all top ranking scientists who's opinion is more worthy than everyone elses. We're all just guessing and exchanging opinions here, and thats kind of the point of a message board.

smackeddog wrote:

mreinman wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

mreinman wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

fishmike wrote:

mreinman wrote:the one trade that Dolan should have actually done. Go figure

I know... I wanted him too. Bigtime. Gets hurt alot but strikes me as the kind of guy worth sacrificing a future pick for.

But in a lot of ways what happened probably needed to happen. I think Dolan honestly thought he could just lean on Melo for playoffs every year and poor management showed us otherwise. Last year was a big step back, but hopefully having Fish and Phil in here is three steps forward. Lowry would easily be the 2nd best player on this team and that would be a nice piece but I like the philosophy and moves Phil is selling.

I'm glad we didn't do the trade- we had to stop giving up young players and picks. The mentality of 'just one more 1st round pick trade', is what kept us giving them away for the past decade. Lowry would have added salary for 2015 AND he could easily have bolted this offseason (he was close to signing with Miami)- imagine if he had been traded here and we still missed the playoffs, he may well have bolted. As much as I like Lowry, I think he just had a contract year- he'll come back down to earth again this season.

Look at his career progression and efficiency. Stop saying it was (sort of) an anomaly.

Though, based on what Nixluva has in store for Bargs, I am happy that we got him instead of Lowry.

What are you getting so hurt about over my opinions about Lowry? Last year was his best year ever. it was also a contract year- I will bet money he does not play as well this year, and he has more injuries!

Hurt? Thats weird ...

I enjoy baseless predictions.

Your metrics are flawed, man- they are used to prove themselves! The advanced stats show that this player is great or getting better, and the proof that they are is the advanced stats. I like hearing from you metric posters because it gives a different spin on things, and sometimes makes me consider stuff I wouldn't have thought of but I get frustrated when you make out your ways are are only ways, and you're somehow all top ranking scientists who's opinion is more worthy than everyone elses. We're all just guessing and exchanging opinions here, and thats kind of the point of a message board.

its not that smart to guess and fling sh1t at the wall when there is excellent data that can think for us since many of us are not that good at it.

There is a reason why all teams and GM's are now heavily invested in advanced stats. But hey, how about we trade for Josh Smith. Or Bargs. Or Felton. Nick Young? Tyreke? Beas?

No - not anymore. Interesting that the players who are efficient are the ones that everyone wants.

Open your eyes and don't be scared of this new world.

And btw, I watch every single game as well.

Nalod wrote:I thought it was grunwald that was agsint the trade and spoke up?

Lowry would have been good this season but we would have had to pay him and while he was great in a contract year he has career inconsistancies.

There is a longer term plan here. WE are not privy to it but draft picks are more valuable now. Lowry was not going to put us in a position to contend.

My main gripe is that we have bargs instead of Lowry.

Lowry's progression has been very impressive. There is a reason that Morey wanted him back so badly.

I would take him in a heartbeat at 12 million over Gasol or Aldridge and any where close to the max.

mreinman wrote:its not that smart to guess and fling sh1t at the wall when there is excellent data that can think for us since many of us are not that good at it.

There is a reason why all teams and GM's are now heavily invested in advanced stats. But hey, how about we trade for Josh Smith. Or Bargs. Or Felton. Nick Young? Tyreke? Beas?

No - not anymore. Interesting that the players who are efficient are the ones that everyone wants.

Open your eyes and don't be scared of this new world.

And btw, I watch every single game as well.

That's my issue though- no data thinks for itself or thinks for us- it has to be weighted and interpreted by people, who based on their own opinions decide which data to value.

Morey is the Metrics King, but his offseason plan was "sign Melo!". Metrics are a tool, but they aren't the be all and end all. I like people exchanging opinions, theories, hunches, etc on these message boards- it would be dull as hell if everyone stopped doing that and just posted metrics, or weren't allowed to post their opinions because of a lack of data.