Toronto Raptors
Knicks suing Raptors over ex-employee illegally procuring, disclosing proprietary information
nihir 1 year ago • 100%
I think you're right. A lot of big headlines, but this probably isn't a big deal
www.sny.tv
A statement from an MSG spokesperson added that the lawsuit was filed after the ex-employee "illegally took thousands of proprietary files with him to his new position" with the Raptors. "These files include confidential information such as play frequency reports, a prep book for the 2022-23 season, video scouting files and materials and more," according to the statement. "Given the clear violation of our employment agreement, criminal and civil law, we were left no choice but to take this action.” According to a source, the Knicks reached out to the Raptors and NBA about the issue before filing the lawsuit. "MLSE and the Toronto Raptors received a letter from MSG on Thursday of last week bringing this complaint to our attention. MLSE responded promptly, making clear our intention to conduct an internal investigation and to fully cooperate," MLSE and the Raptors said in a statement. "MLSE has not been advised that a lawsuit was being filed or has been filed following its correspondence with MSG. The company strongly denies any involvement in the matters alleged. MLSE and the Toronto Raptors will reserve further comment until this matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties." The lawsuit names Ikechukwu Azotam as the former Knicks employee who “illegally procured and disclosed proprietary information” to members of the Raptors, including new head coach Darko Rajakovic and other members of the coaching staff. The suit alleges that Azotam signed an agreement as a Knicks employee with a "confidentiality clause requiring him to maintain the secrecy of all confidential or proprietary Knicks information." Per the lawsuit, Azotam, who worked for the Knicks as an assistant video coordinator and then as a director of video/analytics/player development assistant from 2020-23, was recruited to work for the Raptors in or around June of this year. With Rajakovic serving as a first time head coach, the lawsuit claims the Raptors “conspired to use Azotam’s position as a current Knicks insider to funnel proprietary information to the Raptors to help them organize, plan, and structure the new coaching and video operations staff.” Azotam informed the Knicks of an offer to work for the Raptors in July, at which time he began “secretly forwarding proprietary information from his Knicks email account to his personal Gmail account, which he then shared with the Raptors Defendants. These materials included scouting reports, play frequency reports, a prep book, and a link to third-party licensed software,” the lawsuit reads.
Toronto Raptors
42 Game Ticket Packs
nihir 1 year ago • 100%
$4,400 per seat for the 300 level
Up to $15k per seat in the 100 level
So this year they have a new type of group ticket package called a 42 game pack. It's basically season seats but with no option to renew. This is probably because they gave season seats holders the option to take a one year break without paying for their seats, so they have a bunch of seats available. And I can't imagine demand is high this year.
www.si.com
The Raptors have saved themselves $1.9 million for next season and opened up a roster spot to fill with someone else on a minimum contract. In all likelihood, that open spot will go to Jeff Dowtin Jr., who currently remains unsigned, having been tendered a two-way qualifying offer earlier this summer. Throughout the end of last season, the Raptors made it clear they wanted to have Dowtin back with the team this year.
A deep dive on the increasing amount of trade chatter surrounding Toronto Raptors All-Star forward Pascal Siakam. Why now? What's Siakam's market value on a potentially expiring deal? And which trade destination makes the most sense between the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, L.A. Clippers, or Chicago Bulls?
Torontonihir 1 year ago • 100%
I wish it had an RSS feed I could subscribe to.
www.sportingnews.com
"I just think it was time for a change in scenery for everybody," said VanVleet. "Ultimately, we weren't able to keep going but on the other end, I had a great offer on the table while I'm still talking to (the Raptors), so now you put them together and you weigh them out and it was really, really, really tough — my stomach was in knots trying to figure it out because it was no wrong choice. "Those are the hardest choices to make — when there's no wrong way to go. I could've went back for whatever the deal was or I could go start something new, and ultimately I just chose a new setup."
www.sportsnet.ca
Per league sources, the Raptors are still listening, trying to gauge the market value for their leading scorer and leading returning – in theory – playmaker. Atlanta remains a possibility, Indiana has reached out while Orlando is another team that bears watching. The Raptors don’t intend to drag the process out for weeks or months, but they don’t seem ready to close the door on a Siakam trade just yet. Meanwhile, they still remain committed to avoiding a total rebuild — in other words, nothing they do or don’t do with Siakam will make them any more inclined to trade O.G. Anunoby, the 25-year-old all-NBA defender who also has one year left on his deal. Teams are welcome to call about Anunoby, but don’t expect a call back — that's the message.
nihir 1 year ago • 100%
Let's hope the city can fight and stop this corrupt deal from ever happening.
If you’re tracing the devolution of the Raptors franchise, from their crowning championship achievement in 2019 to their latest bit of off-season hard luck, there’s at least one consistent through-line. As it was with Kawhi Leonard, and Danny Green, and Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol, so it was with VanVleet. The Raptors lost each of them to free agency for what amounts to nothing. In the ongoing dismantling of what’s left of a championship team, the Raptors have received very little in return for some of their best players. [Non-paywalled link](https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/opinion/2023/07/05/dismantling-of-raptors-roster-of-champions-has-brought-back-little-nows-the-time-for-those-long-term-decisions.html)
www.instagram.com
Words can’t do justice to how thankful I am to the city that watched me grow from a young kid praying for a chance to a NBA CHAMPION, all-star, and a father of 3! I am forever indebted to the franchise that gave me a shot when no one else would. We built things together that can never be broken, and accomplished things that will stand forever. I went from the fans not knowing who I was, to fan favorite, to most hated 🤣 and I’m thankful for every second of it. To the city, franchise, and country that watched me grow every step of the way - THANK YOU🙏🏽❤️
www.inquirer.com
Jalen McDaniels has agreed to a two-year, $9.3 million contract with the Toronto Raptors and will leave the 76ers in free agency, a league source confirmed to The Inquirer. McDaniels’ length and athleticism, though, are coveted attributes in the modern NBA. He spent the first three-plus seasons of his NBA career with the Hornets, and was averaging career-highs in points (10.6), rebounds (4.8), assists (2.0) and steals (1.2) in his 56 games with Charlotte last season before being traded. He was a second-round draft pick in 2019.
chicago.suntimes.com
After four and a half seasons as coach and general manager of the Sky, James Wade has accepted an assistant coaching job with the Toronto Raptors, the team announced Saturday. Wade’s final game for the Sky was Friday night’s win against the Sparks. Emre Vatansever will take over on an interim basis beginning with the Sky’s game against the Fever Sunday.
sports.yahoo.com
Anunoby told representatives during meetings with prospective agents, according to people familiar with the situation, that he was searching for greater ball-handling and playmaking duties in advance of his upcoming contract talks
nihir 1 year ago • 100%
It's great to see noise pollution being taken seriously. This is a good step in the right direction.
Joining as an officer in the order is Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri. Ujiri first joined the Raptors organization as an executive in 2008 before leaving to become the general manager of the Denver Nuggets in 2010. Born in Nigeria, he was the first African to hold a general manager position in U.S. professional sports. Returning to the Raptors in 2013, Ujiri helped build the team that won the franchise's first NBA championship in 2019. While he's mostly known for his work in professional basketball, Ujiri also launched the non-profit organization Giants of Africa, a youth basketball program. He is also known for being outspoken about anti-Black racism in Canada and the U.S.
www.sportsnet.ca
The Toronto Raptors have re-signed centre Jakob Poeltl to a four-year, $80-million deal, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
www.espn.com
Free agent point guard Fred VanVleet has agreed on a three-year, $130 million contract with the Houston Rockets, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Erika Ruiz told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday.
www.espn.com
Guard Dennis Schroder has agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, agent Mark Bartelstein told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday.
The 27-year-old center is expected to re-sign with Toronto for roughly $20 million annually, per [Marc Stein](https://marcstein.substack.com/p/top-nba-free-agents-and-their-likely). It’s believed he’ll be back with the Raptors regardless of Fred VanVleet’s future with the team.
www.hoopsrumors.com
The Raptors are not extending a qualifying offer to reserve point guard Dalano Banton, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer, per [Blake Murphy of Sportsnet](https://twitter.com/BlakeMurphyODC/status/1674552792596246528).
“My worst memory of Drake is in the middle of Game 7 of the playoffs, he sends me a picture of himself wearing Sixers shorts. He said, ‘I’m coming for you,'” [former owner Michael Rubin recalled](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuDESlcpb1Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=e2e7bf63-60f1-46dd-b38d-bf25af4d76d0). “As soon as I saw him in Sixers shorts, I said, ‘We’re losing this fucking game.’ That jinx-ass muthafucka,” he added, referencing the so-called “Drake Curse.” “Just put on these shorts and I knew it was a wrap. “By the way, I’ve never seen someone FaceTime me more times and me ignore him more than after that game. He had no chill. We had just lost [to Kawhi’s shot] and he FaceTimed every two seconds. I just never picked up. I just went home depressed.”
nihir 1 year ago • 100%
Definitely. At least there's something objective to make it formal.
thebalisun.com
Suzanne Milthorpe made it abundantly clear to animal lovers planning their visits to Bali that should they should think twice before visiting venues promoting animals for entertainment. Milthrope explained ‘What we found was no wildlife entertainment venue in Bali met good welfare standards for animals in captivity, and most didn’t even meet the basic needs.” The investigation assessed twenty-six animal tourism venues across Bali and Lombok which are responsible for the care and welfare of over 1,300 animals. According to the findings of the investigation, “nearly all did not meet the most basic needs of the animals held captive.”
torontosun.com
All signs are now pointing to a team content to run it back. If the Raptors do the expected, now, and bring back Fred VanVleet and re-sign Jakob Poeltl and don’t trade any of Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby or Gary Trent Jr, the only other move of note this off-season will be a coaching switch. Out with Nick Nurse, who clearly no longer wanted to be here, and in with Darko Rajakovic, who couldn’t be happier in his new job.
www.si.com
Before the Golden State Warriors traded Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards for Chris Paul, the team reportedly checked in with the Toronto Raptors about a swap for OG Anunoby. According to [Tim Kawakami of The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/4642298/2023/06/28/warriors-chris-paul-jordan-poole-trade/?source=nbatw), the Raptors were not interested in such a deal.
www.google.com
With the NBA free agency moratorium opening on June 30, the Toronto Raptors plan to prioritize retaining point guard Fred VanVleet and centre Jakob Poeltl, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg.
The Canadian men's basketball team has a new head coach, according to reports. Jordi Fernandez, an associate head coach with the NBA's Sacramento Kings, will lead the Canadian men in their pursuit of a Olympic berth in Paris 2024, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and The Associated Press.
Kevin Obanor, a fifth-year senior out of Texas Tech, is the latest addition, joining the Raptors on an Exhibit 10 deal, [according to Bryan Kalbrosky of USA Today](https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/tracking-top-undrafted-free-agents-2023-nba-draft-signed). The deal is non-guaranteed and will allow Toronto to keep Obanor with the Raptors 905 for the season. Expect Obanor to compete for one of three two-way spots Toronto has this year. Fellow undrafted rookie Markquis Nowell has been inked to one of the two-ways with the remaining two up for grabs.
ca.sports.yahoo.com
The newest Raptors first-round pick revealed that he will be wearing No. 1 with Toronto. Dick wore No. 1 in high school, which he acknowledged was his preferred choice, but that number was not available at Kansas, so he switched to No. 4 instead. Gradey Dick says he's been impressed with Toronto so far - how beautiful the city is, how genuine the people are. "I think I hit the jackpot coming here"
Sources: UCLA basketball assistant Ivo Simovic is finalizing a deal to become a Toronto Raptors assistant coach. He joins the staff of fellow Serbian Darko Rajakovic, who he has worked with previously in Serbia [ - Pete Thamel, ESPN (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1673337808730071044)
The Toronto Raptors are reportedly planning to make a “big money offer” to VanVleet when free agency opens later this month, according to Matt Moore of the Action Network. Toronto remains “on the table” as an option for VanVleet. Moore had previously reported VanVleet was unlikely to be with the Raptors as multiple teams are expected to pursue the 29-year-old point guard. Houston and Philadelphia are two teams Moore had named as potential landing spots for VanVleet either as free-agent signings or via a sign-and-trade.
ca.sports.yahoo.com
The Toronto Raptors took a flier on a high-profile undrafted free agent early Friday morning, signing Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell to a two-way contract, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Nowell, 23, had a breakout performance in this last season’s NCAA tournament, leading Kansas State to the Elite 8 while averaging 23.5 points per game during his four tournament games.
In fact, the Raptors built their entire identity off the idea of “vision 6-foot-9,” with the front office explaining that their intention was to first build a team out of athletic, versatile wings and to figure out the rest of the roster later. Well, it seems like the latter part of the team building experiment has finally come, with Toronto selecting 19-year-old Kansas guard Gradey Dick with the 13th overall pick in Thursday night’s NBA Draft. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/raptors-hint-at-shift-in-philosophy-by-selecting-gradey-dick-in-nba-draft-140037027.html
Matt Moore was on the JD Bunkis podcast today and said Fred VanVleet is "very, very desired on the market" this summer. He expects VanVleet not to be back with the Raptors. Fascinating to me how everyone seems to want Fred except large swaths of the Raptors fanbase.
Toronto Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. will opt into his $18.5 million player option for the 2023-24 season, his agents Rich Paul and agent Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports confirmed to Chris Haynes of TNT.
www.sportsnet.ca
The Toronto Raptors are expected to “run it back” in the 2023-24 season, according to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange. Grange received intel from multiple league sources who expect the Raptors to try to keep their current core. “What I’m hearing now is they’re not going to trade from their core,” said one league source.
Looks like it might be raining all next weekend. I was used to Toronto always being somewhat sunny, but these days with the forest fire smoke or rain, it feels like there's a lot more time indoors. Any good ideas for weekend activities when it rains... besides the obvious (ie.movies or malls)?
Despite Masai Ujiri being universally recognized as one of the best executives in the league, reports have come out saying that he — as well as the rest of the front office — are frustrating to deal with, according to the [Action Network's Matt Moore](https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/nba-intel-report-damian-lillard-conundrum-bradley-beal-fever-draft-positioning). Opposing front offices reportedly were exasperated by the Raptors’ attempts to get “blood from a stone” in any deal they were negotiating, with Moore emphasizing the steep asking price Toronto is demanding to acquire forward O.G. Anunoby. When asked why they continue to engage in trade talks with Toronto, one source said it’s because “there are only 29 teams to work with.”
askTO | Ask Torontonians Questions
Any doctors taking new patients?
nihir 1 year ago • 100%
This isn't a good answer, but there's an provincial service to connect you with a doctor called Health Care Connect. You can register online or you can call 811 to register by phone 24/7.
Welcome to the Lemmy home for the Toronto Raptors. I'm borrowing from the c/TorontoBlueJays pinned thread as I created this community for a similar reason. This is a great place to continue the r/TorontoRaptors subreddit. I've reached out to the mods there to see if they wanted to migrate to Lemmy or even just come onboard as moderators since they have the experience and knowledge to keep the community going. I've yet to hear back, but I'm sure they are busy with all the stuff happening in the reddit world at the moment. In the meantime, there's an opportunity to create and grow a Raptors community here alongside what exists. If you want to help, please contribute interesting articles and links using some of the current threads as guidelines until we come up with clearer rules for those types of things. And if you have ideas, tips, suggestions, please reach out. If you want an easy way to make this space better, please comment or share the community with others. A few things we'll need going forward: - A way to create a bot to automatically post game-day threads. This is still months away from being needed, but better to be prepared for the season. - A banner for the community. I didn't want to rip off the banner from the subreddit, so if anyone has the graphic skills, feel free to submit something. Until then, let's enjoy the off-season. The coaching search may be finished, but we have the draft and free agency before Summer League gets under way!
raptorsrapture.com
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/666254 > According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Raptors getting Poeltl back is far from a sure thing, with Feigen mentioning that Poeltl could be more available than most think. Toronto should still be in the pole position for him very clearly, but they shouldn’t think that him coming back is a done deal. > > [Red Nation Hoops YouTube (@39:52)](https://youtu.be/DPLTIEgkqYA?t=2392)
raptorsrapture.com
According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Raptors getting Poeltl back is far from a sure thing, with Feigen mentioning that Poeltl could be more available than most think. Toronto should still be in the pole position for him very clearly, but they shouldn’t think that him coming back is a done deal. [Red Nation Hoops YouTube (@39:52)](https://youtu.be/DPLTIEgkqYA?t=2392)
The Toronto Raptors are believed to be strong suitors to select Kansas' Gradey Dick in the NBA Draft. Dick, though, would be entirely different. He shot 40.3% from behind the arc on nearly six attempts per game, more than half of his attempted field goals. He averaged 14.1 points per game with 5.1 rebounds and nearly two assists. The questions for Dick come in terms of individual playmaking and defensive ability. “When driving the ball, Dick does lack the explosiveness and creative moves to get by good defenders,” wrote Sports Illustrated. “He’s more of a straight-line driver that leverages his physicality and size to get to the rim. However, he is good at using fakes and jabs to get defenders to over-commit in order to get to his spots.