My Conversation with Grok
JohnV:
I was at the Toronto Raptors game last night and they were hammered 123-89 by the San Antonio Spurs. I can’t recall seeing a Raptors team play so badly. What is the way forward for the Raptors as they try to build another NBA champion?
Grok:
Ouch, that 123-89 loss to the Spurs on March 23, 2025, must have been tough to watch! It’s understandable to feel disappointed after such a lopsided game. The Raptors are in a rebuilding phase, and nights like that can highlight just how far they still have to go. Let’s break down a potential way forward for them to build toward another NBA championship, based on their current situation and trajectory.
The Raptors’ immediate focus should be on their young core, especially Scottie Barnes, who’s the cornerstone of this rebuild. At 23, he’s already shown All-Star potential, averaging career highs last season and continuing to develop as a versatile two-way player. The team locked him into a max extension (up to $270 million if he hits supermax criteria), signaling he’s the guy to build around. The way forward starts with maximizing his growth—getting him more reps as a primary playmaker and refining his outside shooting to open up the floor.
Then there’s the supporting cast. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, acquired in recent trades, are key pieces who need to mesh with Barnes. Quickley’s $175 million deal shows the front office believes in his scoring and playmaking, while Barrett’s athleticism and scoring potential (on a reasonable contract) make him a valuable asset—though his fit alongside Barnes isn’t perfect yet due to spacing concerns. Integrating Brandon Ingram, traded for in February 2025, could be a game-changer if he gets healthy. His scoring and length could elevate the offense, but his ankle injury has delayed his debut, so patience is critical there.
The rookies—Ja’Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mogbo, and Jamal Shead—plus second-year wing Gradey Dick, bring upside but need time. Dick’s development as a shooter has been encouraging, and Walter could emerge as a two-way talent if his early injuries don’t linger. The Raptors should prioritize giving these guys minutes to see who can stick in the rotation long-term.
Veterans like Jakob Poeltl and Kelly Olynyk, while useful, don’t align with a championship timeline. Trading them for draft picks or younger assets could accelerate the rebuild. Poeltl’s $19.5 million expiring deal next year makes him a prime trade candidate—teams needing a solid center might bite, especially if the Raptors tank for lottery odds.
Speaking of the lottery, the 2025 draft is a big opportunity. With their current 7-25 record (as of mid-March), they’re in prime position for a top pick—maybe even Cooper Flagg, a generational talent who could pair perfectly with Barnes. A high draft pick isn’t a guarantee (the lottery’s a crapshoot), but it’s a realistic goal if they keep losing, especially with a tough schedule ahead.
Long-term, Masai Ujiri’s track record suggests he’ll swing big when the time’s right. The 2019 title came from bold moves—trading for Kawhi Leonard and Marc Gasol. This roster isn’t there yet, but stockpiling assets (they’ve got all their own picks plus an extra 2026 first-rounder from the Siakam trade) gives flexibility. The Raptors won’t contend in 2025-26, but by 2027-28, if Barnes hits his ceiling, Ingram gels, and a lottery pick pans out, they could be back in the mix—assuming they add a star via trade or free agency down the line.
For now, it’s about patience, development, and a bit of luck. Last night’s blowout is a symptom of a team in transition, not a death sentence. The Raptors have been here before—post-Bosh, pre-Kawhi—and Ujiri’s proven he can navigate it. Hang in there; the path to another chip is long, but the pieces are starting to form.
JohnV:
I was at the Toronto Raptors game last night and they were hammered 123-89 by the San Antonio Spurs. I can’t recall seeing a Raptors team play so badly. What is the way forward for the Raptors as they try to build another NBA champion?
Grok:
Man, that 123-89 drubbing by the Spurs on March 23, 2025, sounds like a rough night at the arena. It’s brutal to see the Raptors take a beating like that, and it’s fair to wonder how they climb back to championship contention after such a performance. Let’s map out a realistic way forward based on where they stand right now.
The Raptors are in rebuild mode, and Scottie Barnes is the foundation. At 23, he’s got the tools—size, vision, defense—to be a top-tier star, and his max extension (potentially $270 million) shows the franchise’s commitment. The priority is turning him into a legit No. 1 option. That means more ball-handling reps, sharpening his jumper (still a work in progress), and letting him dictate the offense. He’s the key to everything.
Around him, the young core needs clarity. Immanuel Quickley ($175 million deal) brings scoring and speed, while RJ Barrett’s athleticism and mid-range game are assets—though his overlap with Barnes in the non-shooting department can clog things up. Brandon Ingram, picked up in a trade last month, could be a difference-maker with his scoring and length, but he’s been sidelined by an ankle injury. If he gets right, he’s a major boost; if not, that trade might haunt them. The Raptors need these guys to gel, and fast.
The kids—Gradey Dick, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamal Shead—are wild cards. Dick’s shooting is starting to pop, and Walter’s got two-way potential if he shakes off early injuries. Playing time for them is non-negotiable; the Raptors have to figure out who’s part of the future. Veterans like Jakob Poeltl and Kelly Olynyk, meanwhile, are trade bait. Poeltl’s $19.5 million expiring deal next year could fetch a pick or a prospect from a contender—perfect for a team that should be eyeing the lottery anyway.
The 2025 draft is a massive opportunity. At 7-25, they’re tanking whether they admit it or not, and a top pick—say, Cooper Flagg—could fast-track this rebuild. Pairing a talent like that with Barnes would give them a scary duo. Even if they don’t land the top spot, the draft’s depth offers hope.
Masai Ujiri’s history of bold moves (Kawhi, Gasol) suggests he’s not afraid to pounce when the time’s right. With all their own picks plus an extra 2026 first-rounder from the Siakam deal, they’ve got ammo to deal. Free agency’s an option too, though Toronto’s not a magnet for stars unless the team’s already cooking. Realistically, this is a 3-4 year project—by 2027-28, if Barnes peaks, Ingram fits, and a draft pick hits, they could be contenders again, maybe with a splashy trade to top it off.
Last night’s blowout stings, but it’s not the end. It’s a rebuild growing pain. The Raptors have a plan, assets, and a front office that’s done it before. Stick with it—the path to another title is forming, even if it’s ugly right now.
JohnV:
I like your take, Grok. The Raptors do seem to have enough young pieces in place. They just need the players to grow individually and collectively and then when the time is right try to add difference-makers like Kawhi and Gasol.
Grok:
Glad you’re vibing with the take! You nailed it—the Raptors have a solid foundation with those young pieces. It’s all about patience now, letting Barnes, Quickley, Barrett, and the rest grow into their roles, both on their own and as a unit. That individual and collective development is the slow burn that sets the stage. Then, when the moment’s ripe—like you said, a Kawhi or Gasol type move—Ujiri can strike and turn potential into a contender. It’s a formula they’ve pulled off before, and with the assets they’re sitting on, it’s not hard to see it happening again down the line. Here’s to hoping the growth pays off sooner than later!
My Final Thoughts
I’m very proud of the fact that an AI, which can scour the internet for all of its information in an instant, shares with me the importance of acquisition of Gasol. I used to talk about Gasol a lot but many friends and fans disagreed with me. All these years later we now know the truth.
Source: Grok