In Episode 1428, Sean Woodley is joined by Joe Wolfond (Pound the Rock, The Score) to discuss Gary Trent Jr. opting into the final year of his deal with the Toronto Raptors before gauging their level of optimism in the Raptors actually threading the needle and pulling off a positive offseason for the franchise. Off the top, they dig into the Trent decision and why it's a good thing for the Raptors regardless of whether Trent is a long-term fit with the team. Could we see GTJ take another jump up in effectiveness in a new offensive system? And should the Raptors really be looking to extend him beyond next season? Next, Sean and Joe discuss their levels of optimism or skepticism in the Raptors pulling off a positive off-season. Is the proposed Pascal Siakam deal for a package involving the 3rd-overall pick from the Portland Trail Blazers the Raptors' only realistic path to pivot to a new timeline? Failing a Blazers deal, is running it back the next best option, or would that be a bad idea considering the current status of the roster? Lastly, Sean and Joe play a quick round of Mid-Level Madness, as they pull potential mid-level exception signings' names from a hat and discuss their theoretical fit with the Raptors -- Max Strus, Dillon Brooks, Jae Crowder or Dario Saric anyone?

Be sure to join the growing Locked On Raps listener community on our Discord server! It's entirely free, and it's very fun! https://discord.gg/qjqZke5k

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Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

In Episode 1427, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors.com) to discuss Gary Trent Jr.'s option decision day before digging into the personal wish lists for the Toronto Raptors ahead of this week's NBA Draft. Off the top, they chat about the looming Gary Trent Jr. option decision, which way they think he'll lean, and why it would be something of a relief for the Raptors if he opts in to his $18.6 million salary in the final year of his contract. Next, they dig into their personal wish lists for the Raptors going into the Draft. Would they like to see the Raptors keep the status quo and run it back with a new coach and a new on-court vision? Or is now the time to make a big swing and pivot towards youth by getting a Pascal Siakam trade to the Portland Trail Blazers over the finish line. Plus, inspired by a listener mailbag question, is Masai Ujiri's reported stubbornness in trade negotiations actually a bad thing? Lastly, Sean and Vivek chat about why O.G. Anunoby remaining with the team through the NBA Draft is very much on their wish list of things they'd like to see.

Come hang out in the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/qjqZke5k

Birddogs

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eBay Motors

For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed.

Ibotta

Right now, Ibotta is offering our listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code Locked when you register. Just go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code Locked.

PrizePicks

First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON

BetterHelp

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at Betterhelp.com/LockedOnNBA and get 10% off your first month.

FanDuel

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Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

In Episode 1426, Sean Woodley is joined by Rafael Barlowe (NBA Big Board) to get the latest on the rumours swirling around the Toronto Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the NBA Draft, and talk through some of the Raptors' options with the 13th-overall pick. Off the top, Sean and Rafael dig into the latest rumblings Rafael is hearing from around league on the potential of Raptors deal with the Portland Trail Blazers for the 3rd-overall pick. Could the Blazers put no. 3 on the table to land Pascal Siakam to pair with Damian Lillard, with the Raptors' target theoretically being Scoot Henderson? Next, Sean runs some of his strongest-held draft opinions by Rafael to get a gauge of whether he's Too High or Too Low on a pair of guard prospects: Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin and Baylor guard Keyonte George. Sean's all about the Bufkin bandwagon and is pretty sure he's the best possible outcome for the Raptors with the 13th-overall pick, and is a little lower than consensus on George. Can Rafael talk him to somewhere near the middle on either guy? Plus, some quick-hitters on Jalen Hood-Schifino's three-point stroke, and the super tantalizing Leonard Miller and the potential of either of them being the choice for Masai Ujiri and company on Draft night. Lastly, Rafael grades Sean's performance in the Locked On NBA Mock Draft.

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The Utah Jazz land an interesting addition to their surprisingly good 2022 roster while the New Orleans Pelicans focus more on play surrounding Zion Williamson than replacing him. The Atlanta Hawks also grab another big man to take some pressure off of star Trae Young.

Locked On's NBA Mock Draft Special is here and it's bigger than ever! Led by the dynamic trio of NBA expert Kylen Mills, NBA Draft expert Rafael Barlowe, and College Basketball expert Isaac Schade at the anchor desk; alongside dozens of local Locked On team experts as GMs, you'll get unparalleled insight from the war rooms of each first-round team in an ultimate mock draft experience only Locked On can deliver. Additional analysis by NBA Big Board hosts Lief Thulin and Richard Stamen alongside NBA Insider Howard Beck

Birddogs

Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and they’ll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order.

eBay Motors

For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed.

PrizePicks

First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON

BetterHelp

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at Betterhelp.com/LockedOnNBA and get 10% off your first month.

FanDuel

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Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

In Episode 1425, Sean Woodley goes solo to examine the possibility of the Toronto Raptors trading up with the Portland Trail Blazers at the NBA Draft to draft Scoot Henderson with the 3rd-overall pick, presumably with Pascal Siakam going the other way. Off the top, Sean details why the Raptors need the Blazers to get a little bit stupid in order for this dream to become a reality, and the circumstances that seem to be leading the Blazers towards potentially doing just that. Plus, some thoughts on what fun it would be to see a guy of Scoot's hyper-athletic, rim-attacking archetype on the Raptors, which is something the fan base has never experienced at the point guard spot before. Next, Sean digs into what the scouts say about Henderson's strengths as well as the areas in which he'll need to improve in order to fulfill his full superstar potential, and how his strengths would fit alongside Scottie Barnes and within a Darko Rajakovic system. Lastly, Sean digs into what the Raptors offseason should look like in the event they do land Scoot, Anfernee Simons and other pieces from the Blazers in exchange for Siakam. Would that deal make it easier for the Raptors to let Fred VanVleet walk outright in free agency? And what would it mean for Gary Trent Jr.? Look, there is almost no way this trade is happening. But like, what if it did...

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In Episode 1424, Sean Woodley is joined by Jamar Hinds (Raptors Republic) to revisit their conversation from a month ago about the Toronto Raptors deep bench players and discuss whether or not their feelings on those players have changed with the hiring of Darko Rajaković. Off the top, they discuss whether or not they're looking at each of the Raptors younger deep bench players with a clean slate now that Rajaković will be bringing his player development prowess to Toronto. Next, they discuss whether or not Malachi Flynn's career stands a chance of being saved by a pick-and-roll friendly head coach and a little more opportunity in the final season of his rookie scale contract. Lastly, Sean and Jamar dig into their excitement for Christian Koloko, whether or not Dalano Banton stands a chance of carving out a niche under the new coach, and why Otto Porter Jr. is being slept on as a contributor on next years' Raptors.

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In Episode 1423, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (DIME, Basketball Feelings) to share their biggest takeaways from the Toronto Raptors introductory press conference for new head coach Darko Rajaković. Off the top, they dig into what they were most intrigued by from the presser, and why it really did feel like a step into a new era for the franchise after a lifeless end to the Nick Nurse era. Next, they chat about whether they feel better about the Raptors having a direction as a franchise once again, and why Rajaković's comments about communication and getting to know his players on a personal level hint at a potential shift back to the more familial vibe the franchise has been known for in the past. Lastly, Sean and Katie chat about what the arrival of Rajaković might mean for the developmental aspect of the Raptors' franchise, and why it's so essential for the Raptors to get back to their developmental ways.

Come join the growing Locked On Raptors listener community over on Discord! It's a really fun time! https://discord.gg/aP6u4nMd

Birddogs

Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they’ll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order.

eBay Motors

For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed.

PrizePicks

First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON

BetterHelp

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at Betterhelp.com/LockedOnNBA and get 10% off your first month.

FanDuel

Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud

In Episode 1422, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors.com) to talk through some more of their thoughts on the Toronto Raptors hiring Darko Rajaković as the teams prepares to introduce him on Tuesday afternoon, before reacting to Fred VanVleet officially opting out of his contract to become a free agent. Off the top, Sean and Vivek talk a little about the Denver Nuggets winning the NBA championship before diving more into what excites them about the Rajaković hire, and which players they're most excited to see play under Darko Rajaković's tutelage. Next, they discuss Fred VanVleet officially opting out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, which we all knew was coming for a year, and doesnt' tangibly change his status within the team's plans. What happens if FVV leaves for nothing in free agency? Sean also goes on a rant about whether you like Fred's game or not, the objective correct move is for the Raptors to try and retain him. Lastly, what about Gary Trent Jr., who has yet to make a decision on his own player option. If the Raptors lose Fred, does it become a priority to keep Trent Jr. around simply to prevent a mass exodus of shooting talent?

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