#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Welcome to the Toronto Raptors' Season 68 PBSL Presser! I'm GM Penny, and I wanted to take some time to discuss Season 67 and our plans moving forward. Last season was undoubtedly a challenging one for us. We fell short of our goal to make the playoffs, and it was a disappointing end to what had been a fun run these past few seasons. Facing such a setback, it was becoming painfully obvious this squad needed to reset. That's precisely what we have done.

This offseason, we took significant steps to reshape our team. We created ample cap space by making some major trades and parting ways with fan-favorite Markus Ridenhour and Kevon Looney. In return, we acquired some nice frontcourt pieces with Evan Barber and Woodrow Lucky. These moves allowed us the financial flexibility to make important signings during free agency. We were unfortunately not able to sign away Candice Parker and Booger Smith because of matching deals, but we are thrilled to welcome Gradey Dick as our new Center. We also managed to retain Kamari Brown, forming a promising young core of talent that we're excited to develop.

During the Free Agency period, we made a couple of big splashes by signing Brandon Ingram and Charles Jarrett to one-year deals. These additions bring both skill and experience to our roster, contributing to the exciting mix of new faces that will define this season. While the team may have many new faces, and it will undoubtedly be an adjustment, I am genuinely excited about the future. We've laid the groundwork for a team that can compete at a high level, and I look forward to seeing this new roster in action this season and beyond.

Thank you all for your support, and I'm ready to take any questions you may have.

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Raptors have a very different roster from last season, but it's yet to be seen which roster has more talent. How do you think this team compares to last season's Raptors, and do you expect to finish with a better or worse record?

Are you excited about the Free Agent acquisition Brandon Ingram? Do you feel he will help lead you franchise to the post season and beyond?

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Did you plan to bring back any of the RFA's you signed, or was it an attempt to mass poison pill GMs?

Skeeter Valentine, Junior Writer, Bluffington Post, Sim Sports Division:

Who do you see as your biggest rivals within your own division, and in the conference as a whole?

Random Reporter: What ultimately made you decide to rent out Ingram and Jarrett instead of giving the keys over to Brown and Dick completely?

garbageman wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2024 10:05 pm Sham Smith, Bulls.com: The Raptors have a very different roster from last season, but it's yet to be seen which roster has more talent. How do you think this team compares to last season's Raptors, and do you expect to finish with a better or worse record?

I liked last year's starting lineup because of how well-balanced it was as a whole but we had very little depth which hurt us in close games. I think this team will be a lot different. We are focusing more on offense now with Ingram leading the way. I think this season we will win around 45 games so slightly worse than last year.

Eazy P wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:30 am Are you excited about the Free Agent acquisition Brandon Ingram? Do you feel he will help lead you franchise to the post season and beyond?

Very excited. Ingram has been a great player for a while now. We are excited to see him lead the Raptors this season. I think the playoffs are within grasp but I still have work to do to get there.

AngryBanana wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:33 am Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Did you plan to bring back any of the RFA's you signed, or was it an attempt to mass poison pill GMs?

I wanted all of them. I thought Booger Smith would be a great complement to Gradey Dick in the frontcourt and I think Parker would have fit in nicely as a primary scorer with Kamari Brown. No poison pill at all.

Jedihero wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:36 am Skeeter Valentine, Junior Writer, Bluffington Post, Sim Sports Division:

Who do you see as your biggest rivals within your own division, and in the conference as a whole?

Right now, I think the Cavaliers are in my division. We are both looking for our first taste of success in the playoffs and the last two seasons we have been competing for the 7th seed. The Raptors got it in Season 66 and the Cavs got their revenge last year. I've also lost to Chicago twice in the playoffs so I consider them a rival.

Xist2Inspire wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 12:49 pm Random Reporter: What ultimately made you decide to rent out Ingram and Jarrett instead of giving the keys over to Brown and Dick completely?

I was throwing out max bids everywhere and just happened to get lucky and nab Ingram/Jarrett. It is a short-term fix but I am still looking for a 3rd wheel to join my young core.