AROUND the NBA: Pat Bev Suspended 4 Games Next Season| PHX Fires Vogel, Hires Bud

[omahen]

What an odd answer in regards to the status of an extension for Siakam.

When asked why a player of Siakam’s caliber hasn’t even been offered an extension, Ujiri parroted the party line, seemingly throwing his star under the bus.

“We do believe in Pascal,” Ujiri said. “We do believe that a lot of our players didn’t play the right way last year. I said it: We were selfish. I’m not running away from that. We were selfish, and we didn’t play the right way. So let us see it when we play the right way.”

I just don't get their strategy. I think Toronto missed their chance to get high reward for their (now) expiring guys. It is obvious that this group is not good enough to contend and they even lost VanVleet, so one could expect them to be even worse this season. They didn't make a splashy move that could turn their direction and put everyone in the right position. They have a bunch of long, athletic and switchable wings that should make for great defense, but they actually didn't. Offensively they obviously lack a top playmaker, better shooter or two could also help a lot. They did nothing to address those needs. They are basically facing a situation, where guys like Siakam and OG just walk in the summer to teams where they can contend, or Toronto will have to pay premium salaries to keep them - same group that is not good enough to contend. They were not prepared to pay premium for FVV...