In Episode 1435, Sean Woodley goes solo to break down where things sit with the Toronto Raptors going into the NBA's free agency window, which opens today at 6pm ET. Off the top, Sean digs into why he's ultimately feeling pretty zen going into the offseason despite the uncertainty surrounding Fred VanVleet. It seems pretty implausible that there aren't contingency plans in place if Fred bolts, but it also seems like it's still very possible that FVV does come back to the Raptors at the end of the day. Next, Sean runs through the financial picture for the Raptors and the dominoes that will need fall for the Raptors in the event VanVleet does re-sign and which money-cutting moves might be necessary in response. Plus, how does the uncertainty with James Harden in Philly inform the of the Raptors' plan to run it back, and what the ideal outcome for the next week or so would be for the Raptors through Sean's eyes.

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In Episode 1437, Sean Woodley goes solo to to discuss the possibility of Pascal Siakam getting traded as a follow up to Fred VanVleet's departure in free agency, the signing of Jalen McDaniels, and what to make of the Raptors' depth chart as it stands. Off the top Sean digs into the latest rumours about Siakam from Sportsnet Michael Grange, and discusses why the Atlanta Hawks, while being the most likely trade partner, might still be tough to strike a deal with considering the outside factors at play for both teams. Are there any other potential Siakam suitors that could join the mix if in fact the Raptors are gearing up to move their best player? Or is it more likely Siakam ends up extending with the Raptors and sticking around? Next, Sean discusses the addition of Jalen McDaniels on a 2-year, $9 million contract and what his addition means for the bench, as well as whether his addition could stand to increase the odds of Chris Boucher or Precious Achiuwa getting moved in a trade for guard help. Lastly, Sean assesses the Raptors' depth chart as it stands and digs into why the departure of Fred VanVleet's pull up shooting threatens to render the Raptors' offense as one of the worst in basketball, even if the defense figures to be as stout as ever.

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In episode 1433, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (DIME, Basketball Feelings) to discuss the Toronto Raptors potentially extending Pascal Siakam this off-season, why that should be a thing worth celebrating, and why the new CBA makes those feelings a little more complicated because of how restrictive it seems to be when it comes to team building. Essentially, is the new CBA, which includes a restrictive second tax apron that will make building high priced teams very challenging, going to make being a fan a worse experience? Next, Sean pitches Katie on a wild trade idea. If Damian Lillard asks out, is it all that nuts to call up the Blazers and offer them a package headlined by Scottie Barnes to bring Dame to Toronto? It wouldn't be a deep team, but a Lillard-VanVleet-Anunoby-Siakam-Poeltl starting lineup would be pretty sweet! Lastly, Sean and Katie react to the news out of Canada Basketball yesterday, where Nick Nurse is stepping down as head coach of the men's national team to be replaced by former Raptors head coach hopeful Jordi Fernandez, as Nurse's ties to the Raptors are now officially gone.

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In Episode 1434, Sean Woodley goes solo to discuss the latest Fred VanVleet rumours tying him strongly to the Houston Rockets, whether the Raptors' reported in Gabe Vincent if Fred walks is at all exciting, and what other contingency plans could make sense if the Raptors' point guard walks for nothing in free agency. Off the top, Sean digs into the latest Marc Stein report suggesting the Rockets are gearing up to offer Fred a max two-year deal in the range of $84 million, and why that type of balloon payment would make it untenable for the Raptors to stay in the bidding war. But what's the plan if he leaves? Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported Thursday that Gabe Vincent could be a backup plan for the Raptors if their lose their starting point guard. Sean digs into why that would be a pretty disappointed and probably ineffective way to address FVV's departure. Like VanVleet or not, he does things on the court that Vincent has never shown a capacity to pull off. Next, Sean digs into some other possible contingency plans, including a deal for one of Tyus Jones, Delon Wright or Monte Morris from the Washington Wizards, or a full mid-level offer to one of Jordan Clarkson or Bruce Brown, the latter of which is probably a pipe dream. Could a VanVleet departure see the Raptors' revisit the nuclear option of trading Pascal Siakam? Lastly, Sean digs into some listener questions about the off-season that didn't do much to help lift the creeping sense of dread he's feeling ahead of free agency on Friday.

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In Episode 1438, Sean Woodley is joined by Katie Heindl (DIME, Basketball Feelings) to break down Michael Grange's latest reporting at Sportsnet about the internal strife that went on within the 2022-23 Toronto Raptors, the rift between Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam and the younger players on the team (presumbably Scottie Barnes?), and why it's starting to feel like the Raptors are quickly headed towards the end of an era, with a Siakam trade very possible this off-season. Off the top, they dig into their biggest takeaways from Grange's piece, which seemed to prove a lot of what we thought was going on during the back half of a tumultuous Raptors season, and implicates every level of the franchise -- the front office, the coaching staff, the vets, and the young guys -- as part of the failure that was 2022-23. Next, they examine the possibility of a Pascal Siakam trade, which could go down soon, or not at all. But is there some potential value to simply ripping off the band-aid and pivoting into a new era for the franchise? And if that does happen, what's the feeling on the VanVleet-Siakam core and the runway they got as the faces of the team? Lastly, they quickly discuss what they're looking forward to from the Raptors Vegas Summer League squad.

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In Episode 1439, Sean Woodley is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors.com) to break down the Toronto Raptors offseason so far and give them a grade on the series of moves that lead them to this point before digging into some reasons to get excited about the current roster construction and playing a classic Locked On Raptors game. Off the top, Sean and Vivek dig into the Raptors offseason so far, which has seen the departure of Fred VanVleet, the re-signing of Jakob Poeltl and the additions of Dennis Schroder and Jalen McDaniels so far. Has this marked the low point for the Masai Ujiri regime in Toronto? And are there ways in the which the offseason can be salvaged, either through a Pascal Siakam trade or a swing for the disgruntled Damian Lillard? Next, Sean and Vivek run through some reason for optimism if the current roster is in fact the one the Raptors more or less go into the 2023-24 NBA season. Development appears to very much be back on the front burner, which is fun. There should also be some interesting lineup constructions that can be built around Scottie Barnes as a lead ball-handler -- although it'd be nice if there were more! Plus, does the Raptors defense stand a chance of being near-elite? Lastly, Sean runs Vivek through the trial that is That Random Raptors Game, with an important Fred VanVleet outing from 2017 the subject of this latest instalment.

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In Episode 1441, Sean Woodley and Vivek Jacob (Raptors.com) chat about their biggest takeaways from the Toronto Raptors opening two games at Vegas Summer League, the newly annnounced in-season tournament, and what the Toronto Raptors can do to address their issues at the guard position before the summer's out. Off the top, they dig into their thoughts on an 0-2 start to Summer League for the Raptors, and their biggest takeaways from the performances of Gradey Dick and Markquis Nowell so far. Plus, have any other of the Summer Raptors caught their eye, for reasons good or bad? Next, and Vivek dig into the newly announced in-season tournament that will hit the NBA this coming season, whether they're looking forward to it, and why it feelsl ike it stands a chance of being a pretty awesome addition to the league calendar. Lastly, Sean and Vivek dig into the Raptors' glaring issues at the guard position and whether there is a move that could make sense for them this summer to balance out the roster and get more guard play in the door. Could Ayo Dosunmu be a good option for Toronto? And would Precious Achiuwa be worth moving out in exchange for a guard upgrade?

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In Episode 1442, Sean Woodley goes solo to discuss the latest reporting on Toronto Raptors star forward Pascal Siakam and the rumours that he might be headed out of town some time this summer, with the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers both identified as potential suitors. Off the top, Sean digs into the latest from Marc Stein, and retraces the franchise's steps that have led to what could be an embarassing, and potentially damning divorce with their best player and one of the best Toronto Raptors in history. How did we get here? Sean digs into why it would represent a pretty collossal failure on the part of the front office for all their minor moves and small mistakes of the last couple years to lead to a trade of their best overall player. Next, Sean digs into what could potentially be on offer from the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers. Some combo of De'Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin, Kobe Bufkin, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu from the Atlanta Hawks could give the Raptors a nice youthful talent infusion, but will the Hawks be compelled to play ball? The Indiana Pacers can probably put one of Jarace Walker, Ben Mathurin or Andrew Nembhard on the table, but are any of those prospects tantalizing enough to make it worth moving off a guy who the Raptors could very easily just sign to an extension to keep him around long term? Lastly, Sean discusses why he'd absolutely be in favour of the Raptors extending Siakam, both because there is plenty of reason to think he'll remain quite good through the life of his next deal, and because the Raptors might stand a chance of trading him for more down the line if in fact that's the endgame here. Barring a great offer coming Toronto's way this summer, hanging on to the very good basketball player is probably the best move.

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