April 2014 Toronto Raptors Wiretap

Greivis Vasquez: Durant Will Have Statues Outside ACC

May 13, 2014 6:49 PM

Greivis Vasquez was teammates with Kevin Durant in high school at Montrose Christian in Maryland.

"Hopefully I get to play with him one day in the NBA and hopefully it's here in Toronto," said Vasquez on Toronto radio on Monday.

Durant is a free agent in 2016 and he grew up a fan of the Toronto Raptors during the Vince Carter era.

Vasquez, who is a free agent this offseason, talked about Durant again on Tuesday with Bryan Hayes of TSN 1050.

Hayes: "It was announced 'Raptors Day' on Monday here in Toronto, and you guys just got to the first round. What do you think the city would be like if you ever won a title here?"

Vasquez: "Well, imagine if we get KD, Kevin Durant, 2016."

Hayes: "That's your guy, too, right?"

Vasquez: "And he'll lead us to a championship."

Hayes: "Are you calling your shot right now, Kevin Durant coming to Toronto?"

Vasquez: "I think he'll have statues right outside the ACC."

Hayes: "And where's your statue going to be?"

Vasquez: "It's OK. It could be back in the locker room, it could be in Venezuela. As long as I win a championship with KD, that'll be an amazing feeling. So hopefully that happens."

Vasquez spoke glowingly about Toronto during his exit interview following the Raptors' season.

James Herbert/CBS Sports

Tags: Kevin Durant, Greivis Vasquez, Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Eric Griffin To Play For Raptors' Summer League Team

May 12, 2014 9:05 PM

The Toronto Raptors will have Eric Griffin on their Summer League roster, sources tell RealGM.

Griffin was a late cut last preseason by the Miami Heat after playing for their Summer League team.

Griffin attended Campbell and played this season in Puerto Rico.

Griffin is also interested in picking up with another team for the Orlando Summer League.

Shams Charania/RealGM

Tags: Eric Griffin, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Summer League

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Raptors To 'Attack' Own Players First In Free Agency

May 6, 2014 12:33 PM

The Toronto Raptors' offseason priority will be to retain the status quo of the roster before making improvements.

Masai Ujiri expressed wanting to keep the core together to build on the continuity of a Raptors' team that won the Atlantic Division.

"When free agency comes, we have to attack our guys first," said Ujiri.

Kyle Lowry will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

Doug Smith/Toronto Star

Tags: Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Raptors Agree Upon Three-Year Deal With Dwane Casey

May 5, 2014 8:25 PM

The Toronto Raptors have agreed upon a three-year deal with Dwane Casey, according to sources.

Casey's future with the Raptors appeared uncertain before the start of the season, but helped turn around the Raptors into a team that won the Atlantic Division.

Casey was hired by the Raptors before the 11-12 season.

David Aldridge of NBA.com reports that Casey's deal will likely be worth just under $4 million per season.

Doug Smith/Toronto Star

Tags: Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Valanciunas To Work Out With Olajuwon In Offseason

May 5, 2014 1:43 PM

Jonas Valanciunas will work out with Hakeem Olajuwon this summer.

Olajuwon has worked out with many of the game's big men, most notably Amar'e Stoudemire and Dwight Howard.

Olajuwon is also credited with improving the mid-post game of Kobe Bryant.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Kyle Lowry On Free Agency: 'I Love This Place, I Love This Situation'

May 5, 2014 3:42 PM

Kyle Lowry will be a free agent this offseason, but he would like to re-sign with the Toronto Raptors.

Lowry became one of the best point guards in the Eastern Conference this season with an All-Star caliber performance.

"I love this place, it's as simple as that," said Lowry.

"The most important difference I've seen in Kyle is his ability to lose weight," said Patrick Patterson, who was comparing the differences in Lowry between his time with the Rockets and Raptors.

"This was the perfect storm for the Raptors. Lowry was in the last year of his contract and showed up for camp in the best shape of his life," said one source to ESPN's Marc Stein.

Doug Smith/Toronto Star

Tags: Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Raptors Interested In Pursuing Vince Carter

May 5, 2014 10:48 AM

The Toronto Raptors are internally considering pursuing Vince Carter in free agency.

Carter wants to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks by all accounts after finishing his three-year, $9 million deal.

Carter was traded by the Raptors to the then-New Jersey Nets in 2004.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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