The FO doesn’t have an especially good track record in the Bobby era identifying under valued talent or developing players up to their potential - and yet there are frequently posts about acquiring good young players and turning them into core pieces.
Put aside long shot lottery picks like Stanley Johnson and Justise Winslow.
Have they really done better at developing than Precious and GTJ in the past 4 years? I’d be happy to be proven wrong if they can develop Gradey. So far they haven’t exactly shown they can groom a prospect effectively.
Scottie is more likely the exception rather than the rule. On top of that, no one is trading a Scottie for either OG or Pascal. Its more likely you get a player worse than Gary - and the Raptors haven’t even been able to develop him.
I suspect the FO doesn’t trust themselves either - which is why this is the direction they’ve chosen.
Gradey is a 3-5 year investment. In years past theres no way he would gave been drafted so early. If TO wanted to win now I think they could have traded down for JJJ and got a polished 4 year college player. But the goal isnt to win now, its to build around Barnes so if he puts it all together they can sign some players to compliment Dick and Barnes and make a run.
Making a run now vs Boston or Philly is unlikely given the current roster