For Raptors fans, the recent championship has amped up the off-season to “a six-year old on pixie sticks” level of intensity. As we stare at our phones the pressure (hopes) of a potential title defense colour every move. We can now zone out over certain transactions. The Knicks sign Julius Randle for $63-million? It literally means nothing to Toronto this year.
Other moves take on nightmarish significance that seem out of proportion to the players involved. Wesley Matthews taking less money to play in Milwaukee? Shit. Close your eyes and you can imagine a world where he hits four threes in a Game 6 clincher that ends the Raptors season.