Raptors general manager Bobby Webster completed his first NBA trade deadline as the man in charge Thursday.

Here are the biggest takeaways from his media appearance after the Raptors easily beat the Chicago Bulls.

OBJECTIVES COMPLETED

Toronto went into the deadline seeking some help up front and, as Webster had said as far back as the opening of training camp, to get under the luxury tax. They did both.

“I think we accomplished the objectives,” Webster said. “We needed to get under the tax. We were looking for some front-court help. We tried to get work done early. Monday, Tuesday, last night with the Trayce (Jackson-Davis) thing. We had some fun. There were some bigger deals. I think at this point, for this group, we didn’t want to chase,” Webster said.

“You didn’t want to get in a situation where you felt like you were not necessarily overpaying, but we’re still on the uphill climb I think. What are we, two thirds into the season. Pretty positive start here, more than a start. The group’s coming together. There will be a time where we’ll push in and consolidate and add some picks. We just felt the prices were, at this point, a bit higher for us.”

Meaning they want to see what they’ve got and didn’t think they were good enough yet to push in most of their chips for help. Given the record against good teams, that makes sense.

IS RJ BARRETT STICKING AROUND?

Webster discussed the rumour mill and how it sometimes gets rolling without much substance. “I think everyone talks amongst themselves, and I think that creates a lot of it (trade chatter). But, you know, I stay in communication with him, his agent, even in the case of Jak. So I think they all know that unless they hear from us, or hears from us personally, that they don’t need to be worried about all the rumours,” Webster said.

“As far as RJ, I think, listen, he’s had a little bit of injury bad luck this year. When he’s been on the court, we win. I think when he’s been on the court, he provides dynamic scoring for them. But listen, we’re gonna have to win at the highest level. We’re gonna have to win down here and make it to the playoffs. We have to win in the playoffs. And I think that’s what we wanted to do with this group, is see what this group can do. (We’re in) the last third of the season, hopefully make some noise in the post-season, and then we can sort of collect ourselves at the end of the year,” he said.

TJD TIMELINE

Toronto’s been high on Jackson-Davis for a while. How long? Well, Webster noted he first saw him play way back in the summer of 2018 when he was randomly playing just a bit West in St. Catharines for Team USA at an Under-18 tournament.

“Then obviously great pedigree with his dad (Dale Davis), Indiana, Golden State. So I think that was someone we’ve always had our eye on. Timing matters, too. We called on him in the past, and then Golden State yesterday, getting (Kristaps Porzingis made him more gettable),” Webster said.

“I think it sort of was the time for him to become free. So we knew when we got under, when we did the Ochai deal, we would have the ability on Wednesday to look at some of these guys. We didn’t have a lot of money to spend, but say anyone under 3 million, we could look at and bring them in. And so, Trayce quickly rose to the top of that list, and fortunately, the timing worked.”

AROUND THE RIM

Other notes that stood out were Webster saying they believe Poeltl will be able to join them for the stretch run, barring any other setbacks; Webster noting the silver lining of the injury has been seeing what rookie Collin Murray-Boyles can do at centre. “That’s huge … By all means it’s translated for sure on the defensive end. the strength’s there, obviously, he’s not 7 foot, but for sure it’s been a great surprise for us to see him (fitting in at centre) this quickly.” Finally, Toronto will waive Chris Paul “at the appropriate time” (even though Paul is one of Webster’s all-time favourite players.

@WolstatSun