The NBA trade deadline has come and gone and the Raptors decided to stand pat.

As the stretch drive gets under way, we enlisted Star reporter Doug Smith to chat with readers about what the Raptors did or didn’t do at the deadline, what might become available in the buyout market and anything else NBA-related. (Yes, scarves included.)

Here’s what he had to say.

From Chris via email: I wanted to ask whether you think there’s a chance raptors re-sign Van Fleet & Ibaka. What kind of money and term would you expect them to receive from raptors or any other team.

I don’t think they’ll let Fred get away but you’re looking at four years and north of $100 million, I suspect. I’d offer Serge two years at $60 million or so and see how that goes over. The thing that might factor into it is that no team that’s any good has money for free agents and those two guys are used to winning and winning big.

From reader via email: Who had the better scarf?

As I said on The Magical Tweeter Machine the other night, I’ve heard of Burberry so I went with OG. But, trust me, no one needs my fashion advice/opinion

From reader via email: Of the Raptors’ likely playoff opponents in the east, who do you think made the best moves? Were you surprised the Sixers didn’t do a little more, given their struggles?

The only team to make a move of substance was Miami so I’ll go with the Heat. Not sure what more the Sixers could have done, they don’t have a lot to move outside of two untouchables that would make them better. Different but not better.

From reader: How did the trade deadline impact Canada’s national team outlook — given that Drummond will likely take minutes from Tristan Thompson? And Wiggins (who is still in national team limbo) moving to Golden State.

Tristan is a free agent this summer and that’s going to be the thing that precludes his playing for Canada more than the trade. Wiggins? His ambivalence goes to Golden State with him.

From reader: Cavs already have two bigs (Love and Thomson). What’s the pickup with Drummond? Why?

Tristan will be gone next year, Drummond is likely to be back; it’s a move for the future.

From reader: Hey, I have Kevin Love on my fantasy team — will he see less minutes and mess up my line ups?

I don’t think his role will change substantially at all. I also don’t care one little bit about fantasy sports but that’s just me :)

From reader: What are your thoughts on players being candid or personal over social media on their trades? We saw it with DeMar DeRozan, and now Andre Drummond via Twitter, who said “There’s no friends or loyalty in the NBA.”

My first thought is I wish they’d share their private thoughts solely with me but I have no problem with them using social media. The problem with that, though, is that they don’t have to answer followup questions and that’s troubling to the journalist in me.

From reader: Should we be concerned about FVV for off-season trades? (There were rumours of Detroit seeking him out before deadline and he’s unrestricted this summer.)

There will be no trade but there will be teams throwing a lot of money at him. And no matter what I say, people will worry.

From reader: Who has the better team for the All-Star game? Team LeBron or Team Giannis?

I can’t really go against the team with all the locals and the Raptors coach, now can I? Plus, I have an Eastern Conference bias.

From reader: When will we see a WNBA team in Toronto? And thoughts on the women’s chances — assuming they qualify, which I’d imagine they would — in Tokyo this year?

I can’t give you a definitive “when” but I’d take the under if the over-under number was five years. The women? 100 per cent legit medal contenders.

From reader: Aside from the Bucks, which team in the East should the Raptors be worried about post-deadline? The Heat or Sixers?

I don’t think anyone wants to play the Heat. They’re tough minded and good and every game will be an 84-81 slugfest.

From James via thestar.com: How would you assess Andrew Wiggins’ move to the Warriors?

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I think it’s a great fresh start for him with a solid, successful organization where he will be able to be a bit player rather than a star and, hopefully, learn from the likes of Curry, Thompson and Green. I also think Steve Kerr will be great for him and hold him accountable. Not sure how much of a star he’ll be but I hope he enjoys winning and learning how to win.

From Joe via thestar.com: To me, Mark Gasol has the most irreplaceable package of skills on the team. If he were to be injured in the payoffs, what are the 1 or 2 things that he does that the Raps need to have, in a replacement ? I’ve got strength and smarts on defence.

Well, him being hurt “in the playoff” would be a crippling blow.. What I think he brings, which is basically irreplaceable, is basketball IQ and experience. They’d have to ride Serge pretty heavily in that case.

From Arlene via thestar.com: Would the Raptors be able to bring Henry Ellenson up from the 905 to help at centre if Gasol’s injury is long-term?

They would have to create a roster spot to get him on the team but there’s no reason they couldn’t. I don’t think it’s on their radar because I’m not sure he’s any better than Chris Boucher, who’s already under contract.

From Al via thestar.com: In an alternate universe where the Raptors hired Mike Budenholzer following Dwayne Casey’s departure, do they still win the championship last year? And if the Bucks had hired away Nick Nurse, would they still be ahead by a mile in the East this year? Both coaches seem top notch in all respects, but hypotheticals are fun!

I’m not sure this answer went through — my interweb skills are lacking — so here we go: Is Kawhi still on the team? Then most likely but I will say Nick’s flexibility and personality — nothing ever fazes him — was instrumental in dealing with “load management” and a mid-season trade was unique.

From Arlene via thestar.com: Regarding draft selections, one reporter keeps mentioning that Raptors missed out on Clint Capela by drafting Caboclo instead. In retrospect Raptors could have drafted Domantas Sabonis instead of Jakob Poeltl. No one seemed to see Sabonis potential at the time. Wondering why? I personally liked him better than Poeltl...but they didn’t ask me.....:-)

They should have asked :) But the draft is a total crapshoot and playing hindsight on it is hardly worth it.

From Mingo via thestar.com: Hearing how much Bill Simmons got from Spotify for his podcast, any thoughts about resuscitating I’ll Have Another?

We’d do it in the blink of an eye! Write your MPP!!!!

From Mark via email: Any idea who the Raptors will target in the buyout market? Bismack? A shooter?

The buyout market is entirely player-driven and, frankly, the Raptors don’t have the one thing players want: Minutes. I would be shocked if they got anyone but I do think they need to call Jamal Crawford.

From Twitter: Doug — as the real god father of Raptors journalism, what is your opinion about all the opinion pieces driven by Dolan’s initial wish to have Masai run the Knicks? Masai has remained silent throughout on this and it seems like a lot of hysteria is not based on any facts.

I think there was far more smoke than fire and while I get logical reaction to events, I didn’t, as you know, get too caught up in it because I don’t think it was as real as some others. I do, however, think Masai is ambitious and young and has great things to do not only in basketball but in society and I do not for one second think being the president of the Raptors is the last job he’ll ever hold.

From Steven via thestar.com: Are you surprised that OG has not advanced more this year? Do you feel he is still a considerable asset to keep, or perhaps a bargaining chip given Powell’s consistency this year? And am I in fact missing parts of his game and not giving him enough credit for his overall contribution. He has been disappointing for me this season with his offensive production. Is he untouchable?

I think he is a young player learning how to play. And since his second year was basically lost to injury and other issues and the presence of Kawhi Leonard, I am sure not ready to give up on him at all. That said, he has to be better than he has been so far this season; too many nights of non-involvement.

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