Drouin Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Toronto Raptors _____________________________________________________________________________________ With Colangelo stepping down and the hiring of Masai Ujiri, finally moving Bargnani, etc.. Do you think this is the year the Raps finally make the playoffs? Or do they have a losing season once again and go for Andrew Wiggins? Projected Starting Lineup: Point Guard: Kyle Lowry When plans to sign Steve Nash fell through last summer, former general manager Bryan Colangelo turned to the trade market and acquired Lowry from the Houston Rockets. A quick, feisty and capable defender, Lowry was seen as a good fit for coach Dwane Casey’s system. T he 6’0″ guard made 52 starts in 68 appearances in 2012-13, with overall averages of 11.6 points, 6.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds. However, his status as the team’s No. 1 option at the point was not fully resolved until Jose Calderon was dealt on Jan. 30. Lowry has one year remaining on his contract at $6.2 million, but it is partially guaranteed as the team holds an option to waive Lowry before July 15 at a cost of $1 million. There is a lot of flexibility here if Ujiri decides that Lowry doesn’t fit into his plans. Shooting Guard: DeMar DeRozan In the hours leading up to the Raptors 2012-13 season opener, DeRozan was inked to a four-year, $38 million extension that kicks in next season. The urgency of signing him to that extension was debated because management could have waited to gain a better understanding of DeRozan’s value this summer as a restricted free agent. The only Raptor to make 82 starts this season, DeRozan averaged a high 18.1 points per game on 44.5 percent On the plus side, DeRozan has shown a willingness to attack the basket in his four years in the league and his mid-range game is improving. The downside, though, is that DeRozan has connected on just 23.9 percent of his 3-point attempts over his career and he could stand to pitch in a little more at the defensive end. If DeRozan can raise his game to another level in 2013-14, it might not happen in a Raptors uniform, although I can see Ujiri wanting to give DeRozan a look next season before deciding on his future with the team. What makes DeRozan expendable is that the team has other players with similar skills, including Terrence Ross who will enter his second season needing a lot more playing time to develop his game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavel Burrows Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Go Raptors!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLASSJAW Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Can't stand the Raptors at all, and wish the Knicks didn't get Bargnani Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drouin Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 Can't stand the Raptors at all, and wish the Knicks didn't get Bargnani Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueberries Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Raptors suck. Go Spurs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstar Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Fail for Nail Wiggins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drouin Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 Raptors suck. Go Spurs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Fail for Nail Wiggins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drouin Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 Wingin' for Wiggin About Bargnani's move, was it basically done because he wasn't able to get it done despite expectations of being the #1 guy? (I don't follow the Raptors). Also, I guess that one 1st and two 2nd's for any player regarded as under-performing would be an excellent return at the time of the trade, but since you're in the same division as the Knicks I'd just be wary of the fact that if he finds his form he could come back to burn the Raps, with their division rivals in NY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crosby8877 Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Playoffs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucks#01fan Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 No playoffs bud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
250Integra Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Don't forget Hansbrough. Great pickup IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drouin Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share Posted July 25, 2013 Don't forget Hansbrough. Great pickup IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otis Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Yep. 6"9 monster, not afraid to play physical. Helps with the loss of Bargnani. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drouin Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share Posted July 25, 2013 The loss of Bargnani was a gain in itself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otis Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Lol, I guess so. Speaking of Bargnani, how good is Novak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drouin Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share Posted July 25, 2013 Novak is a pure shooter. One of the best 3 point shooters in the NBA. He's not too great at anything else but he's the kind of player th Raps need off the bench since most of our best players do most of their work in the paint, Novak should help spread the floor quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otis Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Awesome. Ross / Novak shooting 3's lol. Raps look good heading into next season. I hope Valanciunas has a breakout year, kid has a lot of potential, as does Ross. What do you think about Lowry? Is he good enough to start? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Doughty Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Raptors suck. Worst franchise in the NBA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theironlef Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 Hate all you want, i think the raptors have a chance this year. They made some good moves this offseason and Colangelo not being the GM is good. We're still a little white, but no Bargnani, perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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