[fliptonnParticipant]

theyre in an interesting position. with bargnani out for the season theyre destined for a high pick. Valaciunas is improving rapidly, and that front court is looking like it could be something special. I really believe that Calderon can be a top tier pg with the right pieces around him, he makes great decisions (highest assist to turnover ratio in the league) and can hit open shots. Then there’s DeRozan playing either the two or three. So its clear that they will go with a wing player and its looking like it will be lamb or barnes. I think lamb is a perfect fit and will help spread the court but many think barnes would work better because it would allow DeRozan to play the 2. Brad Beal is also in the mix. But I think there is a bright future for this team, and theyre doing it by building up with players theyve drafted. What do you guys think?

[Toronto16Participant]

 Agreed with you.  Quietly the Raptors are building a great future and are putting themselves in a great position for the future.

[BouncyBallParticipant]

Pg- Jose (for now)

Sg- Derozan / Draft (Beal,Lamb)

Sf-Derozan / Draft(MKG/Barnes)

Pf- Bargs

C- Val

I honestly think this team could be in the playoffs as early as next year, and if Collangelo adds the right pieces to completement this starting line and/or to possibly replace jose for a younger PG than in a few years they are easily contenders.

[Future_Scout]

i agree^. can i just ask why have i seen toronto fans asking for dru and some mocks with dru going to the raptors? 

derozan versatility gives them the flexibility of choosing the wing they think its ultimately the best/ best fit come combine time, either sg or sf

 

[j1232eParticipant]

I think they need a big strong PF-C type to go along with all there big shooters.  Maybe Drummond.

[ChrisCrossParticipant]

 They’re still pretty bad on defense, just saying.

[er1csh3nParticipant]

 They went from being last in dRTG for the last two years to 14th in that category this year, and probably could have been higher if they didn’t foul so much this year, most this year in fouls. So I believe you are pretty inaccurate in your statement.

[fliptonnParticipant]

true, but the additions of valaciunas and lamb provide good perimeter and interior defense. weak spots at the 1 and 4 are obvious but if they can get that offense clicking they should be just fine amir johnson, ed davis, james johnson, and jerryd bayless all play solid D off the bench. 

[ChrisCrossParticipant]

 maybe, but that’s a lot of pressure for rookie to be the focal point of your defense

[fliptonnParticipant]

didnt say they would be good next year, just said they have a bright future 

[omphalosParticipant]

I think it comes down to whether or not they can find their go-to guy. I don’t see it as DeRozan, Barnes isn’t likely to be available unless they move up in the lottery, Lamb doesn’t have that mentality and Valanciunas doesn’t scream "first option" to me.

That leaves Bargnani, who is actually offensively skilled enough to do so, he just needs to stay healthy. The condensed season has been tough on him, but hopefully with an extended training camp with Coach Casey he can prove more durable than he was this time around.

The biggest question mark for the Raptors has to be their PG position though, by the time this team is ready to compete for a top seed in the East, Calderon will be an old man. I know a lot of people have given up of Bayless, but before his injury he was showing signs of being a starting calibre PG. He defends well, can create his own shot, works hard and shows leadership. Hopefully he gets the nod to start soon, because even though he’s bounced around I think he can really help this team make a fringe playoff outfit next season.

Bright future in Toronto, if they can get a top-3 pick in the draft and take MKG or Barnes then they are set.

[Future_Scout]

 and it is fair to say that most agree with an SF with their first pick. but what about the second rounder they got, should they pick up a guy like tyshawn taylor who can back up pg and some sg or go big?

 

[mgreener_34Participant]

 I feel like the Raptors are in the easiest possition for this years draft. No matter who is available they are going to fill a need with a highly skilled player. I think it’s safe to say one of Barnes, Beal, or Lamb will be available wherever they pick, and any of those players will add much needed perimeter offense from the wing. 

I do think there could be some other interesting brews coming from the Raptors on draft night. I personaly feel Bargnani isn’t to over payed, and if Val can be an inforcer then he might be worth keeping around. But are the Raptors sold on Bargs, or even Ed Davis for that matter? It’s a possibility that they trade either of those guys along with Calderon to pick up a young pg like Dragic/Lowry, or get another pick. Either way the Raptors will be winners on draft night. 

[dmo21Participant]

My realistic plans for the Raptors this summer would look something like this:

1) Bring over Valanciunas. Start him off the bench, but at the end of the year he will be starting and playing big minutes unless he has troubles with fouling.

2) Draft a wing, that can shoot, with 1st round pick. I’ll just say we get Barnes. Start him from day 1 as he should excel with having a pass first point guard like he did in college.

3) With the 2nd round pick, probably get a point guard like Taylor. Just a third point guard who could evolve into something down the road.

4) Resign Bayless and Gray without spending to much money (I would not over spend on Bayless, and Gray won’t get large offers anyways). Bayless will become the 6th man as a scoring punch off the bench like Barbosa used to. Gray is a good 3rd center who can match up against large centers and hold his own. He actually is a decent player.

5) Try to sign a young, true point guard in free agency to be Calderon’s heir. Ever since last summer I have been suggesting Dragic, but now with his outstanding play I see a team paying wayyy to much for him. So my backup plan would be Augustin as Charlotte doesn’t have a use for him anymore and I think he can become a good player still. He is still young and has never been given full reigns of a team yet, which he won’t get in Toronto for a couple years anyways lol.

So my starting lineup would be Calderon, DeRozan, Barnes, Bargnani, and A.Johnson. This team has very diverse players and the depth charts at each position would be:

PG- Calderon, Augustin, Bayless, Taylor

SG- DeRozan, Bayless, Forbes, Taylor

SF- Barnes, J.Johnson, DeRozan, Kleiza, Forbes

PF- Bargnani, Davis, Kleiza, A.Johnson, J.Johnson

C- A.Johnson, Valanciunas, Gray, Bargnani, Alabi

I can see a possibility of the playoffs with this team in the near future.

[Troupa DupsParticipant]

Do you even watch the Raptors to comment on their defence?  Get a clue before you make a random comment without supporting facts.  Historically the Raptors have been a horrible defensive team however with the addition of Dwayne Casey that is no longer the issue.  They are 4th in the NBA currently in points allowed in the paint, that doesn’t scream horrible defensive team to me.

[chocboywndrParticipant]

 Not sure where to start with the raptors being a Toronto guy . I am not at all sold on Bayless I will say that. To me he doesn’t really show a high basketball IQ. He gets to the basket and does get assists, but his assists seem to be after thoughts more like he couldn’t shoot so I had to pass assists. The team always seems clunky and not smooth when he runs it. That said the free agent market looks thin on pg’s this year. If Bayless and Dragic are anywhere near same cost Dragic is a no brainer. I wouldn’t be against packaging a trade with either ed davis or Amir with our 55th pick. I like them both but they are going to in the end be similar players so one could go. If we could get another late first round pick for that package it could be good and pick up say a Marcus Teague. I also think they should pick Barnes, firstly I think he will be able to produce from game one. I also think that while he didn’t have a good tournament, he was never the same after his ankle injury Jan 31st, his pct dropped from 49%-38% and his 3pt pct from 45%-28% and he stopped getting to basket as he was in their first 21 games of the year. Plus he can gaurd his position and is 6’9" with shoes on. Their are also some guys who you might be able to get for one year that had decent years this year but still have questions around them that are young like Gerald Green. They are on the cusp of being a very good up and coming team this is a make or break draft and offseason.

 

 

 

[hubhubParticipant]

You have to remember that when Valanciunas comes he might no be 100% ready to defend the bigger guys like Howard, Bynum or even Pekovic and consistently rebound on the highest level. He has he frame but he will for sure have some struggles at the begining beacuse of his lack of weight. When he gains the strenght he can be a monster but it will take some time. If they can get Barnes it will look very well on paper. The future is bright for the Raptors but we will probably have to wait some time to see them reaching their potential.

[Author]

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