[dmo21Participant]

 

 

Here’s my somewhat realistic thoughts on what I’d like to see the Raptors do this off season.

 

1. I’d like them to keep Lowry as he brings heart, toughness, and full out hustle. However, I see some team offering him a bunch of money and I don’t think he’ll be worth the money. With that assumption I’d hope the Raptors would pick up the QO on Vasquez (is a capable starting pg who provides ball movement) and resign De Colo as a guy who can play both guard spots.

 

2. I wouldn’t pick up the team option on Salmons. He gets paid a lot for not playing much or doing a whole lot. Plus there are other capable guys like Fields and Novak who will still be on the team.

 

3. This is my tough move, but I wouldn’t pick up Amir’s option but I would resign PatPat. I know Amir is the heart of this Raptors team and he’s been there forever and loves the city, but this is a business. I see Amir as a great athlete who so happens to play basketball (hell of a progression from the first days he arrived here) but Patterson is a basketball player, and you can see the differences in their game. Things come naturally to Patterson and his bbiq is very high. Plus Amir always starts hot and fizzles out by the end of the year, which you can’t have if you’re going to be a playoff team.

 

4. In the draft I’d look point guard for the future, but of course go BPA. It’d be cool to get Ennis (a Canadian) or Micic (having 3 tall international point guards who can play the 1 and 2 would be crazy). I’ll say Micic as Ennis will probably go higher. 

 

5. For free agents I’d look for a bulky veteran big man to play behind JoVal (let’s say we bring back Gray, another option could be Lavoy Allen). And my biggest hope would be to sign Vince. He can play both wing positions off the bench and I think he’d be a great mentor for DeRozan and Ross as he’s been in their shoes before (super athletic player and playing in Toronto).

 

So after these moves, the base of this team would be:

PG: Vasquez, De Colo, Micic

SG: Ross, Carter

SF: DeRozan, Novak, Fields

PF: Patterson, Hansbrough

C: Valanciunas, Gray, Hayes

 

 

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

 Totally agree with point #2 and that’s about it. Have some comments on the others. Lowry is an interesting case. He’s not a true PG and never will be and if they had a PG who could make people better, it could be a great benefit to Jonas and Ross. Amir should be brought back for sure. Being the "heart and soul" of a playoff team is no small feat. I remember Vasquez saying how Amir won them a game with his just his screening ability. Plus, realistically what free agent could they get with that money? Pat is not a starting caliber PF on a contending team in my book. You guys really need to upgrade that position. They should really look there or at PG in the draft. And Vince is too hurt by the whole Toronto saga to ever come back.

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

 Totally agree with point #2 and that’s about it. Have some comments on the others. Lowry is an interesting case. He’s not a true PG and never will be and if they had a PG who could make people better, it could be a great benefit to Jonas and Ross. Amir should be brought back for sure. Being the "heart and soul" of a playoff team is no small feat. I remember Vasquez saying how Amir won them a game with his just his screening ability. Plus, realistically what free agent could they get with that money? Pat is not a starting caliber PF on a contending team in my book. You guys really need to upgrade that position. They should really look there or at PG in the draft. And Vince is too hurt by the whole Toronto saga to ever come back.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Vince wants back he was interviewed this year stating he wants to eventually be a part of the organization he also said he was forced out of Toronto.

DMO I usually agree with all of your comments but I just cant this time. Ive been a longtime Raps fan and we now have a very young core group that enjoys playing ball together and wins games. If it aint broke dont fix it. GM’s in the NBA only get fired if thier team underdelivers on expectation created by fans and the media. As long as the Raptors are in the Playoffs expectations are being reached because we never make the playoffs! With this core they can continue developing through the draft and through development of guys like Ross, and Valanciunas.

We dont need more rebuilding scenerios, or worst case scenerios, we need roles filled to improve on a playoff team.

[dmo21Participant]

True, I don’t want them to rebuild either. But I don’t want them to throw money around at guys in a non logistic way. Lowry has had a great season, but it was a contract year for him. Plus with the way he plays I can see injuries being a problem. Also, with pass first point guards we can get Val more touches down low. They waste his talent the majority of the game.

With Amir, it’s different as I love the guy. Really tough on what my choice was going to be on keeping him or letting him go. If they do keep him, I’d like to see him come off the bench as an energy guy (which he has alluded to a couple times this season) as I see that as his greatest role. Plus I think Patterson fits next to Val better as he naturally opens up the floor more and makes better decisions/passes.

I can see this team making the playoffs again next year (in the east, of course). But there’s still enough salary to sign more impactful players, which is why I called this a base roster.

 

 

[dmo21Participant]

True, I don’t want them to rebuild either. But I don’t want them to throw money around at guys in a non logistic way. Lowry has had a great season, but it was a contract year for him. Plus with the way he plays I can see injuries being a problem. Also, with pass first point guards we can get Val more touches down low. They waste his talent the majority of the game.

With Amir, it’s different as I love the guy. Really tough on what my choice was going to be on keeping him or letting him go. If they do keep him, I’d like to see him come off the bench as an energy guy (which he has alluded to a couple times this season) as I see that as his greatest role. Plus I think Patterson fits next to Val better as he naturally opens up the floor more and makes better decisions/passes.

I can see this team making the playoffs again next year (in the east, of course). But there’s still enough salary to sign more impactful players, which is why I called this a base roster.

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Vince wants back he was interviewed this year stating he wants to eventually be a part of the organization he also said he was forced out of Toronto.

DMO I usually agree with all of your comments but I just cant this time. Ive been a longtime Raps fan and we now have a very young core group that enjoys playing ball together and wins games. If it aint broke dont fix it. GM’s in the NBA only get fired if thier team underdelivers on expectation created by fans and the media. As long as the Raptors are in the Playoffs expectations are being reached because we never make the playoffs! With this core they can continue developing through the draft and through development of guys like Ross, and Valanciunas.

We dont need more rebuilding scenerios, or worst case scenerios, we need roles filled to improve on a playoff team.

[WITNESS2014Participant]

If they could somehow get Rondo. I think that would be amazing for Ross and Val.

Rondo
Ross
Derozon
Patterson
Val

I know its not likely but just an idea.

[WITNESS2014Participant]

If they could somehow get Rondo. I think that would be amazing for Ross and Val.

Rondo
Ross
Derozon
Patterson
Val

I know its not likely but just an idea.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I looked at the cap earlier this year as well and thought "how can we add more talent". I understand the only way to free up enough money to make a big splash is to let Lowry and Johnson walk although I just dont like the idea of a gamble. I enjoy basketball, and especially enjoy playoff basketball and would like to submerge myself in that enviroment more then once per 5 years.

As far as developing Valanciunas a pass first PG would only get him more touches. A pass first PG wont develop his skills and body and then make him comfortable using his skills and body in a confident and consistant manner he has to do that. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

I looked at the cap earlier this year as well and thought "how can we add more talent". I understand the only way to free up enough money to make a big splash is to let Lowry and Johnson walk although I just dont like the idea of a gamble. I enjoy basketball, and especially enjoy playoff basketball and would like to submerge myself in that enviroment more then once per 5 years.

As far as developing Valanciunas a pass first PG would only get him more touches. A pass first PG wont develop his skills and body and then make him comfortable using his skills and body in a confident and consistant manner he has to do that. 

[kazamParticipant]

 I would let Lowry walk. He helps win as many games as he helps put in jeopardy with poor decision making and questionable shot selection. For me its a love hate relationship with Lowry in an odd sense- I love him defensively, he works his tail off, might gamble a bit too much but overall a solid defender, probably one of the better point defenders. Offensively, another ball game, doesnt really run the team as efficiently as I would like to see. 

If it’s possible there are a few guys I would like the Raps to try and target in Free Agency. The Raps obviously wont get all of these guys but if they could get a few I think it could help the squad.

1) Greg Monroe- Yes, hes Restricted. Will the Pistons match? If I were the Pistons, I would in a heartbeat, he’s a better front court mate for Drummond than Smith but they already screwed that up. Maybe the Raps can weasel Monroe to Toronto. (* Amir Johnson to me isnt a starter on a true contender- great energy guy off the pine)

2)Chris Kaman- I dont know how much money Kaman will demand because he hasnt gotten a ton of burn plus he hasn’t been great this year. BUT, the Raps need someone on their second unit that can come in and score. Kaman does that. As well, he is servicable for the Raps when JV gets into foul trouble which is often. 

3)Dejaun Blair- Glass eater. Jonas rebounds well, Amir does as well. You can never have enough guys that work their tail off cleaning the glass. Losing Patterson after this season may open up a spot for another work horse. 

4) Shaun Livingston- He has looked good this year. Still obviously not much of a shooter, long playmaker though. Good back up if the Raps let Lowry walk and keep Vasquez. 

5) CJ Miles/ Marshon Brooks- Brooks had a great start to his young career then fell off pretty drastically. CJ Miles is a decent outside shooter. Again, more spark plugs off the bench. 

 

 

[kazamParticipant]

 I would let Lowry walk. He helps win as many games as he helps put in jeopardy with poor decision making and questionable shot selection. For me its a love hate relationship with Lowry in an odd sense- I love him defensively, he works his tail off, might gamble a bit too much but overall a solid defender, probably one of the better point defenders. Offensively, another ball game, doesnt really run the team as efficiently as I would like to see. 

If it’s possible there are a few guys I would like the Raps to try and target in Free Agency. The Raps obviously wont get all of these guys but if they could get a few I think it could help the squad.

1) Greg Monroe- Yes, hes Restricted. Will the Pistons match? If I were the Pistons, I would in a heartbeat, he’s a better front court mate for Drummond than Smith but they already screwed that up. Maybe the Raps can weasel Monroe to Toronto. (* Amir Johnson to me isnt a starter on a true contender- great energy guy off the pine)

2)Chris Kaman- I dont know how much money Kaman will demand because he hasnt gotten a ton of burn plus he hasn’t been great this year. BUT, the Raps need someone on their second unit that can come in and score. Kaman does that. As well, he is servicable for the Raps when JV gets into foul trouble which is often. 

3)Dejaun Blair- Glass eater. Jonas rebounds well, Amir does as well. You can never have enough guys that work their tail off cleaning the glass. Losing Patterson after this season may open up a spot for another work horse. 

4) Shaun Livingston- He has looked good this year. Still obviously not much of a shooter, long playmaker though. Good back up if the Raps let Lowry walk and keep Vasquez. 

5) CJ Miles/ Marshon Brooks- Brooks had a great start to his young career then fell off pretty drastically. CJ Miles is a decent outside shooter. Again, more spark plugs off the bench. 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I think people just tend to find negatives in everything. If Vasquez started on this team people would say we need an upgrade do to Vasquez being an ineffiecient scorer  and terrible defender and then how are you going to upgrade the PG position. The key in mu opinion is balance and development. 

The Raptors main weakness right now is interior defense and post scoring.We have very little resistance on help defense in the paint to clean up when the opposing team penetrates to the basket. Valanciunas looks like he will thrive offensively in the future but defensively he doesnt quite look like a stopper.

With that being said adding Monroe does not compliment Toronto or Valanciunas because he struggles being a consistant defensive threat as well and if you get rid of Lowry the best perimeter defender on the team and allow Vasquez a terrinle perimeter defender to start and replace Johnson who is the best help defender on the team with Monroe you are asking for trouble

Seems like something Bryan Colengelo would do.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I think people just tend to find negatives in everything. If Vasquez started on this team people would say we need an upgrade do to Vasquez being an ineffiecient scorer  and terrible defender and then how are you going to upgrade the PG position. The key in mu opinion is balance and development. 

The Raptors main weakness right now is interior defense and post scoring.We have very little resistance on help defense in the paint to clean up when the opposing team penetrates to the basket. Valanciunas looks like he will thrive offensively in the future but defensively he doesnt quite look like a stopper.

With that being said adding Monroe does not compliment Toronto or Valanciunas because he struggles being a consistant defensive threat as well and if you get rid of Lowry the best perimeter defender on the team and allow Vasquez a terrinle perimeter defender to start and replace Johnson who is the best help defender on the team with Monroe you are asking for trouble

Seems like something Bryan Colengelo would do.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I have faith in this team to continue growing with Derozan, Ross and Valanciunas still getting better. My dream scenerio would be convincing Lowry to stay while drafting Montrezl Harrell to be a weak side defender next to Valanciunas.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I have faith in this team to continue growing with Derozan, Ross and Valanciunas still getting better. My dream scenerio would be convincing Lowry to stay while drafting Montrezl Harrell to be a weak side defender next to Valanciunas.

[Ny2daDeathOFmeParticipant]

There’s probably only 4 main teams lowry may even really consider. Raptors/bucks/kings/lakers are the only team that has the money and oppertunity for him to start. I wouldn’t be surprise at all if he resigns with the raptors. They aren’t gonna let him go after having such a good season. They missed out on drafting the hometown kid by keeping lowry so most likely lowry will be one of the raptors building block.

[Ny2daDeathOFmeParticipant]

There’s probably only 4 main teams lowry may even really consider. Raptors/bucks/kings/lakers are the only team that has the money and oppertunity for him to start. I wouldn’t be surprise at all if he resigns with the raptors. They aren’t gonna let him go after having such a good season. They missed out on drafting the hometown kid by keeping lowry so most likely lowry will be one of the raptors building block.

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