The Raptors Offseason thus far..

After loosing their career guy in Chris Bosh (who is now the number 3 guy in Miami with Wade and James, and in hindsight much less of a difference maker than Vince was) it is now looking like the type of Raptors team that could still be very much a player in the Easter Conference Playoff picture next season.  I can see this team fighting with New York/Cleveland/Charlotte for that 8th spot.

As of this morning the depth Chart is looking like it will be this:

Toronto Raptors 2010/11

Point Guard: Jarret Jack - Bobby Brown

Shooting Guard: DeMar DeRozan - Leandro Barbosa - Marco Belinelli

Small Forward: Matt Barnes - Sonny Weems - Linas Kleiza*

Power Forward: Amir Johnson - Ed Davis - Reggie Evans

Center: Andrea Bargnani - Joey Dorsey

I would really love to see Reggie Evans kept for the continued mentoring of Davis and Johnson, as well as Marco Belinelli for the compliment to Bargnani at his new position at the 4th spot.

As for the next to leave, i’d say it is a good a bet as any that Calderon, Banks and Jones (Acquired with Barbosa) are shown the door in exchange for added depth at the wing (Klezia*), a starting centre (to move Bargnani to the 4th spot ahead of Johnson) or a legititmate back-up point guard in Bobby Brown.

I see this team as being young in the right places to build for future years as well as possessing the right peices to rebuild and generate playoff hype in the short-term.

FIRST ROUND RAPTORS

Before taking a look at the Raptors squad, I originally guessed the team this year had 6, but surprsingly the 2009-10 Raptors have 11 FIRST ROUND PICKS (and 2 Undrafted Players):

Rasho Nesterovic

Hedo Turkoglu

Chris Bosh

Marcus Banks

Antoine Wright

Jarret Jack

Andrea Bargnani

Patrick O’Byrant

Quincy Douby

Marco Belinelli

DeMar DeRozan

Jose Calderon and Reggie Evans went Undrafted.

TS: I believe with this situation, the Raptors have can have two perspectives: one being these players still have either the best basketball of their career ahead of them or are already perennial players and will make an extremely positive impact, or the players who are stars will continue to perform at their peaks, players never break the starting rotation, and will be forced to flourish on other teams. With the Raptors I will not make any predictions just yet, in terms of standings placing, but I will gather that this team will sure as hell be exciting to watch.

Step 6: Raptors Nab Belinelli

The Raptors surprised many, including probably Colangelo, with the acquiring of sharpshooter Marco Belinelli. Another Italian, for a European star-studded team, which is now highly projected to get to the Playoffs in 2010.

Press Release

TS: Where did this come from? Another great pickup for Colangelo. is this the last major peice inmaking the Raptors a more formidable team once again?  The significance of this trade is the continuing goal to find the right fit for the missing piece in the starting line-up; Belinelli/DeRozan/Jack. Belinelli might not start, but will serve as a great back-up or compete as a started and finally find his groove as a past First round pick.

Rebuilding the Raptors: 1-2-3-4-5