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

Step 4: Jarret Jack Signed by Raptors

The madness continues! Colangelo manages another perfect fit, in the 09 Rebuilding of the Toronto Raptors - in the signing (and inability for Indiana to match) of point guard Jarret Jack.

Press Release
TS: What this brings: a former teammate of Bosh (Extension looming?) and a guy who can possibly on some nights, outscore the starter he will come of the bench for: Jose Calderon, who averages 12.8 PPG to Jack’s 13.1.
Rebuilding the Raptors: 1-2-3

The Raptors Offseason Wish List:

1. Extension to Chris Bosh: Could Cloangelo go extension happy and throw a 5/6 year deal at the team’s star? Don’t think it will happen, but it could be a big boost for this team where its only question marks now are its bench players after this offseason and the desire for Bosh to win for this team or for his own trade value. Colangelo may have finally solidified a starting lineup that wants to be in Toronto to win.

2. Sign Jarret Jack: Exactly what Colangelo wants, a player Bosh has played with, and experience and athleticism coming of the bench behind Calderon – Jack will play solid minutes and may even out-score Calderon some nights.

3. Sign Rasho Nesterovic – Rasho puts up solid rebound number night in and night out, and will be an essence of the bench behind either Bosh or Bargnani, and he’s a smart Veteran player, who has played well for the Raptors before! In the Postseason for them too!

Jack (Left) and Rasho (Right)

4. Sign Delfino/or a Solid 2-Guard – The Raptors have many, but a solid battle at the Raptors 2-spot may not be a bad thing, considering all their other spots are pretty well cemented as of now. DeRozan may develop safely with Delfino or a solid slashing guard that Colangelo desires and DeRozan may grow to play like.

Any other rumours or thoughts on who the Raptors should pursue as a solid 2-guard?