UNDER CONTRACT: G Jose Calderon, C Andrea Bargnani, G Kyle Lowry, C Amir Johnson, F Linas Kleiza, G DeMar DeRozan, F Ed Davis, G-F Landry Fields, C Aaron Gray, G John Lucas III, G Alan Anderson, F Dominic McGuire, C Jamaal Magloire
DRAFT PICKS: F Jonas Valanciunas (2011), G Terrence Ross, F Quincy Acy
FREE AGENTS: None
MOVES:The Raptors made a big splash by offering Canadian favorite son Steve Nash $36 million over three years, even though they are paying Jose Calderon $10 million next season. When Nash decided to go to the Lakers, GM Bryan Colangelo executed Plan B rather nicely by dealing Gary Forbes and a protected first-round pick to Houston for Kyle Lowry, who was a borderline All-Star last season but had a falling out with Rockets coach Kevin McHale. The signing of Landry Fields to a three-year, $19 million contract was meant to block the Knicks from acquiring Nash. But when the Knicks didn’t match, that stuck the Raptors with an overpaid Fields, whom Colangelo tried to liken to Shane Battier but is coming off a bad season. If Fields can rediscover his form as a rookie, that will help fortify both wing positions. He should be better than James Johnson, who was traded to Sacramento for a future second-round pick. Further crowding the point guard position, Colangelo signed John Lucas III, who had his moments as an emergency backup with Chicago last season. The Raptors also signed defensive demon Dominic McGuire, who won’t score very much. Among its own, Toronto re-signed Aaron Gray to a two-year, $5.2 million deal with the room exception, brought back Alan Anderson for less than $1 million on the veteran’s minimum and re-signed Jamaal Magloire, who may move into a coaching role should he not make the roster.
TO-DO LIST: Bringing in Lowry doesn’t solve the dilemma with Calderon, who is wildly overpaid as a starter – let alone as a backup – but was not an amnesty victim. Perhaps he will be an asset at the trading deadline. A better backup would have been Jerryd Bayless, but when the Raptors pulled his $4 million qualifying offer, he signed with Memphis. If Calderon is dealt or requests a buyout, Lucas – who really is a third point guard – becomes Lowry’s backup. There appears to be a need for a veteran willing to contribute professionalism and maturity, because although there is a growing talent pool here, this is a frighteningly young team that has nothing close to anyone resembling a leader.
PROJECTION: The collection of youth is a good thing because there won’t be any voices undermining coach Dwane Casey’s continued mission of getting the Raptors to play hard and defend every night. Colangelo also is positioned well to extend DeMar DeRozan in training camp or next summer. Lowry was a great addition and will improve this club, but he is not enough. Unless Toronto does something dramatic – which would likely involve Calderon – it remains on the outside looking in as far as the postseason is concerned.
(RELATED: What grade did the Raptors get?)
For offseason analysis of every team, click here.
It seems your analysis only include non-2011-Raptors, perhaps you haven’t watched much games to able to provide in depth of Bargnani, DeRozan, Ed Davis, and etc. Bargnani has a good man defense record in Synergy Sports (last 4 years of data), capable of holding against Hilbert, Howard, Gasol, Love, and etc.
And you said “He should be better than James Johnson”, which is doubtful, because James Johnson has the athleticism and quickness to guard both SF and PF spots. His impact is underrated with good block-assist-steals combination in the league. He can block from behind, and even against other antithetical players: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_8ShMfmgmo
James Johnson is a below average player. Blocks and Steals might be the most useless stats in the league. You correctly pointed out the biggest reason why James Johnson’s departure is irrelevant whihc is he plays much better as a small PF than he does as a SF. With Amir Johnson, Davis and Bargnani logging time there forgetting about Quincy Acy that role is not needed. Either way, Fields is a better shooter, ball handler and rebounder as a true SF. Defense is debatable but the bottom line is James Johnson was drafted in hte mid 1st round and 2 teams got rid of him before his rookie contract expired. Not saying Fields isn’t overpaid or that he is a fantastic starter but he is clearly better than what the Raptors had. James Johnson is Joey Graham 2.0. Jack of all trades, master of none. No motor, no brain and horrible shot selection. Fields is a winning type player, johnson will be a place filler on lottery teams for his entire career.
Interesting.
Not much I agree with.
We shall see how it plays out.
“Easily the worst off-season signing in the NBA”
Take off your Nets hat and recognize Brook Lopez as the single most overpaid player in the L. I am not a Bargnani fan but I’ll take him everyday of the week over Lopez and twice on Sundays. At BOTH ends of the court. Didn’t we just have a lock out to prevent owners from overpaying marginal talent? Not only is he wildly overrated but injury prone too! Max money for a young centre with bad ankles and feet??
Your assessment didn’t quite work out, did it? LOLOLOL.
No it certainly did not! Brook is still wildly overrated tho, terrible rebounder, poor defender and has had a worrisome injury history, esp for a big.
Like I said, I’m no bargnani fan either. After this past season he’s dropped in my opinion as far as you can go. Send him to the wizard, he needs a heart! And a sack! I’ll stick with Jonas over brook and bargs.
“so the Raptors still have two roster spots.”
Lowry – Calderon – Lucas
DeRozan – Ross
Fields – Kleiza – Anderson
Bargnani – Amir Johnson – Ed Davis – Quincy Acy
Jonas Valanciunas – Aaron Gray
= 14
one roster spot and it will likely be left open to tryout D-Leaguers if our season doesn’t go well
Tim, my bad. Forgot to put Fields in the “under contract” section. Nice catch. Thanks for reading
Since Chris Bosh left, proving yet again how hard it is to keep NBA talent in Canada, the Raptors have been reduced to being the best argument in favor of shrinking the league to 24-28 teams.
BC has no trading chips and very little chance of enticing free agents across the border. That leaves only two options:
(A) scouting for great talent that may have been overlooked by other teams (Joe Dumars built a championship team that way)
(B) be the third team in trades – Toronto has plenty of cap room and a decent trading piece in Calderon’s $10M expiring contract. Colangelo should have the Lakers and Magic on speed dial, hoping to pick up something in the Howard trade
A couple of things Dov, first the Raptors are over the soft cap so they have exactly 0 cap room. Secondly, you must not understand a lot about business. While the on the floor product might not be what most fans hope for the Raptors are wildly profitable and a believe had the 4th highest Net Profit last season. You are suggesting MacDonalds shut it’s doors because the food is better at Mortons. Owning an NBA franchise is a business and the Raptors are a very good one.
Suggesting teams should be contacted due to their position is the standings is the thinking of a 9 year old.