Toronto Raptors Past, Present & Future

Most people look at the 07-08 season to be a failure for the Toronto Raptors. They did take a step back from last years success but who expected them to finish the season 47-35 and win their first division title? In my eyes the Toronto Raptors had another successful year under Brian Colangelo. Brian came in and swiftly turned this franchise around with some genius moves on and off the court. Just look at 2 seasons ago the Raptors were in a horrible situation finishing the 05-06 Season 27-55 and having a diminutive hope for the future. If you look at the Raptors now their situation and position for the future looks promising. The key pieces of the team (Bosh, Bargnani, Ford or Calderone) are young and heading towards their prime.

Colangelo has set the team up with valuable pieces he can deal, plus he has no lingering contracts to hold the team back. Look for Brian to pick up a stud this off season to take the pressure off Chris Bosh and I’m sure he will deal with the PG situation as well. With Calderone maturing and becoming an elite PG in the league, why not sign him to a reasonable contract and trade Ford’s 8mil a year contract away. Jose is a team first/win first kind of player so I’m sure he will take a hometown discount to stay in Toronto and be the future starting point guard of the Raptors. Another hole that needs to be filled on the Raptors roster is a need of a big man who can rebound and add toughness to the inside presence of their defense. The Raptors lack of rebounding and toughness under the net cost them many games this year so look for them to pursue a strong PF or C. I’m sure by now you’re wondering who the Raptors can pick up this off season. I gathered a list of Free Agents and Restricted Agents who I think would help the Raptors.

Unrestricted Free Agents

Elton Brand (ETO)
Jermaine O’Neal (ETO)
Corey Maggette (ETO)
Ron Artest (ETO)
Antawn Jamison
Josh Smith

Restricted Free Agents

Emeka Okafor
Andris Biedrins
Luol Deng
Ryan Gomes
Andre Iquodala

(ETO= Early Termination Option)

Free Agents Raptors should STAY AWAY from

Gilbert Arenas
Jamall Magloire
P.J. Brown
Ben Gorden
Juwan Howard
Baron Davis
Mickael Pietrus
Kwame Brown
Nenad Kristic
Grant Hill
Adonal Foyle
Rasho Nesterovic


Toronto Raptors Salary Cap/Free Agent Situation

Restricted- Jose Calderone, Carlos Delfino(Qualifying Offer)
Unrestricted- Rasho Nesterovic(Player Option), Darrick Martin, Primoz Brezec
Limited Salary Protection- Jamario Moon

Toronto's CAP

2007/08 2008/09


Chris Bosh
$13,041,250 $14,410,581

TJ Ford
$8,000,000 $8,000,000

Rasho Nest.

$7,840,000 $8,400,000

Jason Kapono
$5,356,000 $5,784,480

Andrea Bargnani
$4,838,88 $5,176,440

Anthony Parker
$4,350,000 $4,550,000

Jorge Garbajosa
$4,050,000 $4,350,000

Primoz Brezec
$2,750,000 ----

Kris Humphries
$2,522,913 ----

Jose Calderon
$2,471,604 ----

Carlos Delfino
$1,868,141 $2,744,299

Maceo Baston
$1,830,000 $1,970,000

Joey Graham
$1,596,600 $2,449,184

Darrick Martin

$1,219,590 ----

Jamario Moon
$427,163 ----

Linton Johnson
$55,069 ----


TOTALS:
$62,217,210 $55,090,685

07/08 NBA Salary Cap $67,865,000 and 08/09 could be higher.


I think that is enough info for everyone to swallow, cya until my next post.

Don’t forget to post comments/replies……
Hamed .K.

Pual Maurice FIRED!!!

Can't say this was much of a surprise to many people including myself. The Toronto Maple Leafs have to clean house and start fresh and this is one of many moves they will have to make in the off season to become successful in the future. I was a Pual Maurice supporter from day 1 but that changed as time went by and I saw how awful his special teams were. Most people know special teams success or failure on the Power Play and Penalty Kill is due to coaching. He also seemed to lose control over team on several occasions during his 2 year stint with the Leafs and how can we forget all the 3rd period MELTDOWNS this year? Ever heard of a different formation when you’re up in the game Maurice? On the other hand we can't blame the whole load on Pual's back because we all know the majority of the blame is saved for JFJ. The entire Maple Leafs organization from top to bottom has to have a shake up for The Maple Leafs to have success in the upcoming years. The most crucial move is coming up with the hiring of our new General Manager. If it's another John Ferguson I will probably have my first heart attack, but I think even these dummies at MLSE realized the mistake they made with JFJ. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope they bring in a figure similar to Colangelo, with a great GM in place I won't be worried one bit for the future of my Maple Leafs. From reading and listening to the Toronto media and fan base there seems to be a common perception that the Leafs suck so bad and need to tank for years and build from the draft and etc.... to be successful. Just look at the Flyers, the worst team last year to being in the SEMI-FINALS one year later. Why can't a team who barely missed the playoffs the past few years improve this significantly? Guess what they can, it really comes down to the next GM who takes over the team. If the new GM decides to keep the core (Toskala, Kaberle, Kubina and Sundin) with some smart/calculated subrtractions and additions the team should become a playoff contendor. I just hope the new GM is Brian Burke and has the same vision as I do but even if he decides to blow up the team and start a rebuilding process. I still would be satisfied because I know a great hockey mind like Brian Burke will take the team were it needs to be "ON TOP".

Feel free to post comments/replies, its open to everyone.