Building Blocks

[mcHAPPY]

CORE:

JV
Lowry
Bruno
2015/2016 Draft Picks*
Bebe


TRANSITION:

Patterson
James Johnson
Ross


NOPE:

Hayes
Fields
Lou
Amir
Steamer
Vasquez


TRADE PIECE:

DeRozan



*Masai needs to start building the team in his own image and using the draft to achieve this. OKC and Houston are good examples of teams who fill out their rosters with cheap rookie contracts. Some players don't work out (Lamb, PJ3) but some do (Adams, Jackson). The ones who do are the ones who provide so much value whether they stay or are traded (Jackson ---> Kanter). With Masai's background in scouting I hope we can watch draft picks develop in to rotational NBA players (if not more!) over the course of a couple of seasons. This plan would require a new coach. Casey's latest interview where he throws JV and Ross under the bus for being 'young' is just further evidence the man is a hack. Age does not equal talent.


** And nice thread OSC!

[Puffer]

Core

JV
Lowry
DeMar
JJ
Patterson

Transition

Ross
Amir
Bruno
Bebe

Nope

Everyone else

I think a lot of the mistakes JV has made are because he is slavishly trying to do what he has been told to do and doesn't have the confidence, playing time to know when to deviate from his instructions. I believe Lowry has 3-4 years left in his game, given smart management of minutes, and Alex McKechnie as the S&C coach. I think Casey has not used DeMar properly. Telling him to go out there and create is not an effective scheme, especially when the offensive systems are not set up to include regular passes. The set plays are unimaginative and force DeMar into situations that play against his strengths. We have seen have VERY effective games, when he has the right match-ups. Casey does not seem to have scouting reports on the opposing teas. If he does, he can't figure out what to do with them.I like JJ and Patterson off the bench and every good team needs a good bench. PPat can stretch the floor. A good backup PG would have a heyday feeding JJ on quick cuts and mismatches. I think Amir should be coming off the bench as well, but he may be too worn down to be part of the core, so I put him in transition until we see what happens after another off-season of surgery or training. Obviously last off-season didn't solve any problems for him beyond the first dozen games of the season.

Haven't seen enough from Bruno and Bebe to make any kind of assessment about where they will be in 3-4 years. MU has said they were gambles and they remain gambles until we see some game time minutes. So they go on transition until we see some minutes.

I have seen enough of Ross that I don't think he has what it takes to stick, even off the bench, but he is a transition player because maybe a light bulb goes off in his head and he can come off the bench effectively. Would be nice if he could stick and be a strong bench player.But the jury is out.

So eight guys I would like to see back next year. I think those guys, plus whoever MU trades for or brings in on free agency, plus draft picks could form a nice nucleus to get the team set up for 2016.

[Puffer]

Forgot to echoe McSatisfied's comment. Nice thread.

[raptors999]

Core: Nando
Transition: Everyone else
Nope: Bargnani

[Just Is]

Core:

• Lowry
• JV
• Patterson
• Bruno
• Ross

Potential Core (Keepers unless something else happens):

• James Johnson
• Bebe
• Daniels
• 2015 1st Round Draft Pick

Transition:

• Demar
• GV (GV and Demar depend VERY heavily on the new coaching system on where I place them)
• Lou
• Hayes
• Handsbro

Other:
Everyone else

[Bonus Jonas]

I'm gonna write mine in terms of who I think would be useful pieces for us if we want to compete for a championship in the next 5 years.

Core
JV
Lowry

Potential Core (Could be part of that championship team but I would trade them if it means picking up a better piece)
DD
Bruno
Bebe
Daniels
Ross
JJ
PPat
2015/16/knicks pick

Others
Everyone else

I don't think we'll keep everyone from the second group but I think that each of those pieces has the potential to at least be a role player on a championship team.

[DanH]

Core:

Lowry
JV
BeBe
Bruno
Ross
JJ
PP
Our 1st this year (hopefully Lucas)
Hold onto the Knicks pick in 2016 - maybe move ours if needed in a deal.

Potential core:
DD (if there are no good deals for him, see how he fares under a new coach)

Guys who can stay on min deals as vet presences, but are not priorities by any means:
Hayes
Fields

No thanks:
Vasquez
Steamer
Amir (he fits above but no way he signs for so little)
Lou

Use cap room to add an athletic 3 point shooting and all-around defensive forward (at the 3 or 4 - like a Draymond Green) and possibly deal DD for a more well rounded if less star-ish shooting guard (might go the other way around, with DD moving for the big, and signing the guard - a guard like Middleton perhaps).

Then depending on how contracts shake out you could still have loads of flexibility in 2016.

[Primer]

I would have a "True" Core and a "Potentially part of" Core section.

CORE
Valanciunas
Lowry

POTENTIALLY PART OF CORE
Bruno
Bebe
DeRozan (still have hope he can play well in a good system)

TRANSITION
James Johnson
Patterson
Ross

NOPE
Everyone else

Outside of the fact that I'd be willing to trade anyone on the team for the right deal, this is my thinking as well. JV is the most untouchable for me. I think he's a career 20-10 guy if we just give him the touches and minutes. Those types of centers are extremely hard to come by.

[007]

I think 2Pat could be our long-term backup PF.

[OakTree]

Core:
Lowry
DD
Ross
Amir
JV
PP
GV

Transition:
JJ
Lou
Hansbrough
Steimsma
Fields
Hayes

Potential:
BeBe
Bruno

So, I'm only looking as far ahead as next year. You never know what could happen long term.

Also, there's no "Nopes", just transition players, that could come back depending on how the draft and free agency shake out.

The reason for no "Nopes" is I think everyone on the roster (not in the potential category) has proven themselves to be useful, and could be brought back to plug holes in the roster. I really have no problem with any player on the roster, only problems with fit and utilization. There are no Bargnanis on this team!

Some thoughts, regarding some players:

DD - Every championship team needs a playmaker at a position other than PG. For us, that's DD. I guess he could be traded, but only for another big time playmaker, or if JV and / or Ross really blossom. Also, he's better on defense than he gets credit for.

Ross - I really like Ross as a 6th man with D. He can defend 1s and 2s. He could start at SG for a lot of teams right now. He's a luxury off the bench, but I think very valuable, and fits well with DeMar on the wing in a small line up.

JJ, Lou, Hansbrough, Steimsma, Fields, Hayes - All specialists with limited upside. Also, all replaceable. A free agent acquisition for a two way player at one of these guys positions makes them redundant. Though, I think the chemistry some of these guys have with our core group is really good. I wouldn't be shocked to see any of them return next year.

GV - A big guard that can run the offense. I like the fit next to DD, Ross or Lowry in the backcourt. I don't like GV + Lou so much. GV would be hard to replace. Also, he's affordable.

PP - Really underrated defender. Also, a very affordable stretch 4. He's a keeper.

Amir - Raptor for life.

Lowry - Not going anywhere.

Bruno - So, we don't know what we have here. Personally, I think he lacks the skill set to play at the SF position. His 3 point shot is wet, and he can change shots at the rim. He seems more comfortable around the rim on defense. So, I project him as a PF. If he can learn to get that jump shot off quickly out of a post up he could be very good. So, if he bulks up and develops a post game he could be a starter. Otherwise, he has role player potential.

BeBe - Interesting length and athleticism. I think if Casey can bring out the dog in him he could be good.

[distorsun]

Personally, I thought he just meant this was a year for Bruno to learn English, understand Basketball, improve his BBall IQ. I think he said wash to say that the amount of minutes Bruno got anywhere was basically the amount he's getting now.

To everyone, it appears that this year was a "wasted development year". MU felt it was necessary to tell people that he knew it was gonna be a wash (whatever that means). I understand the english part, which is fine.
But a basketball player NEEDS TO PLAY ...ANYWHERE, BUT THEY NEED TO PLAY, or they will NOT improve (even if it's 5 min per game or garbage time minutes 3-4 min here and there).
I have played ball and I never got decent until I play against tough competition and play a lot.

So Bruno NOT playing EVER was a waste of time. They should've send him and Bebe in Europe or straight to the D-League together...
or if you keep them , then against teams like Philly and NY ; give them 10 mins per game.

[JimiCliff]

Personally, I thought he just meant this was a year for Bruno to learn English, understand Basketball, improve his BBall IQ. I think he said wash to say that the amount of minutes Bruno got anywhere was basically the amount he's getting now.

Masai's the one who said "he's two years away from being two years away" about him first

[DogeLover1234]

To everyone, it appears that this year was a "wasted development year". MU felt it was necessary to tell people that he knew it was gonna be a wash (whatever that means). I understand the english part, which is fine.
But a basketball player NEEDS TO PLAY ...ANYWHERE, BUT THEY NEED TO PLAY, or they will NOT improve (even if it's 5 min per game or garbage time minutes 3-4 min here and there).
I have played ball and I never got decent until I play against tough competition and play a lot.

So Bruno NOT playing EVER was a waste of time. They should've send him and Bebe in Europe or straight to the D-League together...
or if you keep them , then against teams like Philly and NY ; give them 10 mins per game.

I think the rational was that he wasnt gunna play much anywhere and since whichever team he played on wasnt responsible for his development they should jist keep him in toronto.

Core: (players i see as key for/in 5+ years)
JV
Ross
Bruno
Transition
DD (want to see him traded for a pf pairing woth jv)
Lowry (i dont see him as "key" in 6 years)
Pp (fantastic backup pf but maxes out at a backup)
Jj (wouldnt be surprised if he is off the team in 2 years )
Bebe (i like him and could see him moving into the core section next summer)
No thanks to the rest

Id like to see a combination of DD and a pick go to getting a front court mate to complement jv. Preferably a young athletic guy who has a decent jumper and can protect the rim. That way the raps can start to make jv the centrepiece of the offense with shooters aroung him.
Srarters in 5 years hopefully:
Jv
Pf (looney, green, vonleh, jones mby)
Bruno
Ross
Pg (maybe lucas, idk)

[OldSkoolCool]

Tally so far:

Core
JV - 12
Lowry - 10
Bruno - 7
Ross - 5
Patterson - 5
JJ - 3
DD - 3
Bebe - 2
Amir - 1
GV - 1

Potential Core
Bebe - 4
Bruno - 3
DD - 3
JJ - 2
Daniels - 2
Ross - 1
Patterson - 1

Transition
JJ - 6
Patterson - 5
Ross - 5
DD - 4
TH - 3
Hayes - 3
Bebe - 2
Bruno - 2
Amir - 2
Lowry - 2
Lou - 2
GV - 1


Quite interesting to note how little love DD has gotten. Also how much love Ross has got in terms of looking towards the future. As expected JV and Lowry dominate the core part of the team

[DogeLover1234]

Part of that is probably just the difference in contracts. Also i think ross' three point shot plus athleticism is too much potential. Dd is good, but i imagine seone else as the go to guy. Im not sure how dd fits as the 2/3 guy when he cant shoot from 3 and likes to take bad shots.