Fully wrote:
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As for the hedging, if you have other 1st round picks I'm not seeing the problem. The Raps have the makings for a playoff team (Lowry, Gay, JV, Amir, Fields, Ross) assuming some of the players grow and return to previous form (big assumptions) and they add a couple of value pieces with MLE or mininum contracts. You very well could be right on what DD and Bargnani return but don't forget there are some pretty bad contracts coming back to Toronto in exchange for those assets.
If you exclude Lowry, Gay, and Amir, you are still looking at $11M next season and $23M the following season in expiring contracts. The point is flexibility and, when talking about Lowry and Amir, players who are actually worth their contracts. As for huge glut of talent leaving, who is to say they have not been replaced? What happens if Schroeder is as good as advertised or any other draft pick (assumption Raptors draft him)? You've got a starter on a cheap rookie deal freeing up cap space elsewhere.
Your last paragraph is looking at things from black and white. I'm fine with going a total rebuild (as a Rap fan when the Raptors suck I also have the NCAA to keep me occupied) or tinkering with what is here. But if rebuild is done it would really suck to end up with an Oden-like player (injuries), Williams-like player (over valued), or Morrison (bust). Also if you can find a team that thinks they are better than they are going to be or is tired of adding youth in the draft getting nowhere, you just might get their picks. It is a big if but isn't everything?
The Raps have enough guys under contract who can contribute that they could hypothetically use 4-5 roster spots to take on crap in exchange for an asset while still competing - because the crap (like Bargnani or Kleiza) is never going to see the floor anyways.
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