It looks like Masai has the team he wants. The core of Lowry, DeRozan, Powell, Miles, Ibaka and JV are all in their primes and locked up for three years. However, this group was not cheap. The bankroll is strained and we have given up five draft picks (2 firsts, 3 seconds) since last season's trade deadline in order to put this roster together.
What has changed?
Patrick Patterson to Serge Ibaka (+4 wins)
Masai signed Ibaka for 65 million dollars while having no interest in Pat - even as a bargain basement bench player. Ibaka logged far more points and rebounds. Shot a higher percent on both twos and threes and is considered a solid rim protector. Given the cost, Masai is clearly counting on Serge as a big time upgrade.
Demarre Carroll to CJ Miles (+3 wins)
Despite high hopes at DeMarre's signing, by the end of his Toronto stay, he was considered such a drag on the team that Masai sacrificed a first and a second just to be rid of him. Carroll's minutes go directly to CJ Miles who scored more points in less minutes and shot threes at a 70 point higher clip. Addition by subtraction has got to be worth a couple of games and if Miles can sustain his .416 three-point shooting he may be worth another win or two.
TRoss to Powell, Tucker to Anunoby, Mc? (No change in wins)
Masai was willing to include a first round pick with TRoss just to rent Ibaka for a couple of months. That tells you how frustrated the team was with Ross. Norm is a better two-way player and now signed to a multi-year contract. Tucker was terrific in his brief stint, but only played a couple dozen games (25 mpg) and, of course, wasn't even on the 2015-16 roster that went 56-26.
Cory Joseph to Delon Wright, VanVleet (No change in wins)
Cory's numbers were weak last season and his stock with management had slipped to the point that he was set adrift for nothing but cap space. Kyle seems healthy now, so pencil him in for about 500 more minutes than last year. The rest of Cory's minutes go to Wright or VanVleet. Delon was a top 20 draft pick and is already 25 years old. He really should be a decent NBA backup. With Kyle playing more minutes, point guard may actually be a small upgrade.
Lots of upgrades. No major downgrades. Team is still young. On top of which Paul George, Jimmy Butler and Carmelo Anthony have all moved to the Western Conference.
The Raptors averaged 53.5 wins with the old roster. Surely this is a much improved team.
What has changed?
Patrick Patterson to Serge Ibaka (+4 wins)
Masai signed Ibaka for 65 million dollars while having no interest in Pat - even as a bargain basement bench player. Ibaka logged far more points and rebounds. Shot a higher percent on both twos and threes and is considered a solid rim protector. Given the cost, Masai is clearly counting on Serge as a big time upgrade.
Demarre Carroll to CJ Miles (+3 wins)
Despite high hopes at DeMarre's signing, by the end of his Toronto stay, he was considered such a drag on the team that Masai sacrificed a first and a second just to be rid of him. Carroll's minutes go directly to CJ Miles who scored more points in less minutes and shot threes at a 70 point higher clip. Addition by subtraction has got to be worth a couple of games and if Miles can sustain his .416 three-point shooting he may be worth another win or two.
TRoss to Powell, Tucker to Anunoby, Mc? (No change in wins)
Masai was willing to include a first round pick with TRoss just to rent Ibaka for a couple of months. That tells you how frustrated the team was with Ross. Norm is a better two-way player and now signed to a multi-year contract. Tucker was terrific in his brief stint, but only played a couple dozen games (25 mpg) and, of course, wasn't even on the 2015-16 roster that went 56-26.
Cory Joseph to Delon Wright, VanVleet (No change in wins)
Cory's numbers were weak last season and his stock with management had slipped to the point that he was set adrift for nothing but cap space. Kyle seems healthy now, so pencil him in for about 500 more minutes than last year. The rest of Cory's minutes go to Wright or VanVleet. Delon was a top 20 draft pick and is already 25 years old. He really should be a decent NBA backup. With Kyle playing more minutes, point guard may actually be a small upgrade.
Lots of upgrades. No major downgrades. Team is still young. On top of which Paul George, Jimmy Butler and Carmelo Anthony have all moved to the Western Conference.
The Raptors averaged 53.5 wins with the old roster. Surely this is a much improved team.
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