CalgaryRapsFan wrote:
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I think all moves the Raps make are dependent on the luck of the lottery balls... after that it becomes a domino effect. What I mean is, I'm guessing 'Plan A' starts with drafting Irving, 'Plan B' starts with drafting Barnes and 'Plan C' stars with BC crying after we get screwed by the lottery system!
For me, the ideal would be drafting Irving to be the PG of the future. Here are my thoughts, hoping that 'Plan A' comes to fruition for Raptors fans!
PG
- Irving can start the season as the backup with Calderon mentoring him how to become a true floor general, with a pass-first mentality
- Irving eventually becomes the starter, with Calderon being a solid (albeit pricey) backup
- Bayless becomes trade bait and is doubtful to be with the team next season
SG
- DeRozan continues to blossom into a star, but needs to work on his defense
- Weems would be a solid backup if he can be re-signed for $3M or less, otherwise he leaves as UFA, leaving Barbosa to continue as backup SG for one more season
- if Weems is re-signed, Barbosa and his expiring contract become trade bait
SF
- after drafting Irving, BC must look to trades and/or free agency to upgrade the starting SF spot (they have the TPE, Bayless and potentially Barbosa as trade bait)
- James Johnson and Kleiza (likely a very untradeable contract) would both be solid backup SF, as they bring different styles and strengths to the position and would give JT flexibility for lineup matching
PF
- Amir Johnson and Davis are both good young players who hustle and contribute on both ends of the court and can rebound
C
- I assume that Bargnani will be the starting C, which I am fine with... if Irving can be a significantly better defensive PG than Calderon and the new starting SF is a good defender/rebounder, then the combination of the defensive upgrades at those two positions, an improving DeRozan and the already good PF position, Bargnani's biggest shortcoming (help defense and rebounding) would be much better masked, allowing his offensive advantages to be all the more significant to this team
- I think a legit backup C, who is totally focussed on defense & rebounding would be the perfect compliment to Bargnani, as he could be used in crucial late game mintues when defending a lead
PG: Irving, Calderon
SG: DeRozan, Weems/Barbosa
SF: ???, Johnson, Kleiza
PF: Davis, Johnson
C: Bargnani, ???, Alabi (long-term project)
If the Raptors are able to draft Irving and find a starting SF via trade/free agency, I think they would be shaping up to have a pretty solid young nucleous of players that would be able to grow together and create a solid chemistry (Irving, DeRozan, Amir Johnson, Davis, Bargnani and the TBD starting SF would all be 26 or under - a cheap Weems, James Johnson and Kleiza would also fit into a 26-and-under core rotation).
This offseason will truly be a domino effect, starting with those ping pong balls...
For me, the ideal would be drafting Irving to be the PG of the future. Here are my thoughts, hoping that 'Plan A' comes to fruition for Raptors fans!
PG
- Irving can start the season as the backup with Calderon mentoring him how to become a true floor general, with a pass-first mentality
- Irving eventually becomes the starter, with Calderon being a solid (albeit pricey) backup
- Bayless becomes trade bait and is doubtful to be with the team next season
SG
- DeRozan continues to blossom into a star, but needs to work on his defense
- Weems would be a solid backup if he can be re-signed for $3M or less, otherwise he leaves as UFA, leaving Barbosa to continue as backup SG for one more season
- if Weems is re-signed, Barbosa and his expiring contract become trade bait
SF
- after drafting Irving, BC must look to trades and/or free agency to upgrade the starting SF spot (they have the TPE, Bayless and potentially Barbosa as trade bait)
- James Johnson and Kleiza (likely a very untradeable contract) would both be solid backup SF, as they bring different styles and strengths to the position and would give JT flexibility for lineup matching
PF
- Amir Johnson and Davis are both good young players who hustle and contribute on both ends of the court and can rebound
C
- I assume that Bargnani will be the starting C, which I am fine with... if Irving can be a significantly better defensive PG than Calderon and the new starting SF is a good defender/rebounder, then the combination of the defensive upgrades at those two positions, an improving DeRozan and the already good PF position, Bargnani's biggest shortcoming (help defense and rebounding) would be much better masked, allowing his offensive advantages to be all the more significant to this team
- I think a legit backup C, who is totally focussed on defense & rebounding would be the perfect compliment to Bargnani, as he could be used in crucial late game mintues when defending a lead
PG: Irving, Calderon
SG: DeRozan, Weems/Barbosa
SF: ???, Johnson, Kleiza
PF: Davis, Johnson
C: Bargnani, ???, Alabi (long-term project)
If the Raptors are able to draft Irving and find a starting SF via trade/free agency, I think they would be shaping up to have a pretty solid young nucleous of players that would be able to grow together and create a solid chemistry (Irving, DeRozan, Amir Johnson, Davis, Bargnani and the TBD starting SF would all be 26 or under - a cheap Weems, James Johnson and Kleiza would also fit into a 26-and-under core rotation).
This offseason will truly be a domino effect, starting with those ping pong balls...
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