Toronto Raptors: Three Potential Draft Scenarios and How to Build Around Them
With the trade deadline having come and gone and the playoffs far out of reach, I am now looking toward the NBA draft and the future of the Toronto Raptors.
I am presenting three scenarios that look at the top lottery picks at the PG, SF and PF positions in this year’s draft.
I break down what the Toronto Raptors need to do in regards to re-signing players, signing free agents and offseason trades in order to maximize the value of their lottery pick in each case.
Scenario 1: Draft Kyrie Irving
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1. Free Agency:
Re-sign:
Reggie Evans (for cheap)
Leandro Barbosa
Alexis Ajinca
Do not re-sign:
Sonny Weems
Julian Wright
Joey Dorsey
2. Sign Free Agents:
Center:
Marc Gasol
Tyson Chandler
Nene Hilario
DeAndre Jordan
Small Forward:
Tayshaun Prince
Shane Battier
Andrei Kirilenko
Matt Barnes
Wilson Chandler
3. Trade:
Jerryd Bayless
Ed Davis or Amir Johnson
Looking for: A center or small forward if they were unable to sign one in free agency.
Possible Depth Chart
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Possible Depth Chart
PG: Kyrie Irving, Jose Calderon
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Leandro Barbosa
SF: (Shane Battier or Tayshaun Prince, etc…), James Johnson, Linas Kleiza
PF: Andrea Bargnani, (Ed Davis or Amir Johnson), Reggie Evans
C: (Tyson Chandler or Marc Gasol or Nene Hilario), Alexis Ajinca, Solomon Alabi
Scenario 2: Draft Perry Jones, Derrick Williams or Terrence Jones
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1. Free Agency:
Re-sign:
Reggie Evans
Leandro Barbosa
Alexis Ajinca
Do not re-sign:
Sonny Weems
Julian Wright
Joey Dorsey
2. Sign Free Agents
Center:
Tyson Chandler
Marc Gasol
Nene Hilario
DeAndre Jordan
Point guard:
Goran Dragic
Jose Juan Barea
Mo Williams
3. Trade:
Jerryd Bayless
Amir Johnson or Ed Davis
Looking for: A point guard or center if they were unable to sign one in free agency.
Possible Depth Chart:
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PG: (Goran Dragic or Jose Juan Barea or Mo Williams, etc… ), Jose Calderon
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Leandro Barbosa
SF: Perry Jones, James Johnson, Linas Kleiza
PF: Andrea Bargnani, (Ed Davis or Amir Johnson), Reggie Evans
C: (Tyson Chandler or Marc Gasol or Nene Hilario), Alexis Ajinca, Solomon Alabi
Scenario 3: Draft Jared Sullinger
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1. Free Agency:
Re-sign:
Leandro Barbosa
Alexis Ajinca
Do not re-sign:
Reggie Evans
Sonny Weems
Julian Wright
Joey Dorsey
2. Sign Free Agents:
Point guard:
Goran Dragic
Jose Juan Barea
Mo Williams
Small forward:
Tayshaun Prince
Shane Battier
Andrei Kirilenko
Wilson Chandler
Matt Barnes
Center:
Marc Gasol
Tyson Chandler
Nene Hilario
3. Trade:
Andrea Bargnani
Jerryd Bayless
Ed Davis or Amir Johnson
James Johnson or Linas Kleiza
Looking for: A point guard, small forward and center depending on what we get in free agency.
One of the three should be a star caliber player (part of any Bargnani trade) and the other two should average at least a double-double (in the case of the SF, we would need a good scorer, rebounder and defender).
Possible Depth Chart 1: With Bargnani Trade
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PG: (Star caliber PG or Goran Dragic or Jose Juan Barea), Jose Calderon
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Leandro Barbosa
SF: (Star caliber SF or Tayshaun Prince or Andrei Kirilenko or Wilson Chandler), (James Johnson or Linas Kleiza)
PF: Jared Sullinger, (Ed Davis or Amir Johnson), Reggie Evans
C: (Marc Gasol or Tyson Chandler or Nene Hilario), Alexis Ajinca, Solomon Alabi
***There would only be one star caliber player; however, it could be at any position, which is why it is listed at PG and SF.
Possible Depth Chart 2: Without the Bargnani Trade
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PG: (Solid PG via trade or Goran Dragic or Jose Juan Barea), Jose Calderon
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Leandro Barbosa
SF: (Shane Battier or Tayshaun Prince or Andrei Kirilenko), (James Johnson or Linas Kleiza)
PF: Jared Sullinger, (Ed Davis or Amir Johnson), Reggie Evans
C: Andrea Bargnani, Alexis Ajinca, Solomon Alabi
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