RealGM

I know it's early in the season, but our team's needs have already become apparent and must be looked at in the off-season. From my understanding, we lack a lot of things, but these ones in particular overshadow all the others:

1) Rebounding/blocking athletic center

2) Pure scorer (preferrably an above average player)

3) A defensive-minded wing

You guys can add the rest. So while looking at the 2008 free agent list and draft picks, I picked out a few players that would help us in the areas I've just mentioned.

To solve our problem at Centre, (potentially) made vacant by a departing Rasho Nesterovic, we can focus in on Bobcats' centre Emeka Okafor (unfortunately restricted). He's been known as a terrific shot-blocker and rebounder his entire career, and his combination of athleticism and strength would suit our team perfectly. Now in order to attain his services, we must cough up the cash. Luckily for us, he's been under the radar his entire tenure in the NBA and will come at a reasonably cheap price in the off-season. One option would be to spend our full Mid-level exception and/or sell our current/future draft pick in exchange for mid-level exception from another team, giving us additional funds to spend on free agents. Again, Okafor would be a great option to pair up with Bosh and Bargnani down low.

Next in line is Trevor Ariza of the Los Angeles Lakers. While not a great specimen or talent, he can cut to the basket and score at will. He doesn't shoot well from downtown, but Kapono, Delfino and Parker can pick up the slack. A lot of times while watching the Raptors you get the sense that the offense seems to be out of sync and unable to find the go-to guy for a much needed bucket. I know we've experimented with Fred Jones as "the go-to-go guy" off the bench, but then again, the system and the team were not suitable for the player.

Like Maceo Baston, we can take a chance on shooting guard Bobby Jones, who'd recently been cut by Denver. Known as a defensive specialist and a hard worker throughout his college career at Washington, he would add hustle and challenge to our players in practice and to the competition on the court.

However, we can throw money at someone like Josh Smith or Shawn Marion to help us solve our needs and make the Raptors a better team. Other options include Paul Milsap (restricted), Mickael Pietrus, and Elton Brand.

With Ford's latest injury, it's now obvious that bringing in Roko Ukic from Europe as a 3-string point-guard would be the right option for this team. We can also experiment with him at the shooting guard position.

The draft presents a great opportunity on its own as well, but I think we can discuss that on another day.

Let me know what you think.

I agree with #1 and not so much with #2 as we have enough scorers on the team, we just need more guys that can create for others.

viltrua wrote:1) Rebounding/blocking athletic center

2) Pure scorer (preferrably an above average player)

3) A defensive-minded wing

These three were our biggest needs in the summer of 2007 too.

Emeka is asking for Dwight Howard money. He isn't and has never been playing under the radar, his team just sucks.

You can't trade for someone else's MLE, either. The MLE is an option, not a pot of cash.

I know Ariza's a good talent (and the definition of a specimen), but I don't know if I would pay him starter money.

Pietrus has been all hype in his career.

Aside from Bobby Jones and Millsap, the guys you named would require us to gut our team to acquire. Brand was an MVP candidate two years ago and a good number of people believe he's better than Chris. Millsap will either get overpaid to leave or stay in Utah.

You're right on target with Roko, however.

viltrua wrote: From my understanding, we lack a lot of things, but these ones in particular overshadow all the others:

1) Rebounding/blocking athletic center

2) Pure scorer (preferrably an above average player)

3) A defensive-minded wing

In some fairness to BC, Bargnani was supposed to develop into 1 and 2. And he did sign Moon to fill 3.

viltrua wrote:2) Pure scorer (preferrably an above average player)

I think anyone labelled as a "pure scorer" would have to be above average, or else they'd just be a chucker or someone lacking other skills.

viltrua wrote:To solve our problem at Centre, (potentially) made vacant by a departing Rasho Nesterovic, we can focus in on Bobcats' centre Emeka Okafor (unfortunately restricted).

Okafor is not going to come for cheap. Even if we did require him, where would we place Bargs?

El Presidente wrote:In some fairness to BC, Bargnani was supposed to develop into 1 and 2. And he did sign Moon to fill 3.

I really doubt Bargnani ever develops into a good rebounder. He's quick for a big man but not so much athletic, although he can be a scorer, he's proven that much. Unfortunately, I see Bargs flourishing if he plays and grows as a PF, he just can't do the things required of your starting C. However, we probably won't get a "legit" starting C unless one of Bargs or Bosh is traded.