What roster need would you like filled this season?

[WaltFrazier]

I think most would say the Raptors need a backup point guard, an athletic wingman who can get his own shot, and a 4-5 who can rebound and add interior defense. If you could add only one of these before the trade deadline (as opposed to next summer), which would you like to see.

I'd like to see a strong rebounder now and take our chances with the scoring as it is this year. Then try to get more athletic next summer with a wing.

[The_Hater]

Should I just type her name here?

EDIT: Walt, changing the title ruined my answer dammit!

[The_Hater]

I think your list is pretty complete but I only expect the PG issue to be addressed by the end of the season.

BC is going to have a busy summer trying to overhaul some of the other needs. Of course you can't be so hell bent of fixing everything that you create other weaknesses in the process.

The ship is pointed in the right direction now, give BC more time and he'll continue to build on these past 2 seasons.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Raptors definitely need to get a rebounder. Question is, who's available? Well, I think Reggie Evan is a good possibility although his contract isn't good. I am intrigued about the possibility of adding a guy like Ike Diogu, who is not only a good rebounder but is also a good shot-blocker as well. Maybe, Nick Collison or Patrick O'Bryant. But, I think Ike Diogu is attainable, he is back from his injury and tonight he got a DNP-CD by his name. Plus, he's a guy that is undervalued and we all know Bryan Colangelo looks for undervalued players (Kris Humphries). I think we may have to give up Kris Humphries or someone like that, so it may be a lateral move but maybe Graham + Dixon can entice the Pacers into giving up Ike Diogu.

[The_Hater]

Raptors definitely need to get a rebounder. Question is, who's available? Well, I think Reggie Evan is a good possibility although his contract isn't good. I am intrigued about the possibility of adding a guy like Ike Diogu, who is not only a good rebounder but is also a good shot-blocker as well. Maybe, Nick Collison or Patrick O'Bryant. But, I think Ike Diogu is attainable, he is back from his injury and tonight he got a DNP-CD by his name. Plus, he's a guy that is undervalued and we all know Bryan Colangelo looks for undervalued players (Kris Humphries). I think we may have to give up Kris Humphries or someone like that, so it may be a lateral move but maybe Graham + Dixon can entice the Pacers into giving up Ike Diogu.

The problem with adding a guy like Reggie Evans is that while he helps the rebounding, he creates a bunch of other holes in the process. He's short and can't defend very well and would force Bosh to guard a lot of Centers while they're on the floor together. And he's a complete zero on offense. Can't shoot, can't score, can't hit free-throws. This would severely hurt Bosh (who would see more help D) and make our shooters easier to guard. On top of that, he has a terrible contract that I wouldn't go near.

Based on the names you through out, the answer to the rebounding is right on the roster. Give Hump more minutes. He's the best and most physical rebounder on the team, defends and scores in the post decently enough but only plays 14 mpg. Give him 28-30 mpg and it will solve a lot of these issues.

That said, I like your Patrick O'Bryant call. I wouldn't mind stashing that guy on the roster for a rainy day if he could be had cheap. He's still only 21.

[Joker]

I think your list is pretty complete but I only expect the PG issue to be addressed by the end of the season.

BC is going to have a busy summer trying to overhaul some of the other needs. Of course you can't be so hell bent of fixing everything that you create other weaknesses in the process.

The ship is pointed in the right direction now, give BC more time and he'll continue to build on these past 2 seasons.

If toughening up inside comes at the expense of other areas -- our scoring, for instance -- that's a trade-off I'm willing to make at this point. Our softness inside is unbearable.

I suppose that having an interior presence isn't everything; if it were, we'd be one of the worst teams in the league. But it certainly is the ideal foundation.

[Trilogy]

-= original quote snipped =-



The problem with adding a guy like Reggie Evans is that while he helps the rebounding, he creates a bunch of other holes in the process. He's short and can't defend very well and would force Bosh to guard a lot of Centers while they're on the floor together. And he's a complete zero on offense. Can't shoot, can't score, can't hit free-throws. This would severely hurt Bosh (who would see more help D) and make our shooters easier to guard. On top of that, he has a terrible contract that I wouldn't go near.

Based on the names you through out, the answer to the rebounding is right on the roster. Give Hump more minutes. He's the best and most physical rebounder on the team, defends and scores in the post decently enough but only plays 14 mpg. Give him 28-30 mpg and it will solve a lot of these issues.

That said, I like your Patrick O'Bryant call. I wouldn't mind stashing that guy on the roster for a rainy day if he could be had cheap. He's still only 21.

Same Here.

GS looks pretty much like they're not going to keep him. Didn't pick up his option for next year.

He's someone I'd look at for sure, maybe in the offseason.

I think the rebounding big and slashing 2/3 are equally big problems. I don't think either get filled this season, but it would matter which one to me.

We need a guy like Hump, but in a Centre's body. I like Jeff Foster. Hopefully with Indiana floundering lately they might be willing to listen to offers.

As for the 2/3 wing, most of the guys I can think of really cost too much. Salmons (sigh...), Maggette...really too high of a cost. I'm more expecting this to be filled during the offseason.

[ponder276]

If we really want more rebounding, we just have to play Hump more. Reggie Evans gives you 13.0 boards/40 mins, Hump gives you 11.5 boards/40 mins, but WAY better offense.
I would like to see us try to develop Bargs more before picking up another 4/5 - we already have Bosh, Bargs and Hump for the long term, and Rasho for the short term. This team definitely needs an athletic wing who can drive and score, but I think this is better addressed in the off season, or even next off season, when we have a ton of cap space. We are not a contender this year, but we are a young team, and need to be patient and make moves that will truly make us better in the future, not just in the short term.
The only short-term fix I'd wanna make is acquiring a 3rd string PG on the cheap, because in my mind TJ is still a huge question mark.

edit: damn, trilogy took most of my points

[Joker]

-= original quote snipped =-



The problem with adding a guy like Reggie Evans is that while he helps the rebounding, he creates a bunch of other holes in the process. He's short and can't defend very well and would force Bosh to guard a lot of Centers while they're on the floor together. And he's a complete zero on offense. Can't shoot, can't score, can't hit free-throws. This would severely hurt Bosh (who would see more help D) and make our shooters easier to guard. On top of that, he has a terrible contract that I wouldn't go near.

In terms of making short-term moves to go as far as possible in the playoffs this year, Reggie Evans is preferable to what our current situation is. If physical inside play and 2nd chance points are hurting us now, can you imagine how much of a liability it's going to be in the playoffs, where it'll be even more physical and more intense? We'll get killed.

[orangutooth]

wasn't bc crying about not wanting big men who can't hit freethrows earlier? reggie evans doesn't even shoot 60% from the ft line. you will not see him here.

[The Letter V]

IIRC anytime our wings have big games, we usually win....and, if we're committed to Bargs, then, I think we'd be better served to go after an athletic wing who can consistently create his own shot and take some pressure off of Bosh on offense. It would be preferrable if this wing was a good rebounder and at-least decent defensively. The ideal guy would be someone like Geral Wallace, Caron Butler, Josh Howard or Josh Smith... but acquiring those guys is very far-fetched.

Maybe some more realistic options at this point might be:

Micheal Redd (If Milwaukee is dead set on getting rid of him, we could get a steal.)
Corey Maggette (If they're not going to resign him in the off-season, then they would probably look to get ANYTHING in return for him, so they don't lose him for nothing. We could , make a deal here.)
Leandro Barbosa (We'd have to part with one half of Forderon, but he could be a legitimate second scorer alongside Bosh.)
Mike Miller (Memphis isn't going anywhere this year.)

Out of that list, IMO Barbosa would help us out the most, but I think Maggette might be the most realistic option.

[Kabookalu]

There's a simple solution to the slashing athletic wing problem...tell Moon to stop shooting jumpers and Delfina to stop chucking shots.

[The Letter V]

There's a simple solution to the slashing athletic wing problem...tell Moon to stop shooting jumpers and Delfina to stop chucking shots.

Sure that would help, but I'm not sure if it's enough. I think a better term for "athletic wing" would be "second scorer". I'm not sure there's anybody on our roster other than Bargs (who is obviously not ready right now) that can develop into the second scorer we need.

[yellowknifer]

IIRC anytime our wings have big games, we usually win....and, if we're committed to Bargs, then, I think we'd be better served to go after an athletic wing who can consistently create his own shot and take some pressure off of Bosh on offense. It would be preferrable if this wing was a good rebounder and at-least decent defensively. The ideal guy would be someone like Geral Wallace, Caron Butler, Josh Howard or Josh Smith... but acquiring those guys is very far-fetched.

Maybe some more realistic options at this point might be:

Micheal Redd (If Milwaukee is dead set on getting rid of him, we could get a steal.)
Corey Maggette (If they're not going to resign him in the off-season, then they would probably look to get ANYTHING in return for him, so they don't lose him for nothing. We could , make a deal here.)
Leandro Barbosa (We'd have to part with one half of Forderon, but he could be a legitimate second scorer alongside Bosh.)
Mike Miller (Memphis isn't going anywhere this year.)

Out of that list, IMO Barbosa would help us out the most, but I think Maggette might be the most realistic option.

Of all those guys I think Miller is our best bet. But I don't think he's a realistic option either. Michael Redd flat out sucks defensively. I want nothing to do with him. Maggette is an interesting possibility, but what's the deal with all the turmoil surrounding this cat ? Barbosa would be nice to have as he could play some limited minutes at PG (I don't think he'll ever be a true PG, he coughs it up too much). He's a bit undersized to be a true SG. He's a tweener but he would be nice to have.

[PrimeTime21]

I agree that you guys need a tough rebounder, right now I'd say that the Raps are one of the softest teams in the league. I'm sure Reggie Evans can be had from Philly too, what would Toronto send back?

[REM]

Nick Collison.

Love his game and attitude.

[Tommy Gun]

An athletic 5 who can rebound + block shots and finish at the rim--this may be one that you address in the draft (Devon Hardin?)

A wing who can break down a D and get to the basket. There are enough of these floating around--they're not rarities.

[whoknows]

IMO there is only one obvious answer...a backup PG.

Since TJ's return is incertitude at best, what record Raps would have if JC will miss 10 games?

The best rebounder will not help the team survive with DMart & Dixon at the point.

[Air Canada]

Definitely a rebounding 4-5

[Buyaka]

My signature says it all