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Toronto Raptors (Last Year: 33-49)
Depth Chart:
C: Andrea Bargnani/Rasho Nesterovic/Patrick O’Bryant
PF: Chris Bosh/Reggie Evans/Amir Johnson
SF: Hedo Turkoglu/Antoine Wright
SG: Demar DeRozan/Marco Belinelli/Sonny Weems/Quincy Douby
PG: Jose Calderon/Jarrett Jack/Marcus
Banks
Head Coach: Jay Triano (2nd
year)
2009-2010 Team Salary: $68.2 million
Projected 2010-2011 Team
Salary: approximately $43.7 million
Off-Season Grade: Passed
No team improved more this
offseason that the Raptors. Convincing Hedo Turkoglu to come
to Canada rather than Portland was a major get as it gives them a much-needed
playmaker on the perimeter. First-round pick Demar DeRozan fits
that category as well and should provide some welcomed athleticism and
explosiveness to the wing.
Toronto also brought in Jarrett
Jack, Reggie Evans, Marco Belinelli, Amir Johnson and Rasho Nesterovic
in their roster makeover, all of whom should be nice role players coming
off the bench.
2009-2010 Outlook:
I would be shocked if Toronto didn’t drastically improve their 33-49
record from a year. While the Raptors made all the right moves
this offseason to become a better team, they are still not in the upper
echelon of the Eastern Conference. If it all comes together, they
could potentially finish as high as fourth in the East, but it is more
likely they fall in the 5-8 range, yet still make the playoffs.
It will also be interesting
to see what happens with Chris Bosh. If Toronto underachieves
and do not appear likely to re-sign Bosh, there is a chance the big
man could get traded rather than risk losing him next summer and getting
nothing in return.
Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2010:
Next summer entirely hinges on what happens with Bosh. If he decides to opt out of the final year of his contract, which is very likely, and signs elsewhere, Toronto will be about $10 million under the cap, but with a massive hole to fill in their frontcourt. Bosh has not been very interested in talking extension this summer but has to feel good about the improvements the Raptors have made this offseason to become more competitive in the Eastern Conference. I still have a hard time believing he will stay in Toronto after this season, but you never know.
2009-10 NBA Power Ranking: 11th
Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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