Masai Ujiri: incremental growth, or an explosion, for Raptors

The Raptors need to make some important decisions about the future of the team, but they are not masters of their own fate. If Lowry leaves, what might Masai do?

The Toronto Raptors are at a cross-roads – or are they? President Masai Ujiri, perhaps the only person inside his organization sure of not being fired, traded, or waived, has a bunch of decisions to make.

However, one decision he doesn’t get to make is where point guard Kyle Lowry will play next season. For purposes of this post, I’m going to assume Kyle is not a Raptor ever again.

The day after Lowry announces he’s signed with the Lakers or whoever, Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker decide they are not negotiating with Masai any longer. Guess what, guys…it’s rebuild time.

DeRozan on the move

While I’m working on a few Trade Proposals involving DeMar DeRozan, I’m going to wait on publishing them until after the first week of July. That’s when the new contract “season” of 2017-2018 kicks in, and I’ll be able to verify the legitimacy of my deals with the various tools I use. Some of my proposals are “out there”, so I need to be sure of which teams have cap space [hint, hint, hint].

May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) defends during the third quarter in the second round of game four of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

And what’s salvageable from the wreck of the Good Ship Raptors once DD and Kyle are gone? Our starting point guard would be Cory Joseph, backed up by Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet. Lowry will make more by the All-Star break than their total salaries.

The off-guard becomes Norman Powell, who makes Terrence Ross look consistent. Unless one of the guys (Axel Toupane?) from the successful D-League (now the G (for Gatorade)-League) team, the Raptors 905, is ready for the bigs, there’s nobody to spell Norman.

At small forward, DeMarre Carroll is getting the most money. Perhaps he could be showcased in preparation for a trade. He’s backed up by Bruno Caboclo.

Front court – not so hot

Up front, there’s Jonas Valanciunas, Bebe and Jakob Poeltl at center, with Pascal Siakam as the power forward. His substitute…maybe Patrick Patterson returns on a veteran’s minimum contract. OK, that’s what I’d offer; Masai will probably bring him back at around $9 million on a 3-year deal.

Oh yeah…we’ve got the #23 selection. Yippee.

Hello draft lottery! That roster would be hard-pressed to win 20 games, even if a DeRozan trade netted two rotation-grade players and a draft pick [is that another hint?]. We sure would have a bunch of room under the salary cap though.

There’s your fast teardown. A rebuild would take years; just ask fans of the Philadelphia 76ers. Is 3+ seasons of purgatory really what we want, or all we can hope for?

Save us, Masai. Keep at least 3 of these free agents in Toronto, please.

Home/Raptors News