Raptor Ramblings

So now that another season is in the books we will shift our attention back to the home team. Toronto Raptors are a team without a coach as you know. Just curious if the Miami Heat are going to part ways with Eric Spoestra if he would jump to the top of the list for Raptors coaching search. I wouldn't mind having him personally. Despite being young he does have a ton of experience. He does have a defensive mindset even if he couldn't stop Dirk for most of the finals. While he might not be able to coach the three super egos in Miami he is a solid coach overall in my view. You look at the job he did the season prior with very little beyond D-Wade as evidence of that. But all that being said the Heat at least for the moment have given no indication that they are not going to bring him back next year. The Raptors appear to be looking at Dwane Casey an assistant coach for the Champion Mavericks but are not alone as so are the Detroit Pistons according to Slam. Also on both the Pistons and Raptors lists include Lawrence Frank the one time Nets head coach that beat the Raptors in the post season under Sam Mitchell. Given the narrow perspective Colangelo has given in terms of what he is looking for there can't be to many coaches that fit that bill.

Draft workouts are set to resume in Toronto on Wednesday. I will be in town to check them out. No list as come out as of yet but I have a hunch we might see some local talent in the mix. Raptors already worked out Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker who if they were to go point guard would be at the top of the list of player that could be available for them. Colangelo has been in Europe checking out his options over there. He also and stated publicly he is the market for a 2nd first round pick in the top 10. If that was to land a Tristan Thompson with it I would be all for it. If not I really can't see much point to it. If the Raptors bailed out of this draft altogether it would not make me sad in the least. Other than the fact we are having a draft party and would have no draft pick to celebrate. But basketball wise this is a weak draft class. I would venture to say even weaker than the class that landed us Andrea Bargnani at number one.

In other off-season news in terms of the Raptors it would seem Leandro Barbosa is leaning toward declining his option for 7.2 million for next season. I am not sure if this makes much sense for him. But in terms of the Raptors it would make them a team with a lot more cash to play with under a what is expected to be more restrictive CBA. Colangelo's old Suns ties were able to have him work out a sign and trade that landed as it turned out a championship ring for Shawn Marion. It also helped Colangelo pull off the move to land Hedo. While that was a complete failure the fact that Colangelo was able to work with Marion was not. Now Barbosa is looking to turn down an option but Colangelo has stated he would be interested in signing him long term. It seems Colangelo might just have been able to work with a former Sun once again to get himself some much needed cap space.

I briefly mentioned our draft party which will be going down at St Louis Wings at the Bay St location just up from the ACC. On Friday I will be giving away one VIP guest pass for our party. That just like with our Bosh Bash will give you a night out on the good folks at St Louis Wings. Food and drinks for free and a chance to party with everyone else that shows up. Also for everyone will be having X-Box 360 with some NBA 2k11 to keep you entertained in between picks. That and I am sure some other fun and surprises will be on the agenda for a fun night for all. I hope to see many of you decide to come out and spend draft night with me and folks at St Louis Wings. So Friday in the blog will have some way for you to have a chance to win. Also check on Twitter as I will post something there to make you aware of the contest.

That is a wrap for today. I will be in Toronto tomorrow so may not hear from me. Ryan should have his weekly DNB Top 10 for your enjoyment though. I will have some stuff from the workouts on Thursday. Raptors will be having workouts on that day as well but I am only heading down for the Wednesday workouts as of right now.

Bargnani On Thin Ice

It seems pretty clear now that Andrea Bargnani is well on his way out of Toronto. If he isn't the chances of him restoring himself with this fanbase pretty much is done. Another guy making comments overseas and in this modern world they quickly come back to bite him in the butt in North America. You only need to look at last summer when Hedo Turkoglu did a similar thing and he ended up traded to Suns and gone. Bargnani in an interview in Italy expressed that he was not exactly happy with the comments his G.M Bryan Colangelo made about him in his post season press conference. He said that he was fine with being traded and would welcome a trade to a warmer NBA destination where he could play his natural position.

The Raptors/Bargnani went in damage control mode and released a statement yesterday addressing these comments from Bargnani from Andrea himself.

Andrea Bargnani Statement:

"I wish to personally clarify and correct an inaccurate portrayal of my words that recently appeared in the media. Much of what I said was taken out of context with respect to an entire conversation. I want to make clear my love for Toronto and I consider the city my second home. I never said that I wanted to leave Toronto and I am sorry if fans interpreted the inaccuracy in that way. I am proud to represent Toronto and the Raptors Organization. I appreciate what Bryan Colangelo and the organization has done for me during the past 5 years of my career. I always work to improve myself as a player to reward the organization and our fans with the best team possible. "

First off, has anyone every heard Andrea Bargnani talk like this? This has PR written all over it and quite honestly it stinks about as bad as his defence and rebounding. Unlike when Chris Bosh left last summer I am pretty confident in suggesting most Raptors fans would welcome the idea of Bargnani no longer being a Raptor.

This debate on playing his natural position has been on that has remained from the very start of his career. No matter what anyone says it seems pretty clear that Bargnani mentally feels he is playing out of position and it has an impact on him. This is a failure on his part to adapt and a failure on the organization to get him to fully buy into his role on this team.

The time has come for he and the Raptors to part ways and move on. I have been convinced of this for a long time. Bargnani with the tag of being the team's first overall pick will never live up to that. If you look back on the Raptors history I think many would be hard pressed to put him in the top 5 players all time. He has not lived up to the billing that comes with being the first overall pick and has been a failure overall in his time with the Raptors. His strengths as a scorer are far out weighed by his overall lack of effort and lack of defensive ability and ability to rebound.

The problem for the Raptors becomes once again they are going to be dealing a player from a position of weakness and not strength. Bryan Colangelo's job of moving him has become harder based on this latest episode. But as he proved with Hedo Turkoglu that is not going to stop him from moving him.

Raptors fans for the most part would say the sooner the better. But in this current climate with a lockout looming that might be easier said than done.

B.C's To Do List.

So you might have heard that Bryan Colangelo is back. So after a month in limbo what does Bryan Colangelo have on his to do list? There are lots of things if he plans on this team being better whenever we are playing basketball again. Here is a list of some of the major ones.

1. Decide on Jay Triano- Now it would appear he has this one already made. But does he simply just pick up the option on Jay's contract and let him play it out? That is what you hope will happen. Could he actually give Jay an extension? If he were to extend Jay it would be pretty much tying his own future to Triano's. Colangelo himself only has two years plus an option so it would seem logical he gives himself the option to make a coaching change if need be by just picking up the option. But if you are hoping for a change now, Bryan has given every indication that Jay Triano will be back and this is likely taken care of very soon.

2. Pick, Trade Down or Trade Out- What will Colangelo do with the draft after falling to #5 after the draft lottery. In his post season remarks he seemed willing to move the pick if the right deal was out there. After the lottery he seemed to be more likely to keep the pick. Although he admits that after the first two picks in this draft there is a ton of uncertainty. Tristan Thompson lies out there likely as a pick near the end of the lottery. He plays at a position where the Raptors are pretty much set though. You could get out of the draft altogether and perhaps tie one of the players you would like to move with the pick. Colangelo admits his greatest need is a center and that no one like that exists in this draft. Any team want the 5th pick and Jose Calderon or Andrea Bargnani? Bryan Colangelo is looking to find out you have to imagine.

3. Reggie Evans In The Mix?- Reggie Evans is the one free agent that has some questions on if he will be back or not. It is safe to say that Sonny Weems and the rest of the Raptors free agents are likely gone. In terms of what your plan is with Reggie could impact on the draft. If you are not looking to bring back Reggie Evans it opens the door to draft a Tristan Thompson or someone else at the four spot. Problem is you will not know what the cap will be and how Reggie can fit or not fit prior to the draft. Should the Raptors draft Thompson or someone else at that position you will have a good indication on Reggie's future with the Raps.

4. Predict the Unknown- Bryan Colangelo is a sharp guy and will need to be that as he is likely going to have to anticipate what the new CBA is going to look like as he tries to reconstruct this team. A new NBA with no MLE and a Franchise Tag could make B.C's job a lot easier in terms of being able to lure free agents to come north of the border. While a lower cap would make the prospects of trading a Bargnani or a Calderon a much more difficult task. The one thing he does know is if he chooses to stay at number 5 in the draft there is a little extra money to play with. Only about 650,000 from 3.55 million to 2.9 million. Not a lot but still a difference.

5. Find A Center- I can only imagine how Bryan must watch the Dallas Mavericks and just shake his head in disgust. Tyson Chandler was almost a Raptor after all. It can not be under estimated how that trade that never was with the Bobcats impacted on B.C's plans for last year. The Raptors would have a much different outlook had that trade gone down. But it didn't and he is still stuck with Jose Calderon and still has no real center to play for him. It is essential the Raptors have a defensive minded center in the mix to play next season. Regardless of if Andrea Bargnani is back or not.

6. What You Do With A Problem Like Andrea? - Colangelo made it clear to anyone listening that he was not impressed with the effort of his former number 1 pick on the boards and on defence. He also made it clear he is not afraid to move him. Talk is talk but can he follow up the talk with action? There is no question that this fan base is more than ready to see Andrea go bye-bye. But is B.C truly ready and if he is can he find a team that is willing to roll the dice on Bargnani? The odds of finding that team might be better than finding a team willing to take Jose Calderon. What has been clear to almost everyone is that if the Raptors are to become better on defence, they can not start the season with Jose and Andrea in the starting five.

7. Find Some Gems In Free Agency- This is not a free agent class like last season. There may never be another like it ever. But next off-season will be pretty close. So this free agency is all about getting value if possible. The best name out there for the Raptors might be Nene and if Leandro Barbosa picks up his 7.2 million dollar option it might help the Raptors lure the fellow Brazilian to come to Toronto. If you say your biggest need is at Center then this is probably the best option available to you via free agency maybe altogether. You also have a former member of the organization in Denver should you look to construct a sign and trade. It is a long shot but if Bryan wants to make a splash landing Nene would do that.

8. A Defensive Minded Wing- Not sure how you get him but James Johnson alone is not enough the Raptors need a wing that can defend and do a solid job guarding some of the NBA best. I would venture to say that guy does not exist in the draft. Shane Battier is out there in free agency but will draw a ton of interest. So it would seem this would have to come via trade. But these type of players are rare and hard to find and you wonder what the Raptors would have to give up to land this type of player.

9. End The Euro Experiment- Bryan Colangelo tried to look to Europe to avoid the Raptors greatest problem of being able to keep or land stars from the U.S. It has been a failure by all accounts you would have to say. It was a good idea and was worth trying but clearly it has not worked out. The best basketball nation in the world playing at NBA rules is still the United States. Not to say never bring in a Non-North American but the whole idea of a united nations style team in Toronto has been a bust.

10. Defence First Point Guard- Another hard thing to find but something this team needs badly. The evolution of the point guard position in this league has made this a huge priority. Even in a weak draft class you are adding even more fast and athletic point guards to the league. If you don't have someone that can at least make it difficult for them to get into the paint you are in trouble on most nights in this league. Calderon and Bayless are far from capable of doing this. Raptors need someone that can be a better first line of defence.

Can Bryan accomplish all of this in one off-season? If he does he might just win back this fan base and be declared the saviour he was when he first came. But realistically this will be very hard to do especially in an off-season in which a labour stoppage is likely and a new CBA is certain at some point. But Bryan is a sharp guy and will be able to adapt quickly to whatever that new deal will be. That is the main reason you should be happy he is back even if you have not been thrilled with his performance to this point. Bottom line is Colangelo is going to be a very busy guy laying the foundation for his off-season before a lockout takes hold of the league.

Bargnani Trade Game

It has become pretty clear that the Toronto Raptors have an appetite to trade Andrea Bargnani, as much as he has for Primo Pasta and sauce. So today in the blog I am going put on my fantasy G.M hat and see if I can find a deal that makes some sense. The first team that came rushing to mind in wanting to unload Bargnani was the Golden State Warriors. Why them? Well they really have never cared about defence and Bargnani's ability to score and shoot three's fits right in the mix with what they do.

So here is the best deal I could come up with that might make some sense for both sides.

To Golden State:

Andrea Bargnani (PF/C)-(Done for Andrea's Benefit)

Jerryd Bayless (PG)

Solomon Alabi (C)

To Toronto:

Andris Biedrin (C)

Jermey Lin (PG)

Not the greatest trade but Biedrins will rebound and can be a legit 5 in your line-up. Bayless will need to go anyway assuming you can not move Calderon and the Raptors target a point guard in the draft. I tried working this trade to include Udoh or Wright and could find not scenario that made any real sense for the Raptors. Lin is a project and makes for an excellent 3rd option at the point and can develop into a back-up you hope for when Calderon is off the books. Maybe you add a swap of first round picks for Raptors 1st pick this year for Warriors first next year in a stronger draft class. But that would leave you very thin at PG. MLSE would love to have Lin to engage the Asian Community. When he came this season there was a lot of interest from them when the Warriors paid a visit.

The New York Knicks were said to be interested in Andrea Bargnani and again another team not known for it's D under the current coach they have. How interested would they be? Well this trade would test the limits of that. I can not find any trade that makes any sense for the Knicks given their plan to try to bring in Chris Paul. If Calderon's deal was a year shorter you could come up with some things that make sense but it isn't. So despite the rumours it doesn't seem like New York is a likely landing spot. Which is to bad given they have some interesting players like Landry Fields who would be someone you would want to see come back the other way. Assuming Barbosa picks up his option you might be able to take a second look at this trade option again. That 7.1 million off the books along with Bargnani makes it more interesting for the Knicks.

How about Orlando no way Andrea Bargnani can play the Center there. Dwight is already making up for a ton of poor defenders anyway and Stan Van Gundy never liked his hair anyway. I tried to make this on work but gave up after many failed attempts. I was attempting to bring back J.J Redick and another piece in Ryan Anderson but I was denied based on the BYC's in both Redick and Bargnani's contract. Stan Van gets to keep his hair and we look for another partner to trade wiith.

Here is one if the Suns are truly crazy it does work math wise but doesn't really stand up to the whole logic test. But this team did trade for Hedo Turkoglu right?

To Suns:

Andrea Bargnani PF/C

Jose Calderon PG

James Johnson SF

Raptors 1st round pick 2011

To Toronto:

Steve Nash PG

Marcin Gortat C

The only way this happens is if 2 things are true. One that Steve Nash truly wants to leave the Suns and come home to Canada with the chances of a title in his final years being limited. Two that the Suns are convinced they can find a point guard of the future with the Raptors pick (TBD) in the draft. For that to happen you would have to believe that guy would be Irving and thus the Raptors would be trading the 1st overall pick because seems doubtful Irving would slip to 3rd or lower. The Suns would have to be insane to do this or have a gun put to their heads.

The point to all of this is moving Bargnani will be difficult to say the least. What you need is a trading partner that is a team that is not worried about his defence and has a significant need for his scoring. The BYC on his contract also makes moving him a challenge as well. That subtracts value of his contract in terms of trades. It will be difficult to make it all work but if Bryan Colangelo has showed us anything in his time here, it is that he can find ways to make deals happen. Well deals not with the Charlotte Bobcats. This is of course assuming that Bryan is the trigger man on this deal. Which we are still waiting to hear from MLSE on. Must be caught up in Leafs Playoff Fever....Wait a minute. About the great success the soccer team has had at the start of the MLS season....Um NO. To busy counting money and looking to get out while the getting is good for the Teacher's Pension Fund....DING DING....WINNER!!!!

The one thing that I have taken away from my own observations and talking with others like Jack Armstrong yesterday, is that there is no way the Raptors can start the next season with Calderon and Bargnani on floor as starters. If they do this off-season will have been a complete failure. A lot of their ability to do so will be determined by the new CBA whenever that is finally agreed too. As such all these trade ideas will need to be revisited anyway as the rules will have changed and may make trades easier or harder to execute. I have said this so many times in the last few months, it is hard to evaluate where this team is heading based on that. It is like trying to find a town you have never heard of with no maps or GPS. Not exactly easy. But what seems very easy to figure out is Bargnani is clearly on the market and likely the best asset the Raptors have to trade that they are willing too.