NBA Team Needs – Toronto Raptors

Returning Players– Hedo Turkoglu (SF); Jose Calderon (PG); Andrea Bargnani (C); Reggie Evans (PF); Jarrett Jack (PG); Demar Derozan (SG); Marcus Banks (PG); Marco Belinelli (SG); Chris Bosh (PF – Player Option); Sonny Weems (SG – Team Option)

Team Payroll (5 Players, assuming no Bosh and Weems) – $46,326,150

Estimated Salary Cap – $56,000,000

Team Needs– Replacement for Bosh; Depth at Forward and Center positions

Position Needs – SF, PF, C

Picks – 1st Round (#13)

Analysis–  After the Hedo Turkoglu signing did not bring the results that Toronto was looking for this past season, look for some major changes north of the border.  Tops on that list – the end of the Chris Bosh era in Toronto.  Bosh was never a great fit with the Euro style that seems to have been bred in Toronto.  Now left with a front line of Turkoglu and Andrea Bargnani, look for Toronto to target a banger to do some of the dirty work around the rim.  Ideally, the Raptors would be able to snag Ekpe Udoh at this slot.  An athletic big man, who is a lot tougher than the rest of the Raptors front-line, would free up Turkoglu and Bargnani to operate in free space.  Another option could be Kentucky power forward Patrick Patterson who showed this season that he can play in the lane or on the perimeter.  Any other player similar to these two would probably be a stretch at this point.  An interesting possibility could be Hassan Whiteside, who is extremely raw, but can help with Toronto’s defensive issues.

Make sure to check back later today for my look at the Boston Celtics.  And I swear one day, I will get a comment that isn’t actually spam.