Toronto Raptors: 2012-13 Offseason To-Do List
The Toronto Raptors are faced with some big decisions. (Image from wallpaperdev.com)
The Toronto Raptors finished 34-48 in 2012-13, four games behind the eighth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. As such, the Raptors missed out on playoff basketball for the fifth consecutive year, but strong play in April left the team with a sense of optimism heading into the offseason.
Here are a few items on the agenda for the Raptors as they begin preparing to take a step forward next season.
I. Determine the future of the general manager and coach: The ownership group, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, will need to clarify the employment status of general manager Bryan Colangelo before business can proceed as usual. There is an option on Colangelo’s contract for 2013-14 that the organization has yet to pick up and there has not been any mention, at least publicly, of extending his contract beyond this season.
Colangelo, who has been in this role since February 2006, faces the possibility of being fired in the coming weeks, but that seems unlikely. I suspect that he will be given three more years to build the Raptors into a contender.
The first item on the agenda for Colangelo will be to determine the fate of head coach Dwane Casey, who just completed his second season with the team and has one more year remaining on his contract. Rumors have swirled that Colangelo tried to fire Casey during the 2012-13 season as the pair were at odds over the handling of the roster.
There is something to be said for stability and patience, so I think Casey will at least be given the chance to finish out his contract.
Andrea Bargnani has not met the expectations of Toronto Raptors fans since being drafted first overall in 2006. (Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com)
II. Trade Andrea Bargnani: The difficulty in moving the 7’0″ forward is that his value is at an all-time low. He played sparingly this season due to injury (35 games) and showed limited enthusiasm towards defense and rebounding during his time on the court,
Colangelo selected Bargnani first overall in 2006 and, until recently, adamantly tried to sell fans on Bargnani’s potential, while justifying his shortcomings to a fault.
Now it appears that the general manager is ready to part ways with Bargnani and his seven seasons of mediocrity, but finding an honest trading partner may be difficult.
However, I think fans will see the value in trading Bargnani, regardless of what he brings in return. Quite simply, it is time for the organization to cut ties with Bargnani and move forward with Rudy Gay as the face of the franchise.
III. Clear salary cap space: It never hurts to have the financial flexibility to address roster needs either in the summer or during the season. The Raptors could create some wiggle room by using the Amnesty Clause on rarely-used and often-injured forward Linas Kleiza.
The Raptors might even catch a break with this decision if Kleiza decides against exercising his player option for next season, valued at $4.6 million. In February, Kleiza denied reports that he will retire, but it’s conceivable he could return to Europe to finish out his career.
Even though the Raptors could go this route with Bargnani, it makes more sense to get something in return for a player in whom they have invested so much over the years.
IV. Sort out roster needs: The Raptors will have a need for a backup shooting guard as Alan Anderson‘s contract is set to expire. The journeyman played for the minimum salary ($885,120) this season, but after averaging 10.7 points per game in 23 minutes of action, Anderson will be in line for a raise.
Shaun Livingston will be a free agent this summer (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule)
As I wrote in a previous article, the Raptors would find some decent options in the free agent market if they decide to let Anderson walk.
Furthermore, the Raptors will be in need of a point guard to play minutes behind starter Kyle Lowry. The team acquired Sebastian Telfair at the trade deadline to fill this role, but he will enter the offseason as a free agent and is unlikely to be brought back.
The list of affordable floor generals on the open market will include Jamaal Tinsley and Shaun Livingston.
V. Cross their fingers:
In July 2012, the Raptors traded away a first-round pick to acquire Lowry from the Houston Rockets. The only way the Raptors keep the pick this year is if it lands in the top three.
As it stands now, the Raptors have a 0.7 percent chance of choosing first and only slightly better odds at choosing second or third. Luck will have to be on the Raptors’ side to retain this selection, but if they have to surrender the 12th overall pick (most likely outcome), that wouldn’t be too much of a wrench in their offseason plans.