Toronto Raptors: Looking At The 2013-14 Starting Lineup
Now that the Toronto Raptors have announced the hiring of Masai Ujiri as the new general manager, the business of rebuilding the team into a contender can get underway.
Typically an incoming general manager takes some time to assess the roster before putting his stamp on the team and I assume that will be the case with Ujiri. For the Raptors–who went 34-48 this season and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year–there is certainly room for improvement.
Since I fully expect major moves between now and the start of the 2013-14 campaign, here is some insight into the projected starting lineup for the Raptors, but with consideration given to the chances of each of the five players actually remaining in their role.
Point Guard
When plans to sign Steve Nash fell through last summer, former general manager Bryan Colangelo turned to the trade market and acquired Lowry from the Houston Rockets. A quick, feisty and capable defender, Lowry was seen as a good fit for coach Dwane Casey’s system.
Lowry’s contract is not guaranteed for next season. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, basketballschedule.net)
The 6’0″ guard made 52 starts in 68 appearances in 2012-13, with overall averages of 11.6 points, 6.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
However, his status as the team’s No. 1 option at the point was not fully resolved until Jose Calderon was dealt on Jan. 30.
Lowry has one year remaining on his contract at $6.2 million, but it is partially guaranteed as the team holds an option to waive Lowry before July 15 at a cost of $1 million.
There is a lot of flexibility here if Ujiri decides that Lowry doesn’t fit into his plans.
Probability: 50 percent
Shooting Guard
In the hours leading up to the Raptors 2012-13 season opener, DeRozan was inked to a four-year, $38 million extension that kicks in next season. The urgency of signing him to that extension was debated because management could have waited to gain a better understanding of DeRozan’s value this summer as a restricted free agent.
The only Raptor to make 82 starts this season, DeRozan averaged a career-high 18.1 points per game on 44.5 percent shooting.
DeRozan was drafted ninth overall in 2009. (Photo Credit: Basketball Schedule, Flickr.com)
On the plus side, DeRozan has shown a willingness to attack the basket in his four years in the league and his mid-range game is improving.
The downside, though, is that DeRozan has connected on just 23.9 percent of his 3-point attempts over his career and he could stand to pitch in a little more at the defensive end.
If DeRozan can raise his game to another level in 2013-14, it might not happen in a Raptors uniform, although I can see Ujiri wanting to give DeRozan a look next season before deciding on his future with the team.
What makes DeRozan expendable is that the team has other players with similar skills, including Terrence Ross who will enter his second season needing a lot more playing time to develop his game.
Probability: 50 percent
Small Forward
The 6’9″ athletic forward has two years and a total of $37.2 million remaining on his deal, so Gay is a lock to be in the starting lineup next season. The organization saw an opportunity to acquire a top-tier talent that was lacking in the years after the departure of Chris Bosh and jumped on it.
Hopefully Rudy Gay feels at home with the Raptors. (Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com)
Regarded as the new face of the franchise, Gay is the kind of player the Raptors have not been able to land via free agency.
While the Raptors may have overpaid for a career 18 point per game scorer, they have been missing that scoring touch at the small forward position since Vince Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 2004.
Probability: 100 percent
Power Forward
There are some big names that could be in play this summer, such as Al Jefferson, Paul Milsap, and maybe even Zach Randolph, but for now Johnson is the guy and that’s not so bad.
Amir Johnson is a fan favorite in Toronto. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule)
In 38 starts in 2012-13 (81 total games), Johnson averaged 12 points and 9.3 rebounds on 53.9 percent shooting in 34.5 minutes. The 6’9″ forward is the heart of the team and his brand of play–athletic, but also rugged–is a perfect mix for whatever offensive and defensive schemes that Raptors run next season.
I hope Johnson has a role with the team in 2013-14, but my inclination is that it wouldn’t be as a starter.
Probability: 25 percent
Center
Is Jonas Valanciunas still a big part of the Toronto Raptors’ future plans? (Photo by Matthew Addie/Flickr.com)
The 6’11”, 231-pounder turned in a solid rookie campaign in 2012-13 and his selection as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 draft was a rare decision for which Colangelo received applause as opposed to criticism.
The 21-year old was a force at both ends of the court this season as he averaged 8.9 points, six rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game. Furthermore, he made 57 starts for the team, so the role would not be new for him.
As it stands now, Valanciunas is a core piece of the team’s blueprint and I would be surprised if Ujiri doesn’t also see it that way.
Probability: 100 percent