Who do you consider to be a "Core" piece going forward? Do we even have any?

[Apollo]

JV, Bargnani and DeRozan. Really anyone but JV is movable in my mind but Bargnani and DeRozan have great talents and room for growth. Their value as assets has not yet peaked and this team is going nowhere great anytime soon so it's best to sit on those two and see how much higher they climb.

[MangoKid]

your view is wrong. Bargnani can do it.

If he can do it, why hasn't he? Yeah, until he proves otherwise, my view isn't wrong. Nice try though.

[ezz_bee]

JV is definitely part of the core. I waivered on Bargnani, but selected him as well. If i don't like what I see next season I'll remove that tag pretty quickly.

I don't consider Demar a core piece right now, he still has a long way to go in his development. If he had an amazing year than he'd be up for consideration.

Everyone is can be traded, with the exception of JV, we need to see him for a few seasons at least and let his stock rise even more.

[Papa Burgundy]

Our biggest core piece right now is Jonas ... but also at the core of how we move forward are Bargnani and Demar.
Third tier would be Jose (although maybe short term), and James & Amir (if they stay in town).

[CalgaryRapsFan]

To me, a 'core' player would be a young, talented, nearly untradeable type player. 'Core' players don't have to be franchise players or even all-stars, just part of the core nucleus that the team will be built around going forward.

Core - would only be traded for a superstar:
- Valanciunas

Core - would only be traded for an all-star calibur player:
- Bargnani
- DeRozan

Fringe Core - readily available for the right price, could become part of the core under the right circumstances:
- Davis/Amir (one has to be traded and the other needs to show improvement & consistency)
- Kleiza (needs to show improvement & consistency; could become lethal 2nd unit scorer)
- JJ (needs to show improvement & consistency; only as a 2nd unit player / defensive specialist)
- Bayless (needs to show improvement & consistency; either needs to accept 2nd unit role or EARN the starting job)


For the record, I only voted for Valanciunas & Bargnani. I am 50/50 as to whether DeRozan should be part of the 'core' at the same level as Bargnani, or whether he should be at the top of the 'fringe core' group of players that need to take the next step in their development in order to be considered a 'core' piece moving forward.

[Prime]

To me, a 'core' player would be a young, talented, nearly untradeable type player. 'Core' players don't have to be franchise players or even all-stars, just part of the core nucleus that the team will be built around going forward.

Core - would only be traded for a superstar:
- Valanciunas

Core - would only be traded for an all-star calibur player:
- Bargnani
- DeRozan

I highly doubt whether trading any of these players can fetch us an all-star caliber player.

[slaw]

I highly doubt whether trading any of these players can fetch us an all-star caliber player.

Prime, haven't you been listening to Colangelo? GMs are always calling him telling him how awesone our draft picks are and how the Raps have several players that are highly coveted around the NBA. Heck, if we don't get an elite player back for any one of these guys I'll ahve to start questioning management's ability to make good trades. The only other possible option is that they're liars and surely that isn't the case, right?

[mcHAPPY]

Prime, haven't you been listening to Colangelo? GMs are always calling him telling him how awesone our draft picks are and how the Raps have several players that are highly coveted around the NBA. Heck, if we don't get an elite player back for any one of these guys I'll ahve to start questioning management's ability to make good trades. The only other possible option is that they're liars and surely that isn't the case, right?

Media ask specific questions regarding players or personnel moves, what do you propose?

I don't suppose you expect politicians to be honest and forthcoming as well?

Anything a GM says is going to be spun positively for the organization. Nothing like killing a players trade value around the league by saying, "You know, I talk to the other 29 GM's and no one is interested in what we are shopping. I don't know what to do." Nothing like disengaging the franchise's by saying your #5 first round draft pick, who is not even coming over for a year, is nothing spectacular and nothing to get excited about.

Obviously Colangelo (or any other GM) is going to be pushing their team and players. They are essentially salesmen to the other GM's in the league and to the fan base.

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

Who i THINK is the core - Bargnani, JV, DD, Calderon, Amir, JJ, Kleiza
Who i WANT to be the core - Bargnani, JV, DD, Calderon, Bayless, Ed, JJ, Amir, Gray

I think what we sometimes neglect is that NBA winning teams are not just about talent. Would you rather have a team of superstars each trying to go their own way every night or, a team which has chemistry and plays hard every night? Its not about stockpiling your team with assets, but rather getting the players that fit the team's philosophy and objective. IMO, at this stage of the Raptors "rebuild", its more on getting the players that fit and filling the needs. And from there, its DC's job to get everybody on the same page, and play towards a common goal.