He does have holes to fill — and with just 10 players under contract, he’s certainly got spots available — but as for some hugely significant free-agent signing? Fans may not want to get their hopes too high.
“Let’s just say that to go out and spend money this summer just to spend money would be probably swimming against the current of what the plan is actually about,” the Raptors president and general manager said this week after introducing new executive vice-president of basketball operations Ed Stefanski.
“And the plan is to acquire the right pieces, the correct pieces to keep adding to this nucleus that we have.”
“Let’s just say that to go out and spend money this summer just to spend money would be probably swimming against the current of what the plan is actually about,” the Raptors president and general manager said this week after introducing new executive vice-president of basketball operations Ed Stefanski.
“And the plan is to acquire the right pieces, the correct pieces to keep adding to this nucleus that we have.”
Colangelo, though, may be more cautious than many. With a new coach, Dwane Casey, and a young core anchored by the likes of DeMar DeRozan and Ed Davis to be augmented in the 2012-13 season by Lithuanian centre Jonas Valanciunas, he made it clear a “quick fix” wasn’t in his plans.
“If we feel like there’s a better opportunity in a subsequent free agency period to do that, then you move forward with sustained organic growth (of the current group),” he said.
There is, however, room for bodies. The Raptors have just 10 players under contract and up to five roster spots to fill. There is a need at almost every spot. A small forward and backup shooting guard would seem to be the most pressing needs.
Colangelo held out hope that he could address those needs with minor signings or trades as a way to revitalize a team that was 21-61 last season and missed the playoffs for the third straight year.
“It’s also probably prudent with a new coach implementing a whole new set of ideals, particularly on the defensive end of the floor, while adding to the roster (that we) do so in a prudent way,” he said.
“If we feel like there’s a better opportunity in a subsequent free agency period to do that, then you move forward with sustained organic growth (of the current group),” he said.
There is, however, room for bodies. The Raptors have just 10 players under contract and up to five roster spots to fill. There is a need at almost every spot. A small forward and backup shooting guard would seem to be the most pressing needs.
Colangelo held out hope that he could address those needs with minor signings or trades as a way to revitalize a team that was 21-61 last season and missed the playoffs for the third straight year.
“It’s also probably prudent with a new coach implementing a whole new set of ideals, particularly on the defensive end of the floor, while adding to the roster (that we) do so in a prudent way,” he said.
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