D+
Key additions: Leandro Barbosa (trade), Linas Kleiza (FA), Amir Johnson (re-signed), Ed Davis (draft)
Key subtractions: Chris Bosh , Hedo Turkoglu , Marco Belinelli , Antoine Wright
We've focused on the pain Cavs fans have felt all summer. But what about Raptors fans? Three years ago, when GM Bryan Colangelo arrived, it appeared that the Raptors were finally on the right path. Now? They may be in worse shape than the Cavs.
Losing Bosh was a huge blow, but it wasn't the only one Raptors fans endured this summer. The team also essentially admitted that it made a big mistake in signing Turkoglu last summer and traded him to Phoenix for Barbosa. In a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to losing Bosh, the Raptors also overpaid Amir Johnson to take his place.
Top it off with a botched trade that would have landed them Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw for Jose Calderon (blame MJ for that one) and it's been a pretty crappy summer.
On the bright side, however, the Raptors did get their hands on a pretty good prospect in the draft: Ed Davis. He was projected as a top-three pick before last season, but slid a bit because of injuries and a so-so sophomore year. But the talent, as Raptors fans saw in the summer league, is there.
The team also has to be pleased with the way Kleiza played in the FIBA World Championship. He should add a level of toughness to the team. And Barbosa may not be a star, but I think he fits Colangelo's vision in the backcourt more than other guards he's had in the past. It's all small consolation, sure … but at least it's something.
Grade: D+
Key subtractions: Chris Bosh , Hedo Turkoglu , Marco Belinelli , Antoine Wright
We've focused on the pain Cavs fans have felt all summer. But what about Raptors fans? Three years ago, when GM Bryan Colangelo arrived, it appeared that the Raptors were finally on the right path. Now? They may be in worse shape than the Cavs.
Losing Bosh was a huge blow, but it wasn't the only one Raptors fans endured this summer. The team also essentially admitted that it made a big mistake in signing Turkoglu last summer and traded him to Phoenix for Barbosa. In a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to losing Bosh, the Raptors also overpaid Amir Johnson to take his place.
Top it off with a botched trade that would have landed them Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw for Jose Calderon (blame MJ for that one) and it's been a pretty crappy summer.
On the bright side, however, the Raptors did get their hands on a pretty good prospect in the draft: Ed Davis. He was projected as a top-three pick before last season, but slid a bit because of injuries and a so-so sophomore year. But the talent, as Raptors fans saw in the summer league, is there.
The team also has to be pleased with the way Kleiza played in the FIBA World Championship. He should add a level of toughness to the team. And Barbosa may not be a star, but I think he fits Colangelo's vision in the backcourt more than other guards he's had in the past. It's all small consolation, sure … but at least it's something.
Grade: D+
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