Raptors Free Agency 2011

This upcoming free agent banquet will have to be scarfed down quickly as training camps and free agency open simultaneously on December 9 this year. This means teams will scramble to make moves to complete their teams, either for the quick fix and a chance to win now, or to set them up with a quality player for the long run. The Raptors should be in the latter category. While Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams have created most of the buzz this offseason they are not actually free agents for another year. Here's the best out there for the Raptors, as I see them. The Raptors would be best suited not to over-spend on a class of free agents this year, as mediocre improvement now should be sacrificed in favor of the continuation of the youth rebuilding the team has been fairly successful at in recent years. The Raps would be best signing an unrestricted free agent outright rather than trying to outbid a team on a restricted free agent, where their current team is allowed to match the bid and keep their player. Players I have listed are realistic signings and within our price range, not just dreams.

Free Agents

Unrestricted Free Agents

Point Guard

Veteran backup/ mentor to Jerryd Bayless - Anthony Carter, Earl Boykins or Carlos Arroyo
If they part ways with expensive and volatile Jose Calderon, they'll need someone behind Bayless.
I like Anthony Carter at this spot.

Unexploited talent - Sebastian Telfair.
Still has a talent level that hasn't translated into NBA success and could shine if given the opportunity. Worth the risk for the right price.

Well... one of them ruled the world

Shooting Guard

Bench depth - Roger Mason
The guy can shoot, has been deep in the playoffs with some good Spurs team and can bring a winning mentality.

Future power - Chris Douglas-Roberts
CDR is still just 24 and averaged 9.8 ppg as an occasional starter on the Nets two years ago. Still lots of upside here at a discounted price. At 6-7 he could play SG or SF, and probably challenge James Johnson for the starting SF spot.

CDR as a teammate of Derrick Rose in Memphis, dunking on Kevin Love

Small Forward

Three-point threat - James Jones
Last years' All-Star game Three Point Shootout Champion he could provide the three-point stroke that the Raptors used to employ so well, but somehow lost last season.

An added threat from deep like James Jones would help space the floor

Potential talent to develop - Al Thornton or Ime Udoka
Thornton's been on some bad teams, Udoka on some good ones. Both would appreciate any court time the Raptors could give them to showcase their talents.

Power Forward

Instant fan attraction - Yi Jianlian
This guy hasn't shown much in the NBA and the Raps are already pretty crowded at the position. I just don't see them going for Chuck Hayes or Troy Murphy when they already have Amir Johnson, Ed Davis and probably Andrea Bargnani at this position. Yi would be a fan-favourite in the metropolitan city and if he surprises we're golden, if he disappoints we didn't lose too much.

Yi, as pictured here with Olympic teammate Yao Ming

Centre

While we wait for Jonas Vanenciunas - Tyson Chandler
He's definitely too expensive, but impatiant Raps fans already have to wait a year for Jonas to arrive on the roster after being drafted 5th overall in this past summers' draft. And it will probably take years before he's fully acclimatized to the NBA. Chandler would be a great fit if he brings defensive mentality and intensity and allows Bargs to slide over to the PF spot. Valenciunas is insurance.

Chandler played excellent defense against Dirk while on the Hornets, then joined him to win a championship

Less expensive options - Aaron Gray or Jamaal Magloire
Gray is younger and a big body (and I'd love a "GRAY" raptors jersey so, yeah, I'm biased), while Magloire would probably love to end his career in his hometown of Toronto.


Restricted Free Agents

If the Raptors are going to blow the load and try to buy a player away from his team, here are some logical spending sprees, for the most part these guys' teams would be crazy to let them go;

Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons – $2.8 million – Restricted ($3.9 million Qualifying Offer)
-penetrating powerful point guard. Should stay in Detroit.

Nick Young, Washington Wizards – $2.6 million – Restricted ($3.7 million Qualifying Offer)
-part of the Wizards youth movement, he can definitely score in bunches.

Marcus Thornton, Sacramento Kings – $0.8 million – Restricted ($1.1 million Qualifying Offer)
-made huge improvement in Sac-town and should have many suitors

Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers – $2.9 million – Restricted ($4.0 million Qualifying Offer)
-tons of upside, could be the reason the Sixers let Iguodala go. Will stay in Philly

Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee Bucks – $0.9 million – Restricted ($1.1 million Qualifying Offer)
-probably the most available of the bunch, could be valuable in the Raps rotation

Jeff Green, Boston Celtics – $4.5 million – Restricted ($5.9 million Qualifying Offer)
- "I can really f**king play this game, man" he says. Green needs a platform to shine and it hasn't been in OKC or Boston. He'd be great in Toronto, but don't expect him to slip away from the Celtics who gave up Perkins and lots of Ubuntu to get him.

Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies – $3.6 million – Restricted ($4.5 million Qualifying Offer)
-most sought-after FA after Nene. He's not going anywhere.

DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers – $0.9 million – Restricted ($1.1 million Qualifying Offer)
-big, talented, jumps out of the gym. Perfect compliment to the Blakeshow. Staying a Clipper (which may not be such a bad thing anymore)

*thanks to Hoopsworld for all of the free agent contract info
http://www.hoopsworld.com/2011-nba-free-agents/