Welcoming New Raptors

The free agency frenzy is still in full tilt, with rumors constantly flying about when and where Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are going. Here, in Raptorland we weathered the storm in quiet fashion. The current Raptors roster is progressing towards success, built on young and developing talent. With the Raptors most recent draft pick, #5 overall, Jonas Valenciunas staying in Europe for the upcoming 2011-12 season this is a Raptors team clearly looking to the future. Might as well hunker down and endure another season of ongoing progress and an imaginary light at the end of it all. This does not mean the Raptors will tank the season, but having a high draft pick in the stacked 2012 draft is definitely in the Raptors plans. This being said, this offseason was about stability, veteran leadership, filling in the personality guys around new Head Coach Dwane Casey's defensive philosophy, and exploring team identity, all while maintaining financial flexibility going forward. Bryan Colangelo did a pretty good job sticking to the plan. Without further ado, meet the new Raptors!

Rasual Butler
- 6'7, 205 lbs, Small Forward
- 5.0 points, 1.9 rebounds per game for the Clippers last year. Finished season in Chicago
- 32 years old, entering his 10th NBA season
- Butler is a player known for his three-point shooting and his career 36% from deep should help the Raptors who broke their NBA-record streak of "games with at least one three-pointer" last year. Toronto used to be an excellent shooting team, but were among the league's worst last year with 29th most 3s made, and the league-worst three-point percentage of .316%. He's a larger wing player at 6'7" and he'll help the Raptors depth at SF, plus he once guest-starred in a Trina music video.

Aaron Gray
- 7'0, 270 lbs, Centre
- 3.1 points, 4.2 rebounds per game last year for New Orleans
- 27 years old, entering his fifth NBA season
- Aaron Gray gives the Raptors size and strength in the middle and can help shift Bargnani to his preferred power forward position. He has started in just 25 games in his career, but don't be surprised if he fits into the Raptors starting lineup on occasions this year. He's the seven-footer the Raptors have lacked and his physical presence should help the Raptors in areas where they struggled last season including blocks (26th in the NBA) and defensive rebounds (27th).

Pictured with fellow newb Anthony Carter

Jamaal Magloire
- 6'11, 265 lbs, Centre
- 1.9 points, 3.4 rebounds per game last year for Miami
- 33 years old, entering 12th NBA season
- Magloire is a Toronto native, and the first Canadian player that the Toronto Raptors have ever employed, which I find hard to believe. Nicknamed "Big Cat," Magloire made the 2004 All-Star team after averaging 13.6 points and 10.3 rebounds, and is the only Canadian not named 'Steve Nash' to ever be named an NBA All-Star. He'll be a fan-favourite as well as introduce toughness to the team. He already gave DeRozan a solid hit in practice. In limited minutes he will be able to play centre alongside Bargnani and allow Andrea to roam as he likes to do. A solid acquisition, on a one year contract.

Anthony Carter
- 6'1, 190 lbs, Point Guard
- 4.4 points, 2.3 assists per game last year for New York
- 36 years old, entering 13th NBA season
- Carter is a guy that won't sell a lot of jerseys in Toronto (also, his surname is Carter) but he will bring work ethic, solid defense at the guard position, leadership and overall experience. After going undrafted out of the University of Hawaii, Carter has bounced around from team to team. As a career third guard he won't mind playing behind Calderon and helping Bayless develop. If the Raptors ship Calderon out, for whatever reason, Carter will play a more significant role on the court. Off the court, he's allowed to attend coaches meetings and aspires to coaching after he retires, which bodes well for the Raptors who now have a coach on the floor.

Gary Forbes
- 6'7", 220 lbs, Small Forward
- 5.2 points, 1.8 rebounds per game last year for Denver
- 26 years old, entering his second season in the NBA
- Forbes was the last signing for the Raptors and only came into the picture when a deal for Mickeal Pietrus fell through. He was a restricted free agent, and Denver had the right to match Toronto's contract offer and keep him, but they decided to let him walk. He will provide depth on the wing at Small Forward where the Raptors need it. Born Panamanian, Forbes has played in Venezuela, the Philippines, Italy, and Israel and broke into the NBA last year spending 25 games with the Denver Nuggets. He has potential and upside, and probably caught the Raptors' eye when he scored 39 points to lead his country to a victory over Canada in this summer’s FIBA Americas Championship tournament. Forbes is also internet-famous for scoring 78 points in a pick-up game this summer, including 13 threes which is good news for the Raptors.