Reggie Evans is clearly the best rebounder and most physical player of the bunch, even if he isn’t a skilled offensive threat. He’s easily the back-up power forward. On a running team, you might get away with him at center for short runs. But you have to ask yourself: was Evans acquired to be a back-up or to be the enforcer next to the less physical Bargnani, whom they seem to want to use at a center?
What could the Raptors want in return for Bosh? Depending on what happens with Shawn Marion, other than Bargnani, their best remaining player would be Jose Calderon. Figure they’re looking for help at shooting guard and small forward if Bosh is indeed being shopped. (And history says this will happen during the season, if not right now.)
9. Toronto SG DeMar DeRozan, USC 6-6, 220
Comment: This pick makes sense for the Raptors, who really need an athletic wing. DeRozan is one of the best athletes in the draft and a tremendous talent. He struggled some in agility drills and has had questionable workouts. He can jump but isn’t super fast. He’s just a bit raw and will need to work on his jumper and overall game.
Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers won 66 games in the regular season, they have no intention of standing pat. Their aspirations are higher than a recent loss in the NBA Eastern Conference finals.
Team officials have identified their primary needs as more size — preferably a big man who can shoot — and a shooting guard who also has size. Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace is on the free-agent market and could fill the first need, although he will be 35 in September. The 6-foot-11 Wallace averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds last season, even though he didn’t seem to have his heart in it.
Anthony Parker, a 6-6 guard who has shown a good three-point touch the past three seasons with Toronto, could also be on the radar. Cleveland tried to sign him in 2006 when he returned from overseas and went with the Raptors.
While the NBA Finals and NBA Draft are grabbing all the headlines in the basketball world, the possible departure of Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh may end up becoming one of the biggest offseason stories. He stated he will not re-sign with the team and is likely on the outs.
This continues a long standing tradition of Toronto’s star players leaving stateside. Here are the top five:
9) Toronto: Demar DeRozen (Highlights) – DeRozen had a slow start in college but was one of the best players in the country in the last 1/4 of the season. DeRozen has the physical tools to transition quickly to the NBA but at 19 he still needs to develop some of the finer points of the game. DeRozen will give the Raptors the best wing player they have had since the departure of Vince Carter.
