I am the new GM of the Toronto Raptors - I'll try to my best to manage Toronto within the season and who knows, maybe the playoffs!
Let's start with a season analysis/preview from our current record (13-20). We stand today at the 11th position.
8. Wizards (18-16)
9. Bulls (18-19)
10. Hornets (16-20)
11. Raptors (13-20)
To be honest, qualifying for the Playoffs will be a really difficult target to reach but Raptors have few arguments to deploy.
Indeed, the current team is young and talented. We clearly lack of size and bench but some players are all-star level. I also think the roster is unbalanced with too many scorers and really weak player from the bench. Let's have a closer look:
PG - Kemba Walker : 17.6pts, 8.8 ast, 4.8rbds
All star last year, Kemba is one of, if not, the best player of the squad on the paper. Strong scorer and passer, he can also bring impressive defense (ranked 1st in steal among the league). However, when having a closer look at his statistics, we can say he is a disappointment so far with only 34% from the field...Kemba is expiring this year and the next month will be key for the following of his carreer. Will he resign season with the Raptors or hit the FA next summer? Will he be able to improve his play and lead Toronto in the next months?
SG - Demar Derozan : 19.3pts; 1.9ast, 4.5rbds
Derozan does what he his supposed to do. He scores. 2nd scorer of the squad, he averages almost 20 pts every night despite a suspicious %. He would easily score more without all competition for the ball in the squad. He has decent contract for the next 3 years at 9.5M the season. Definitely a valuable asset of the Canadian team.
SF - Kawhi Leonard : 20.3pts, 2.8ast, 6.2 rbds
Nothing much to say. Kawhi is a beast. He can score, rebound, defend. Our best player but unfortunately also an expiring contract. The next month will be also key to resign the former Spurs. We would like to build around him in the next years.
PF - Serge Ibaka : 7.5pts, 1.1ast, 4.3rbds
When you check the beginning of his season, Ibaka is clearly a waste of talent and money. I don't know if he was misused or he just cannot acclimate to Canadian weather. Ibaka should be back in about 10 days and will need to prove he is an important player of Toronto. If not, some teams already showed some interests.
C - Timofey Mozgov : 7.1pts, 0.9ast, 6.3 rbds
The russian is a decent center. He is fighting most of the time against better player than him and trying to reduce their impact. He is not really talented or the defensive presence he should be but at least he does the job. Toronto has a rich history of European within its ranks, and Timofey is appreciated here.
6 - Danilo Gallinari : 9.4pts, 1.1ast, 2.5rbds
Again a scorer, Danilo can explode and bring offense from the bench. He is a good player but at his price, he should be a great player. Toronto will be carefully listening offers concerning the italian if any.
Mention to Ginobili who has an honorable end of career with us and bring talent from the bench. Really good surprised with the undrafted rookie Jordan Land who can score at good % and bring rebounds.
Mbah a Moute is ok (Defense) and Copeland is mediocre.
Franch, Nedovic and Duncan are not really worth to be mentioned
