Masai the Amazing
Alex Scantlebury says that Masai Ujiri’s off-season wizardry has put the Raptors in a quality position to compete in the East.
Well, we’re halfway through the summer and well into the free-agent signing period in the NBA. The West is shaping up too look like The Hobbit’s Battle of the Five Armies, and the East is looking a little less refined than it did last year. As it stands now, the East looks to be a three team race next season between Cleveland, Boston and Toronto.
Heading into the offseason, Raptors fans were chewing their nails like a dope fiend, unsure of when their next hit was going to show up. With Lowry, Ibaka, Patterson and Tucker all designated UFAs, decisions were going to have to be made. A couple of months ago, I wrote that the Raptors may need to choose to move on from Kyle Lowry because he was going to earn near-max money which would essentially handcuff Ujiri and the Rap’s front office from making any worthwhile moves. I also suggested that they should trade away both their first round picks (and DeMare Carrol) in order to free up some cap space and bring in a solid veteran. Although I did not put this idea to paper, I also thought that it was time to attempt to move on from big man Jonas Valanciunus — both in an effort to free up cap space and to bring a more modern big/swing four to complement Ibaka (whom I was hoping the Raptors would resign).
It seems that Masai Ujiri managed to pull yet another rabbit out of his hat. Lowry resigned for somewhat of a “home team discount”. Ibaka resigned as well, which gives the Raptors a core three of DeRozan, Lowry and Ibaka for the next three years — which is essentially their window for their chance at the Larry O’Brian trophy. Though they did lose both Patrick Patterson (OKC) and PJ Tucker (Houston) which diminishes their already lackluster three-point shooting and reduces their defensive intensity.
By only signing Lowry and Ibaka to new deals — and losing out on Patterson and Tucker — the Raptors found themselves in a position to be penalized by the luxury tax. Enter Ujiri, his rabbit, and his hat. Two years ago Carrol was the Raptors big free-agent acquisition out of Atlanta. He was meant to be a significant upgrade to the small forward spot, bringing a three and D mentality. He signed a four-year, $60 million contract; a contract that has been nothing but a pit of misery. In unloading Carrol and his salary (and unfortunately a couple of draft picks) to the Brooklyn Nets, Ujiri has rectified what many considered his only blunder during his tenure in the Raptors front office. However, in rectifying this mistake, he has gambled for a championship (and his job) over the course of the next three seasons — it’s now “go big or go home.”
The Raptors didn’t deal their 23rd overall pick in this year’s draft, they turned it into a late round steal that will pay dividends. OG Anunoby is coming off a torn ligament injury that caused his draft stock to free-fall. Luckily the Raptors can wait the extra couple of months it’s going to take for him to rehabilitate to playing form. What they have gotten in OJ is a 6’8” swing-man with inhuman athleticism and a V8 engine level motor that never stops running. They have gotten a bigger and stronger version of T-Ross, which will complement their loaded stable of young athletic talent the Raps already have.
With the late season resurgence of Delon Wright (and the resigning of Kyle Lowry), hometown Toronto point guard Corey Joseph became expendable and Masai Ujiri managed to trade Joseph to Indiana for three-point specialist CJ Miles. As sad as I am to see Joseph head south of the border, it was in my opinion the smartest move that Ujiri has made this offseason. With a backlog at point guard, and a desperate need for three point shooting, unloading Joseph to add Miles is a perfect fit.
We’re still a few months away from regular season tipping off, and attempting to gauge what may, or may not happen. I like where the Raptors are sitting, and this may be the best chance they have to dethrone King James.
Alex Scantlebury is a multi-sport contributor for TheOcho.ca. Aaron and Riley would like to thank him for giving them an extra hour each week to spend on Bleacher Report while he was teaching. Follow Alex on Twitter at@pen_ink_page.
