The Toronto Raptors are heading into the 2013 NBA draft with some excitement for the franchise, as the team has a new general manager in Masai Ujiri after signing him away from the Denver Nuggets and after trading for Rudy Gay earlier in the season, fans have some optimism heading into the summer.
Ujiri comes to the team after guiding the Denver Nuggets through a tough time with the Carmelo Anthony deal before putting together this year's franchise-record 57 win team under George Karl. After the Nuggets were eliminated in the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors in six games and after losing at home after dropping just three games at the Pepsi Center during the regular season, the feeling around the franchise was that there were big changes ahead, and that is what has occurred. Ujiri is now with the Raptors and with George Karl departing, the Nuggets will have a new coach and a new look next season and that same result is in line for the Raptors as well.
Ujiri takes over and immediately faces a number of issues, including if he can trade former number one pick Andrea Bargnani and the fact that the franchise is over the luxury tax threshold. Bargnani is reportedly going to the Knicks, so that is one move that the team has made so far this offseason. The new GM may have to find a player to amnesty depending on what he can do with Bargnani and he also will have to figure out what his plans are regarding head coach Dwane Casey. The team will have some options in free agency depending on who they deal who they amnesty and some targets could be players like Jason Maxiell, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Nate Robinson, Kyle Korver, Devin Harris and Jose Calderon.
The team will have to be smart financially and while some of those players end up out of their price range, Ujiri didn't win Executive of the Year by accident in Denver and he could figure out how to bring in some new talent to the roster. The Nuggets were 38-3 at home last season and finished third in the Western conference and Ujiri is hoping for a quick turnaround north of the border. Korver could be an affordable option for the team and he could replace Bargnani in some spots if he is dealt and he is one of the best three-point shooters and that is something the roster could use after he shot over 45 from beyond the arc this past year. Since he made $5 million he could be a fit, as could Devin Harris, who made a bit more with $85 million last season. Harris has expressed interest in returning to his home in Wisconsin with the Bucks and the team could use to add depth on the roster at point guard.
Jose Calderon could be an option after he was thrown into the Rudy Gay trade after spending his first eight years in Canada and the return of Ujiri could mean the return of the point guard. He made over $11 million last season and depending on who the Raptors amnesty, he could be an option. The Raptors are expected to compete next season and Ujiri is excited for the challenge ahead.
