<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>While many sports writers and fans in Toronto are speculating trades to be made before the February trade deadline, I don't believe that any blockbuster is coming. They may make some minor trade(s) to fet a backup point guard if they determine that T.J. Ford won't be able to play this year; they may also clear some room for a draft choice in the upcoming draft. But I believe Bryan Colangelo is gearing up to make this team the championship material two years hence, when they will rid themselves of large contracts (such as Rasho Nesterovic's) and will have had the advantage of two drafts—which, hopefully, will produce a couple of players who will fit into the rotation. Because the Raptors won their division last year, most fans are looking for them to compete for the crown this year, but those expectations do not blend with the long-term vision that Colengelo has brought to this team. He drafted Bargnani over Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, knowing that he was less ready for the NBA at the time of the draft. But Colangelo believed that Bargnani's upside was larger, even though it might not be realized for a couple of years. Colangelo also put the ball in the hands of a young guard (Ford) coming off a year of inactivity due to injury, and was aware that it would be a couple of years before Ford became a championship-type guard. Adding Garbajosa and Parker, two established international players, brought maturity to this team—but their integration into NBA life was not expected to take effect over night. The Raptors also hold the rights to Roko Ukic—perhaps their backup point guard of the future—who languishes in Europe, where he has not received the playing time that the Raptors hoped he would get. The bottom line is that Colangelo's plan was intended to take effect over three years. He won't ruin the core of the team and interfere with that process by making significant trades unless it brings the Raptors closer to that goal. I don't see a trade on the horizon that would accomplish that Raptor fans, sit tight—the future is not now.</div> http://bleacherreport.com/articles/6064-NB...Raptors_-090108
Raps have a good team. Best to stand pat IMO unless you can get a clear upgrade at a position you shouldn't mess with a good team.
we thought we needed another PG but with Ukic coming over and it "seems" like TJ will be back, i think we are fine there. Its almost in Bargnani's hands now the better he gets the better the raps get
I wouldn't be opposed to another Hoffa-for-Hump kinda deal but I think this is a playoff team with or without TJ (don't make them prove it Ford). Most importantly is the young core of the team.
I think we need a trade to shake things up a bit. We are a good team, but trading away Rasho, Dixon or Martin wouldn't be a bad idea. We need Bargnani to step up, and step up now. He is out future center, and I'm tired of seeing him on the bench during the fourth quarter.
The Raps are stuck in a bit of difficult situation right now. Its already been established that they need Bargnani in the starting lineup if they intend for him to be a significant part of their future success. He needs to develop into the five spot. However, Rasho is a better starter right now and starting him would probably help the Raptors play better right now. Really, all we can do is keep on waiting for Andrea to develop and show signs of improvement.
Hard to argue with that. BC has always made moves which he feels are best for the team. He doesn't seem opposed to making a trade for immediate help but has to realize this team is still pretty young.
