The Suns have selected point guard Kendall Marshall suggesting they are preparing for Steve Nash's departure. The Blazers also took a PG. The Knicks, Heat, and Raptors are seemingly the only ones in the running for Nash. The Knicks and Heat can't offer him much money. The Raptors will, and should get him. Amnesty Jose Calderon, -$10.6m from the books Reject team option for Solomon Alabi Sign 14, 15 (Uzoh, Magloire) Sign draft picks, Ross $2.3m, Acy $850k Sign Jarred Bayless for the qualifying offer, 1/$4.2m; sign Sonny Weems for qualifying offer Sign Steve Nash (3/$36m) Sit on remaining cap space (about $3.5m), wait for trade offers Nash, Bayless, Uzoh DeRozan, Ross, Weems Johnson, Kleiza, Forbes Bargnani, Davis, Acy Johnson, Valanciunas, Magloire Nash starts, plays about 30mpg, helps groom young players Nash RUNS, creates a transition game for the Raptors (finally) Bayless comes off the bench as sixth man, starts when Nash is sore Uzoh happy with whatever he can get DeRozan is the secondary scorer, works on his spot shooting with Nash and becomes reliable alley-oop and transition target DeRozan doesn't develop ability to create own shot but increases his efficiency with Nash passing him the ball in good spots Ross won't get much playing time in Casey's system unless he demonstrates his defensive ability can transition to NBA, in which case he can challenge James Johnson for starting lineup gig Kleiza and Forbes play when Casey feels like playing them; ditto for Anderson Bargnani remains primary scorer, has easier time running P&R with Nash than with Stallderon Bargnani is showcased for trade as his scoring average rises to 25ppg, Raps look for more hardcore power forward to put beside JoVa Davis continues to show no improvement on offensive end and is traded at some point in the season Acy becomes fan favourite, rarely plays Johnson starts but yields a lot of playing time to JoVa Johnson's role on the team is diminished, Raps look for trades but can't move his oversized contract JoVa weened into the NBA with Casey limiting his minutes Magloire continues to suck
If this is the plan, several steps have already been taken. Raps still interested in trading for a veteran wing like Igoudala but this depends on getting Nash first.
I think the Raptors are also supposed to be targeting Batum but Twolves just offered him 4yr/50 mil so I don't think that happens. We desperately need to upgrade our wings unless we are going to be starting both Ross and Derozan. Any good small forwards on the market?
