Let’s start by the beginning : The roster creation.
We ended up the previous season with the below 15 man. Few stayed, few found a new franchise, most of them moved away from the NBA showing how weak our bench was last year.
Under Contract : Serge Ibaka
New Contract : Kemba Walker, Kawhi Leonard, Jerome Randle
Transfer : Demar Derozan, Nejmana Nedovic
Out NBA : Timofey Mozgov (Atlanta), Solomon Alabi (Miami), Luc Richard Mbah A Moute (Minnesota), Chris Copeland (Memphis)
Out Europe : Sean Williams, Jordan Land, Josh Duncan, Josep Franch
Retired : Manu Ginobili
So we went to the draft with a core of 6 players and select Caris Lavert #13 and Mam Jaiteh (#48).
-Demar Derozan was transferred against Anderson Varajeo, Ray Mc Callum and Solomon Hill (Los Angeles Clippers)
-Our 2016 second round was transferred against Kyle Korver (Atanta Hawks)
-Nedovic was transferred against 3 second late round which were cut (Williams, Baker and Niang – Indiana Pacers)
With a roster of 10, we added at the free agency a couple of other players : Enes Kanter (Max), Chris Andersen, Ronnie Brewer and later during the season Paul Pierce and Landry Fields.
Team performance
We finished the season 50-32. Pretty good result which guaranteed us a playoffs spot (6th seed). We ended behind Boston and New York at the division.
Kawhi was selected at the All-Star Game and became the first All-Star of our short history.
Then came an amazing performance in the playoffs.
We first defeated Boston in the first round in 7. A big Ibaka/Kanter duo and an adjusted zone took us to the second round.
Then we took advantage of Chicago on the opposite strategy with full court pressure and man-to-man. Kemba was huge . The sad story was Kawhi going down for 378 days.
We finally lost 4-0 against a well-balanced Detroit’s team.
A year to remember in the Canada, but also lot of questions on the future due to Kawhi injury.
Player performance
PG - Kemba Walker (3 years left under contract)
After a difficult beginning of the season where he was struggling with his shot, Kemba took his rhythm to finish strong. Man of the year in Toronto, he showed the league his leadership and clutchness with 2 game 7 performance on the road which entered the legend! Against Boston (40pts, 8ast, 7rbd, 3stl) and against Chicago (33pts, 5ast, 3rbd, 5stl). He should have been an all-star over Marcus Smart but it seems statistics are still winning over wins when it comes to vote.
His future is in the purple uniform and we are excited to see him coming back next year.
2015 - Kemba Walker - Toronto Raptors : 19.7pts, 42%, 6.8ast, 3.8rbd, 1.5stl, 0.6blk in 31.8min
2014 - Kemba Walker - Toronto Raptors : 18.6pts, 38%, 8.4ast, 5.1rbd, 1.9stl, 0.6blk in 34.2min
Previous team : Charlotte
SG – Kyle Korver (1 year left under contract)
Kyle is getting old and can be a liability when it comes to defense. But at 34 year old, he is still an elite shooter, probably one of the best of the league with his 50% at 3.
If you want to win in the playoffs, you need player like Kyle ready to explode zones which he did a couple of time this season (higher score this season : 29pts)
He will be back as our 3pt specialist from the bench.
2015 - Kyle Korver - Toronto Raptors : 8.2pts, 52%, 1.5ast, 2.2rbd, 0.4stl, 0blk in 24.3min
2014 - Kyle Korver - Atlanta Hawks : 9.2pts, 50%, 1.6ast, 3.3rbd, 0.2stl, 0.2blk in 21.8min
Previous team : Atlanta
SF – Kawhi Leonard (3 years left under contract)
Kawhi confirmed his MIP award last season with again a really solid season. Perfect lieutenant next to Kemba, he was rewarded by an all-star selection.
Already one of the top small forward of the league, Kawhi has a bright future in Toronto. He won’t play next year because of injury but we count on him to come back stronger.
We also received lot of offers for his service but be aware his value didn’t decrease one bit because of the injury.
2015 - Kawhi Leonard - Toronto Raptors : 18.6pts, 50%, 1.8ast, 5.7rbd, 1.4stl, 0.7blk in 33.3min
2014 - Kawhi Leonard - Toronto Raptors : 18.7pts, 48%, 2.5ast, 6.2rbd, 1.7stl, 0.8blk in 34.9min
Previous team : San Antonio
PF – Serge Ibaka (1 year left under contract)
His first year was a disappointment but he stepped up and show his real value. Not a big scorer or a big rebounder, Ibaka is one the best shot blocker and defenser of the game. And damn efficient.
If his low IQ was not keeping away from the 36 minutes a game, he would be all-star every year. We really liked his engagement this year and his playoffs performance.
Will be back next year with even more responsibilities since Leonard is out and we will need Serge to compensate at the scoring.
2015 - Serge Ibaka - Toronto Raptors : 13.9pts, 52%, 1.2ast, 6.9rbd, 0.6stl, 2.5blk in 30.5min
2014 - Serge Ibaka - Toronto Raptors : 10.2pts, 45%, 1.1ast, 6rbd, 0.6stl, 2.3blk in 31.2min
Previous team : Minnesota
C – Enes Kanter (3 years left under contract)
Brought for a fortune, Kanter didn’t disappoint and showed leadership on the floor. 3rd best scorer during regular season, 2nd during the playoffs, he is not afraid to put the ball in the basket and grab 10 boards along with it.
He was forming a great duo this year with Ibaka and we are looking forward for their 2nd year together. Surprisingly, Kanter didn’t receive any offer this year. Fine by us!
2015 - Enes Kanter - Toronto Raptors : 16.3pts, 47%, 1.4ast, 10.5rbd, 1stl, 0.6blk in 32.8min
2014 - Enes Kanter - Utah Jazz : 13pts, 52%, 1.3ast, 8.7rbd, 1stl, 0.5blk in 31.4min
Previous team : Utah
6 – Anderson Varejao (2 years left under contract)
Anderson started the season with a lot of critics. Inefficient big man unable to produce. He proved everyone wrong by being one of the most active 6th man of the league.
However the season was a bit long for him and his statistics went back to normal after the all-star game. It seems every year he has a period where his efficiency hit the bottom.
Despite his age, he is still precious for scoring and rebounding off the bench.
2015 - Anderson Varejao - Toronto Raptors : 9.3pts, 46%, 0.9ast, 5.4rbd, 0.7stl, 0.5blk in 23.3min
2014 - Anderson Varejao - Los Angeles Clippers : 5.5pts, 42%, 0.7ast, 4.5rbd, 0.7stl, 0.2blk in 24.5min
Previous team : Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles C.
7 – Ray McCallum (free agent)
One of the hero of the Boston series. At only 23, Ray made his name famous around the league and should be able to grab a good contract and maybe a starter position.
Capable in defense and excellent ball handler, he took time to find his place in the roster but was ready when needed.
We would like to see Ray back in Canada but we won’t be able to propose him much money.
2015 - Ray McCallum - Toronto Raptors : 4.1pts, 47%, 2.2ast, 1.2rbd, 0.4stl, 0.2blk in 13min
2014 - Ray McCallum - Los Angeles Clippers : 3.8pts, 42%, 2.1ast, 1rbd, 0.3stl, 0.1blk in 13min
Previous team : Sacramento, Los Angeles C., Houston, Los Angeles C.
8 – Caris Lavert (3 years left under contract)
The pick #13 was still a bit raw for starting minutes but did great during the last months. We hope he will have a productive training camp this year to be able to step up as the new SF starter next year.
His best game so far? 13pts (5-5), 3rbd, 3ast in 15 minutes. Definitely talented boy but he lacks consistency so far.
2015 - Caris Lavert - Toronto Raptors : 5.5pts, 45%, 2.2ast, 1.6rbd, 0.3stl, 0.1blk in 16.2min
From Toronto
9 – Chris Andersen (free agent)
Still cannot believe we picked him at minimum contract without competition. The guy was the starting center of CSL 2015 champions!
Chris brought what you cannot see in the stats – Solid defense, consistency and efficiency.
He was also one of our most reliable players during the playoffs (5pts, 53%, 3rbd, 1blk in 15minutes). He is already 36 and will probably retired this year.
2015 - Chris Andersen - Toronto Raptors : 3.3pts, 53%, 0.4ast, 2.6rbd, 0.1stl, 0.7blk in 11.5min
2014 - Chris Andersen - Denver Nuggets : 8.6pts, 55%, 0.9ast, 6.4rbd, 0.3stl, 1.3blk in 27.7min
Previous team : Miami, Denver
10 – Paul Pierce (free agent)
Not a bad decision Paul took few months ago. He could maybe reach the finals with New Orleans but never he would start in conference finals.
He got injured few weeks after his signature so didn’t play much during regular season (7 games with us) but played 17 games in playoffs and 4 as a starter for an average 18.5 minutes where he was struggling with only 6.2pts at 41%.
At 37 year old, Paul seems to be at the dawn of his career but if he wants to return next year, count on us to propose him a last contract!
2015 - Paul Pierce - Toronto Raptors : 5.3pts, 52%, 0.6ast, 2rbd, 0.4stl, 0blk in 13.7min
2014 - Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics : 10.7pts, 43%, 1.7ast, 4.2rbd, 0.6stl, 0.1blk in 29.4min
Previous team : Brooklyn, Boston, Portland
11 – Jerome Randle (free agent)
The favorite of the Air Canada Center. From the D-League to the NBA playoffs. Jerome is small but quick and efficient. He can bring a great boost from the bench and is a safe with the ball.
We hope we will be able to propose him another minimum contract next year unless a team realize his potential before us. Not really a defensive threat however
2015 - Jerome Randle - Toronto Raptors : 4.9pts, 46%, 2.7ast, 1.1rbd, 0.3stl, 0blk in 14.6min
2014 - Jerome Randle - Toronto Raptors : 4.4pts, 46%, 3.3ast, 1.4rbd, 0.3stl, 0blk in 14.8min
Previous team : D-League
12 – Solomon Hill (free agent)
Interesting ratings but we never found an efficient way to use him. He is not a good defender and had too much competition around him to show his offensive skills
Could probably make a lottery team happy out of the bench next year.
2015 - Solomon Hill - Toronto Raptors : 4.1pts, 43%, 0.9ast, 1.3rbd, 0.3stl, 0.1blk in 12.2min
2014 - Solomon Hill - Los Angeles Clippers : 3.9pts, 50%, 0.7ast, 1.2rbd, 0.2stl, 0.2blk in 9.3min
Previous team : Golden State, Los Angeles Clippers
13 – Ronnie Brewer (free agent)
We offered him a contract as defensive expert but he doesn't really know how to defend. Was mainly use to not take shoots from his teammates.
Will not be back .
2015 - Ronnie Brewer - Toronto Raptors : 3.9pts, 36%, 1.1ast, 2.2rbd, 0.3stl, 0.1blk in 17.9min
2014 - Ronnie Brewer - Atlanta Hawks : 2.6pts, 33%, 0.6ast, 1.6rbd, 0.1stl, 0blk in 13.2min
Previous Team : Miami, Atlanta
14 – Landry Fields (free agent)
He was an interesting late pick-up but didn’t have the opportunity to prove it. He however let a nice impression and we might invite him again in the future.
2015 - Landry Fields - Toronto Raptors : 1.3pts, 58%, 0.4ast, 0.7rbd, 0.2stl, 0blk in 3.1min
2014 - Landry Fields - Sacramento Kings : 2.2pts, 45%, 0.1ast, 1rbd, 0.2stl, 0blk in 4.5min
Previous Team : Toronto, Sacramento
15 – Mouhammadou Jaiteh (3 years left under contract)
Raw as f…, the French center is clearly not ready for the CSL where he played only 8 games. But he showed some interesting assets in D-League and could become a good defender.
His contracts is peanuts so we don’t have much to lose by letting him have fun in the D-League.
2015 - Mouhammadou Jaiteh - Toronto Raptors : 1.6pts, 23%, 0.3ast, 1.1rbd, 0.1stl, 0.3blk in 9.9min
From Toronto
What next?
We have a limited margin for action with no pick and small contract to propose during the free agency.
So we will probably play our best card so far : Stability.
With a couple of veterans (x) at small contracts we could go with a core of :
x-Walker-Lavert-Ibaka-Kanter / x-x-Korver-Varajeo-Jaiteh
Nothing fancy but maybe a playoffs team or in worst case a lottery with high pick and Leonard back the year after!
