Playoff hopes dashed, Raptors plan future

As the last hopes of making the playoffs have faded, the Toronto Raptors begin their search as they start to prepare next season’s roster.
The remaining scheduled games, in fact, will be an opportunity for players who have had little court time to display their skills and earn a spot on the bench for next season. At this point, in fact, strengthening the bench is the first objective that the Dinos management is focusing its energies on.
The likely newcomer will be a tall player able to provide aggressiveness under the hoop that would allow Bosh and Bargnani a bit of a breather. That the new arrival is an outside guard or a centre matters little seeing that height is the required attribute for solving Toronto’s traditionally weak point: rebounding.
Then there’s the possibility for a welcome return of Carlos Delfino. The Argentinian guard had an unlucky season in Moscow, and he could return to Bryan Colangelo’s stable considering the team president and manager has always valued the guard. Delfino is a quality player with good shooting skills, fierce defending abilities, and he’s a restricted free agent, meaning that the Raptors have the option of matching any offer made by another NBA team.
During the current season’s final juncture, coach Jay Triano will offer more playing minutes to Roko Ukic, Patrick O’Bryant, Mensah Bonsu, and to newly arrived Quincy Douby.And Joey Graham will most likely get another chance to redeem himself next season.
For the starting quintet, things appear set. The team star will continue to be Chris Bosh who may sign a new contract and stay with the Raptors for a few more years. With him will be stars José Calderon and Andrea Bargnani.
Colangelo will try to hold on to Shawn Marion. The last unknown is Anthony Parker. The American guard could leave the Raptors in order to grab a rich contract in Europe and end his career there.The team will try to hold on to him although it appears there’s no room for him among the starting five.
It’s the reserves that could offer the most surprises. Anthony Parker, if he stays, will become a good sixth player, making room for the new arrival. There are no names in circulation yet, but the Raptors are keeping busy. The squad would then be completed during the next draft.
An aside chapter involves the coaching position with all its weighty unknowns – first and foremost regarding the yet-to-be-named coach.