Toronto Raptors - NBA Offseason Outlook Series

1st in Atlantic Division

3rd in Eastern Conference

48-34 W-L Record

Team Leaders

Points: DeMar DeRozan (22.7)

Rebounds: Jonas Valanciunas (8.8)

Assists: Kyle Lowry (7.4)

Steals: Kyle Lowry (1.5)

Blocks: Amir Johnson (1.1)

Team Statistics

Points: 101.3 (13th)

Rebounds: 42.5 (17th)

Assists: 21.2 (21st)

Points Allowed: 98.0 (7th)

Depth Chart

PG: Kyle Lowry, Greivis Vasquez, Dwight Buycks, Julyan Stone 

SG: DeMar DeRozan, Nando de Colo, Landry Fields

SF: Terrence Ross, John Salmons, Steve Novak

PF: Amir Johnson, Patrick Patterson, Tyler Hansbrough

C: Jonas Valanciunas, Chuck Hayes

Financial Breakdown

Under Contract: Dwight Buycks ($816,482), DeMar DeRozan ($9,500,000), Landry Fields ($6,250,000), Tyler Hansbrough ($3,326,235), Chuck Hayes ($5,958,750), Amir Johnson ($7,000,000), Steve Novak ($3,445,947), Terrence Ross ($2,793,960), John Salmons ($7,000,000), Jonas Valanciunas ($3,678,360)

Free Agents: Nando de Colo (Qualifying Offer), Kyle Lowry (Unrestricted), Patrick Patterson (Qualifying Offer), Julyan Stone (Unrestricted), Greivis Vasquez (Qualifying Offer)  

Projected Cap Space: Approximately $13.4 million

Draft Picks

First Round: 20th overall
Second Round: 37th overall (From Sacramento), 59th overall (From Oklahoma City via New York)

Team Needs

Frontcourt Depth/Upgrade
Toronto has a promising, young center in Jonas Valanciunas, but the rest of the frontcourt is in need of an upgrade. Amir Johnson is a serviceable big man who can occasionally knock down the 3 and Patrick Patterson is a nice stretch-4. Behind them, Tyler Hansbrough and Chuck Hayes receive minimal minutes in the rotation and provide energy in spurts. At best, most of these guys are just solid role players. In the long-term, these big men do not seem to fit in the big picture with the exception of Valanciunas. Trading for a more established power forward/center makes complete sense for an organization looking to build upon this season's success. In addition, acquiring a back-up small forward who possesses 3-and-D ability would also be beneficial.

Veteran Experience
The Raptors exceeded expectations this year as they finished third in the Eastern Conference and won the Atlantic Division for the 2nd time in franchise history. However, in the playoffs, they ran into a tough and experienced Brooklyn squad, eventually falling in seven games and failing to advance to the next round. As a young and upcoming team, Toronto should target veterans with playoff experience who are still capable of producing to help bolster their bench. With a relatively young core, the Raptors could certainly use some locker room guys who would provide a calm veteran presence and keep teammates accountable.

Keepers & Draft/Free Agent/Trade Targets

Kyle Lowry
While DeMar DeRozan was selected as a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Star team, Kyle Lowry was arguably the Raptors most important player this season. Lowry posted career highs in multiple categories and became the leader of the team after Rudy Gay was traded to the Kings. In addition to scoring and playmaking, Lowry showed the willingness to sacrifice his body to take charges and take initiative in making big-time plays down the stretch. This breakout season will certainly allow Lowry to cash in this summer as a unrestricted free agent. Even if it means slightly overpaying their star point guard, retaining Lowry is definitely the biggest priority for the Raptors. The fanbase would be extremely disappointed to lose the heart and soul of the franchise.

Greivis Vasquez
Although there may be redundancy in re-signing Greivis Vasquez if Kyle Lowry comes back, it is evident that Vasquez's skill set complements Lowry's well. As a back-up point guard, Vasquez played significant minutes at the shooting guard slot with Lowry. His ability to play off the ball and knock down the three ball gives Lowry the space to operate and create scoring opportunities. Additionally, Vasquez is also an underrated passer who averaged 9.0 dimes per game in the 2012-13 season as a member of the New Orleans Hornets. As a restricted free agent, Toronto has the option to match any offer and should do so if the price is right.

Clint Capela
Capela, a power forward/center from Switzerland is projected to go in the mid-to-late first round of the draft, right within the range of the Raptors 20th overall selection. His athleticism and ability to defend the pick and roll will intrigue the Raptors. As a player who has played professionally in France, Capela would probably need some time to adjust to the NBA level. For that reason, he would be more of a long term project where the team develops his raw potential. Thus, instant contribution would not expected and it would also be safe for him to gain experience in the D-League. Because of the Raptors' need for front court depth, he is an ideal prospect for them.

Adreian Payne
Payne is a NBA-ready prospect who could contribute to a playoff team right away. His brilliant play during the 2014 NCAA March Madness tournament displayed his versatility as a stretch forward who can play inside and outside. As a senior at Michigan State this season, Payne showed that he was the leader of the team. Although he possesses less upside compared to other draft prospects, Payne is well-polished, fundamentally sound, and highly athletic. If the Raptors decide to let Patrick Patterson leave via free agency, they should consider taking Adreian Payne with their first round pick.

Vince Carter
Entering the twilight of his career, Carter may only have a couple seasons left in his tank. Vince Carter, a former Raptor played an instrumental role in putting Toronto on the map in the early 2000s. A reunion with the 8-time All-Star makes tons of sense for a team searching for veteran leadership and a locker room guy. Carter was productive off the bench this season averaging 12 pts for the second unit. As a free agent, Carter will not be seeking the most lucrative deal, but rather a good-fit. With the ability to consistently knock down threes and rise up to the occasion during clutch time, Carter to the Raptors would be an ideal homecoming.  

Shawn Marion
If the Raptors are looking for an inexpensive option at the small forward position, Shawn Marion would be a nice target. Like Carter, Marion will not be demanding a lot of money this summer and will look to latch onto a playoff contending team as his career winds down. The Raptors need a defensive stopper and Marion fits the bill. His ability to defend multiple positions will take pressure off of DeRozan and Lowry. In addition, Marion brings leadership and experience to the table. As a 2011 NBA Champion, the "Matrix" would show the Raptors how to get to the top.

Thaddeus Young
The Toronto Raptors do not necessarily need to make a splash this offseason. However, if the team feels that acquiring a proven player is more beneficial than developing young talent, the team could opt to trade their assets and cash in on a player now. Thaddeus Young is one of the players available on the trade market and his price tag is reasonable. A potential trade package could involved the Raptors 2014 1st rounder and a combination of the non-guaranteed contracts of John Salmons, Amir Johnson, Tyler Hansbrough, and Dwight Buycks. The Sixers are looking to build for the future by stockpiling on picks and opening up salary relief. Thus, this deal makes sense for both sides. For the Raptors, Young and Valanciunas would form a dynamic frontcourt. At 25, Young had one of the best seasons statistically for the Sixers averaging 17.9 ppg and he is just entering the prime of his career. With Toronto looking to advance further into the postseason, acquiring Young would be an excellent addition.

New York Knicks - NBA Offseason Outlook Series

3rd in Atlantic Division

9th in Eastern Conference

37-45 W-L Record

Team Leaders

Points: Carmelo Anthony (27.4)

Rebounds: Tyson Chandler (9.6)

Assists: Raymond Felton (5.6)

Steals: Iman Shumpert (1.2)

Blocks: Andrea Bargnani (1.2)

Team Statistics

Points: 98.6 (20th)

Rebounds: 40.3 (27th)

Assists: 20.0 (28th)

Points Allowed: 99.4 (8th)

Depth Chart

PG: Raymond Felton, Pablo Prigioni, Toure' Murry

SG: Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Shannon Brown

SF: Carmelo Anthony, Tim Hardaway Jr.

PF: Amar'e Stoudemire, Kenyon Martin, Andrea Bargnani, Lamar Odom 

C: Tyson Chandler, Jeremy Tyler, Cole Aldrich

Financial Breakdown

Under Contract: Shannon Brown ($1,310,286), Tyson Chandler ($14,596,887), Raymond Felton ($3,793,693), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($1,250,640), Lamar Odom ($1,448,490), Pablo Prigioni ($1,662,961), Iman Shumpert ($2,616,975), J.R. Smith ($5,982,375), Jeremy Tyler ($948,163)

Free Agents: Cole Aldrich (Unrestricted), Carmelo Anthony (Early Termination Option), Andrea Bargnani (Early Termination Option), Kenyon Martin (Unrestricted), Tour'e Murry (Qualifying Offer), Amar'e Stoudemire (Early Termination Option)

Projected Cap Space: None (Approximately $6.4 million over salary cap)

Draft Picks

First Round: None
Second Round: None

Team Needs

Point Guard
One of the reasons for the Knicks' struggles this season was due to the sub-par play of the point guard position. Undoubtedly the weakest position in their rotation, the Knicks struggled to generate any production from their floor generals (20.0 assists per game which ranked 28th in NBA). Starting point guard Raymond Felton was not able to get it done on a nightly basis after playing a major role in the Knicks 54-win season last year. Largely criticized for being "fat" and "out of shape", Felton had off-court issues in addition to on-court problems this season. Pablo Prigioni, an aging veteran with only 2 years of experience in the NBA was best-suited for a back-up role and Tour'e Murry had budding potential but lacked the experience to match up against the best guards in the association. While the Knicks do not necessarily need to add a scoring point guard to their roster, acquiring a serviceable playmaker should be at the top of the team agenda.

Defensive-Minded Big Man
Outside of Tyson Chandler, New York did not have a defensive big man who could protect the paint. The team was not great on defense, allowing 98.6 pts per game (20th). Although this was not the biggest problem in the Knicks downfall, there was no insurance behind Chandler if he went down with an injury. Jeremy Tyler and Cole Aldrich were not expected to play significant minutes in the rotation and were seen as projects rather than regular contributors. Adding another interior presence would provide sustainability for the second unit when Chandler rests or if the Knicks play a secondary small-ball lineup.

Keepers & Draft/Free Agent/Trade Targets

Carmelo Anthony
The biggest prize in this summer's free agency frenzy will be Carmelo Anthony. Even if LeBron and co. opt out of their current contracts, the likelihood of the Big 3 switching teams is incredibly low even if they fail to win a championship this season. Back in 2011, New York surrendered their entire starting lineup (with the exception of Stoudemire) and future draft picks to acquire Anthony mid-season. They have made the playoffs (not including 2014) since then but the supporting cast around Melo has regressed each season. Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler cannot seem to stay healthy. Iman Shumpert had a disappointing year after showing so much potential in his rookie year. JR Smith, winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2013 stumbled to build on to that success and we should not even get started with Raymond Felton. Contrary, Carmelo Anthony, who just turned 30 made big strides and raised his game this season averaging a career high in rebounds (8.1) and recording a career high and MSG record 62 points against the Bobcats. Keeping your franchise superstar is a no-brainer and while handing out the max contract to a player north of 30 years old is questionable (Melo has stated that he would be willing to take a pay-cut to add more talent), Anthony has shown that he is the player you can build your franchise around.

Tour'e Murry
Murry did not play many games this year and when he was give the chance, he would normally be on the floor during a blow-out game. As a 6'5" combo guard, Murry has a reputation as a solid defender. His long reach and quick feet give him the ability to crowd defenders, challenge shots, and step into passing lanes. Murry could certainly work on improving his shooting and playmaking skills as he still has room to grow as a player. Given the Knicks lack of depth at the point, it would be smart to lock up Murry for long-term development if the price is right.

Shabazz Napier
With two NCAA championships under his belt, Shabazz Napier is ready to make the leap to the next level in the NBA. A proven leader and steady playmaker, Napier lacks size and athleticism but compensates this by his ability to shoot off the dribble and come off screens. Napier has made big plays in his college career, endures adversity and plays with poise and maturity after staying four years in college. The Knicks could use an NBA-ready point guard in Napier, one who is not afraid of performing on the big stage.

Patric Young
Defense is one of Patric Young's best attributes and also something the Knicks need to address. As a slightly undersized power forward, Young uses his physical frame to make it difficult for his opponent to catch the ball in the post. Young has a good motor, great basketball IQ, and a lot of intangibles in terms of leadership and toughness. Projected as a second round pick, the Knicks could make an inquiry to a team that holds multiple late picks such as Philadelphia and Denver. Like Shabazz Napier, Patric Young has probably reached his ceiling, but more than ready to contribute to a playoff team.

Andrew Bynum
New York's current cap situation prevents a massive shopping spree this summer. However, one intriguing and possibly cheap option is to sign former All-Star Andrew Bynum. Bynum's value has diminished over the last few seasons since he was traded from the Lakers to the Sixers and he can be had at the veteran's minimum if there's minimal league interest. The big man's best campaign came in 2012 when he averaged a career high 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds. At just 26 years old, it remains to be seen how much is still left in Bynum's tank and whether he can stay healthy through an entire season. In spite of this, given Phil Jackson's relationship with the former Laker center, it would be a nice low-risk high-reward move to make this offseason.

Darren Collison

The Knicks and Clippers talked about a trade revolving around Darren Collison during the trade deadline but talks fell through in the end. Since Collison has opted out of his current contract to become an unrestricted free agent, the Knicks should consider reigniting their pursuit of the backup point guard. Collison has bounced around the league in his four year career with stops at New Orleans, Indiana, and Dallas before signing with Los Angeles last summer. This season, per 36 minutes, Collison average 15.9 pts, 5.2 ast, and 3.3 reb. While his assists may seem slightly low, it should be noted that Collison played a majority of his minutes with one of the best distributing point guards in Chris Paul. Collison, one of the top backup point guards in the association is capable of starting on most teams The Knicks have their Mid-Level Exception and it would be ideal to gauge the interest of Darren Collison and pitch him with a starting-role. His speed and willingness to pass would definitely be a great fit in the triangle offense.

Jimmer Fredette
As a college superstar, Jimmer Fredette has not been able to translate his game to the NBA level so far in his professional career. Buried on the bench in Sacramento, Jimmer never played meaningful minutes in the Kings season-long rotation. He was bought out and later signed with the Chicago Bulls for the remainder of the season. As a dead-eye shooter, Fredette would give the Knicks another offensive weapon. The knock on Jimmer is his ability to defend other guards and the position he is most-suited to play. He is not much of a playmaker and not long enough to matchup against shooting guards. However, the Knicks should not pass up the chance to sign a flier in Jimmer Fredette. While his stock is at its lowest, signing Jimmer would certainly inject some life into the franchise.

Jeremy Lin/Omer Asik/Terrence Jones/Chandler Parsons

If Carmelo Anthony is bound to leave New York, the best possible sign-and-trade package would come from a combination of Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik, Terrence Jones, Chandler Parsons and/or picks. The Knicks desperately need a point guard and Linsanity would be welcomed once again in New York. Omer Asik would provide valuable backup minutes for Tyson Chandler as well as insurance in case of an injury. Since both Lin and Asik are expiring contracts, they can easily become cap space after one year if things do not work out. In Terrence Jones and Chandler Parsons, the Knicks would be getting two young building blocks for the future. Jones is a versatile power forward who rebounds and plays well both inside and outside while Parsons is a fantastic team player who does not need the ball to be effective. The future picks would also be beneficial for a team who has traded many of their own. While it would be difficult to lose your franchise player, the Knicks have the leverage to negotiate a sign-and-trade with Houston (if Anthony signs with the Rockets) and acquire valuable assets in return.

Brooklyn Nets - NBA Offseason Outlook Series

2nd in Atlantic Division

6th in Eastern Conference

44-38 W-L Record

Team Leaders

Points: Brook Lopez (20.7)

Rebounds: Kevin Garnett (6.6)

Assists: Deron Williams (6.1)

Steals: Deron Williams (1.5)

Blocks: Brook Lopez (1.8)

Team Statistics

Points: 98.5 (21st)

Rebounds: 38.1 (29th)

Assists: 20.9 (24th)

Points Allowed: 99.5 (11th)

Depth Chart

PG: Deron Williams, Marquis Teague, Jorge Gutierrez

SG: Shaun Livingston, Marcus Thornton

SF: Joe Johnson, Andrei Kirilenko, Alan Anderson

PF: Paul Pierce, Mirza Teletovic

C: Kevin Garnett, Mason Plumlee, Andray Blatche, Jason Collins, Brook Lopez (IL)

Financial Breakdown

Under Contract: Kevin Garnett ($12,000,000), Jorge Gutierrez ($816,482), Joe Johnson ($23,180,790), Brook Lopez ($15,719,063), Mason Plumlee ($1,357,080), Marquis Teague ($1,120,920), Mirza Teletovic ($3,368,100), Marcus Thornton ($8,575,000), Deron Williams ($19,754,465),

Free Agents: Alan Anderson (Player Option), Andray Blatche (Player Option), Jason Collins (Unrestricted), Andrei Kirilenko (Player Option), Shaun Livingston ((Unrestricted), Paul Pierce (Unrestricted)

Projected Cap Space: None (Approximately $22.8 million over salary cap)

Draft Picks

First Round: None
Second Round: None

Team Needs

Youth/Cap Relief
The average age of the Brooklyn Nets starting lineup this season was 32.6 (with Livingston a starter for the majority of the season). Since the team itself will not be getting any younger, Brooklyn should target youth with upside for long-term development while assembling a roster that can compete for a championship now. Some options may include trying to buy into the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft (BKN traded both their 2014 picks) and hopefully finding a sleeper, calling-up players from the NBA D-League or looking overseas for potential prospects. Moreover, the Nets should find young talent while attempting to clear some of their albatross contracts such as Joe Johnson's (probably the hardest contract to trade) and Deron Williams's (more likely, but still tough to trade). Since the Nets are over the cap, they will be limited to only the Mid-Level Exception in free agency. Thus, they must spend wisely and find creative methods in achieving salary relief.

Athleticism
Brooklyn finished the year second-last in fastbreak points per game (9.2) ahead of only the New York Knicks. The team lacked speed and could not generate scoring opportunities before opposing defenses were set partly due to the aging roster. If the Nets are looking to keep their championship window open for another year or so, they will need to find cheap athleticism on the market to compete with the pace of other elite teams. Athletic players have the ability to defend multiple positions and run in transition for easy buckets which maximizes the number of possessions.

Keepers & Draft/Free Agent/Trade Targets

Andray Blatche
Playing in Brooklyn for the last two years has helped Blatche revive his career after being amnestied by the Washington Wizards in addition to dealing with maturity issues. Blatche has become a serviceable big men and this season he had a 18.9 PER (above 15.0 average), played welling in limited minutes off the bench. While his play this year may command a bigger payday, the Nets should make a solid offer to retain him. He is owed over $8 million in amnesty payments so a pay cut for Brooklyn could be in the books as this would be a positive situation for both sides moving forward.


Shaun Livingston
After suffering a devastating knee injury in 2007, Livingston career was derailed until he signed with the Brooklyn Nets this past offseason. Initially billed as a backup, Livingston joined the starting line-up when Brook Lopez went down with a season-ending injury. The Nets were 8.5 points per 100 possessions better defensively with him on the floor. His length allowed him to defend both guard positions and get to the rim on offense. Livingston played in a career high 76 games (starting a career high 54 games) this season and proved to be instrumental in the Nets turnaround. Shaun Livingston will certainly be getting interest from other teams and Brooklyn must make him the top priority this offseason.

Paul Pierce
If future Hall of Famer, Kevin Garnett is returning for a final season (1 year/$12 million left on his contract), it would make sense to bring back Pierce on a one year deal. The Brooklyn Nets would still be well over the salary cap if they allowed Pierce to walk. Thus, signing him to a one year contract would give them the flexibility to trade him to a contender at the trade deadline if things do not pan out. Paul Pierce has declined steadily over the past few years, but he still provides veteran leadership and makes plays down the stretch.


Alec Brown
Brown played college ball at Green Bay, one of the more low-profile basketball programs in the nation. Nonetheless, at 7'1", Brown has the versatility to play inside and outside. He shot an above average 44.6% from deep and blocked 2.8 shots per game. However, he only grabbed 5.4 boards per game and will need to add strength to bang down low with opposing centers. Alec Brown would be a good option as a pick-and-pop player and considering he may go undrafted, the Nets should look to bring him in for workouts and/or add him to their summer league roster.

DeAndre Kane
Iowa State guard DeAndre Kane is one of the oldest players in the 2014 NBA Draft, yet he brings a diverse set of skills. Selected to the First team All-Big 12, Kane averaged 17.1 pts, 6.8 reb, and 5.9 ast per game for the Cyclones this year. Kane has good size (6'4") for a point guard and developed a more efficient game this season under Fred Hoiberg. If the Nets lose Shaun Livingston via free agency, Kane would be a solid and cheap option as a backup pg. Projected as a mid to late 2nd rounder, DeAndre Kane is a nice option for the Nets if they can buy into the draft.

Michael Beasley
Drafted 2nd overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, Beasley never lived up to the hype and bounced around with stops at Minnesota and Phoenix before returning to Miami. He is widely known for his off-court issues causing teams to have second thoughts of signing him to a contract. Beasley has the talent to be a skilled combo forward and the Nets should take a gamble on him if Miami lets him leave this offseason. Nets lack athleticism and with the leadership of Kidd, Garnett, and Pierce, Beasley would be integrated into a cultured locker room.


Danny Granger
Granger will not be commanding a lucrative deal this offseason as he seeks to join a championship contender. If Granger declines his player option, he will become an unrestricted free agent. The former All-Star is no longer a primary scoring option, but remains a valuable threat off the bench. Brooklyn could use a veteran wing for their 2nd unit and since they are serious about competing for a championship in their small window, any low-risk high-reward signing is huge.

Josh Smith
Although it may not be ideal to swap one large contract for another, taking on Josh Smith's 3 year/$40.5 million salary while trading away a package centered around either Deron Williams or Brook Lopez may actually be beneficial for Brooklyn. The Nets lack an athletic two-way player who can guard multiple positions and Smith fits the bill. Williams had a sub-par season at the point and Brook Lopez, who suffered a season-ending foot injury is set to become a free agent in the summer of 2015. Josh Smith is a defensive juggernaut who can finish well in transition and get in the paint. While the knock on Smith is his perimeter shooting, Mirza Teletovic's dead-eye three-point ability makes up for this short coming. Considering Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov is not afraid to spend money and enter luxury tax territory each year, making a move for Smith is a reasonable upgrade as his trade value has bottomed down this season and Detroit has also been fielding offers.