The whole debate these past months in Raptor-nation with regards to the approach for this upcoming season has been heated, repetitive, and never ending. To tank, or not to tank has been the question however I believe that there is a much easier solution that incorporates the best of both worlds and keeps everybody happy. I’ve emphasized the fact that we haven’t seen this team at its best yet because of various factors (think chemistry, injuries, coaching) therefore it would be foolish to break up the roster prematurely because I do think this is the best team the Toronto Raptors have had since the Vince Carter days. Raptors fans are so used to calling for a tank that they don’t realize when the team actually has talent.
The majority of moves/signings made this offseason have allowed the Raptors to have flexibility next off-season. It’s evident that Tyler Hansbrough isn’t going to be the solution at power forward when they brought him over, but considering the pool of forwards left, Hansbrough wasn’t a bad filler, or stopgap option for the year. He signed a two-year deal with the second year being a team option, while D.J Augustin was signed to a one year deal. These fillers will allow Masai Ujiri to evaluate the team without expending the future or parting with any assets. If he feels this team will be the long term core moving forward, expect to see some drastic moves to fill the holes as opposed to “band-aid options”.
“It’s getting there but we might have to let this thing sit, let it ride and see what you have. I think whichever direction we go, it will come to us. As it comes, we will realize which way to go. When you start doing things desperately now and you start doing things like just to make sure you go a certain way, I think it’s too soon.” Ujiri said with regards to the matter.
“We won’t make a knee-jerk reaction. We are going to evaluate the whole thing. Go through the process. Our contracts, most of them, go onto two years. So you can say it’s between a 2-3 year plan. We are going to be very patient and wait for deals to come to us because you don’t want, like you said, to have that kneejerk reaction.”
The point is that management should employ the wait and see approach before deciding on their course of action. Whether that takes two seasons or 40 games remains to be seen, however unless its the latter the ‘tank for Wiggins’ campaign is highly unlikely. However, people are so obsessed with the idea of getting Wiggins that the don’t realize that there will be more draft classes – the Raptors can always tank later if needed. Wiggins will also be a free agent one day. And as for the ‘loaded’ (over-hyped) 2014 draft class, who can you guarantee will be better than Rudy Gay? I would much rather have Ujiri take his time and evaluate the team properly before axing something that has sky-high potential. This team isn’t getting blown up anytime soon.
The bottom line is that management has to either restart or finish the rebuild in order to break out of the ‘treadmill’ phase, however which route this franchise takes is still yet to be seen and won’t be decided anytime soon.
