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Toronto Raptors: Where do they go from here?

By Paul Taylor

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Jonas Valanciunas #17 and DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors high five after defeating the Detroit Pistons in an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on October 26, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Jonas Valanciunas #17 and DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors high five after defeating the Detroit Pistons in an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on October 26, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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After an uneventful draft night for the Toronto Raptors, what will be the next step for president Masai Ujiri and the organization?

Well, that was a pretty uneventful draft for the Toronto Raptors, wasn’t it? All the predictions and speculation ahead of one of the NBA’s signature events, turned out to be nothing more than hopeful bluster.

No one from the Raptors’ core roster pieces was traded. They didn’t move into the top 10 in the draft. There was no move to secure the services of Hamilton’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

All in all, the lack of activity played into the narrative currently surrounding the Raptors. Essentially, they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, undecided on or unable to make their next move.

So where does the organization go from here? What is president Masai Ujiri’s next move?

For the record, this writer didn’t agree with the decision to fire Dwane Casey. He deserved at least one more season to help the Raptors reach the promised line.

However, there’s nothing that can be about that now. We can only hope the promotion of Nick Nurse to head coach doesn’t come back to bite Ujiri on the ass.

Now, thoughts turn to how much the roster will be revamped. Who will be moved, if anyone?

The usual suspects who will be linked with a trade away, are Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka. Given Valanciunas’ relationship with Nurse, he figures to be less expendable, but anything is possible at this juncture.

Really though, the affable Lithuanian has done nothing but improve every season during his six-year career in the NBA, and has to be kept around. He has continually proved he can step up and dominate in the playoffs, and is only going to continue to get better.

As for Ibaka, while no one doubts his talent, his inconsistency last season for extremely frustrating. Combined with his remaining salary, and it makes sense to move him ahead of Valanciunas.

Of course, there is also the possibility the Raptors will go right to the very top and attempt to move one of their two best players. Certainly, there has been plenty of speculation recently about the respective futures of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.

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The question is, if one of the All-Star duo was traded, who would you pick? Lowry is older, but DeRozan has unfortunately shown time and again he can’t always step up his game when it comes to playoff time.

If the Raptors decide to move both players, it will represent a significant change of direction and arguably indicate a major rebuild. But would Raptors fans be on board with this, after so much success during the past five seasons?

While the extent of any roster revamp is unclear at this stage, comments from Sportsnet‘s Michael Grange are worth noting. Specifically, that one source told him at least one of DeRozan, Lowry and Ibaka will not be back with the team next season, given the salary cap implications.

Whether this actually turns out to be the case remains to be seen, again given the speculation in the lead up to Thursday’s draft and how none of it came to fruition. Regardless, the coming weeks should prove to be extremely interesting in Toronto.

Ultimately, it is this writer’s opinion that Ibaka is the most likely player to be moved. For now though, all Raptors fans can do is wait to see what happens with their beloved team.

Next: Casey, Nurse fallout much ado about nothing

What should the Toronto Raptors do next? Which member(s) of their current roster would you attempt to trade, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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