DeMar DeRozan (Photo : Twitter)
Al Horford (Photo : Twitter)
The NBA Free Agency rumors continue to buzz and the Toronto Raptors have a choice to retain their current core or try to push for an improvement.
One of the most coveted restricted free agents, DeMar DeRozan has already reached All-Star levels and has established himself as the Raptors second best player. However, if the Raptors fall short of their season goals, which is probably the Conference Finals, will they ponder on the question of whether the team has reached their ceiling?
The Raptors have assets in the draft as both the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks are headed to the lottery and the Raptors own the lower of those picks. However, the 2016 Draft is projected as a two-man draft and it's unlikely they'll find a difference maker there.
A scenario in Raptors HQ has the Raptors addressing their power forward situation by going hard after Al Horford in the summer. GM Masai Ujiri could pull that off, but DeMar DeRozan may have to be the sacrificial lamb. The Lakers are the top contenders for his services and becoming Kobe's heir apparent may be too much of an opportunity to pass up.
The rationale is that the Raptors have pieces to cover for DeRozan in Terrence Ross and the expected return of DeMarre Carroll. A Horford-Jonas Valanciunas tandem would be one of the best in the league and the Raptors can also draft Jaylen Brown if he falls into the mid lottery.
Brown is a slasher and could develop to be a potent scorer like DeRozan (but not at the same level). The team could have a different look if they acquire Horford.
This is probably one of the scenarios that Ujiri is exploring. Will they also have a coaching change? SB Nation also named Dwane Casey as a possible coach on the hot seat if the Raptors implode in the playoffs. The Eastern Conference has become more competitive with the Miami Heat and even the Charlotte Hornets emerging as real challengers.
This is Casey's ultimate test. They have the best chance to march on to the next level this season and if they fall short, his capacity to coach at the highest level will be in question, especially since there are other big names on the market like Tom Thibodeau and even Jeff Hornacek.
