Post by beatonz on Feb 8, 2022 18:34:07 GMT -6
The Toronto Raptors front office made it clear at the end of last season that the first round exit was an unacceptable outcome on a season that had much higher expectations. When asked what the focus for this offseason would be, the Toronto Raptors GM Beatonz highlighted the wing play coming off the bench. At the end of Season 2, Beatonz publicly called out the play off Jordan Adams and Rafael Addison:
"Jordan Adams and Rafael Addison held these positions last year and showed they are just not the caliber of players needed to play this position on a team trying to compete. It has been a glaring hole on this team since day 1, the second unit has not produced at a rate we internally find acceptable. The reliance on our starting five to score has resulted in blown leads and losses that should have never happened."
With that said, the whole league knew Toronto would be aggressive on SF/SGs this offseason. Toronto did as promised and aggressively went SG/SF help by signing Robbie Hummel to a 2 year, 20 million dollar deal:
1. Robbie Hummel - 2 Year Deal - $10,000,000 $10,000,000
- Robbie is coming off a down season with the back to back champions New Jersey Nets. The Nets are too crowded with talent and Hummel didn't have the opportunity to showcase his skill with the emergence of Raef Lafrentz. Only one year removed from putting up 15 ppg and 7 rpg, the Raptors organization believe there is still a lot left for Robbie to prove.
- Robbie will in all likelihood be Raptors sixth man playing heavy back up SG and SF minutes. He is an upgrade on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
- In most year, this would likely be considered an over pay. But with the weak FA class and with the team cap situation under control, a two year deal allows for Hummel to come off the books with the Raptors core looking for new deals. This is a low risk, high reward situation here for the Raptors. If Hummel can return to his 2000 form, the Raptors got exactly what they were looking for coming into this off season.
2. Arnett Moultrie - 1 Year Deal - $12,500,000
- Becoming the highest payed player in Raptors history, Moultrie was a signing to address the lack of rebounding from the Raptors front court. He certainly provides and upgrade here in comparison to last years bench, while also providing solid defense and some offense.
- Expectations should be managed with Arnett, he is here to play limited minutes at the backup C and PF roles, he is not going to be a star and will not be treated as one. Coming into this offseason, Arnett request an outstanding $112 million over 6 years from the Spurs which they quickly turned down. The Raptors may need to temper Moultrie's expectations as well because he is not the type of player to be demanding money like that.
Toronto also highlighted some key players which they wished to retain including Kenyon Martin, Tyler Ennis, Ricky Minard and Jarnell Stokes. Toronto was successful in retaining three of the four on team friendly signings:
1. Kenyon Martin - 2 Year Deal - $2,921,154 $3,213,269
- Kenyon provides solid inside scoring while providing above average defense. Nothing to special but fills the need for a solid big man off the bench.
- "We were quite pleased when Kenyon decided to renew in Toronto. We knew he loved the city and loved playing here but, we didn't expect him to take the first offer sent to him. With such a team friendly deal, we couldn't be happier bringing him back."
2. Tyler Ennis - 1 Year Deal - $8,000,000
- Unlike Kenyon, Tyler Ennis was not so excited to returning to the Raptors after losing his starting PG role to Ben Gordon. Extra money was needed to secure the young PG to ensure the Raptors didn't lose a step at PG.
- Again, a low risk, high reward signing. Good defense, solid offense, no slouch coming off the bench and is capable of starting if injuries become an issue.
3. Ricky Minard - 1 Year Deal - $875,750
- Ricky can score, putting up 8ppg in less than 20mpg over the past two seasons. He is struggles with turnovers and doesn't provide much on the defensive end. Regardless, if some of the star Raptors are struggling, you can count on Ricky to come in chucking.
- Surprise he didn't test the FA market as he likely would have made a significant amount more and likely could have signed with a team with a larger playing opportunity.
Unfortunately, Jarnell Stokes was not resigned. His time in Toronto was short but appreciated. Stokes signed a 3 year deal worth $11 million in Dallas. Toronto wasn't willing to match this salary or term but wishes him well down south.
"Jordan Adams and Rafael Addison held these positions last year and showed they are just not the caliber of players needed to play this position on a team trying to compete. It has been a glaring hole on this team since day 1, the second unit has not produced at a rate we internally find acceptable. The reliance on our starting five to score has resulted in blown leads and losses that should have never happened."
With that said, the whole league knew Toronto would be aggressive on SF/SGs this offseason. Toronto did as promised and aggressively went SG/SF help by signing Robbie Hummel to a 2 year, 20 million dollar deal:
1. Robbie Hummel - 2 Year Deal - $10,000,000 $10,000,000
- Robbie is coming off a down season with the back to back champions New Jersey Nets. The Nets are too crowded with talent and Hummel didn't have the opportunity to showcase his skill with the emergence of Raef Lafrentz. Only one year removed from putting up 15 ppg and 7 rpg, the Raptors organization believe there is still a lot left for Robbie to prove.
- Robbie will in all likelihood be Raptors sixth man playing heavy back up SG and SF minutes. He is an upgrade on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
- In most year, this would likely be considered an over pay. But with the weak FA class and with the team cap situation under control, a two year deal allows for Hummel to come off the books with the Raptors core looking for new deals. This is a low risk, high reward situation here for the Raptors. If Hummel can return to his 2000 form, the Raptors got exactly what they were looking for coming into this off season.
2. Arnett Moultrie - 1 Year Deal - $12,500,000
- Becoming the highest payed player in Raptors history, Moultrie was a signing to address the lack of rebounding from the Raptors front court. He certainly provides and upgrade here in comparison to last years bench, while also providing solid defense and some offense.
- Expectations should be managed with Arnett, he is here to play limited minutes at the backup C and PF roles, he is not going to be a star and will not be treated as one. Coming into this offseason, Arnett request an outstanding $112 million over 6 years from the Spurs which they quickly turned down. The Raptors may need to temper Moultrie's expectations as well because he is not the type of player to be demanding money like that.
Toronto also highlighted some key players which they wished to retain including Kenyon Martin, Tyler Ennis, Ricky Minard and Jarnell Stokes. Toronto was successful in retaining three of the four on team friendly signings:
1. Kenyon Martin - 2 Year Deal - $2,921,154 $3,213,269
- Kenyon provides solid inside scoring while providing above average defense. Nothing to special but fills the need for a solid big man off the bench.
- "We were quite pleased when Kenyon decided to renew in Toronto. We knew he loved the city and loved playing here but, we didn't expect him to take the first offer sent to him. With such a team friendly deal, we couldn't be happier bringing him back."
2. Tyler Ennis - 1 Year Deal - $8,000,000
- Unlike Kenyon, Tyler Ennis was not so excited to returning to the Raptors after losing his starting PG role to Ben Gordon. Extra money was needed to secure the young PG to ensure the Raptors didn't lose a step at PG.
- Again, a low risk, high reward signing. Good defense, solid offense, no slouch coming off the bench and is capable of starting if injuries become an issue.
3. Ricky Minard - 1 Year Deal - $875,750
- Ricky can score, putting up 8ppg in less than 20mpg over the past two seasons. He is struggles with turnovers and doesn't provide much on the defensive end. Regardless, if some of the star Raptors are struggling, you can count on Ricky to come in chucking.
- Surprise he didn't test the FA market as he likely would have made a significant amount more and likely could have signed with a team with a larger playing opportunity.
Unfortunately, Jarnell Stokes was not resigned. His time in Toronto was short but appreciated. Stokes signed a 3 year deal worth $11 million in Dallas. Toronto wasn't willing to match this salary or term but wishes him well down south.