The Toronto Raptors are heading into 2014 with some optimism after keeping Kyle Lowry and that means any thought of a trade with DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Patterson, Landry Field or Terrence Ross is off the table and now Masai Ujiri will try and fill in the roster and names like Kendall Marshall, Andray Blatche, Wesley Johnson, Ramon Sessions and Jermaine O'Neal could be targets in free agency for Dwane Casey's squad.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Knicks were interested in a trade for DeRozan before last season and for Lowry during the season last year, but the Raptors rebuffed those offers and now they are looking like one of the best young teams in the east. Pro Basketball Talk writes that the Knicks explored a number of options before Carmelo Anthony signed back and now the two teams should have a nice battle in the Atlantic division this season.
ESPN.com reports that the team met with Blatche this past week and he could be a nice option in the middle as the Raptors try and win the division again this season. The team is lacking at the forward position and he comes in after averaging 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds last season with the Nets. The team could use a shot blocking forward and rebounder like Blatche and that could open things up for players like Lowry and DeRozan, who was an All-Star last season.
Kendall Marshall was waived by the Lakers after they brought back Xavier Henry, but the team said that they would like to bring him back if he clears waivers. Marshall had a solid season with the Lakers after being ditched by the Phoenix Suns and he could be an option for a number of teams on the market. The Raptors have been active this summer and they sent Steve Novak to the Jazz and also brought back Patrick Peterson on a contract for a three-year, $18 million deal and now they have another young player to build around.
The Raptors had their best season in franchise history and won the division after beating out the Brooklyn Nets and while they lost to the team in the playoffs, they should be in the mix once again this season. The Raptors ranked 17th in rebounds per game last season and that could dictate some of their free agent moves, while the team was in the top 10 in overall defense. Keeping Lowry was huge for the franchise and now Masai Ujiri has the chance to truly build something.
The east is going to be very interesting this season and it comes after LeBron James went home to Cleveland and the Miami Heat signed Luol Deng. The Heat should be a force with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh back, while the Bulls have Pau Gasol now and the Pacers return a mostly intact team apart from Lance Stephenson. The Raptors were one of the best young teams in the league last season along with the Suns and if Lowry continues to develop after signing a four year deal, he could end up as a top five point guard moving forward in the NBA.