Three Reasons the Toronto Raptors should not trade for a starting point guard this year
Three Reasons the Toronto Raptors should not trade for a starting point guard this year
First let me make this disclaimer, there are some young point guards, if available that the Raptors absolutely have to pursue and that list starts with Chris Paul who according to his list, has no desire to play in Toronto, but you have to make the call anyways for someone of his talent. Darren Collison is likely off the list with the recent Chris Paul news becoming public. Tony Parker would be a great addition but would most likely bolt during free agency to New York. The Raptors should also pounce if Ty Lawson, Johnny Flynn or Ricky Rubio become available.
However, as most will agree, with two ‘competent’ point guards on our roster there is no reason to overspend to land a point guard, even when one of Jose or Jack is traded.
The Three Reasons
Brandon Knight, Josh Selby and Kyrie Irving.
All three will be college freshman this season and are expected to make immediate impacts in the NBA. All 3 are currently in the top-8 on the ESPN 2011 NBA draft big board.
Kyrie Irving is the top rated point guard in this draft and is a perfect fit for the Raptors. A future franchise point guard, he can be a lock down defender and is the pure point with the quickness and scoring ability the Raptors need. You can see his ESPN draft profile here. Irving is currently slated to go as high as second overall in the 2011 draft.
Josh Selby is more of a combo guard when compared to Kyrie Irving and is an excellent scorer and finisher at the rim. Selby is also reputed by ESPN to be a tough and aggressive defender.
Brandon Knight was along with Selby and Knight a top-5 recruit in the country this year, and is a 6’4 point guard who should shine at Kentucky along with Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb and Enes Kanter.
Who would be the best fit for the Raptors?
The best fit for the Raptors will be Kyrie Irving but we are not likely to be bad enough to be in a position to land him, but there is reason for hope as the lottery balls drop in strange ways.
Irving’s pure point skills and defense are exactly what the Raptors need and with a player like Irving the Raptors will have completed their rebuild and will be ready to battle for the 6th-8th seed.
All three of these highly regarded prospects would be a good fit for the Raptors and provide a reason not to overpay in the pursuit of a starting point guard.
Would you really welcome a Darren Collison deal if it meant losing multiple assets and that we were saddled with Peja Stojakovic or James Posey?
Raju Byfield is a Senior Sports Writer for Raptors Digest.
Raju Byfield also writes for Win My Fantasy League as a Senior Sports Writer/Fantasy Sports Analyst.
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Not in a bad enough position?
How is this team, as constructed, not going to be in position for a top 3 pick?
Not replacing Bosh, with anything, puts the Raps/Pistons as the worst teams in the east.
Anyone thinking the Raptors are not going to be in a top 3 position is banking on Derozan/Weems to both be CONSISTENT, night to night scorers. To ask two guys, who have not done that in the past, to perform at that level is a huge stretch.
You can not make an educated statement/guess and say this team will not be in position for a top 3 pick.
[Reply]
Raju aka RaptorCity Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:51 am
J Mattie,
I hope we will be but looking at the teams anr roster moves so far we seem like a 6th-8th pick
[Reply]
I agree that the raptors have two good point guards, but they are not great. If Colangelo has an opportunity to receive a potentially great point guard now, such as Collison, you have to go for it. Peja expires in 2011, Posey is a Matt Barnes type player (better). That’s short term for a really good point guard. Nothing is for sure in a draft, so if you can get top draft material now, do it.
[Reply]
Raju aka RaptorCity Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:52 am
David,
Good points…we will see what BC chooses to do…
[Reply]
I’m really hoping for Kyrie Irving as well. He looks like a point guard you can really build a team around. But why do you have a photo of Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph? Great Canadian talent, but nothing to do with your post.
[Reply]
Raju aka RaptorCity Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:13 am
very true…
[Reply]
i dont agree with you when you said we wont be bad enough to be in a position to land Irving. I think we’re a bottom 5 team this year
[Reply]
Raju aka RaptorCity Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:49 am
INFO,
Hurts to say, but I kind of hope you are right!
[Reply]
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