Raptors extend qualifying offer to Pops!

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday they have extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.
In accordance with the league's collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its rights of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent it must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal in favour of the NBA team for which the player last played.

Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 13.8 minutes in 19 games with the Raptors. He was signed as a free agent by Toronto on March 6.

http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/mensahbons...ing_062909.html

With all this being said, where does this leave the Raptors big men? I think this makes the Humphries Rumours more true, especially since BC has been saying of late the O'Bryant if here to stay and has been working on his game a lot over the summer. With the trade for Evans and the rumours about Rasho someone is out.

To be honest I see Humphries getting traded for Dooling and then Rasho not even signing. It is tough to determing what BC and Triano have in mind for the big men. What do you guys think out 4/5 rotation will be next season?

Cheers,

Dustin

Colangelo press conference summed up! (Very Interesting) + My final mock

So here is basically a summary of what BC said at his last press conference before the draft. I have summed it up for people with low connection, or lazy bums. haha

1. Colangelo has all intentions on doing his best to resign Shawn Marion. He said that the Matrix fits the Raptors system well. He then went on to say that if Marion doesn't want to stay then they will try to utilize him in a sign and trade which makes plenty of sense.

2. He talked about how the Raptors have about 21 Millions dollars to play around with and wants to use it wisely. Chances are we will not be acquiring another pick.

3. Colangelo said one of these players will be in a Raptors uniform next season unless they traded the pick. We are probably also assuming no players slip as well. Flynn, Holiday, DeRozan, Henderson, Johnson, and Andy Rautins. He said that Johnson was moving up on their draft board and impressing a lot of people. Personally my favourite out of the players is James Johnson out of Wake Forest. If the Raptors do draft him I will be quite happy. BC said they brought him back for a secret workout to make sure they were sure about him.

My top 9 mock draft -

Here's what I do believe from rumours around the league this year draft will look like -

1. LAC - Blake Griffin
2. MEM - Thabeet (This happens unless a trade is made)
3. OKC - Harden
4. SAC - Rubio
5. MIN - Curry
6. MIN - Hill
7. GSW - Evans
8. NYN - DeRozan
9. TOR - Johnson

P.S For those gullible to believe that Rautins was one of the players, George Bush is Canadian! haha

Cheers,
Dustin

My Draft Wishlist - Anything is possible!

This is a wish list that I have compiled for the upcoming draft. Now obviously only one thing could happen but here is my list, in order that I would like to see happen.

1. The Raptors trade up and pick Ricky Rubio. For anyone who has ever seen Rubio play, enough said. If you have not seen him play, you will be in for a treat. The things this guy can do with the basketball are incredible. He will completely turn around the team that picks him. If he drops of the top 3 picks Memphis and OKC will be kicking themselves in the nuts come season end.

2. Tyreke Evan slips down. This would improve the Raptors dramatically. Evans is a freak on the court. He would help the Raptors reach the playoffs again next year and be a compliment to Bosh. Though it is unlikely he will slip to the 9th pick, it would be a nice gift. I do believe we have a better chance at landing Evans then we do Harden.

3. Raptors trade the 9th pick for the 15th and 35th pick from Detroit. My favourite player in the draft is James Johnson from Wake Forest. He is a 6'9 SF and is just fun to watch. He reminds me a lot like Lamar Odom and Danny Granger. The potential on this guy is through the roof. He will one day be an all star in this league. He likely will drop to the 15th pick because he doesn't fit some teams need. Then with the 35th pick we could pick up someone like Josh Heytvelt or Danny Green. Either could potentially be good players in the league.

4. The Raptors draft DeRozan or Holiday. These two will likely be the two best SG's left when the Raptors come to pick. These two will probably be most likely to be picked but I like the scenarios above more.

Well if none of these ideologies happen we can always just draft Andy Rautins right? Haha

Cheers,
Dustin