Offseason - Expansion Draft
I make a risky play here and expose Fortson. He's on the books for $6MM for the next two years and plays zero defense. We can replace his 10 RPG. He gets selected 2nd.
This, and Laphonso Ellis has an expiring contract ($7.5MM). We are still over the cap entering this season, but unloading these contracts will help when Wade is available for an extension.
We also have the 10th pick in the draft, via a trade we made with Golden State a couple season's ago.
The 2004 NBA Draft
The draft has 8 blue-chippers according to my scout, and in the order of projected selection they are: Kevin Martin, Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, Devin Harris, Al Jefferson, Delonte West, Emeka Okafor, Andre Iguodala.
We're projected to get Luol Deng at #10.
He goes 9... the predictor suggets we'll take JR Smith, the game recommends I take Andris Biedrins. I think the best guy left on the table is Jameer Nelson, but we're deep at guard and just lost our PF to the expansion draft. My eye is on Andy Varejao, who projects to go in the 20s. Time to trade down.
We trade from 10 to 18, 18 to 21 and in process acquire a couple of future 2nds.
We select Varejao at 21, and take Quinton Ross in the 2nd round.
Code:
NBA All Picks
Pick Pos Player Team
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1 SG Kevin Martin Heat
2 C Dwight Howard Magic
3 SF Josh Smith Bobcats
4 PG Devin Harris Pistons
5 C Al Jefferson Cavaliers
6 SG Andre Iguodala 76ers
7 PG Delonte West Timberwolves
8 C Emeka Okafor Trail Blazers
9 SF Luol Deng Trail Blazers
10 PG Jameer Nelson Lakers
11 SF Trevor Ariza Celtics
12 PF Andris Biedrins Kings
13 SG Sasha Vujacic Suns
14 SG J.R. Smith Spurs
15 PG Beno Udrih Knicks
16 PF Kris Humphries Hornets
17 SG Tony Allen Nuggets
18 PG Shaun Livingston Mavericks
19 SG Ben Gordon Clippers
20 SF Josh Childress Pacers
21 C Anderson Varejao Raptors
22 PF Nick Collison SuperSonics
23 SF Dorell Wright Hawks
24 C Nenad Krstic Jazz
25 SG Carlos Delfino Wizards
26 SG Damien Wilkins Nets
27 PG Sebastian Telfair Hornets
28 SF Andres Nocioni Warriors
29 C David Harrison Rockets
30 C D.J. Mbenga Grizzlies
Free Agency
Couple of free agents, most notable is Derek Anderson, our SMoY. We'll entertain the idea of bringing him back. We're 8MM over the cap, but we hold his bird rights so we can still pay him.
We get Anderson for 2 years at about $3MM a pop - his contract will run out when Nash's does, and we likely won't bring either of them back at that point.
We sign Gheorghe Muresan to a 1 year mid level deal. Gheorghe has had an illustrious career- 3-time AS, 2-time champ, 1-time 1st-team, twice 3rd-team. Gheorghe is 33 and on his way down, but he'll probably start at Center for this season, replacing what we lost in Fortson, and adding about a foot in size to our starting lineup.
Here's our roster, in the year where we'll go for a 3-peat.
Code:
Toronto Raptors Potential
Player Pos Age Cur Pot Ins Jps Fts 3ps Hnd Pas Orb Drb Psd Prd Stl Blk
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Gheorghe Muresan C 33 C C C F D F B B B D D B
Eddy Curry C 21 C D C F D F C C C F F C
Anderson Varejao C 22 C C C F C D A A B C B C
Darius Miles C 23 C D C F D D D D C D D C
Jonathan Bender PF 23 D D B C D F D D C D F C
Tim Duncan PF 28 A D C F D C B A A D D B
Mike Sweetney PF 22 C D B F D F B B C F D C
Donnell Harvey PF 24 C D C F D F C C C D D C
Laphonso Ellis PF 34 C D B D C D C C C D D C
Jason Kapono SF 23 D B A A C D D D D D D F
Metta World Peace SF 24 B C B B C C D C C A A C
Quinton Ross SF 23 D C B D C D D D D C C D
Derek Anderson SF 30 C B A A B C D C D B A F
Dwyane Wade SG 22 A B B C C B D C C B A C
Steve Nash PG 30 D B A B B A F D D D D F