2016-17 Finish: 26-56

Season Highlight:

Some decent trading. GM CarlSpackler had a fairly straightforward blueprint for rebuilding and most of the time was able to stick to it. Most trade's saw an aging player of value depart for picks or youth, and with each one the Raptors started to accumulate a nice collection of picks and young pieces. The rapid development of Jae Crowder into a legit starting two-way wing was also a highlight for management and fans alike, as this helps fill the small forward spot for years to come. The Raptors appear to have started the journey on the right foot.

Season Lowlight:

Rookie struggles from Kris Dunn were not what the doctor ordered. And as the losses and ugly play mounted, so did distrust in the Raptors rookie. Many fans started calling him a bust, and management started having second thoughts over the draft day deal. This was supposed to be a learning season for the young speedster, but unfortunately bad habits appeared the only things being learned in 2016-2017.

Best Trade:

The Detroit Pistons send Bradley Beal to the Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors send Mirza Teletovic and Gorgui Dieng to the Detroit Pistons. 

On 2017-18 preseason form, this one looks like a great get for the Raptors, despite the TOR 1st also being included. Bradley Beal has been flat out scoring, averaging 34 points per game on 46% and 44% shooting. And at just 24 years old, he gives the Raptors a player they can re-build around. You couldn't say that about Dieng, Teletovic or probably even Tatum (Pick 6).

Worst Trade:

The Philadelphia 76ers send Leandro Barbosa and Shaun Livingston to the Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors send Diamond Stone to the Detroit Pistons. The Toronto Raptors send Deron Williams to the Philadelphia 76ers. 
The Detroit Pistons send a 2nd-Rounder (Pho) to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Philadelphia 76ers send a 2nd-Rounder (Por) to the Toronto Raptors. 
The Detroit Pistons use their trade exception over $ 543,471. 

The comments came thick and fast about VT's Jedi mind tricks, and they weren't that far off the money. An early 2nd was probably the best offer received at the time for Deron Williams, but I'm sure with a little patience the better offers of a 1st rounder would have eventually come.

Other Notable Trades:

The New York Knicks send John Henson to the Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors send Zach Randolph to the New York Knicks. 

This made sense for both considering where both franchises were at, but I'm not a big Henson believer so wasn't that moved either way.

The Toronto Raptors send Leandro Barbosa to the Boston Celtics. 
The Boston Celtics send a 2nd-Rounder (Bkn) and 2nd-Rounder (LAL) to the Toronto Raptors. 
The Boston Celtics use their trade exception over $ 4,000,000. 

Nice deal netting a couple of 2nd round picks for the aging and slowing down Leandro Barbosa. Good business by a rebuilding team.

The Toronto Raptors send Etwaun Moore to the Brooklyn Nets. 
The Brooklyn Nets send a 2nd-Rounder (Bkn) to the Toronto Raptors. 
The Brooklyn Nets use their trade exception over $ 8,081,363. 

Another solid move during a rebuild, turning a likely bench wing into a 1st and 2nd round pick. The picks will certainly be worth more to Toronto going forward.

The Dallas Mavericks send Louis Williams to the Detroit Pistons. The Detroit Pistons send Henry Ellenson and Kay Felder to the Dallas Mavericks. The Detroit Pistons send Kelly Olynyk and Solomon Hill to the Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors send Joe Johnson to the Detroit Pistons. 
The Detroit Pistons send a 2nd-Rounder (Tor) to the Toronto Raptors. 

I'm starting to see a pattern here, aging veteran goes out, young guys and a pick comes in.

The Minnesota Timberwolves send Wesley Matthews to the Orlando Magic. The Minnesota Timberwolves send Tyson Chandler to the Toronto Raptors. The Oklahoma City Thunder send Jonas Valanciunas to the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic send Danilo Gallinari and DeMarcus Cousins to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Toronto Raptors send John Henson to the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

This is where the pattern ends however, out goes the young guy for a 35 year old veteran. Perhaps the writing was on the wall for Henson's lack of development? Chandler is still a defensive beast, and is signed for a couple of seasons. He can help anchor the defense with Jae Crowder and protect against the penetration let through by the more offensive minded Toronto guards.

Best FA Signing:

Joe Johnson - The Raptors had money to burn, and wisely targeted players they could re-package later for draft picks and youth. Joe Johnson played well enough through 45 games to catch the eye of Laddas and eventually net the team Kelly Olynyk, Solomon Hill and a 2nd.

Worst FA Signing:

Festus Ezeli - For 7.4 million dollars, Ezeli was not money well spent, failing to get anywhere near ready enough to step on a basketball court. I'm not sure if the Raptors did their due diligence on Ezeli's knees before this signing.

Star:

Jae Crowder - What a season Crowder had, turning himself into a legitimate two way starting wing. Crowder played and started in 74 games, averaging 16 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, basically doubling his numbers from the previous season. He is a real high efficiency guy on offense and a strong defender who is a perfect fit next to new recruit Bradley Beal, and sophomore point guard Kris Dunn.

Surprise:

Willy Hernangomez - The 35th pick in the 2015 draft finally came over to have a strong debut season in the NLL. Hernangomez played in 78 games, starting in 8 and averaged 7 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. The big man showed some real promise on the glass and a raw, but untapped offensive skill set that should continue to grow. He is a mountain of a man, who should become a starter in time.

Goat:

Kris Dunn - Picked 5th in the 2016 draft by Portland and then traded for Jamal Murray, I'm sure GM CarlSpackler is having a little regret over this move, with Murray so far looking the better prospect. Dunn came into the league like a bull out of a gate, trying to do everything at a mile a minute. This lead to sloppy turnovers, many ill advised shots and a really poor 36% and 26% shooting line. It was a development year, which cost his team many wins.

Draft Report Card:

The Raptors were without their first round pick, having traded it to Detroit in the Beal deal. They did have 3 second rounder's to use however.

#37- Ivan Rabb - Rabb saw his stock fall with another year in the college system, finding himself in the second round. He is a big man with good skills who plays below the rim.

#48 – Monte Morris -  Morris a point guard who really takes care of the ball and is a great decision maker, he is the anti Kris Dunn, which gives the Raptors a different look at point guard.

#51 – Edmond Sumner -  Sumner is another point guard who has good speed and athleticism. He may be made eligible in the two way draft, so look for the Raptors to try and snap him up again.

GM CarlSpackler did a decent job finding some value where he could in the second round. I think drafting some more point guards was a smart move, in the hope that one can make the position his own. Rabb presents some real below the rim potential, in a possible Zach Randolph mold. Not a bad draft, B-

Looking to the Future:

CarlSpackler looked to accelerate the rebuild with a post season trade for Bradley Beal. And so far this team has been really completive and tough in pre season play. Beal is scoring in bunches, Crowder and Chandler are wrecking havoc on defense and Olynyk is showing a solid ability to rebound and stretch the floor. The one question mark on this team right now is the much talked about Dunn. Dunn's shooting has continued to bother this team in pre-season and hold them back from more wins. If Kris Dunn can learn to slow down when required, make better decisions and get the ball to Beal, then this team instantly reaches another level. If not, then unfortunately they will continue to be held back in an unrelenting Eastern Conference.

Upcoming Free Agents:

Kelly Olynyk - A young up and coming big man who will be a restricted free agent. He will cost a fair amount but I don't see the Raptors letting this guy go. Has looked good in pre-season with a developing outside shot.

 

Bojan Bogdanovic - Another restricted free agent, who is a little older than Olynyk but a fine outside shooter to bring off the bench. This one could go either way, it probably depends on how much Carl values him.

Shaun Livingston - An MLE type salary is expected here, and indications are that the veteran point guard would enjoy the challenge of trying to assist Kris Dunns development as a playmaker.