Just reading on some other guy's blog about how badly Toronto needs the #1 pick. I previously wrote about Atlanta and how the Hawks are in good shape for the future ... the Raptors, well, yeah, they need help. I've read plenty in the Toronto papers about how impressive the Raptors COULD be in three years when all the cap room is cleared away ... but if Toronto is on the three year plan, that's pathetic. This is a professional franchise (granted, they are in Canada); it should be able to compete now AND build for the future. Here's the blueprint: 1. Jalen Rose is a lost cause. Nobody's taking him at $15 mil, and he doesn't want to play in Toronto. If you've seen "About a Boy" (great flick), you know about being on an island. Jalen Rose is on an island. I love his game - smooth lefty, co-creator of the long baggy-pants, Fab 5 member, and in his prime, a scoring machine. 2. Let's lay off Araujo. He's been a bust, yeah, but at least you don't have Kwame Brown. Araujo doesn't appear to be a 10-10 guy - hell, he barely seems like a 6-6 guy. If he could learn to play defense without fouling, if he could box out and rebound, then he'd be at least marginally useful. Is that too much to ask of him? 3. It appears the guys you can build around - based on this year and last - are Bosh, Charlie V, Calderon (gotta re-sign this guy), Mike James, and MoPete. I think James is a SG trapped in a PG's body, and he'd help the team more if he'd look to distribute. If he wants to walk, I've got no problem with that. It'd be nice to have him, but I wouldn't overpay for him, especially with pass-first Calderon playing well. There are a few other players who should see PT this year to see what they've got: Joey Graham, Matt Bonner, and reluctantly, Araujo. 4. That leaves the Raptors with needs. They are desperate at center. Fortunately, there are some decent bigs coming out in the draft. The Raptors are also in dire need of a sweet-shooting two. They're in fairly good shape at PF, SF, and PG. 5. LaMarcus Aldridge is definitely coming out. Problem is, he's not a polished post-player. But a frontline with Aldridge, Bosh, and Charlie V is 6-10 across the board, and fairly agile. It'd instantly be one of the more promising frontlines in the NBA. Shelden Williams seems like a reach at 1 or 2 ... regardless of how he progresses, I'm not seeing him being an offensive force (20 a night). Plus, he's only 6-9, so he'd be better suited for the 4. Rudy Gay is oozing potential, but he's a 3, and I don't think he's of the LeBron/Kobe/T-Mac caliber that you must draft him at 6. For the second year in a row, the Raptors have two first-round picks. Why not go with JJ Redick? He's creating his own shot, he can fill it up from downtown, and even if he's a bit weak on the defensive end (although I'd say Adam Morrison is worst), you now have a shot-blocking backline of Charlie V, Bosh, and Aldridge that should make up for it. Maurice Ager (Michigan State) fits well here, too; and I suppose Taquan Dean could get a look, but I'm not sure about him (slight frame, more of a set shooter than off the dribble). 7. In free agency, the Raptors could make a run at Peja, but he's getting up there in years, and it seems like a longshot at best that he'd join a rebuilding effort at 28. There's aging Voshon Lenard; and Dermarr Johnson seems to be healthy and much-improved. But after Peja, it's awfully slim pickings. You're welcome, Mr. Babcock.