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5 Keys to Fixing the Toronto Raptors This Offseason

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5 Keys to Fixing the Toronto Raptors This Offseason

Masai Ujiri
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

For a team coming off a franchise-best win total, things are far from rosy in the Raptors organization. A first-round sweep has made the questions revolving their numerous free agents loom larger. There are ways forward, though. I believe in lots of the talent on this roster, and the team has flexibility to make moves this offseason. Here's what I would do were I GM Masai Ujiri.

5. Draft Jarell Martin

LSU v North Carolina State
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5. Draft Jarell Martin

LSU v North Carolina State
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This kid is the real deal, and his diverse offensive skill set could make him the power forward of the Raptors' future. With Amir Johnson and Tyler Hansbrough potentially leaving in free agency, Martin would get a respectable amount of playing time next season should the team draft him.

4. Sign Tobias Harris

Orlando Magic Tobias Harris
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4. Sign Tobias Harris

Orlando Magic Tobias Harris
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The Magic are insistent that there is no rift between newly-hired coach Scott Skiles and Harris, and that they intend to keep Harris no matter what. I don't think other front offices are buying these stories, though. At the very least, his situation is up in the air. This guy is the next NBA star no one saw coming, and the Raptors have the cap space needed to make a play for him.

3. Ensure Raptors Get Own D-League Team

Bruno Caboclo D-League
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3. Ensure Raptors Get Own D-League Team

Bruno Caboclo D-League
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It was depressing to watch first-round draft pick Bruno Caboclo (not to mention fellow Brazilian youngster Bebe Nogueira) rot on the Raps' bench this season in between pointless stints with Fort Wayne in the D-League – a roster shared by 13 teams. A Raps-exclusive team has been rumored, and is essential for the future. These young Raps need playing time somewhere.

2. Trade DeMar DeRozan

Toronto Raptors v Washington Wizards - Game Four
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2. Trade DeMar DeRozan

Toronto Raptors v Washington Wizards - Game Four
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DeRozan's trade value is probably higher than any other Raptor save Valanciunas, based on his relatively strong second-half performance. Buy low, sell high. It's time to move DeRozan while he can still fetch something meaningful in return.

1. Hire New Coach

Washington Wizards v Toronto Raptors
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1. Hire New Coach

Washington Wizards v Toronto Raptors
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All signs indicate that Dwane Casey will not be fired, but that's not going to stop me from saying he should be. I admire and respect Casey as a person and for his dedication to the job, but his wayward rotations, woeful treatment of young players and lack of a real offensive system override those traits. The Raptors need a coach with more of an open mind to playing young talent if they want to become great in the future.

Casey Sherman is a writer for RantSports.
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