On the heels of a disappointing season that saw the team go 33-49 and miss the playoffs for the fifth time in eight campaigns, GM Bryan Colangelo has been busy this off-season trying to restructure the Toronto Raptors into a squad that can mount a deep run into the post-season. Considering they haven't made it past the first round since 2001, that's no small task, but it seems the pieces could be starting to fall into place. The Raps will be sporting a new-look roster next season and, for a change, it seems like the players are actually more than happy to be there.

On June 25, the Raptors selected DeMar DeRozan with the ninth overall pick in the NBA Draft, and they annouced his signing to a rookie contract hours after introducing Turkoglu to the media on Thursday. The 19-year-old is known for his athleticism and exciting style of play, drawing comparisons to arguably the most well-known Raptor of all-time.

"I think it's very valid, especially with my athleticism," DeRozan said of the comparison. "It's great to come to a beautiful city like Toronto. Just coming in and being compared to Vince Carter...I want to try and bring excitement back to Canada."

At 6'7, 211 pounds, DeRozan was the winner of the slam dunk contest at the all-American high school game in Milwaukee in 2008 and has garnered acclaim for his flashy play.

"He's a very talented player," Colangelo said after picking DeRozan. "Now it's about us putting him in an environment where he can succeed."

On July 4, Toronto agreed to terms on a contract with forward Hedo Turkoglu, fresh off his trip to the NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic. It was arguably the most important free agent acquisition in the 14-year history of the franchise, albeit a complicated one. By July 9, Turkoglu would end up being part of a massive multi-team deal involving the Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and the Magic. More on that below.

Turkoglu originally spurned the Portland Trail Blazers to go to Toronto, reportedly drawn to Ontario's capital in part because of its large Turkish community and its appeal for his family.

The first-round pick of the Sacramento Kings back in 2000, the 30-year-old Turkoglu opted out of the final season of his contract with Orlando that would have paid him $7.3 million for the year. In the 2008-09 campaign with the Magic, the 6'10 small forward averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He really came into his own during the 08-09 playoffs, making clutch shot after clutch shot to help lead his team to the NBA Finals.

On July 8, the Raps locked up centre Andrea Bargnani to a five-year, $50 million contract. Bargnani, picked first overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, put up an average of 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.24 blocks last season, all career highs and all vast improvements on the previous year's lacklustre performance that had some critics questioning his validity as a number one pick.

Like Turkoglu, the 23-year-old Bargnani said the city's multicultural feel was a big draw.

"The city was pretty, the fans are incredible, there is a huge Italian community that's really close to me...If you're talking NBA, it's the best city for me in North America," he said, reflecting the notion that the team has gathered a reputation as a heavily-favoured destination for international players.

On July 9, the Raptors dealt Shawn Marion to the Dallas Mavericks in a complicated four-team deal that saw them get some depth on the court and some important financial flexibility. The trade also officially landed Turkoglu in Toronto.

The Raptors sent Marion and power forward Kris Humphries to the Mavs, receiving small forward Devean George and shooting guard Antoine Wright from the Mavericks and acquiring Turkoglu in a sign-and-trade deal with the Magic.

George has been in the NBA for 10 seasons. The 31-year-old played in 43 games last season, averaging 3.4 points per game and 1.8 rebounds.

The 25-year-old Wright played in 65 games in 2008-09, averaging 24 minutes per game, 7.3 points per game and grabbing 2.1 boards per game.

The move gave the Magic a $7-million plus trade exception while allowing the Raptors to retain their full mid-level exception ($5.854-million) to spend, meaning Colangelo will now have more money to improve the Raptors' depth.

The Mavs shipped guard Jerry Stackhouse to the Memphis Grizzlies, who received forward-centre Nathan Jawai, while the Grizzlies sent shooting guard Greg Buckner to the Mavericks.

The Mavs also sent at least $2-million in cash to the Grizzlies, giving them the money necessary to waive Stackhouse.

Marion will reportedly receive a five-year, $40-million deal from the Mavericks, who earlier in the week agreed to a new three-year deal with point guard Jason Kidd.

As for the Raptors, these moves are intended to improve the team on the court, but they also are probably meant to send a message to the team's star player Chris Bosh that the Raptors are going to be contenders. The hope is that it will help push him towards staying in town once he becomes a free agent after the upcoming 2009-10 season.

When that campaign kicks off in a few months, Raptors fans hope to see a world of change on the hardcourt.

__________________
"Testing: CoolsatPro 4000, FLU-Pansat/Puff/LZMA, Pansat2700A & ViewsatExtreme 2000 for educational purposes only"

Tired of waiting days for fixes? Click here to get 3000 channels.. NO DOWNTIME, Guaranteed!