As our tentative 2013 draft order shows, if the season ended today, the Raptors would have the league's second-worst winning percentage. If the standings and draft lottery were to form, that would be a silver lining in a disastrous year for the Raps — their first-round pick in 2013 is top-three protected, so the team wouldn't have to give it up if it lands at No. 2. Still, there aren't many other silver linings in Toronto these days, a subject Andrea Bargnani addressed in a conversation with Gazzetta.it. Here are the details on that interview and a few other Raptors links:
- Any trade scenarios involving Bargnani or Jose Calderon are on hold with Bargnani and Kyle Lowry injured, reports Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
- Colangelo, his senior advisor Wayne Embry, and team ownership met in Toronto this week and are evaluating the club's options, according to Berger (Twitter links).
Earlier updates:
- Emiliano Carchia of Sportando translates and passes along a few of Bargnani's quotes from his interview with Gazzetta.it's Davide Chinellato. According to Carchia, Bargnani said he'd miss at least three weeks with his elbow injury, acknowledged that the Raptors were playing way below expectations and were currently one of the worst teams in the league, and admitted he'd heard trade rumors and would be ready if he were to be moved.
- Although there has been speculation about Dwane Casey's job security, DeMar DeRozan still has faith in the head coach, writes Eric Koreen of the National Post.
- There's no real point in firing Raptors president Bryan Colangelo right now, according to Damien Cox of the Toronto Star.
- The Toronto Star staff grades Colangelo's major moves since he was hired in 2006.