MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Chris Bosh.
He did go into a bit of a funk in the middle of the season -- mostly because he was bothered by a sore knee that eventually sent him to the sidelines for five games -- but he remains by far Toronto's best player. Bosh, just 25 and a four-time All-Star, came within a handful of rebounds of being one of the few players in the league to average 20 points and 10 rebounds a game and was also in the top five in free throws attempted and made per game. His contractual status -- he's a free agent in the coveted class of 2010 -- makes his future with the Raptors the subject of almost daily speculation, but it's difficult to imagine the team without him as its offensive anchor.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: Jason Kapono.
What do you do with a three-point shooter who doesn't shoot three-pointers?
One of the top long-distance marksmen in the league, Kapono continues to be too passive in Toronto's offense. A significant free agent signee two years ago -- for a deal worth the full mid-level exception and a contract with two more years to run -- he never fully become acclimated to the role which best suits him, as instant offense off the bench. And his failings are a prime reason Toronto's bench has been so weak all year. The Raptors then traded him to Philadelphia in early June.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Raptors have a handful of free agents to deal with in the summer and what they decide to do will have a huge impact on the kind of team that returns to training camp in the fall.
Shawn Marion is the most interesting case. The veteran small forward's contract, which pays him an astronomical $17 million this season, will most likely have to take a serious pay cut wherever he goes next year. And the Raptors may try to retain him at some sort of bargain-basement price since there aren't a lot of teams with major dollars to throw around.
Anthony Parker, coming off his statistically worst season as a Raptor, is an unrestricted free agent but it's highly doubtful he'll be given a starting role on the team next season. However, both he and general manager Bryan Colangelo are optimistic some new deal can be worked out.
Of the other free agents -- Joey Graham, Jake Voskuhl, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Carlos Delfino (whose restricted free agency rights the Raptors still hold since he played last season in Russia) -- it's likely that only one will be back with the team in October.
PLAYER NEWS:
--F Reggie Evans was traded to the Raptors, with the 76ers receiving G Jason Kapono in return. "Reggie Evans will certainly add an element of toughness to our team," read a statement by Raptors president Bryan Colangelo. "He has very good rebounding and defensive instincts, addressing two areas where we have underperformed."
--G Jose Calderon, who missed a dozen games with a groin injury in the middle of last season and was never fully healthy, has decided to take the summer off for the first time in more than a decade. He's announced he will not play for Spain in the European championships in September, the first time he's avoided national team duty since 1997.
--F Anthony Parker, one of Toronto's free agents, is expected to get a handful of offers from European teams. He played five seasons with Maccabi Tel Aviv and was voted one of the top 50 Euroleague players of all time last year.
--C Andrea Bargnani, who enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2008-09, could have a very busy summer. The 7-footer has joined the Italian national team for the first time in three seasons and will take part in a July qualification tournament that could earn Italy a berth in September's European championships. If they are successful, he'll also play in September.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Kris Humphries (broken fibula) has been cleared to begin working out fully.
--G Marcus Banks (toe) is back working out after having surgery.
