The Raptors' chosen five GM Colangelo names prospects By MIKE GANTER, SUN MEDIA http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Basketball/NBA/Toronto/2009/06/24/9909891-sun.html Raps GM Brian Colangelo makes no secret of the fact that the real focus this off-season is on the wing position. (Sun Media/Jack Boland) Sounding thoroughly confident, Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo approached the podium yesterday and in his final public statement regarding the draft until the picks actually are made, announced that "unless something crazy happens or a trade happens" the Raptors will be selecting one of five players tomorrow night with their No. 9 selection. Just don't ask Colangelo which one. He admitted yesterday that even if all five were still on the board when the Raptors make their selection, they still haven't decided on a selection. "It may be right down to the last minute," Colangelo said. "There could be a raging debate in the conference room about all sorts of things." In no particular order, the five on Colangelo's list are: Jrue Holiday, DeMar DeRozan, Jonny Flynn, Gerald Henderson and James Johnson. For those counting at home, that's two point guards (Flynn and Holiday), two wings (Henderson and DeRozan) and in Johnson a guy big enough to play the small forward or power forward position. Perhaps tipping his hand a little, Colangelo admitted the Raptors have asked two of the five to return for a second workout, one that already has taken place and one that was either going to happen last night or this morning. LATE MEETINGS Johnson, a prospect Colangelo describes as "a guy who has been rising a little bit on our draft board for sure" already has been here twice. Holiday is the other asked back but he is scheduled to be in New York for pre-draft interviews with the U.S. media today at 1 p.m. With regards to the last-minute visits, Colangelo said it's a case of "just wanting to make sure we look at them in a different light and get a chance to sit down and talk to them one more time." Colangelo makes no secret of the fact that the real focus this off-season is on the wing position where the Raptors already have dealt Jason Kapono and have retained first rights to former Raptor Carlos Delfino, although they have yet to sign him. Despite there being less than 48 hours to the actual selection, Colangelo, given his druthers, wouldn't mind making the pick right now. "It's almost like the draft can't come soon enough," Colangelo said. "Right now is when things get really muddy. All the clarity you had gets a little bit scrambled because as the draft nears, names start to creep in. Is this guy going to go here and if this team trades pick No. 5 -- which has been talked about a lot and is readily available if you are willing to part with the assets they are asking for -- that's a scenario where it would change the flow of the top 10." Colangelo did clarify that it's no slam dunk that he will be purchasing or trading for a second pick in the draft. "If the right player is there, we still may consider it," Colangelo said. But at this time, he doesn't think that will be the case because it will cost him flexibility down the road. "If you (obtain a second pick), you're talking about taking on additional cap charges going into next season whereas we like the flexibility afforded us right now by playing under the cap." --

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