May 24, 2006

TORONTO (CP) -- Toronto Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo is man with a host of options now that he owns the No. 1 pick in the June 28 NBA draft.

Sifting through the choices with the media Wednesday afternoon, a day after the Raptors won the draft lottery, Colangelo left the door open to all of the possibilities - from using the pick to trading it outright.

``In this particular draft, which is lacking a No. 1 pick that's what I call a program changer, someone like a LeBron James, Tim Duncan or a Shaquille O'Neal, you have to look it and say regardless of what number is attached to that pick we have to take the player that's right for this team and this program right now,'' said Colangelo.

LaMarcus Aldridge is one of a number of players the Raptors could take first overall. (Getty Images)

``There may be a situation or two that we entertain where we move down and acquire something else, maybe it's a player and a pick. Maybe there's someone who wants No. 1 more than we want No. 1.''

It will all play out in the coming weeks. Colangelo said he heard some GMs talking about wanting to move up in the draft before the lottery was even held.

The Raptors are likely to be at the centre of trade talks thanks to the fortunate lottery bounce and the over $10-million US in salary cap space generated by the February trade of Jalen Rose to New York.

``Now that we walk into this process with not only the first pick, but also with the ability to take on a fairly large contract, you never know what to expect,'' said Colangelo. ``There may be an all-star calibre player that a franchise is looking to move, maybe they want to move in a complete different direction and we decide to take on an all-star calibre player in place of the No. 1 pick.''

Colangelo wants to add some toughness and some interior presence but feels that none of the top prospects - like Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison, Texas centre LaMarcus Aldridge, LSU forward Tyrus Thomas and Italian forward Andrea Bargnani - are likely to step in and contribute right away.

He likes the club's young core, which includes all-star Chris Bosh, Charlie Villanueva and Joey Graham, and is playing things close to the vest with regards to free agent point guard Mike James.

Bosh, who said he wanted to sign a long-term deal with the Raptors, doesn't want the Raptors to add size for the sake of size with the pick.

``I think we have plenty of talented big guys,'' Bosh told Toronto all-sports radio station the Fan 590. ``I think we need to get a banger.''

There has been speculation that Colangelo is intrigued with Bargnani, a seven-foot power forward who plays for Benetton in Treviso, Italy. Colangelo said he wants his basketball people to see Bargnani play while Benetton is still in the Italian playoffs.

Either way, there's a sense of optimism long missing from the franchise.

Colangelo, who was hired in February to replace the fired Rob Babcock, says he feels it too. He's hearing fewer concerns from players about coming up to play in Canada, less complaints about the taxes and the market.

``All of that seems to be diminishing quite a lot,'' he said. ``I also think the word on the street is they kind of like the direction of the franchise right now.''

Bosh agreed.

``We had a pretty tough season last year,'' said Bosh. ``Ever since Bryan got hired things have been falling into place.''