Mike James: Your move

The home PC blew up this morning -- so no morning links, for now or until it's fixed or replaced (*sigh*). (Actually, it wasn't that dramatic. It just kinda sat there, all dressed up but doing nothing. Sort of like Loren Woods).

So I'm doing this blogging thing catch as catch can. And off Friday's posting on the Raptors' Mike James, e-mailer Bernie Lee asks the question:

"Why not just resign him themselves in the off-season?"

Good question. Let's throw it open. There are a number of options here, plus the hands-off approach (do nothing and hope you can sign him next summer) that isn't included because it makes such little sense and besides, it's been done (Donyell Marshall, 'member?).

Which option makes the most sense to you, and what can you hope to get if:

1. You commit yourself to trading Mike James at the February 19 deadline?

2. You shop James at the deadline, but only jump at a deal if it involves a big man who can provide immediate help? (This is the option I implied on Friday, while not being this specific. My bad.)

3. You decide to keep Mike James for a playoff run, and save any trade possibilities for the summer and a sign-and-trade deal? (It's highly unlikely, in other words, that he's going to stay in Toronto.)

4. You tell Mike James and anyone else who asks that you intend to sign him to the first long-term, big-money deal of his career this summer, and he's not going anywhere, figuring that even with a four-year deal he can provide two or three years as the starter and play some 2 as well, while Jose Calderon develops and Roko Ukic eventually comes along?

5. You do nothing, leaving everything to this summer and risk losing him for nothing a la Donyell Marshall, in which case you get some cap room to go out and sign someone else?

Over to y'all.

Comments

[Scott Carefoot]

I wouldn't hesitate to offer Mike James 3-4 years at the mid-level exception (which should be in the $5 million per season range). If he commands more per season, that would be tough to justify and it will probably be impossible under the Raptors' salary cap restrictions.

James is a baller. This is probably his best season but he's always been a solid all-around guard, he just wasn't given a featured role like this before. Some people will claim that James is just "playing for a contract" but I don't get that vibe. He's been an NBA nomad up to now and I bet he'd be happy to settle down with his family in an environment that makes him feel welcome and important.

[cy]

Scott, i've been following your posts and comments over at Raptorblog on this, and it's good stuff. I just have one comment -- in terms of career development, Mike James seems the backcourt equivalent of Antonio Davis before he came here, it's not a perfect comparison but he's also a guy who has paid his dues, stepped up the ladder one rung at a time and hasn't seemed to have forgotten what got him where he is, and is looking to cash in. I don't see him as a "contract year" guy either, but he's also 30 years old -- not an old man, but not young either. I wonder about his place in the overall development of this team. He is much more of a leader than I ever envisioned him to be. The question is twofold -- would signing him long-term prevent someone else equally adept or even better (and younger) from taking over at PG within the next couple of years? Or is the leadership he provides something the Raptors are more in need of?

[Thomas]

I think it's dangerous to keep hoping that young guys will be the future. It's nice to think that way, but is there going to be a single guy in this year's draft that can give us what Mike James will over the next 3-4 years? I say 'no'. That means I wouldn't trade him for picks. Only an established youngster. But, on the other hand, cap space can mean a useful player, so I'd only offer just over the midlevel exception (so others can't get him for the midlevel).

[Scott Carefoot]

Chris: To respond to your Mike James/Antonio Davis comparison, Glen Grunwald gave Antonio a maximum contract in order to show Vince Carter that the Raptors' management was committed to building a championship team. Antonio was really only worth $7-8 million per season but he ended up getting $12 million+ and the Raptors are still trying to get out from under the weight of that contract (see: Jalen Rose).

Rob Babcock has made some mistakes, but he appears to be fiscally prudent and I doubt he would offer James more than the mid-level. For sake of comparison, that's the deal Morris Peterson signed in July 2004. That's the kind of deal solid NBA veterans like Mo Pete and James deserve, and James will command at least that amount on the open market. The Raptors' might have an edge if they offer a fourth year.

Anyway, the idea is not to sign James as a full-time starting PG for the long term. As he has said himself, he's not a "true point guard" or a "true shooting guard". His versatility is what makes him valuable, in my opinion. He can effectively play both guard positions, as required, on both ends of the floor. Combined with his good attitude and fearlessness in the clutch, that's the kind of veteran influence I'd like to have on a team of improving youngsters.

[gus pergantis]

I think the Raps should offer Mike James a 3 or 4 year contract extension during this year to help while the rookies develop. He seems like a guy who provides a lot more to the org other than points and that is hard to find.

If I was Babcock the only move I would make would be to trade JR to NY for expiring Hardaway contract as well as fleecing Thomas for one of his biggies for Toronto's pick (not Denver's). I believe TO will finish higher by year end than Denver and right now the TO pick might confuse Thomas enough to part with Nate Robinson???

[cy]

Scott, the comparison with A Davis only goes so far, and everything you said is true. I was focussing more in terms of where they're at/were at in their careers, and what they could provide to the franchise: James is 30 (Davis was 31 when he arrived here) and has bounced around (Davis had climbed the ladder from Europe to NBA, and although he'd been in Indy for five years, was regarded primarily as a utility player) and is still looking for a permanent home, a permanent job as a starter and a good contract.
Davis gave Raptors stability at 4/5 position and was a key element in their brief ascendance -- James could well provide something of the same boost in the backcourt, and unlike in the case of Davis's Raptors (who didn't draft and groom a young big until Bosh came along, by which time Davis was on the way out), there are guards like Calderon and especially Ukic who could develop behind him.

[Lindsay]

I think it is all fine and good to say James is worth 5 mill after a week of shooting the lights out but 2-3 weeks ago after he'd gone cold?????

He makes some very bad choices at times as evidenced in the NJ game, yes the first chucked up three ball dropped but the second both with lost of time on the shot clock? It strikes me that at times he has stickum on his hands and can't give up the rock and lets face it we have JR for that.

I think if the right trade comes you would have to look long and hard before turning it down. In the meantime shoot the lights out Mike.

[Gary Mugford]

My first inclination when Damon Stoudamire went down was to call Jerry West and ask him just what kind of package he was willing to trade for James. Since then, James has been playing all-star calibre ball and the Raptors have been winning, except when he clunks a game. In fact, have the Raptors lost more than a game or two that James played well in this year?

So, the task of divesting themselves of James has become much more complex. IF James would sign a deal for something south of $7.5M for three or at the most, four years, then the decision is simple. Sign and keep him, leave Ukic to play out his Euro contract, thus saving buyout money, and then bring him over to share with the then veteran Calderon. But James will not sign for so meagre an amount, or will ask for five or six years on his deal.

That's not a good contract for the Raptor long-term, and this team can't think about contending until two years hence. Sooo, despite its negative effect on this year's won-lost record and possibly on the mental well-being of the team, I say find a trade. I'd wait until another injury occurs that gives the Raptors a better trading matchup (Grizzlies have wings to trade, not bigs) and see if James and a bad contract can go someplace where a big man can come back. Sign Howard Eisley or the ilk and get through this season.

James is approaching his greatest value and there is enough doubt as to who will lose to San Antonio and Detroit in their respective Conference Finals, that somebody might want a shot at that third-round payday. Even if a team doesn't lose a primary guard through injury, just the allure of James off the bench might inspire parting with a young stud. Miami's Dorrell Wright (once he's had the ego knocked out of him) would be the kind of payment Babcock should seek.

And unlike Grunwald's willingness to believe a departing star's commitment to staying, Babcock should be the realist when he hears James protest he wants to end his career with the Raptors.

In the meantime, I'd risk benching James when he starts putting his head down and driving ad nauseum, if the shots don't drop regularly. He gets into the ball-hog rut that his predecessor was so criticized for and we can't go several trips down the floor without giving the real star of the team a touch (or five). I'd like Sam to reel James in just a little on nights like that. Sure, when he's getting to the basket and its going in, let him have his head. But when he's missed three or four in a row (wildly), it's the night to see what Calderon and Martin can do.

Basketball is still a team game.

[Ian D]

Options 2 & 4 are the only choices, IMO. Alston for James was such a coup I think you would never want to let him walk a la Donyell Marshall. No chance that happens this time.

You can't let James go unless it's for that coveted big man. But is that trade really going to happen? Is he really worth that much on the market?

James may not be the best at his position but he's a character guy the fans really like and he brings such an energy to a club that badly needs it.