Of 10-day guys and trade rumours

I’m sure a whole bunch of you are wondering why Darrick Martin’s not on waivers today so he could be released before tomorrow when his contract becomes fully guaranteed.

Two reasons, very simple:
The first, he’s got more value on the roster than off it. Not only does he continue to be an excellent presence in the locker room, I’m sure Bryan Colangelo wants his salary around to perhaps aggregate in some multi-player deal.

Second, the financial cost is miniscule. Martin’s deal was about two-thirds guaranteed in December and the savings now would be a couple of hundred thousand, which really is chump change.

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So it’s 10-day contract time, right?

Well, glancing back through old guides and in the dark recesses of my mind, here’s a list of five of the more obscure guys who’ve had 10-day deals here.

Dan O’Sullivan: Five games

Jimmy Oliver: Four games

Lloyd Daniels, Six games

Derrick Dial, Seven games

Art Long: Seven games and 10 days worth of denying the legendary story that he once punched a horse while a college player in Cincinnati.

Now, that’s a murderer’s row of 10-day guys.

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Let’s get into the mail bag early today:

Q: Your (Sunday) article on Bargnani's rebounding could not have been at a better time; it was a huge issue again on Cleveland's game.

My question is, why does Sam let it go when Bargnani loses rebounds to opposing players? When Joey or Hump or other young players make an obvious defensive mistake, they get benched on the spot. But Bargnani, a sophomore, seems to get the star treatment from his coach. For the benefit of this franchise, the coaching staff needs to make sure Bargnani plays the right way, even if it costs the Raptors a few games this season.

By the way, I disagree with your take that Sam should've put Bargnani back in fourth quarter. He deserved to be benched after being repeatedly out-rebounded by Gooden and Big Z.

Daniel H, North York

A: All players are not created equal. Sam, rightfully so, is going to let Bargnani play through more mistakes than Humphries or Graham because Bargnani has a much greater role in the future of the team and he needs to learn. And you learn by playing.

But, and this is a huge, but, it took all of four minutes in Friday’s game for Mitchell to hook Bargnani because of a huge defensive gaffe on a Chauncey Billups drive (Bargnani has his back turned to the paint instead of watching the ball and his man) and that was a solid message.,

And the reason he didn’t play in the fourth quarter against Cleveland was because of his poor rebounding and defence that game. Another message sent.

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T.J. Ford is off to the Cleveland Clinic this week to have another respected doctor take another look at his spine, neck and head.

Here’s the question and I have no answer: Do you think he’s looking for someone to confirm that he can play? Or that he shouldn’t?

However you slice it, I’ll stand by my mild suggestion yesterday that you don’t see him in uniform until at least after the all-star break.

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While we’re on the top of trading, and aren’t we all, here’s another name: Bryan Colangelo once obtained Kurt Thomas for his grit and his skill and his toughness. Could he obtain him again? That’d a solid addition, I think.

No idea what Seattle would want but …

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So, let’s say you’re Bryan Colangelo and you’re out there shopping. What do you offer? Despite pleas of the ‘sky-is-falling, they’re-17-17-and-it’s-like-the-KO-year-all-over-again’ segment of the population he is NOT going to shop Chris Bosh or Andrea Bargnani or Jose Calderon or even T.J. Ford.

Not gonna happen so quit bleating about it.

But what does he have? A bunch of swingmen who are the same guy, a veteran centre who has a year left on a substantial deal and some end-of-the-benchers.

What’s that get you? Nothing on their own but maybe in a package. So, when a deal happens -- and I honestly think there will be one -- look for it to be two-for-one, or three-for-two.

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I’m watching the Suns last night and all I hear Gary Bender talk about is their home court the ‘Purple Palace.’ Then I look at all my Suns media stuff and it trumpets orange.

They’ve got two colours? Cool.

Oh, then I switch over to the Golden State-San Antonio and all I can think of is, the Warriors have the greatest collection of uniforms maybe in pro sports. The one with the cable car, the one with the silhouette of California, the one with the numbers in the cable car? All outstanding.

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I love Gilbert Arenas. Good blogger, great player, outstanding quote machine.

Now, he’s not only talking about not playing again this season, he’s also suggesting it’s more important to him to win an Olympic gold medal than an NBA championship?

What a guy.

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One more from a regular mailbag contributor:

Q: (Monday) you mentioned the Raps should go after the Mighty Mouse to fill in for Juan. That would work for now, but what happens when TJ eventually comes back, which hopefully isn't too far away. Then he would just be another Darrick Martin. Isn't the whole reason he wants out of Memphis because he's not getting enough PT? And why's Sam sticking with Juan over Martin?

Amanda F, Barrie

A: Good point, Amanda. But I’m starting to think T.J.’s at least another month away and even then no one knows how good he’ll be.

Stoudamire would be a short-term fix who could be moved on somewhere else in the summer as he heads into the final year of his deal.

And I’ve spoken to Damon more than a few times lately, he wouldn’t have nearly the same issues sitting in Toronto than he does sitting in Memphis. He wouldn’t be on a championship team here, but he’d be on a playoff team; he’d be in a city he loves here instead of Memphis.

It may be a moot point anyway, I’m sure the likes of Boston, Cleveland and maybe even Denver will be calling about him, too.

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While we’re tossing out names of guys I think would look good on this team, add Eduardo Najera.

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That’ll be all for now, off to practice later, will let you know if there’s anything afoot. Doubt it, though. Oh, and to get into the mailbag, just click here, as you regular contributors know.

Comments

[Wilber]

What, no 10 day love for Tim Kempton?

Blogger's note: Oh, there would have been, but Tim Kempton was signed as a free-agent in December, 1997, not as a 10-day dude.
And, some Tim Kempton trivia: He now does radio in Phoenix and always has a big hello for folks from Toronto.

[shrugz]

didn't seattle get 2 first rounders and kurt thomas for a 2nd rounder?
(awesome deal btw I wish raptors had the cap to pull that off)

and kurt thomas's contract is done this year and I'm sure seattle's only looking for cap relief and picks

[Daniel Velducci]

Bryan's insistence that Bargnani is the future Center of the team is enough to tell me that this guy, by himself, is no good in running a team.

He needs Daddy to help him.

[Dinosty]

I did a post yesterday about players I'd want on the Raptors because they wouldn't be afraid to lay a body on Lebron James - and forgot both Najera and Kurt Thomas. Thanks for the reminders. Specifically Najera would be great on our team - Denver doesn't need his tenacity and he would instantly increase our toughness and intimidation.

Good call, Doug. Now pick up your batphone and get in the ear of the powers that be.

[Guy bragg]

Seems like Juan's caught between a rock and a hard place.In reference to your remarks about lack of assists and scoring, I've seem many good passes to players in a good position to score, but either fumbled the ball or missed the shot. Juan's fault? I don't think so.An assist depends on the player making the shot. He only gets 2-3 shots a game, not enough to get in any rhythm or confidence (or many assist).If he scores more by taking more shots, then he's shooting too much.He's a natural two being expected to be as effective immediately as a natural one with on the job training.Why not give him time before knee jerk reaction.

[HC]

I still maintain that Delfino would be better than both Dixon and Martin at the back-up point position (or perhaps even starting at that position and having Jose run the second unit like he's used to??). I do like the idea of getting Damon though. He'd fit in nicely with this team until TJ is (and if he's) healthy.

[DougG]

I really hope you are accurate in your prediction that BC is going to pull the trigger on a deal. This team is in bad need of something to get them playing consistently. I know we are supposed to wait another few years for our youth to mature but Toronto fans were waiting a long time before BC got here, and they are watching Boston and Portland turn things around seemingly over night.

[Andrew]

Why do people think we need a back up point guard. Sam should have Parker and Delfino bring it up for 10 minutes a game. Dixon and Martin do not been burn, with the talent we have fighting for playing time. Sam just needs a run a new play other then the high screen and roll. It disappointed me that they did not address rebounding and interior defense in the offseason, and this has become a glarring problem. I like the Kurt Thomas idea.

Can anyone tell me why the leagues best 3 point shooter is on the bench when we are down by 12???? (reference Friday vs. Detroit)

[Jacques LeBlanc]

Doug,

I can't stop thinking of trades. What's the chances that BC goes after D.Wade. What would they have to give up?

Blogger's note: There's lots of people after Dwyane Wade out there in cyber world. I have no idea what they'd have to give up but it doesn't matter, I can't see any way in the world the Heat trade their only good player.

[charade]

Portland Portland Portland.

Portland ain't won jack yet!

[JasonB]

Assuming you know all about this already; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLTOJB0FGPo ...can you make sure Bosh gets them seats way up top from now on?