A wacky week ahead?

We now return you to the regular season grind. I’ve got a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of each other as the week progresses. We’re going to try and keep on tap of all the trade stuff each during the day so check back for periodic updates (which is another way of saying click on here to build up the numbers and keep the bosses happy, thanks).

A change of direction?

T.J.’s tummy is sore and does that mean Bryan Colangelo has to shift trade-talk gears this week?

No one’s sure if, or for how long, Ford might be out with this “slight” abdominal strain we’re reading about today but seeing how the next few weeks shape up, maybe the GM needs to put point guard on his list of wants this week.

I still think Mickeal Pietrus for Dixon and either Joey or Darrick makes sense but if there’s going to be an empty space behind Jose for even a week, maybe he’s got to look for a point guard, too.

Here’s the thing, though.

If they go out and get a swingman without moving one, where to they put him? My guess would be that any new guy takes the time away from Jamario. Not that the kid hasn’t been good but that’s the logical place to slide a new guy in.

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We were talking to Chris Bosh one day on the weekend about building a team and how some (hi, Lakers; hi, Suns, hi, Mavs; hello, Celtics!) are going for the home run.

Does it make more sense do go slowly, add a piece here and there and let things develop rather than go out and get the one (older) guy for an immediate splash. Interesting take from Bosh:

"That’s the tough thing. You always want to get good fast but would you age really quickly doing it. You’re average age could go form 26 to 32 or something like that. Do you really want to risk that because you can either build to be good in the future or you could be good right now and have to build up eventually.

"With us, I like where we stand. We just have to continue to get better and we can’t be complacent. You can’t keep saying we’re young because the years are passing so I think if we continue to get better, things are really looking up for us.”

I tend to agree with him. I can’t see blowing up a good young group for a big move that might – might! – translate into success right away.

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A quick dip – or two – into a pretty full mailbag:

Q: Hey Doug, are the players bound to stay there the whole weekend, or could they leave, say like if Bargnani would rather have some free time away from all the hustle and bustle?

Steph R, Glencoe

A: Once their stuff is done, and that includes anything away from the arena, like community appearances, they can do what they want. I didn’t see Bargs anywhere after Friday night, maybe he did get out of town early.

Q: Kapono is on fire! Best shooter in the NBA hands down. The above mentioned points are the selling points Colangelo needs to be making to potential trade partners who might take him off our hands. Do you think that with his lack of defense and the emergence of Delfino, trading Kapono may be our best way to improve, or at least get that huge contract out of here?

Michael K, Toronto

A: Here’s where I’m a tad confused.

He is, by your estimation, the “best shooter in the NBA hands down.”

And you want him traded?

I see the logic that giving away someone who does something better than anyone in the NBA might get you something good in return but I think that logic is a tad twisted. Doesn't it make sense, if you've got a guy who does one thing better than anyone else in the league, that you keep him?

And I will – again – dispute that it’s a “huge” contract. It’s for the average NBA salary. The years aren’t arduous and the money is hardly out of whack for the “best shooter in the NBA hands down.”

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Let’s see what they’re doing down in Orlando, which doesn’t include bundling up against the cold.

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If I had to bet on the top three teams to make a deal before Thursday (and I’m leaving New Jersey and Dallas out because that Kidd deal seems to really be done now), my list includes:

Memphis – the salary purge continues and they’ve got some good young guards to package with Mike Miller.

Seattle – a weird mix of young and old and it’s time to get really, really young.

Denver – they want Ron Artest and a point guard which is a pretty big shopping list.

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So, does BC make a deal? History would suggest yes, he’ll at least do something small.

In Toronto, he did TJ for Charlie V his first draft night, did Juan Dixon for Fred Jones a year ago at the deadline and even did Giorgos Printezis for a second-round pick last June.

I don’t think he can help himself, it’s like a sickness. (I keed, I keed).

Who’d be the most likely to go?

Well, Juan Dixon wants out and BC does try to do right by his players so I’d put him at the top of the list. Joey Graham would be second, and, if they can get a big man back in some package deal, I’d think Hump would be third.

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Wanna do a little more mail?

Q: The Raptors seem to give up an extraordinary amount of crucial rebounds. What would it take to get Jason Maxiell out of Detroit or a Jason Maxiell type into the Dino's lineup?

Kurt H, Toronto

A: Joe Dumars losing his mind would work getting him out of Detroit.

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Oh, if you want to get into the mailbag, just click here.

Comments

[Kevin D.]

Hi Doug, was just reading the Orlando Sentinel article... what are the Raps' chances of landing Brian Skinner in a deal this week? How about Udonis Haslem?

Also, would you trade T.J. for Chris Wilcox? How about Kapono for Kurt Thomas?

Blogger's note: Slim. None. Yes. No.

[Aaron Campbell]

Joe Dumars losing his mind is correct.

I had a coworker shocked when i told him the Orlando Magic would have to drink some poison before they would trade Dwight Howard for Bargnani and Moon.

[Remy]

Hey Doug,

Great coverage of the happenings over the weekend. A few quick questions.

You mentioned that the top 3 guys likely to be dealt, if there is a deal done, are Juan, Joey and Kris. What can you see us getting back for each, or a combination of those guys?

Fred Jones seemed to be showcased a little bit before he was dealt last year; any thoughts on whether we'll see any of the aforementioned guys getting some time this week for that reason?

Kenny Smith and Magic Johnson were a tad over the top on TNT's coverage of All Star Saturday night (not sure if you heard the broadcast). Kenny said the "superman" dunk is in his top 3 all-time dunk-contest dunks. Agree or were they selling the dunk-contest?

Also, what's your top 5 list of dunk-contest dunks?

Blogger's note: I can't go into possibilities for any of those guys 'cause I have no idea who is legitimately available. No one does, really.

There's one game this week, I don't think "showcasing" is going to happen in any way, shape or form.

Top of my head on the dunks: Vince between the legs, Dee Brown blindfolded, MJ from the free throw line, Gerald Green's cupcake candle and, because I'm not really recalling the old times that well, how about Nate Robinson over Spud Webb.

[GM]

The Lakers didn't get older. Pow! Gasol is still relatively young. Anyway, I'm torn between hanging around for the future and getting good right now. Because like you said about making a trade now, it only might make you better. Ditto the future. You never know how things are going to turn out.

This is the second in-passing reference to Dixon wanting out but you haven't written about it. I mean on the blog. I get all my Raps info from right here and the telecasts, which are in-house so they won't ever admit to such a thing. Please don't make me start reading news stories, too!

Finally, the reader who said Kapono is the best shooter hands-down I think was suggesting that's just the line you use to sell him. Certainly there's an argument to be made that way. So he does have value. But I'm a decent shooter and I couldn't get a shot off in the NBA. The point being that Kapono, as good a shooter as he is, still isn't capable of getting those shots off unless he's wide open. And without a big daddy down low, he's not often all that open. His value might be higher on a team who has a real low post presence or play a certain style. He'd be amazing on Phoenix or the Lakers or on Jordan's old teams.

Blogger's note: Ah, but I did write about Dixon wanting out, in Sunday's newspaper, sorry, guess I should have put it here, too. It's hard, sometimes, with time constraints and logistical issues dealing with paper deadlines, to figure out who gets what news where.

Sure, there's an argument on Kapono but with the uncertainty about Delfino next year (that's going to be a tough financial call depending on what Jose wants), AP's age and Moon's, um, levelling off you'd have to make a very compelling case for dealing a guy who shoots it so well.

[DougG]

"I tend to agree with him. I can’t see blowing up a good young group for a big move that might – might! – translate into success right away."

I'm sure that is the rational approach. However, Toronto fans are so sick of mediocre sports teams run by supposedly wealthy organizations that they would like a winner one of these years. They would also like to see those organizations spend some of that money on winning, like other organizations do. I'm all for doing nothing if we are certain that what we have will win in the long run. However, I'm not certain there is enough evidence to suggest that is the case. That seems to be a rather large leap of faith at the moment. I think the pressure is on the Raptors because of all the mediocre teams we have in Toronto they seem the closest to breaking through to the next level. That is a testament to how well BC has done in the time he has been here. Perhaps the expectations are set too high for this year.

[Ryan]

I'm definitely with the "wait and let the team grow" camp. If Bosh and Calderon both develop to their max potential it will be a foundation any team in the league would envy. Add in a few key role players and this team could be very well set. Imagine if Bargnani can put up 17-19 a night? Trading any major piece of this team away for a run immediately will take off a few years of playoff runs. Plus no immediate piece is certain to be the catalyst to make this team a champion.

[matt smith]

Chris Wallace is either a horrible GM or has been asked to dump salary (combination of both?). As insurance for TJ/good young PG how bout picking off Lowry/Crittenton? They're on rookie contracts and an expiring (Dixon?), pick, and rights to our superstar in Europe could be offered (and maybe not accepted, but worth a try)?

[Zack]

Maybe T.J. and Hump for Wilcox and Delonte West...

[Amanda]

It seems some people might be forgetting where the Raptors were 2, 3, and 4 years ago. Suddenly everyone wants them to be an elite NBA team. So do I, but these things take time and Colangelo's not going to steer the Raps wrong. Let's just all enjoy the success that the Raptors are having this year, and be happy we're cheering on a .500+ team!

[sean]

I say bosh is in year number 4 and he doesnt have the quality of a frnachise player...Trade Him to L.A for Maggette and Kaman....( if salaries don't match add on whichever bencher we need to make it so). Picture this... Calderon, parker,magette, bargnani and kaman...rebounds, slasher, defense and shooting

Blogger's note: And Chris Kaman and Corey Maggette do?
Okay.

[Alex L.]

Totally agree Zack. It's incredible how impatient many people are (granted 10 mostly futile seasons might haev something to do with it). The turn-around from 2 years ago has been amazing, and perhaps last season set expectations unrealistically high for this year. IMHO a solid goal for the Raps this year is to make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs, and build from there.

[Travis]

A lot of trade talk about Seattle in here, so I'll throw in this one for the heck of it. Seattle gets TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Carlos Delfino and Darick Martin. Toronto gets Kurt Thomas, Luke Ridnour, and Jeff Green. Bring on the criticism!

[MARK M]

Hey Doug

On the FAN you talked about the Raptors potentially doing one move. Would you like to throw us a bone and tell us what you are hearing?

and

Who are the big free agents Colangelo is going after in 2009?

Blogger's note: I'm hearing what I've been hearing all along, he's had interest in Pietrus, is looking for a PG, is trying to get Dixon somewhere if it makes financial sense in Toronto.
2009: I have no idea who he'll go after, I don't imaginehe does, either; it's just that he'll have money to spend.

[Mike]

With all this trade talk, and going for the home run etc, it got me thinking about the state of MLSE. Do you get the feeling that, come the time, they will venture into luxury tax area to win a championship? I'm not saying they have to be the Knicks, but I think it will be very necessary if the Raps have any expectations of winning.

Am I wrong, or are San Antonio (pre-Finlay) and Detroit the last two teams to win a championship under the cap?

Blogger's note: I doubt they would be a tax-paying team ever but I also don't think being one goes hand-in-hand with winning.
I'm not sure about Detroit, I know San Antonio last year paid about $200,000 in tax, hardly a huge burden.

[Robert S]

Raptors are in for a real battle tomorrow. Super Dwight had just 8 point and 8 rebounds in 31 minutes in a win over Detroit. You know he's going to play better Wednesday night.

[J]

Trade Bosh? What is Sean smoking?

Hopefully as Bosh continues to mature, he'll also develop more of the intensity Garnett is known for. Bosh already has that competitive drive; you'll never catch him fooling around when his team is down. That's the kind of franchise player and leader Toronto needs. He's been a breath of fresh air, I'll say!