Time to learn more, and time to mock

Little road trip for Sam and Jim Kelly yesterday. Off to Philly to see Alexis Ajinca for a second time and Darrell Arthur for a first.

Mean anything?
Probably just due diligence, actually, I wouldn’t read too much into it.

But Ajinca’s the intriguing one of those two.

A workout monster, I’m told, looks great in the gym but no one’s sure if that translates into the ability to, you know, play in games.

He’ll be a gamble for whoever takes him.

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Action: Reports suggest Nicolas Batum’s agent will distribute medical reports saying his client’s 100 per cent healthy.

Reaction: In Toronto? Yawn.

No matter what that report says, I’m told the Raptors aren’t going to try to see him today and he’s off their list of possibilities.

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ERIC GAY/AP

Derrick Rose seems to be the high point of the draft so far.

A guy works the phones and e-mails most of the day and lots of info comes tumbling out, some of it might even be true.

Stuff like:

Anthony Randolph is no longer seen as a top 10 pick, too skinny.

There was a workout in Phoenix yesterday for DeAndre Jordan that Toronto was thinking about attending but blew off to go see Ajinca and Arthur

The big movers up the charts is J.J. Hickson and Jason Thompson.

Roy Hibbert’s gonna be there when Toronto picks, and the best guess is he’ll be there after they pick.

Chris Douglas-Roberts could fall to the mid-20s.

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Here’s one thing to remember in the next couple of days.

All throughout the workout process, Jim Kelly has said publicly and people have told me privately, that the Raptors would indeed be comfortable drafting a guy they hadn’t had in Toronto.

It’s been mentioned so often, I don’t know if it’s one of those smokescreen things or real fact; I just throw it out to get the masses chattering.

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Mock me.

(A disclaimer: This is being done knowing there are several serious trade talks going on between several teams and the order – hence the picks – may change entirely)

The biggest provision being that I don't think Toronto will end up keeping the No. 17 pick, something will go down to change where, or if, they select.

But what the heck, have fun with it. And remember, use it for entertainment purposes only, no wagering.

Chicago: Derrick Rose

Miami: Michael Beasley

Minnesota: O.J. Mayo

Seattle: Jerryd Bayless

Memphis: Kevin Love

New York: Russell Westbrook

LA Clippers: Eric Gordon

Milwaukee: Joe Alexander

Charlotte: Brook Lopez

New Jersey: Danilo Gallinari

Indiana: D.J. Augustin

Sacramento: Mario Chalmers

Portland: Darrell Arthur

Golden State: JaVale McGee

Phoenix:  Brandon Rush

Philadelphia: J.J.Hickson

Toronto: Alexis Ajinca

Washington: Donte Greene

Cleveland: Marreese Speights

Okay, I really gotta stop, my head hurts and it’s even more of a crapshoot from here on in.

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Wanna know why a T.J. Ford to Miami trade isn’t likely to happen? Because T.J.’s contract has three years to run and the Heat, and a handful of other teams, are trying to clear the deck for 2010 free agent class.

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A mailbag query that’s not draft-related:

Q: Now that an announcement of the signing of Jorge in Europe for approx. 2 million Euros, approx. $3.2 million (US) can we than state that the cap allotment of Garbajosa would be $1 to $1.5 million (US)?

Mark B, Palm Beach Gardens

A: No, we can’t.

Garbo’s deal with Malaga has nothing to do with his buyout over here. I’m still trying to find out officially what the number is but that’s what will determine his cap it over here, not what Unicaja is paying him.

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And, of course, some draft- and trade-related mail:

Q: Hope you can shed some light regarding your comments in your June 23 blog about a possible TJ Ford to Portland deal. To me this makes perfect sense. Some combination of Ford for Jarett Jack and others (Webster or Outlaw and cap filler etc.) gives the Raps a back up point and a wing and me thinks Ford fits very well as a point guard to work with Roy, Aldridge and Oden et al. So why is there no smoke here? Is Portlandnot at all interested? Any idea why? Other teams seem to see value in Ford.

Matt A, Toronto

A: To you, maybe. To the folks in Portland, at least those that I talk to and hear from, the Blazers really aren’t in love with small guards and don’t really see T.J. as someone who can lead them up the Western Conference standings.

If the Blazers get desperate, they may call, but I have no indication that’s going to happen.

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Oh yeah, I’ll hammer it home one more time. Go here, find out where to buy tickets and pick up a couple for the national team games either here or in Hamilton.

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And, finally, one last kick at the mail bag (and don’t worry, I’m saving a lot of non-draft, non-trade queries to fill the regular weekend edition)

Q: I have a couple quick questions.
1. If the Raps do trade T.J and Rasho while letting Delfino walk - do you think they bring Giorgos Printezis over from Europe as a cheap small forward at the end of the bench?
2. Are you familiar with Ricky Rubio?  This kid has been playing professional ball since he was 14 years old or something like that.  Next year is his draft year and I was wondering your position on this Spanish youngster; do you think he'll be as good as they say he will?  I think so!

Jimmy T, Toronto

A: I don’t know about Printezis, if they bring him over and he’s a stiff and they have to cut him, they lose his rights. I think it’s best to let him play a bit more over there to see if he’ll ever be able to help here. But they may want to make a quick decision on him and bring him to camp.

I’ve only seen Ricky Rubio in video, never in person, but from what I’ve seen, and from what people whose opinions I respect tell me, he’s right now a top 10 pick next year and could, with a good season, vault himself into the top three or four.

Comments

[Jonathan]

Just wanted to give you a heads up on the typo in your article today, unless the Raptors for some reason have switched their attention from Robin Lopez to his twin Brook. ;)

Blogger's note: Getting, or got, it fixed.

[Dan]

Alexis Ajinca is an interesting prospect because he has been doing well in workouts. One of the ESPN writers made a good point that he only averaged 5 points and not many rebounds last year. I'm not even sure he was playing in one of the top leagues in Europe. I would just be worried he turns out like Sene on the Sonics. If I was drafting for instant impact I would take Chris Douglas Roberts. If they are looking at a project maybe Green or Deandre Jordan. Green is probably not a great choice because he already has the Raptors jump shot mentality.

[Dan]

I actually just watched some video on Alexis Ajinca and I have to agree with you Doug. If he is available and the Raptors still are picking 17. He looks like a good choice.

[Mike]

I've been really intereseted in the draft and who's going to land where, especially the Lopez twins. I was wondering do you think there is any team out there trying to get two picks, so they could acquire both. Maybe Toronto is looking to trade a bunch of pieces to acquire Brook and then use the 17th pick for Robin...I think that would be an interesting cast Bosh and the Lopez Brothers!!!!

[voislav]

For those who are interested, tickets for the national team games are sold by Ticketmaster, they are $25, $35 and $100 (+ $14 "convenience" charge) for 2 game package in Toronto and 3 game package in Hamilton. All games are at 7pm (if I remember correctly), but each game is preceded by the junior game starting at 4pm. There are no individual game tickets.

People in Toronto tend to have an inflated view of TJ's trade value. Yes he's very good, yes he's affordable, but he's an injury waiting to happen, his lack of size hurts him defensively and last year showed that he's not quite the team player. The only way to trade him is going to be to take on a risky player like himself (physically or mentally) or to take on a boatload of salary. Since Toronto is not going to take a salary hit, you have to ask yourself why would Team A trade Player X. Indiana with O'Neill makes sense, Phoenix with Diaw less so (but they might go with dismantling Colangelo/D'Antoni team and rebuild a more physical team). Portland or Miami or New York (for David Lee) don't at all. End rant.

[jr]

doug is the draft gonna be on TSN?

Blogger's note: No, it's on The Score

[edgar]

Nice Mock! 2 quesitons - IF BC picks at 17 and Brandon Rush is available is it automatic? And why is all this talk about letting Delphino walk when he is the perfect #6 or #7 guy because he can backup 3 positions and has the upside to possibly start all for around 3-4 Mill/year?

Blogger's note: I don't think it's automatic, but it's sure be enticing; as for Delfino, maybe they'll wait and see what kind, if any, offers he gets and let that make their decision for them.