Wasn't that some kind of day

Is he done?

Not by a longshot.

Even as we were digesting Jermaine O’Neal, there was a flurry of activity in the Raptor offices until late, late last night and there’s every chance Bryan Colangelo’s got a few things up his sleeve.

Not a lot of downtime time today, it seems.

Word was he’s working on getting another pick – maybe two – in tonight’s draft to find people to groom for the future.

There are no details, of course, but it’s obvious around the league (see New Orleans, Denver) that picks are for sale and available.

What they’d like to do, I surmise (and surmise is all we’re going to get until tonight, I fear) is find a way to draft a young big man, maybe stash him in Europe for a year or two and hope he’s ready when O’Neal’s contract expires.

Not sure what he’s got to offer player-wise (I don’t imagine they’re clamouring for the other of Maceo Baston and Joey Graham) but I could see Hump being in discussions and maybe there’s another GM out there sniffing, too.

-

Okay, the deal. (And, again, I preface all of this by saying it’s not done until it’s done, even if I cannot fathom a way it falls apart).

As you all know, I’m quite okay with this transaction.

Two years of Jermaine O’Neal is far, far better than a year of Rasho and a year of uncertainty, I don’t think there’s a doubt about that.

If he’s 100 per cent, this will be the best front court since 2001; if he plays 40 games a year over the next two years, he’ll still give ‘em something they haven’t had in years.

And I really, really, really like the $20 million or so they’ll have to spend in 2010.

Just check back a couple of days here to see the reasoning for liking the deal.

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The one thing Bryan talked about yesterday that got lost was infatuation in Europe with AP.

Here’s what the GM had to say:

"I think there’s some truth to the notion there was some interest on Europe’s part, or a couple of foreign team’s part, to try to lure a player like an Anthony, who obviously had a huge impact in Europe and would be considered a star returning.

"There may have even been some interest on his part … because the dollars that may have been available may have been ridiculous or silly. I think the notion was expressed back to us that he would really like to stay in the NBA and that would be his first choice.

...

"We have the player under contract, he’s a great, great young man and a very good player for us. He a very good player for and our starting two guard. It’s hard for us to find a scenario where that would be acceptable at this point to allow something like that to happen."

...

"We’ll continue to monitor what interest there might be but our intention is to have Anthony play for us this year.”

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A bit of old mail, and I haven’t even looked this morning to see how full the mailbag is today

Q: You said in (last week's) mailbag that you don't see a Canadian NBAer in the next five years. Are you including Bol Kong in this? Do you just not see him in the NBA anytime soon or is it that his visa issues are getting that out of hand? Any updates on his story?

Jake K, Toronto

A: The kid’s a Vancouver teenage high-schooler, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. A very interesting story, has visa problems as a Sudanese trying to get into the United States, and he may very well turn into the next great Canadian but with the visa situation and his age, you’re looking very, very, very long into the future.

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Oh yeah, we walked out to the bowl after Bryan’s thing yesterday to see this new scoreboard.

It’s gonna be freaking HUGE.

The shell’s there, looks like it’s got eight screens for video that are monstrous and about eight more for ads and stats and scores and stuff.

Appears quite impressive.

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Okay, off to see what they’ve got in store for us today. Oh, and to post about a zillion comments. I tell ya, you people are great. Can’t believe the interweb didn’t break under the weight of everything sent this way.

Comments

[patrick r]

Hi Doug,

Respect your opinion on the TJ/JO trade, however Cannot see the upside here? What evidence is there that JO appreciably improves the Raptor toughness up front? This lack of toughness is the teams achilles. What evidence is there that Jose can handle the starting PG's that he will now have to defend? Winning a World Championship is a lot different than and NBA Championship. TJ for all his faults and many of them I would put down to maturity can create shots for himself, is tougher mentally than most other Raptors, has athleticism that gives him some ability to overcome his size. When healthy he has a much better upside than Jose. The trade TJ crowd should have looked harder at the potential growth of this young man because as he matures he will become a top point guard in this league.

Trading him because of his maturity is the wrong way to move. Trading him for JO well, in this draft with the 17th pick I think they could have gotten a player who can give as much as JO has given the past several years. JO has heart issues, never mind the other body parts. A hungry young big P/F or C from the draft will have a much better upside without giving up a top point guard. I don't see any evience that JO is going to demonstrably improve the Raptor's playoff upside.

Of course as with all our opinions only time will tell. But I think my asessment is right.

PR

[Brad]

Doug, do you have estimate of what the salary cap for 2008/09 will be? I know its a certain % increase over this year but I can't find the number online. I'm assuming will be over the cap and just under the luxury tax...but would be great to know what the approximate numbers will be.

PS. I absolutely love this trade! Two 20 scorers in the paint will leave the most accurate 3 pt shooters in the league open all day long...Kapono/Calderon/Parker all should hit 50% plus...and Calderon is a lock for 10 assists+ a game. Can't wait for next year! Just need a backup PG and maybe a defensive minded SG/SF.

Blogger's note: It's not a percentage increase, actually; it's a fixed percentage of the Basketball Related Income. So there's no real way of knowing yet; I'm guessing the $58 million range this coming season and the tax somewhere north of $70 million. Guesses, though.

[Gord]

Anything about the Marion for Bargnani-Kapono and others rumour, or the RJ for Bargs-Parker?

Blogger's note: Not to my knowledge right now, no, but they are in the office working hard as I type

[VoiceOfReason]

Hi Doug, I know you don't like to answer questions in the comments, but this will be old news by the time the mailbag comes around:

Does Indiana denying the trade throw cold water on this at all, or is Indiana just playing it as you would expect?

thanks.

Blogger's note: It's what they have to say. It's what these guys would say if they ever commented publicly.

[dave]

Since AP got a contract offer. What's the chances of Spain throwing crazy money at Calderon and eventually return to Spain instead of coming back here. Raptors can match any offer. BUT not from the Euro league. That would be a wrench in the Raptors plans wouldn't it?

Any word on what Bosh thinks of this trade? He was TJ's friend. Wasn't JO a 4? Or he one of those 4-5's. ANY chance they might try bargs at the 3 to go big in games with the 3 of them there. He has played the 3 before...

Blogger's note: It would indeed be a wrench but don't you think they might have spoken to someone close to Jose before doing this deal? I would.
No word from Bosh about the trade yet.

[Tim W.]

While I think getting O'Neal is risky, I like it for a few reasons.

1) It shows that Colangelo understands that getting a bunch of shooters is not going to cut it. However entertaining that kind of team is, it's defense that wins. Period.

2) The Raptors are most definitely not at a point where they should be trading for depth. The team that gets the most talented player usually ends up getting the most of the trade. The Raptors need better players, not more mediocre players.

3) I'm a big Bosh fan, but what is becoming clear is he will not be able to carry a team. He just doesn't have the ability to take over a game when its needed (like LeBron, Kobe, Duncan, Wade etc). So what is needed is to surround him with other players who can carry the load. O'Neal is similar to Bosh in that, when healthy, he is a perennial All-Star, but just isn't good enough to carry a team. Detroit was able to win with a team like that. Hell, even San Antonio surrounded Duncan with players who could take over games periodically to take the pressure off Duncan.

I'm not a big fan of dealing the 17th pick because the potential availability of some pretty good big men in this year's draft in a year when they're not as valued as normal (which will no doubt change), but if Colangelo is able to pick up another first round pick I'll be happy.

By the way, Doug, do you know how much the scoreboard will cost? If it's anything like the one in Chicago it looks like it costs about the amount Sonics ownership wants Seattle to spend on an entire new arena!

[Alex]

Doug: Any word how O'neal views the trade? Can he even find Toronto on a map?

And Uncle Zeke, to your comment, considering how utterly horrible the franchise was before BC came in, no matter what happens with O'neal, his tenure here has been successful. Did you think he was going to turn the franchise from last place to a championship in just 3 years? Get your head checked.

Blogger's note: Talked to a guy who talked to O'Neal and he's quite fine with coming to Toronto

[Liam C]

calm yourself uncle zeke... your "realizations" seem more like paranoid fabrications. i predict you will change your predictions before the all-star break.

i'm sick of everybody being so quick to give up on bargnani. did you actually think he was going to be a star (or even consistent) in only his second year out of italy? i don't think he was ever billed as anything but a project, a risk, and a talent - all three of which remain true.

and a "good chance that Bosh is gone." gimme a break. that kind of speculation is a dead-end road. and kapono and delfino as mistakes? did you see kapono is the playoffs by any chance? and yeah, delfino really was a costly signing, don't know how they'll ever bounce back from that.

big-ups for breaking the story Doug. way to make that Yahoo writer eat crow.

[Nathan Wind]

Hey Doug,

How about a link or three to how they're feeling about this deal in Indiana. It would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Nate

Blogger's note: I'll get on that later on, shoulda done it this morning. Thanks for reminding me.

[Jeff]

"Raptors fans need to take a step back and look at where we were three years ago. Feschuk can be mad about Bargnani but that has nothing to do with this deal. What BC did was turn Bonner to Nestovic and Villanueva to ford and then turned those two players to Oneal. Would the pacers have taken Bonner, Villanueva and a 17th for Oneal? We're getting better, this is progress."

Doug, isn't the above comment by Paul worthy of a "Ding Ding Ding"?!?

Assuming JO stays healthy, and the Raptors under-acheive, do you think BC looks more closely at relieving Sam Mitchel of his coaching duties?

Blogger's note: This is no way impacts Sam, except gives him another good player. I'll have more on Sam in the morning 'cause it's an angle that needs to be addressed.

[Tim W.]

Oh and Doug. You said you couldn't think of how the deal wouldn't go through. I'm guessing if a player the Raptors really like unexpectedly drops to the 17th spot, then it might give them pause. Maybe someone like Brandon Rush or maybe even a Danilo Gallinari. Then the Raptors could look at other trade possibilities for Ford. You never know what's going to happen in the draft.

[Matt Richards]

Hey Doug,

I'm wondering are the raptors done here with trades? I think if we trading Bargnani+filler and netted us a 20 PPG scorer on the wing don't you see us in championship contention? Anything you have heard regarding a wing player going to the raptors. Guys like RJ, Mike Miller, Gerald Wallace, Rip, or even Artest. With Artest and JO as good friends do you think its possible we try and swing a deal for Artest now. He's a defensive monster and could provide much needed scoring on the wing as well. Anyways let me know if you have heard anything with the remaining Raptor assets such as Bargnani, Kapono, Parker, Hump

[Andy]

What does this trade mean for Jason Kapono? A productivity that mirrors his playoffs production, I hope!

[Jonathan]

Heard a rumor that Nash could have been had for Ford and filler, that Maggette could have been had for Nesterovic and filler, and that Bynum (and filler) could have been had for Parker and filler. We could have done ALL of these trades, and still kept the 17th pick for Rush or Joe Alexander, not to mention we could have gotten Memphis' top pick if we just took Cardinal's salary. Imagine, Nash/Calderon, Maggette/Delfino, Rush/Moon, Bosh/Hump, Bynum/Brezec -- now THAT is a championship team. BC is an idiot.

Yeah, that was sarcasm. It's funny how people have all these deals worked out in their heads, without any regard as to whether the other side would even be remotely interested. Some other observations:

1. When backup PG becomes one of your bigger needs, you know the team is going in a relatively positive direction. However, for us fans, it's the end of the team as we know it.

2. People like to place the highest possible value on their outgoing players, and the lowest value on the incoming players. Hence, the deal sucks because O'Neal is injury prone, Ford is a superstar PG no longer one injury from retiring, Nesterovic is anything but on the last year of his contract, the 17th pick is an instant success (see Rush, from above), and somehow, just somehow, Graham/Baston are more than just an afterthought. Really?

3. Players 10 through 15 are of the utmost importance to a team's success, as evidenced by the Raptors supreme depth in that area last season, and now we just emptied out the team with nothing left to spend on those spots.

4. Anytime a player is traded or let go after being initially acquired, the responsible GM is certainly a failure. No attention needs to be paid to the new incoming players, or where the team is financially. Actually, no knowledge of the financial under-workings of the team, or how the cap system works in general, is required to show one's superiority to the GM.

---

I would have liked for us to have been able to keep the 17th pick, but it seems this was the only way, and it sure beats getting Diaw back in return for Ford and the 17th. Diaw's contract is horrendous. At least with O'Neal, we get a reprieve in 2 years. If it works out, great, and if it doesn't, we are primed for the 2010 class of free agents.

[Dan]

i would love BC to flip someone like Hump for a late first rounder and grab Chris Douglas-Roberts...I can't really see another way to grab a slasher from the perimiter

[Geeve]

Hi Doug,

One more quickie for you. Since it looks like you said Baston is the "cap filler", what do you think of Joey for Jason Hart???

Both players will be on expiring deals (Joey with the possibility of becoming a restricted FA) and I know Utah could use more wings while we'd get a championship caliber backup PG (if you give him the minutes) while being able to groom in Ukic slowly.

Blogger's note: Joey could indeed be guy they use to get a backup point guard. Not sure how much they like Hart, though; will have to check

[Nick M]

Doug, I believe that you thought things would get more interesting around the draft and, in fact, I believe you wished for some movement by the Raptors to keep the blog interesting...

You know what they say... Be careful what you wish for!

[Chris]

For those who have been asking about a Raps trade for Richard Jefferson, ESPN is reporting that he has been traded to the Bucs for Chairman Yi and Bobby Simmons. That should be interesting. Anyone know if VC can speak Cantonese?

[SteveC]

I don't see how people can say this would be a bad deal. People complained when Charlie V was traded for Ford to start, now we trade Ford for a big much better then Charlie.

And as Doug has pointed out both Ford and O'Neil have their own injury risks so thats not much of a reason to be iffy about it, and the fact he wanted out and we are getting a guy who when healthy could be an all star.

Oh yeah the timing of his contract expiring is a pretty nice bonus too.

Sam will also finally be able to have a 2nd rebounder on his team who will not be out rebounded by the other teams PG.

Also Doug how much would it cost the Raps to buy a mid to late 1st round pick off a team, and does the first being traded have any financial value in the trade?

Blogger's note: No financial value until the picked player is signed; and the most they can spend to "buy" a first-round pick is $3 million.

[Victor C]

Someone asked earlier whether Bosh would like the deal, since he was good friends with TJ. Swirksy had Bosh on his radio show on Tuesday, shortly after the rumour broke, and Bosh said (paraphrasing) that he hoped it would happen because it would give them toughness on defence and a strong rebounding presence -- two things that he thought they were lacking last year.

[Chris]

Doug:

I know this is speculative and could change a great deal over time, but I wonder if you can address this. Since a lot of the value of this trade is the huge contract of JO that will expire in 2010 when LBJ, DWade, etc. will be free agents, who are the potential trading partners/players that might be in the mix at that time? If the expiring Kwame contract netted the Lakers Gasol, what could a team trying to take a shot at Lebron do to clear cap space? I assume the Raps would never have a chance at signing Wade or LBJ since Toronto probably isn't a market they would consider.

Blogger's note: You've got to let me get through today before I can think about 2010

[jr]

doug R.J have been traded to Bucks for Yi ams simmons , so raptors fan forget about
jefferson.

[Joe]

Hey Doug,

Love the blog! Thanks so much for the up to date trade/draft info, it has been making the days go by much faster :) I know it probably won't matter after the draft as the summer season begins, but it would be nice if your webmaster could add numbers to each comment, this way I wouldn't have to re-read comments when I check in throughout the day.

Blogger's note: I have no idea how any of this stuff works so I'll pass that along to people who do.

[Dan]

Since the Bucks might have Jefferson I wonder if they still take Joe Aleander. Jefferson would have been a great fit for the Raptors. Even though he is a head case I would like to see Artest on the team. The Raptors with him and Jermaine would be a much better defensive team right away.

[archie gillespie]

Hi Doug, as it's possible Roko Ukic might be crossing the pond to be Jose's back-up, what's the word on how is development is coming? Also, what does management have to do to "pry" him away from the Euros? Thanks.

Blogger's note: Lots on Ukic tomorrow morning but it looks like a certainty he's coming. Barcelona told him yesterday he can go make a deal. His development? I think it's slow but he is a 6-5 PG who loves to compete.