Ole, Ole, Ole. Jose's deal is done

STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Jose Calderon and his signature moves are staying in Toronto.

Got the flags out? Fireworks ready? Beverages cooled and the barbecue have lots of propane?
Happy Canada Day!

Well, that sure didn’t take long.

Jose’s coming back.

"Early this morning, through my agents, I reached a preliminary agreement with the Toronto Raptors,” Calderon said in a message posted on his website Tuesday.

"I want to thank (president and general manager) Bryan Colangelo, (assistant GM) Maurizio Gherardini, (coach) Sam Mitchell and all of the Raptors family for the confidence that they have placed in me. I am sure that together we are going to achieve big things in the future.”

Getting Calderon under contract was the biggest task Colangelo faced, as well all know.

He was going to call over to Spain right after midnight last night and that call was obviously expected and welcomed.

"When two parties want to reach an agreement, you can reach an agreement very fast," Calderon's agent, Alvaro Tor said this morning in a telephone conversation from Spain.

Of course, Jose wouldn’t say on his blog how much the deal’s worth or how long it’s for but I’d be shocked if it was for less than $8 million a season and if it didn’t run for four years with maybe an option of a fifth. But that’s just deductive reasoning, no one who’s in a position to know has ever mentioned those terms.

Guess we’ll find out soon, though, ‘cause that’s what we do.

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What’s it all mean?

Not much that hasn't been said, given that we all expected it forever.

It does, as we’ve mentioned, oh, about a billion times over the last five or six days, take the Raptors out of any significant role in the rest of free agency.

So that means, given the tax concerns and the current payroll that all those questions about Mickeal Pietrus, Bostjan Nachbar, Ron Artest, Chris Duhon, Corey Maggette are answered easily:

No. No. No. Not going to happen. Isn’t possible. Put it out of your mind.

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Told you to check back.

Not only have the Raptors reached an agreement with Roko Ukic, according to a league source, they've also got Hassan Adams to agree to a contract. Adams, who had a cup of coffee with New Jersey in 20006-07 and played in Spain last year, was discovered at the free agent camp in June, making him this year's version of Jamario Moon.

So, all the wheeling and dealing is done for now. All that's left to do is make all the moves official, sign Nathan Jawai and the summer's work is done.

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Here’s one from the mail that’s pretty topical:

Q: Hey Doug, how helpful will Jose Calderon be as a mentor to Roko Ukic this upcoming season seeing as they share similar paths getting to the NBA, playing the same position and making the transition from the Euroleague to North America. What are the hardest things Ukic will need to adjust not only personally but just as a young point guard making the jump to the NBA. Also wondering if you could shed some light or your thoughts on the recent wave of European teams seemingly trying to lure players back with more money. Is the NBA concerned about this? Thanks for your insightful coverage.

Zack R, Etobicoke

A: Calderon is going to be invaluable to Ukic, absolutely. You can see a lot of similarities between what Ukic is going to have to go through and what Calderon’s already dealt with, although the one major difference will be that Ukic is much more fluent in English than Calderon was and that’s got to help.

What Calderon does that’s under-rated is have a good sense of the game, he knows what weaknesses to exploit, how to handle an offence so everyone gets involved and if he can impart some of that to the kid, it’ll be huge.

Ukic’s biggest adjustment is going to be handling the speed of the game and the overall calibre of the competition. European basketball is a lot of things but two that it isn’t are quick like the NBA or as deep in talent. That’s going to be the measure of Ukic, how he handles those two things.

As for the European clubs luring players back, I have to say I’m not surprised. With the exchange rate, the creature comforts they can offer (most deals include housing and transportation) and the fact they want to “strike back” at the NBA for taking its best young players as one executive told me recently, teams over there are being more aggressive.

I think what you’ll see is marginal NBA-talent Europeans heading back earlier than they might otherwise and you’ll see good North American-trained NBAers maybe extend their careers by a year or two living the high life in some gorgeous European locale.

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A word about Canada, by the way.

We’re a nice people, generally. Too polite at times. Like last night in Hamilton.

Amid a couple hundred or so flag-waving, drum-banging, wildly-cheering, passionate fans from Lebanon sat about 800 Canadians, cheering only in reaction, rather than in action.

Don’t get me wrong, it was a somewhat surprisingly large turnout and it was nice for the national team to have a crowd to play in front of but, really, you’ve got to do better tonight and back here on the weekend.

It’s been forever thus, of course, visiting teams are treated to raucous cheers, Canada gets support but nothing over the top.

But just because it’s been that way forever doesn’t mean it has to be that way in the future.

End o’ rant.

Happy Canada Day.

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We’ll check into the mail real fast

Q: I was reading up about Nicholas Batum, and it says that he hasn't missed a game in two years. What kind of injury and/or flaw could he have had that made Toronto completely stop considering him?

Thomas N, Milton

A: It wasn’t an injury, per se. It was an abnormal result to one of the myriad tests they put people through that put a red flag from the team’s medical staff, I’m told.

And maybe it turns out to be nothing but it certainly wasn’t something the Raptors wanted to take a risk on.

Comments

[Pete]

Does Ukic considered as a rookie Doug?

Blogger's note: This being his first year under contract and all, yes, he will be

[Millette]

Damn it.. right after Baron Davis opts out.

Is there any way the Warriors do a sign and trade with us, B Diddy for Calderon and change?

Also, are the Raps REQUIRED to have 15 players under contract... why shouldn't they just sign someone at the mid-level and have a shorter bench? I think the "insurance" more bodies would provide is worth risking for a better player.

Blogger's note: No, there is no chance, nor was there ever one even in the darkest corner of anyone's mind, about Baron Davis.
League rules stipulate a minimum of 13 players on the roster, which is what Toronto will have

[N. Morin]

So...did Canada win? I mean, I like hearing you harp on about the lack of support the Nats get as much as the next guy or gal, but not all of us live in the GTA and can't easily attend. How'd the actual team look (as opposed to the crowd, or lack thereof)?

Blogger's note: Actually, if you go to the website that this blog came from, check out "sports" you can read all about Canada's 89-67 win.

[zaddups]

Some Nathan Jawai stuff...

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23931257-23769,00.html

NBL All-Star game...

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22915932-23769,00.html

Picture and background info...

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22920939-23769,00.html

[gm]

what's the word on this adams guy that appears to have signed?

Blogger's note: More tomorrow but a hard worker, a bit undersized but plays hard all the time. Good defender.

[rk]

Doug,
Any comments on the rumours of a Roko Ukic and Hassan Adams signing? I'm excited to see what Adams can bring to table, I read that he can play some defense. What's your take on him? Can he reasonably be expected to play a full backup role?

Blogger's note: Am watching Canada rout New Zealand at the moment, will get to it more tomorrow

[dean]

Doug,

Any info or insight into the signing of Hassan Adams? I hear he and Moon could be competing for best dunker on the Raps next year? Also, what price do you think Ukic came in at ?

Thanks man, have a fun free agent frenzy

[Neil]

Can we sign Arenas? just kidding... but explain me one thing with regards to the Adams signing... with a roster of PG: Jose, Ukic; Wings: AP, Moon, JK, Graham, Adams; Bigs: JON, CB4, Bargs, Humps shouldn't the first minimum Moonish type signing be a veteran PG and a big since 3 of the 4 bigs have missed stretches the last two seasons with injuries. Post FA-camp you and your fellow reporters mentioned some PGs (John Lucas Jr.) that impressed as well as blog-reader-favorite Rod Benson. What is the timeline, likelihood for a move like that - you have mentioned a vet PG is a must but haven't seen a mention of a Baston replacement as 'cheerleading tall guy at end of bench'.

[Mike]

Doug,

AP
Kapono
Moon
Graham
+ 1 min wage guy (D-league or Free Agent camp signing)

Can we be honest and say that the Raptors have the absolute worst collection of wing players of all the Eastern Conf. teams with serious playoff aspirations?

I guess it's a moot point if CB4 elevates to MVP level, and Jermain and Jose turn in borderline all-star seasons, but ..... that's a pretty weak set of 2's and 3's.

We're also basically 1 AP injury away from a burnt season (I know every team takes injury risks, but usually it's with your best/highest paid players, not your lowest paid starter)

Mike

[Stince]

Here's a question for you Doug: how much do you think the fact that Ukic's game is described as being a bit like Ford's factored into the decision to let Ford go? It's got to be a lot easier to let a player go when you know you have a younger, cheaper version potentially filling their shoes after a year or two of seasoning (though by that I mean TJ in a backup role, not TJ as a starter).

Here's a quote from (http://hoopsaddict.com/2007/06/22/roko-ukic-needs-the-nba/):

"Let me tell you, Ukic can score or assist a teammate whenever he wants to. He’s extremely fast running while dribbling. He’s also got a good instinct for grabbing defensive rebounds, which makes him capable of going coast-to-coast to score or make “the pass.” He’s great running pick-and-roll situations, his first step is nice, and his dribbling skills are above average."

They also list some faults such as lackluster defense, but at 6'5" he has the size to defend the point in the nba if he works on it. And clearly he's not going to be as quick or fast as TJ, but if he can provide the same kind of fast pace that gets his teammates easy shots when the offense runs dry then you've got exactly what you want out of your backup point guard on the offensive end.

And there's a good chance Ukic may develop a nice tandem with fellow european Bargs, whose games would seem to be well suited to eachother with Bargnani's ability to run the pick and roll and create mismatches on the pick and pop 3 or taking a smaller defender down low on a switch.

Just makes me like the trade for O'Neal that much more.

[Dagomar Degroot]

Calderon is one of the best young points in the league. Signing him secures half our backcourt for the foreseeable future, and yes, I am very happy.

This team looks fearsome at the 1 and the 4/5. If Moon and Kapono can develop and play like they did for spurts during the playoffs - and if the rest of the team stays healthy - I have to say the Raps might just be a contender for the East next year. Those are big ifs, but still . . . Colangelo has breathed new life into a team that needed it.

[Geeve]

Have you gotten a chance to float around a "Joey for Hart" deal with any of your sources & see if a) it would work (people's opinions on it), b) the chances of it happening?

Also, if Jawai can ever do what lardo Shaq from Greece against the US a couple of years ago (and not get uber-fat after) he might be a lethal 11th man.

[GM]

I think one of Calderon's biggest attributes is his communication with all his teammates, so I think Ukic will fare better than Calderon did in his first year. Calderon seems to be a real team guy in his support for his teammates and no doubt will help Ukic with the transition.

[Nelson Hui]

I really hope the Raptors are not done. Who is going to play 3rd string back up PG? As well we will have the weakest wing position in the NBA with only Parker, Moon, and Adam?!? Yikes...

[RaptorMike]

Doug,

In your opinion, does Hassan Adams' deal push Moon to 3rd on the depth chart? Is his deal one year with a team option on a second at the minimum?

Blogger's note: Yes that is his deal but I don't imagine anyone expects him to supplant anyone in rotation right now.

[Jason H]

Doug,
I believe a shorter bench is the way to go. Last year they raved about being the deepest team in the league which is great until the guys that are 8 thru 12 in the rotation start crying about minutes. Dixon, Hump, Joey, Primo and Delfino all seemed to be concerned about their minutes at some point during the season. It makes more sense to me to have the strater know they start and have 6 and 7 know when they'll be called on. After that you can play it by the matchups for the 8-9 guys and on occasion a 10 and the rest get mop up duty.
I'd say the lineup should be:
Calderon,Parker,Kapono,Bosh,O'Neil
6. Bargnani
7. Moon
8. Roko
9. Pending 3 million Multi-tasker (medium to big)
10 Hump
11 Jawai
12 Happy to be collecting an NBA salary Player One
13 Happy to be collecting an NBA salary Player Two

[Jason H.]

Doug,
We should have gotten the bizzaro Joey Graham from Indiana. If you had both Joeys, we could have switched them in the locker room if it was a bad Joey night. One sweater, two Joey's would have doubled our chance of having the good one each night. I suppose we could have renamed our Joey and had two Stephen Grahams which might have improved our chances even further.

[Brad]

Doug, has any word come out on what Delfino is looking for as far as a range? I'm guessing not yet if it hasn't been written about? Assuming Kapono starts next year (likely will need 3 shooters with JO and Bosh), that leaves the Raps with a 2nd unit of Ukic, Adams, Moon, Hump, Bargnani...considering Moon and Adams are both 'defensive' minded players, Ukic is a rookie, Hump has limited offensive game...the only scorer on the 2nd unit is Bargnani and that's assuming he 'hopefully' finds his game again next year...that's a really scary 2nd string? Hopefully BC finds a way to get Delfino re-signed.

[Hassano99]

Doug,

I heard the raptors are getting 2 new "raptors", and they're both euro. Why is colangelo, so obsessed with getting euro. players??

Blogger's note: You "heard" wrong and they get players they think can help them and it doesn't matter if they're from Mars

[Stanicus]

Roko Ukic does not sound like a good back up for Jose this year. If he's going to be "learning" how to play in the NBA, shouldn't the Raptors get a real back up PG?

Is there any money to get someone like Steve Blake? I have not followed his career too closely since his days at Maryland but he seems to contribute wherever he goes as a backup.

[Zao Siddiqi]

hi i have a question
do you think the Raptors are going to rethink and get baron davis on the Toronto Raptors

Blogger's note: I presume the fact he's signed in Los Angeles will end this kind of query

[Juan]

Hi Doug,

I'm writting from Spain, we have seen Roko Leni Ukic playing, and I consider that he could help the team in a similar way that Jose did in his first year. He is a great defender, and also he can read the weakness of oponent's deffense. Personally I think that 1 position could be at lower level than last seasson, but the team as group will take a step forward.

Congratulations for your blog, in Spain you have many fans.

[Eric]

Maybe this new lean line-up will work for Joey Graham. He won't get big minutes. He shouldn't, but he needs to be put in the rotation and let play through his mistakes in the same way Jamairo was allowed to.
He gets lost sometimes out there, but was a strong defensive player in college and can get to the rim. If the light ever clicks on, you've got a player. He needs a chance to play without worrying about getting benched for ten games if he makes a mistake. Then, if he can't cut it, the team needs to move on.

[darwin]

what of delfino, can't they keep him to backup AP?

[Dan]

Based on the few games I saw him play when he was with New Jersey, Adams will be a hustle player who will be happy to play even if it's just a few minutes a game. I doubt he will solve any of the problems on the wing but I would put him ahead of Graham in the rotation. I was hoping the Raptors would have gone after Gerald Green, but he has a deal now with Dallas. He has terrible shot selection and does not play defense. He still has alot of up side and a good offensive game.